Fabled (29 page)

“Of course, a dress isn’t complete without shoes.” Lauren smiled and a pair of heels appeared in her hands. They were clear as glass and adorned with what looked like diamonds.

“They’re lovely. The only question is — can I walk in them?”

“Oh, no worries!” she said. With a wave of her hand, they turned into studded flats.
 

“Perfect.” I forced another smile.

“One last thing,” Nurse said and clasped the lace veil at the back of the crown.
 

“There’s still something else,” Lauren said while grabbing the lipstick. “Nothing tops the cake like a cherry.”
 

With a shaky hand, I ran the ruby stick across my lips.

Lauren and the rest of the family had already left. Larelle and Nurse accompanied me to the wedding. We rode there in a carriage, just as we had before. There was mostly silence between us, but I was far from calm. Chaos and panic ravaged my mind.
 

Dresdem’s promise to bring me to the portal every day until I opened it had quickly been overshadowed by the extravagant desires of his son, which seemed odd to me. It felt like I was walking into a trap, but there was no place to run but straight into the enchanted claws of the royals.
 

Have I been crazy to accept this marriage? Will I actually be able to save anyone? Or will I be the only one who needs saving? I can’t do this. I can’t do this.

You have to. We have to protect them. This is the only way.

Since when do you care about
them
? You only want Dresdem’s magic so you can have your kingdom back! There has to be another way!

I’m choosing to ignore that statement and blame it on your over-emotional state. You know deep down what we have to do. What’s necessary is rarely what’s preferred; victory belongs to the brave.

I can’t be with Dekel. I just can’t. I’d rather die!

Don’t think about that. We’ll burn that bridge when we cross it.

I couldn’t help but think about Chester and Dashielle and the mixture of weddings that I’d dreamed up in the past. Everything was wrong. The husband, the family, the place — everything. My chest tightened. I lost all control of my breathing and gasped for air. I felt like I was about to pass out.

“Breathe!” Larelle yelled. “Deep breathe in and release.”

Pull it together. We can fix everything once we have magic.

I struggled, but by the time we got to the wedding, I’d resumed some sort of zombie-like calm.

It looked magical, really. There were tea lights in little glasses hanging in the trees. White roses were scattered throughout that somehow had grown overnight. The evening came and so did the forest’s fog, which made everything look more mysterious and strangely perfect. A photographer was there — one like I’d seen in old movies who took photos under a black veil. Dekel and I were instructed to stand under a large oak and pose. I was told to place my hand on his chest and look at him with loving eyes. I did my best to follow instructions, but I nearly gagged.

“You look great, even with all the layers,” he whispered and gave me a dirty wink. My spine shivered in response.

We were told to assume our places. Dekel, dressed in a three-piece tux, looked slightly less grotesque than I’d pictured him before, but nothing he could have worn would have masked his perverse nature.
 

The whole event sort of reminded me of prom, what little I’d seen of it since Dashielle and I only showed up for pictures. Mom insisted on those photos.
 

Lauren took my side, dressed perfectly in peach chiffon.

“Here,” she said handing me a small gift. It was an oval locket, edged with tiny sapphires. There was a cameo on the front of it. “You see, it’s new, and the sapphires are blue, and the picture inside is borrowed, until you replace it with your own.” She smiled. I nearly cried. I felt incredibly thankful to have Lauren for a bridesmaid. I couldn’t imagine Lil being so thoughtful. I started to open it, but Larelle said, “Let’s begin.”

Music rang from the trees and carried in the wind. Lauren walked down the aisle before me, and I followed. There were maybe thirty guests, almost all of whom I didn’t know. A woman in the trees caught my attention. She wore a large white brimmed hat that covered almost everything but her ruby red lips. No one else seemed to notice the lonely black silhouette. I continued walking. When I passed Dresdem, Larelle, and Nurse, I finally gathered the nerve to look at Dekel. He was smiling and seemed genuinely happy. An outsider would have thought he was in love.
 

I took my place next to Lauren. I handed her my bouquet. I turned and placed my hands in Dekel’s and tried to retreat into the remote corners of my mind.
 

An older man stood with a tattered book in his arms and said, “Do you Rowena agree to share an eternity of unbroken love with Dekel? Held in perfect union by the magic of this world, and sanctified by the agreement of these witnesses. Do you agree to concede your emotional desires for the fulfillment of your mate’s natural, logical wisdom? And do you agree to support his efforts to build and sustain Mezzanine with the accompaniment of the entire royal family? If you do, please say I do.”

Don’t do it!
My mouth was dry until I almost regurgitated my last meal. I clasped my arms around my stomach, trying to force myself well enough to answer.
 

“I do,” I stuttered.
 

A strong current ran through my body. Every part of me was lit up from the inside. For a moment I believed I’d been struck by lightning. Everything within me throbbed. I could hardly breathe. I almost collapsed, but Dekel steadied me.
 

“It’s okay. It’s just a little magic,” he whispered, slipping a large black diamond on my left hand. Within seconds, the current ceased. He kissed me hard. The guests applauded. He pulled me close; I felt his breath brisk across my ear. He gently blew, and I felt a slight burn behind my lobe. I clasped where I felt the pain. He pulled away and smiled. “It’s a symbol of our love. All of my wives wear it.” He snapped his fingers and held two mirrors. “Take a look.” He handed me one of them as he held the other slightly behind my ear. When I caught the reflection, I saw that two intertwined rings were tattooed there. Devastated to have a permanent mark to commemorate the worst day of my life, I tried to rub it off to no avail.

