The Billionaire's Enchanted Bride

Over the large ballroom, the stunning chandelier in the Harrington Auction House created a kaleidoscope of lighting. Richness and strength permeated the space, the whisper of silence blending with the odd clink of champagne glasses. Ethan Draycott, the youngest billionaire in the software sector, set himself apart from the rest by focusing exclusively on the stage as the gavel of the auctioneer broke against the polished platform set.

Declared the auctioneer, "Lot 47," his voice growing to demand attention, "a rare artifact, believed to be an ancient relic from the late mediaeval period." Starting at a hundred thousand dollars.

Ethan leaned back in his chair and steepled fingers closing his eyes. Among the priceless objects and artwork, the crystalline sphere-hardly lit by the stage lights-seemed out of context. It shimmered with an odd appeal, as though its hidden center was known. Though he lacked superstitious tendencies, something about it captivated him.

Two hundred thousand responded from across the hall.

Ethan hesitated silently then gestured everyone in the room toward "Three hundred."

Ethan's name preceded him not only as a commercial leader but also as a man who hardly made quick decisions among whispers humming through the assembly.

The bidding increased, but Ethan remained cool and masterfully outwitted his rivals with careless certainty. His one million dollar bid silence the crowd by the time the gavel landed.

Ethan glanced at the treasure now resting on the brilliant black desk of his apartment late that evening. Although he concentrated just on the orb, the city's lights swirled across the floor to-celly windows behind him. It pulsed gently, almost invisibly, just as life does.

Always asking questions, he said, "What secrets are you hiding?"

He took it up, the cool surface just warming in his hand. Every square inch of the chamber changed at once. Once closed windows let a blast of wind over the fluttering lights. Ethan stopped, his grasp on the ball tightening as a terrible buzz shot blasted across the field.

Ethan lunched backward to cover his eyes from the blazing artifact. In the middle of his desk stood someone lowering the lamp.

Her golden hair swirled in waves, her airy, piercing, unearthly emerald eyes reflected something. Clung to her body, a robe of bright silver cloth sent an intensity that set the air surrounding her flame.

Her voice sang, melodic and forceful, "Who dares summon me?"

Blinking, Ethan's analytical mind sought out reason. Ask you? I caught myself not calling anyone. Where you presently work, what are you working on and with whom?

Her eyes closed and her countenance changed from wrath to doubt as the woman cast about. She said, almost to herself, "This... This is not my domain." Her eyes stayed on the ball still in Ethan's hands. You as well! You switched on the curse of Orithia!

What? Ethan asked, wriggled, then backed off gently.

She pointed to the sphere and then flowed with the elegance of water. That relic dropped me down here. A mortal folly only could dare to awaken its might.

Ethan's need for control took front stage. "Listen, woman-whatever your identity is-I believe in neither magic nor curses. Would this maybe be an advanced fraud-that is, "

"Scam?," she said, laughing harshly and unpleasantly. "You people are exactly the same anywhere. Not sure the underlying causes of your loss of control. yet, this... She moved with her own hand. There is not any fraud here. You humans slaves; I am Queen of the Fae.

Ethan moved around his business trying to understand her remarks. Standing at her desk, Seraphina exuded royal grace despite her wild look.

"Let me get this straight," Ethan remarked at last. You say you are a fairy queen, cursed and imprisoned inside this sphere, and now you are stuck here thanks to me?

Furious, Seraphina yelled, her tolerance failing.

Ethan, clearly dubious, ran his dark hair between his hands. This is just ridiculous. There is magic nowhere on Earth.

Rising from her with emerald eyes blazing was Seraphina. Then incredibly carefully explain why I am here. Describe why your priceless technology cannot reverse what has been done. She waved over the space, a little power tremor dancing in the air.

Ethan's eyes strayed to his computer screen, black since she arrived. His well controlled life seemed to be spiraling out of control.

