"You're joking! That's bullshit."

Trust it to Red to say it like it is. It really was bullshit but there was nothing she could do to stop it. She had no where to go, her father, the one who was supposed to protect her against all evil, was putting her in bed with the devil; literally.

"I know Red but how do I get out of it? Dad arranged it..."

"See that right there... arranged it... that doesn't sound like your dad. Was he forced?"

Anna looked at Red completely dumbfounded. Just what was the actual reason behind this? If only he hadn't taken off to god knows where and left her behind with Damon she may have had a chance to convince him that she didn't want this. She nearly cried while they were in the jewellers yesterday and Damon told her that her father would arrive back on the day of the wedding to walk her down the aisle. What's that term.. give the bride away? Yeh, he wasn't just giving her away; he wad throwing her into the fires of hell.

"He didn't give that impression" she said sadly.

"So, what's this Damon like?"

"Scary."

"What do you mean...scary?" Red's eyes centered on her face as tey narrowed.

"Oh you know. Typical adult crap of knowing everything so no matter what I do it's wrong."

Red sat silent watching the expressions on her good friends face. She was looking for the signs she missed the first time.

"Promise me that if you start..."

"It's ok Red. It's nothing like that."

"Just promise me damn you. I care ok? It took too long..."

Anna reached over the table and squeezed Red's hand "I promise... and thank you".

Red nodded solemnly "Well ok since we don't have a choice let's finish this coffee and go and find you a wedding dress! Something super sexy" she trailed off as she saw Anna grimace "or maybe not."

Anna smiled weakly knowing that Red would think it was because she didn't want to impress Damon to the point of him wanting her. The truth was darker and not something she wanted to share. Those final words before she left the house were enough for her to want to find something more demure.

'You belong to me Anna. You're mine and mine alone. Don't disappoint me with your choice of dress '

She knew she wouldn't, or at least hoped, as finally two hours later she found the perfect dress. Simple, demure, classic lines while at the same time it was elegant and eye catching. She didn't feel like a princess when she looked at herself in the changeroom mirror but with hair and make up done she would give the illusion of being one. In contrast the dress that Red had chosen was everything a bridesmaid's dress should be. Red's flaming red hair accented the by the dark emerald green dress that she chose.

Driving home she was nervous. Had she been gone too long? Would he want to see the dress... isn't that bad luck? She had to laugh at that thought. Could anything be more bad luck than marrying a man who treated her like a possession? She found herself slowly sinking as she got closer to the house. Hands gripped on the steering wheel she drove towards the garage doors but before she could reach for the remote the door in front of her started to rise. Gulping she saw legs revealed as the door raised higher. She looked at the hands that sat on the hips of the body and felt relief to see that they weren't clenched in any way.

Thankful she started to relax but froze as the moment was short lived. Her eyes met his and his face told her everything was not fine. Nervously she licked at her lips while trying to hold back the urge to lower her head and submit. He raised his wrists and with one small but firm movement he pointed to his watch. Quickly she looked at the clock on the dash and her heart sunk. She was an hour past the time she said she'd be back. He was furious as he stalked towards the drivers door.

He held out a hand to help her out of the car. Nervously she undid the seatbelt and taking his hand she slid from the car.

"You're late." His voice sounded calm.

"I'm sorry Damon."

"Did you find a dress?"

"Yes I did. It was in the last store we went to."

"It was just you and Red?"

"Yes Damon."

He lent in and kissed her forehead.

"Very well. Go upstairs. Dinner is at seven. I ordered in."

She wasn't prepared for him to be nice! Walking up the stairs she was shaking. Was this the calm before the storm? Her mind wandered to the look he had when she told him she'd found a dress and she couldn't help but hope that in some small way that hopefully Damon would approve.