The Lantern Bride Of Thornhaven Keep

The first time Seraphine Alder saw Thornhaven Keep she felt the weight of destiny settle upon her shoulders like a velvet cloak. The ancient fortress rose from the cliffs in jagged angles its towers reaching toward the gray sky like grasping fingers. Pale mist curled around its battlements hiding and revealing the stone walls in a quiet dance. Her carriage rattled to a halt on the cobbled courtyard and the driver cleared his throat as if afraid to break the oppressive silence.

We have arrived miss he murmured though his voice carried more fear than formality.

Seraphine stepped down carefully smoothing her dark red gown against the cold wind. She was not dressed for travel but for a wedding one arranged by the royal court to secure peace between the Alder family and Lord Evander Thornhaven. She had never met him. She had never spoken to him. And yet in a matter of days she was to become his wife.

A tall man with silver dusted hair approached her from the shadows. He bowed stiffly. Mistress Alder. I am Rowan the steward. Lord Evander instructed me to escort you.

Seraphine lifted her chin hiding her nervousness behind practiced grace. Thank you Rowan. The keep is quite different from what I expected.

Rowan hesitated for a heartbeat. Thornhaven is not like other lands mistress. The cliffs change the wind howls differently and the night has its own voice. But you will grow accustomed to it in time.

His words unsettled her but she followed him through the grand entrance. The hall was dim lit only by lanterns whose flames flickered strangely as though responding to her presence. Thick carpets muffled their footsteps. Suits of armor lined the walls their visors lowered their gauntlets gripping rusted swords.

Seraphine breathed deeply to calm herself. Her father had sent her here with clear purpose. Unite the houses. End the feud. Secure peace. But peace came with a hidden cost of a future built in a land that felt like a living tomb.

Rowan led her to her chambers. Before he left he paused with an expression she could not decipher. If you hear the lanterns singing at night do not leave your room.

Her heart skipped. Singing lanterns

He bowed again and walked away leaving the warning echoing in her mind.

That night Seraphine stood by the window gazing across the jagged cliffs. The ocean churned beneath the moon its waves crashing violently against the rocks. Thornhaven Keep seemed carved from the same stone the wind weaving through it like a ghostly breath.

As she prepared for sleep a faint hum drifted through the corridor. Soft melodic. Almost human.

Her blood chilled.

Rowans warning returned in an instant. She held her breath listening as the lanterns outside her chamber door flickered brighter then dimmer with each rise and fall of the eerie lullaby. She forced herself to step back from the door retreating into the safety of her room.

Morning came but the unease remained.

Seraphine explored the keep accompanied by a few silent servants who watched her with a mixture of curiosity and pity. She wondered why until she reached the portrait hall. One painting in particular drew her attention.

It was of a woman in a flowing silver gown holding a lantern in her hands. Her eyes were sorrowful her expression hauntingly familiar.

Who is she Seraphine asked.

No one answered.

Later that day she met Lord Evander Thornhaven at last.

He entered the great hall wearing a dark coat embroidered with silver thread. His hair was black his eyes storm gray yet there was a quiet gentleness beneath his stern exterior. He bowed to her with surprising warmth.

Lady Seraphine. Welcome to Thornhaven.

She curtsied. It is an honor my lord.

His gaze lingered on her with something like sadness. I must ask your forgiveness for the state of the keep. It has seen better days.

It is beautiful in its own way she replied though her voice wavered slightly.

Evander studied her for a long moment then said softly. You are afraid.

She swallowed. This place feels as though it hides more than walls.

A shadow crossed his expression. Thornhaven has its ghosts. Some memories refuse to rest.

Seraphine waited hoping he would continue but he turned away.

In the days that followed she found herself drawn to Evander despite the distance he kept. He walked the corridors late at night his steps heavy with a grief he never spoke of. Seraphine discovered he was kind to his people loyal to his lands and gentle in small unguarded moments.

Yet something held him at arms length from her.

One evening she gathered the courage to ask him. Why did you agree to this marriage

Evander was silent for a long time before responding. Because Thornhaven needed hope. And I thought you might survive what others could not.

Survive she whispered frowning.

He closed his eyes. I should not have said that.

Evander Thornhaven she said stepping closer. Are you in danger Or am I

He looked at her with such raw vulnerability that her heart cracked. Both he whispered.

Before she could speak the lanterns in the hall flickered suddenly flaring to life. A low song rose from them almost like a distant choir. Seraphine felt her skin prickle.

Evander grabbed her hand. Do not listen. Follow me.

He pulled her into a nearby chamber slamming the door shut. The song grew louder outside circling them like a storm. Seraphine trembled.

Evander please tell me what is happening.