At last he said, "Fine," sharply releasing air. "Let's pretend, for arguments sake, you are who you say you are.'" From me, especially regarding what exactly you are looking for?

Her demeanor softened, but little. "I want freedom," her answer was. "This curses links me to your planet till...." She stopped to catch her voice faltering.

Of what?

"Until I find true love," she continued, "the respectful comments seem."

Ethan wrinkled his brow. " sincere love?" That makes sense. I dropped totally for you; this is the part we lead gladly always after. His voice came out as nasty.

Seraphina started to rotate her brushes. Not a fairy tale; I want none of your mortal emotions. Your difficulties are less than those in my cell, hence the curse is not strong.

One could surely feel suspense in the room. Ethan corrected his body and opened his arms. Should you so want it, you will have to fight for freedom. I reject your point of view, hence I reject either actual or otherwise love.

Neither do I trust you, Seraphina shot back. "But it seems that fate rules us whether or not we like it."

For a minute neither talked since their circumstances collapsed on them. Not at all like the city lights flickering outside the glass was the hazy anarchy within the chamber.

At last Ethan yelled out against the hush. " Alright, Princess of the Fae. Let us tackle this from backward. One thing is clear: you have limited power here. We use my approach; my universe is what we know.

Her mouth opened to a contemptuous smile. About that, mortal, we will see.

The strange duo was about to start adventure neither had planned as the clock struck midnight.

The room seemed to be charged. Ethan turned aside and raised his arms. Should you so want it, you will have to fight for freedom. I reject your point of view, hence I reject either actual or otherwise love.

Neither do I trust you, Seraphina shot back. "But it seems that fate rules us whether or not we like it."

For a minute neither talked since their circumstances collapsed on them. Not at all like the city lights flickering outside the glass was the hazy anarchy within the chamber.

At last Ethan yelled out against the hush. "Alright, Princess of the Fae. Let us tackle this from backward. One thing is clear: you have limited power here. We work using my approach; this is my universe.

The mouth of Seraphina expanded to a sardonic smile. "We will find out about that, mortal.

Ethan was not responding; the sphere on his desk started to pulsate angrily and its bland glow darkened red. As a quick pulse of vigor tore across the room, both of them fell.

"What is the devil doing now?" Ethan boomed then corrected himself exactly at the desk.

The face of Seraphina became white, panic widening her eyes. The ball is calling forth still another person. Something.

The penthouse's windows broke outward in a vast flash of light and wind, as though in response. Ethan had shills run down his spine as a loud, guttural scream ripped across the evening air.

Her speech pauses. "whatever you have awaken," remarked Seraphina, "it's not just me."

Originally a sparkling example of modern luxury, Ethan's penthouse today seems to have been created in reaction to a natural disaster. Broken windows abound allowing the cool evening air to saturate the floor. Ethan watched the relic still swaying on its pedestal while seated on the edge of his desk. His heart pounded.

Still, Seraphina fixed her eyes inside the orb under the whirling crimson light. Her voice shaking slightly, she said, "This is worse than I thought."

Ethan stammered then soon his incredulity gave way to fury. Based on what you would define as "worse"? That was left to you. Besides what else could it be calling?

Turning to him, Seraphina had emerald eyes ablaze. Apart from a prison, the relic is a lighthouse. Whatever spell imprisoned me inside must have left traces; today, it pulls attention from objects best left in the shade.

Ethan tightened his mouth. Like other like?

Seraphina's response was cut abruptly when the room rocked from a thundering hit. Ethan swirled about, looking for the noise producer. Under the weight of an invisible power, modern security systems groaned at his office door. The air moved like metal straying and bending.

Ethan said, "Something's trying to get in," gently and slowly, against the panic screaming in his chest.

Open hands let Seraphina push ahead. Her face was obviously hard, but soft golden light whirled about her fingertips. This is a fairly bad spot. Besides the beauty of the orb, we have to clear it.

