Avalon had always believed herself to have possessed a strong will and an indomitable spirit...but, now she feared for the loss of those precious things. Now she feared that she would be nothing more than a doll, a thing that existed for the pleasure of others, a girl whose voice had been forever silenced, a bird whose wings would no longer carry her on a whim, ...a spirit...that had been broken.

The first time Artemis' gaze fell upon his bride, was the day she walked down the aisle, guided by her father. Her face was hidden behind a veil and her pure white fur blended seamlessly into the snow-white gown that fit to her small, slender form like a glove. He could see the shape of her figure and was relieved that he found it pleasing...quite pleasing. Apart from that, the only other distinguishing feature he could see, was the bright red of her hair. Her shining locks were decorated with white flowers and pearls and gathered in a neat bun with spiral curls spilling out on either side atop her head. It was such a striking hue that he wondered if the color was reserved solely to her curly hair, or would it appear on other parts of her body. The very thought made the prince both anxious, and extremely aroused.

Her father led her along the narrow walkway that was flanked with royals and dignitaries from every island in the Catriona Isles, and delivered her to his side. The man whose name the young prince had already forgotten, gently kissed his daughter's brow and whispered, "I love you.", before abandoning her to retreat to the guest seating area to sit beside a woman who he presumed to be the man's wife and the mother of his never-before-seen bride. She was an attractive woman and Artemis hoped that her daughter shared her beauty, but her face was still frustratingly hidden behind the billowy piece of lace fabric. He would have to exercise a measure of patience in order to reveal what behind the veil.

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