He sank into a chair burying his face in his hands. The Lantern Bride he said finally. She still walks these halls.

Seraphines heartbeat echoed in her ears. The woman in the portrait.

Evander nodded. My first wife.

Seraphine felt the air leave her lungs. She died on our wedding night. Some say she slipped from the cliffs. Others believe she was taken by Thornhavens old curse. Every night the lanterns echo her final song. And every woman who comes to Thornhaven hears it.

Seraphine stepped back trembling. Why bring me here if such danger exists

Because he whispered his voice breaking I could not stop the marriage arranged by the council. And because I hoped you might break the curse she left behind.

His pain radiated through the room. Seraphine felt a strange mixture of fear and compassion.

What binds her here she asked softly.

He looked up meeting her eyes. Love twisted into sorrow. And a truth I was too afraid to face.

That night Seraphine could not sleep. The lanterns hummed once more their song growing louder. She stood and approached the door placing her hand against it. The melody pulsed through the wood filling her chest with aching sadness.

A voice whispered beyond the door. Seraphine.

Her heart jolted.

She opened the door.

The corridor was empty except for one lantern glowing brighter than the rest. Its flame moved as if touched by unseen hands. Seraphine felt an invisible force drawing her toward the portrait hall.

She followed trembling with every step.

The portrait of the Lantern Bride glowed under the lanterns eerie light. Seraphine approached slowly then gasped when the eyes of the painted woman shifted meeting hers.

Why are you here Seraphine whispered.

The air turned cold. A figure materialized beside the portrait a translucent woman with silver hair flowing around her like mist. She held a lantern glowing with ghostly fire.

Seraphine froze. You are her. The Lantern Bride.

The spirit nodded her voice soft and broken. I have waited so long.

Seraphine dared to ask. Why do you haunt this place

The spirit turned toward the cliffs visible through the tall window. My death was not fate. It was betrayal.

Betrayal Seraphine whispered. By whom

The spirit looked at her with haunted eyes. Evander.

Seraphine staggered back. That cannot be true.

The Lantern Bride lifted her hand revealing a vision swirling within the lanterns flame. Seraphine saw a scene unfold the spirit standing with Evander on the cliffs their voices raised in argument. The vision twisted showing the bride losing her footing reaching for Evander and falling.

Seraphine cried out. No.

The spirit stepped closer. You must leave before he does to you what he did to me.

But Seraphine felt her instincts fight the vision. Evander had shown her kindness sorrow fear. There was truth missing from this story.

Why show me this she demanded.

The spirit hesitated. Because I need someone to take my place.

Seraphines blood froze. The lantern flames rose high swirling violently. The spirit lunged toward her eyes glowing hunger in their depths.

Seraphine screamed stumbling backward. A door burst open and Evander rushed in grabbing her arm.

Do not touch her he shouted.

The spirit shrieked a sound that cracked the lantern glass. You took my life. You will not take hers.

Evander pulled Seraphine behind him his voice breaking. I tried to save you. You slipped. I could not reach you.

Liar the spirit howled.

Seraphine clutched Evanders sleeve her voice shaking. If she wants the truth then tell me. Tell both of us.

Evander faced the spirit agony etched in his features. You know the truth. You wanted to leave Thornhaven. You wanted freedom. And I tried to stop you because I loved you. You fell because you ran. And I have lived with the guilt every day since.

The spirit faltered. Her expression softened then twisted in torment.

Seraphine stepped forward slowly. You are bound here by pain. But you cannot destroy others to soothe it.

The bride looked at Seraphine with grief so deep it shook the walls. I only wanted to be remembered. I only wanted to be free.

Then let go Seraphine whispered. Let us remember you with truth not fear.

The lantern flames calmed. The spirit flickered dimming like a candle in the wind. She looked at Evander one last time sorrow turning to peace.

Forgive me.

Evander whispered I already have.

The spirit turned to Seraphine. Thank you.

With a final glow she dissolved into silver dust drifting through the air and disappearing into the night.

The lanterns fell silent.

Evander collapsed to his knees trembling. Seraphine knelt beside him placing her hand on his cheek.

You carried this alone for too long she whispered.

He leaned into her touch tears burning his eyes. I thought the curse would claim you. I was terrified to care for you.

Seraphine felt warmth spread through her chest. Then let us walk forward with truth and without fear.

He looked at her with a depth that made her heart flutter. Seraphine Alder will you stay in Thornhaven by choice not duty

She smiled softly. Yes Evander. By choice.

The lanterns glowed gently as though blessing their union.

And in the moonlit halls of Thornhaven Keep the curse finally lifted replaced by a love that grew from ashes and healed the wounds of both the living and the dead.