Slowly we walked down the aisle and joined the others at the feast. The tables were positioned in a way that made them look less obtrusive in the forest’s natural setting. The fog settled lower as everyone ate and drank. They were full of food, laughter, and happiness. I was full of something else. Chester was right that magic would change me. I felt this overwhelming sense of power, and for the first time since I’d been here, I was aware of my immortality.

Let’s get down to business, shall we?

I waited until Dekel’s sobriety was long gone before I got to work. I didn’t think it was possible to project all the way back to the castle and release everyone, but I had to try. I pushed myself. It took a minute, but I was elated to see the castle’s steps. I carried my immense dress in my arms and ran towards the basement. The home was practically empty besides the few servants that weren’t assigned wedding duty. I ran down the stone steps and into the darkness. I couldn’t see anything, as usual.
 

Think about light and blow on your hand.

I did as Julia suggested and blew. A small ball of fire appeared.
 

Wow! That is amazing.
 

Get on with it!

I heard something from one of the cells. I shined the light and saw a bear. I jerked back and watched it morph into something else. It was Jacob.
 

“What are you doing here?” he asked while giving me a once over.
 

“It’s a long story. Here,” I waved my other hand over the lock and heard it unlock.

“You’ve got magic,” he whispered. He stared at me in shock.
 

“You were a bear.”

“Shape-shifter.” He shrugged.

“I married the boy. I needed to try to save the people I’ve hurt. Where’s Wilhelm?” He pointed to another cell. I let him out too.

“Why are you both down here?” I asked.

“It was our punishment for keeping you over the designated time. We were only sentenced a week, but we’re happy to be out,” Wilhelm answered.

“You’ve got to get out of here now,” I told them. They turned to bolt, but I couldn’t help but ask, “Shape-shifters?”

“We’re usually something a little less terrifying. A rabbit is my favorite disguise,” Jacob said.

“There aren’t really people who help on the other side, are there?”
 

Wilhelm answered, “There are, but they can’t all pass through the portal. If we shed our human bodies, we still can. That’s how we got the equipment to make the podcasts and how we’ve shared our stories in the past. We just couldn’t tell you then,” his voice trailed.
 

“Thanks,” I whispered and turned away. I heard them go up the stairs as I traveled deeper down the corridor.
 

“Cale?”

“Here!” I heard him say. His wide eyes stared at the flame in my hand. I waved the door open, but he pulled away. “What are you?” he asked.

“It’s just me. It’s a long story, but you have to believe me.”

“Why would I? You have magic.”

“I fed you popcorn. I slept beside you in your cave. I’m Roe, Cale.” His eyes turned away, but something must have convinced him because he followed me. We released Mack and Cilla and ran up the basement steps.

“What do we have here?” one of the servants said. He stood taller than Cale and much larger. We cowered.
 

“Run!” I yelled to them. I held my hand out, strengthened the fireball, and threatened to throw it. Everyone ran besides the servant. The man trembled as I forced the fire onto his chest. I could feel his terror. It was strangely invigorating to see him recoil in pain.
 

Once I felt enough time had passed and they were safe, I coerced the fire into extinction. I forced my fist forward, which sent the man flying into the stone wall. I let go of the castle and found myself sitting in front of sixty suspicious eyes. My new magic made the whole excursion painless. For me, at least.

Chapter 33

I sat quietly for a while, hoping everyone had made it out of the castle.

“What’s the matter, Rowena?” Lauren finally asked as she patted my arm.

“Nothing. I’m just overwhelmed.” I smiled, trying to divert the attention. Slowly, everyone started talking again.

“Where were you just now?” Dekel leaned in and asked quietly.

“Just somewhere in my mind,” I answered with a forced smile.

Dresdem stood, and the entire party silenced. “I’d like to make a toast to the newest member of our family. We hope for a lifetime of love for the two of you, and we look forward to new endeavors.” He glanced at me, smiled, and took a sip of his drink. I drank too, for the first time ever. It burned going down, but it only took a few gulps for me to understand why people chose this poison.
 

“Rowena, I’d like you to meet my brother,” Dresdem said approaching with a tall man beside him. When the man removed his hat, I almost collapsed.

“This is Mr. Carol,” he announced. Mr. Carol extended his hand and gave me a quick nod. Our mouths mumbled courteous, first-time greetings, but our eyes spoke the truth.

“It’s nice to meet you.”
 

He nodded, placed his hat back on, and said, “Congratulations. Please excuse me.” He hurried away.
 

I immediately felt the part of me that belonged to Julia cry. My heart ached as she suffered losing Carol yet again.
 

I’m so sorry.

Dekel took my hand and twirled me around. He snapped his fingers and music filled the forest. Everyone danced, but
only part of me was there. My mind was still trapped in Julia’s sorrow.

The same man I’d thrown against the wall at the castle interrupted my inner turmoil and our dance. He and another servant had made the trip to the wedding with Isabelle, who I’d only just realized wasn’t at the wedding already. I guess I’d been so distracted that I hadn’t paid much attention to the guest list. I knew my minutes were numbered, but I stood frozen as I watched her whisper in Dresdem’s ear.