Ethan raised an eyebrow. Destroys it? Through all of this struggle? It's not perfect, just not ideal.

Furious, Seraphina whirled all about him. Do you mortal like the life you lead? Should that beast go through, it will not only search for me but also destroy all in its route!

Before Ethan could answer, the door let away with a loud cry. It got cold as a large black man walked into the room. Its body shimmered like fog just marginally kept together, and its eyes burned a weird, terrible white. Ethan grabbed for a weapon-anywhere he might defend himself-and the beast caught it with a guttural shriek.

The beast sobbed, sounding like metal, waking me with claws. It turned to fix eyes on Seraphina. Also, you will pay for it.

Rising her hands, Seraphina straightened her shoulders while the golden light around us got more vivid. She takes a stiff stance but speaks gently. "I'm not sure who you are," she said, "but you're quite mistaken if you believe I'm defensseless."

The thing surged fast, its hazy tentacles reaching for her. Ethan instantly turned the closest object-a large crystal weight-toward the monster. It passed just through the object and hardly touched the wall.

Ethan mumbled under his breath, naturally. "Based on reasons, why shouldn't those work?"

Seraphina blasted off a golden blast; the light broke against the beast to push it back. She obviously paid a lot of money for it, but she cried in anguish. She staggered and laboured with her breathing. "My magic: it's too weak," she moaned.

Fast healing, the creature's form whirled and merged as it got ready for yet another attack. Ethan whirled through his consciousness. He solved problems, but he was not a magic believer. Should brute force be inadequate, some other approach must be available.

Desperate rising in his voice, he asked, "Is there anything else that can stop this thing?"

"The Orb!" Managed, gripping her side; Seraphina was "I need time to channel the fragment of power it still possesses."

Turning now to check the relic, Ethan The spinning red light inside seemed to be changing now to fit the action in the room. Graced, he groaned and trailed Seraphina back toward the beast. Give you time to buy."What are you?" asked Seraphina. Ethan was starting to shift already.

He charged the beast, flinging the metal lamp off his desk like a bat. Though the homemade weapon passed in a misty shape, the deed delayed the demon just long enough for Seraphina to climb back on her feet. Her hands rested on the orb; her eyes glowed weakly as she started to chant in a tongue Ethan understood not.

The beast extending aggressively had tentacles. Ethan hit once, then turned straight ahead toward the wall. He clenched his teeth and pushed himself to stand while anguish tore across his shoulder.

At Seraphina, he said, "Keep going!"

A golden light began to slink like vines around her palm from the ball. The monster shrieked gutturally as the light came upon it; its form twisted and turned. It is in action! Seraphina's remarks contained hope and will. She cried.

Ethan had to blink his eyes as the light got stronger. The thing broke off into a black smoke cloud with a last, sharp scream. As the room's air settled, the golden radiance darkened.

Breath fast, Ethan dropped his arm. His voice choked, he questioned, "What the devil was that thing?"

Shaking hands, Seraphina spun the ball. Defender of darkness standing in for those who denounced me.

Ethan shook his head, shock mixed with tiredness. " This just keeps getting better."

The sphere started to radiate once again, dark, terrible purple before anyone could talk more. The face of Seraphina became pallet. She answered, this is not done here.

Time went by, and the ball pulsed violently while the chamber flashed. Ethan corrected himself; he may sink. Anything ahead seems unfit for it.

From the great, vibrating strength of the purple light, which circled the room like a wave, Ethan's teeth stung. The air thickened and became charged with electricity; he groped involuntarily for his desk's edge. Rising behind the sphere, Seraphina appeared still, staring at its throbbing centre.

"What then?" Ethan yelled above the growing chorus.

Nothing, claims Seraphina. Her mouth cracked to utter something he could hear. Though her hands were near the sphere, an explosive force burst from it skyward before she could touch it.

Ethan tried to sit up, back burning with agony. His penthouse now was a combat zone, the once-sleek furnishings broken by jagged glass, and the vast city outside the windows ripped to bits.

