I married the Ghost King
I was getting married, but not to the living. I
was marrying a dead man.
My mom, brother, and sister–in–law crashed
the “ceremony,” screaming that I’d lost my
mind. Little did they know, in a month, the
world would end, swallowed by monstrous
horrors. And me? Marrying the leader of these
horrors would make me the most powerful
being in this broken world.
I’d be able to command the horrors, decide
who lived and who died.
You see, I lived through this once before. I
risked everything to save my family. And how
did they thank me? They tied me up, drained
my blood – human blood being the only thing
<
that could repel the horrors, buy you time to
escape
and then, as I lay dying, they tossed
me to the monsters.
I was ripped apart, devoured, my last
moments filled with regret. Then, I woke up a
month before it all began.
This time, they would pay.
1
I stared at my reflection, tears streaming
down my face. My relief was short–lived. The
phone rang. Caller ID: Mom. The woman who
condemned me to die.
Taking a deep breath, I answered. Her
cheerful voice grated on my ears. “Honey,
your sister–in–law’s pregnant! We’re cramped
<
here. You’re alone in that city apartment,
right? Why not rent a place for a while and let
her stay there?”
The same lie as last time. They’d take the
apartment, then fake a miscarriage, blaming
the stress of moving. I’d felt so guilty, so
responsible.
But Jenny, my so–called best friend and
sister–in–law, wasn’t pregnant. They just
wanted my apartment. Their logic? I’d get
married eventually; my things shouldn’t go to
some “outsider.”
Mom’s voice sharpened. “So it’s settled. Bring
the keys over.”
A cold smile touched my lips. “Mom, that
apartment won’t do.”
L
She shrieked, “What do you mean? Ashley,
what are you playing at?”
“It’s too small for the baby,” I soothed. “I
should buy them a bigger place. I wouldn’t
want my nephew cramped. Don’t worry, I’ll
cover it.”
Mom’s delighted laughter filled the line.
“That’s my girl! Always so thoughtful.”
My smile widened, but the warmth didn’t
reach my eyes. Thoughtful, yes. But not for them. Not anymore.