The purple light began to bloom right from the core of the disorder. First, a spinning mass, it changed slowly to reveal a tall, robed creature with Ethan's spine shuddered. Though its face was covered, its eyes gleamed like cutting flames.

Using a strong and loud voice like a razor across the air, the figure sang, "Seraphina." One cannot run from their fate.

Rising, Seraphina felt her rebellion flare back on. Her voice was poison; "You dare to follow me here, into the mortal realm!" she spitted.

The man moved; his presence like fog closing the space. Instead you followed the current policies. Your treachery has death as your sentence.

Ethan, still on the ground, waved a hand. His cynicism piercing the suspense, he said, "Okay, hold on a second." "Who asked Dave Vader to the celebration?"

Ethan became the target of the beast's scorching scrutiny, and for a minute, he felt as though every secret and every vulnerability shown before it was being revealed. His sense of self-preservation was reduced to a simple will; he struggled against the impulse to turn away.

With a disdainful eye, toward You have no place in this, the man said. Leave mortal before you are consumed.

Ethan worked himself to be standing with closed fists. "Listen, friend," recommended. "This is my reality, my fabrication; right now, your situation neither defines you nor what you are.

Shock rocked her face, but Seraphina recovered quickly. Ethan, dumb; stay away from this. Your level does not match his.

Not a match for the last smoke monster either, Ethan shot back. " Would not stop me then; would not stop me now."

One arm raised by the figure shot, dark energy bursts forth. Ethan ready, but before he could get to him Seraphina reacted with a golden light shield. The two powers merged to blast sparkles skyward.

Teeth closed, Seraphina murmured, "I won't let you hurt him," and her arms shook to maintain the barrier.

The man turned his head clearly, amused. Look, care for him, please. Little town: how small? Maybe he's the reason you've been so weak.

Seraphina staggered; dark energy poured beyond her barrier. Ethan looked about for something somewhat practical; his brain whirled. He pointed directly toward the artefact.

"Seraphina," he said, "how do we stop him?"

To keep the barrier, she strained her voice. "The orb offers ability as well as a significant risk. Over it, you have no influence!

Ethan stopped just a tiny bit. Dangerous or not, their only choice was He sprinted toward the sphere dodging falling rubble as the chamber rocked under the weight of the other energies.

His fingers stroking the relic sent an energy spike that seemed to alter the surroundings. His dream veered to show flashes of another place: a crumbling palace shrouded in darkness, an ancient woodland bathed in moonlight, and a woman's voice murmuring his name.

"Ethan," the voice stated, was clear, plain, crisp and forceful. There is a mystery dwelling within of you.

He turned back to face reality, the sphere blazing more brilliantly. The beast stared narrowingly and locked him. Haunted in voice, "What have you done?" said.

Ethan knew the answer, but he could feel wild and uncontrolled strength coursing through him. He raised the ball and spun a vitality spark from it into the figure.

Haunted backwards, Seraphina abandoned her shielding as the dark energy vanished. Her look at Ethan was one of combined terror and wonder. "How...how did you control that?"

Ethan answered with a cracked voice, "I'm not sure." Still, I can envision use for this object outside decoration. It's heavy.

Fast returning, the phantom's form fluttered like a dying flame. It snarled; I'm not sure why. Seraphina cannot have the curse taken from her. It will have you two eaten.

It vanished with that awful silence trailing.

Ethan dropped the sphere with vague gestures. " What the devil was that?"

Seraphina answered with lethargy. She corrected him, her emerald eyes wide with a combination of incredulity and something else he could not quite grasp.

"You're not only a mortal," she whispered at last, just above a whisper.

Ethan began to respond, but the ball began to glow once more-this time just slightly golden before he could finish. Seraphina's face darkened as a fresh hum filled the space, less but still somewhat strong.

Her voice is darkness; "We have just begun."