First Light (48 page)

Adrielle finished with my laces, then returned to the wardrobe for stockings and shoes. “Sit,” she ordered, pointing at a chair.

I did, knowing it was useless to argue, but I took the stockings from her before she could put them on for me. When I’d pulled each up to my knee, I held out a foot. Adrielle slid on one slipper and then the other. As her head bent to the task, I felt a surge of protective love for this little sister who was only that by the strangest set of circumstances. Blood did not bind us together, but the workings of an evil curse, and the path we’d taken that had saved each other’s lives, created ties as strong as if we were siblings.

Her continued gratitude for me— when I did not deserve it— and the simple way she went about things, as if she was as ordinary as the next person, were what endeared her to all.

“Stunning, as usual,” Adrielle proclaimed as she rose from the ground and looked down upon me. “I simply cannot wait for Hale to see you again.”

The strange feeling in my chest returned.

“I think I am almost more excited for that than I am to wed.”

“You’d best not let Cristian hear you say that.”

Adrielle pulled me to my feet and linked her arm through mine. “I said
almost
. You of all people know how much I love him, how I long to be with him always.”

“That I do.” After the curse was lifted they had decided to postpone their wedding, so Adrielle might have time to get to know her real parents. But as the date for the wedding had drawn closer, I had sensed her eagerness to be married, to be with Cristian always and to begin the life they were meant to live.

We left the room and proceeded down the hall, past vases of flowers no longer enchanted to keep intruders out. Today was the most important of Adrielle’s life. True, she had saved a kingdom already, but this day was just for
her
. I vowed to forget my own troubles and do all I could to make sure the wedding went perfectly.

By two o’clock, everything in the castle and surrounding grounds had achieved perfection. Florence had worked her magic on the gardens and all things growing. A profusion of yellow roses covered the trellis beneath which Cristian and Adrielle were to stand while reciting their vows. I’d wondered at their choice of color.
Was not red the color symbolizing deep and abiding love?

But Adrielle had explained that all was to be festooned in yellow, the color of friendship, significant as two kingdoms were about to unite and a third, Baldwinidad, was also being welcomed back, after a long period as our enemy.

As I stood in the shadow of the castle, I thought Adrielle’s color choice could not have been better. Vines climbed the walls with delicate buttercup flowers spread out over the stone. Ribbon strung between chairs and lining the aisle up which Adrielle would walk shimmered golden in the sunlight. Tall and stately daffodils resided in crystal vases on the tables, almost every bush and tree boasted yellow blossoms and bows, and a carpet of discarded petals covered the ground. The air was heady and fragrant.

“Florence has outdone herself, has she not?” A burst of sparkles appeared in the air beside me, and a few seconds later Merry Anne was at my side gathering me in a hug.

I stayed in her embrace perhaps a bit longer than necessary, but oh, how I’d missed her. Merry Anne was the closest person— well, fairy— I had to family. She and her sisters had been gone much of the past ten months, off protecting some other princess, now that Evil Queen Nadamaris was dead and Adrielle was safe.

“How are you, dear?” Merry Anne held me at arm’s length and looked me up and down. “Such lovely curls today. And that glorious gown— Maggie’s work?”

I nodded. The previous cook had turned seamstress when Castle Canelia had been liberated from the curse. To all our delight, she was much better with a needle and thread than she’d been with a kettle and stove.

“However did she do the beading on the bodice? 'Tis absolutely stunning. You’re like to outshine the bride.”

“Oh no,” I shook my head. “Adrielle is the one who is stunning. Wait until you see
her
gown.”

“'Tis not simply a dress that makes one lovely. Though I’ve no doubt Adrielle’s countenance shall be positively radiant tonight. But what of yours, Cecilia?”

Merry Anne’s eyes, almost always bright and sparkling, darkened with question.

“I am most happy for both bride and groom,” I said honestly. Adrielle and Cristian were a perfect match. It took but a short while in their company to see it, to realize the depth of their friendship and love for one another.

“Yes, yes, I know.” Merry Anne waved a hand dismissively, sending a cascade of fairy dust through the air. “It’s
your
happiness I’m concerned with. Behind your eyes, there.” She moved to my side, squinting as she peered at my profile. “I see beneath the surface. You’re troubled.”

“It’s nothing.” The protest was a waste of breath, and I knew it. Merry Anne and her fairy sisters could read minds, and as we’d spent nearly eighteen years together, they knew mine well.

“Ahh— oh.” The merry twinkle did not return to her eyes. “You’re worried about your everlasting youth. I’m so sorry, Cecilia. We should have explained to you before we left, should have—”

“There is nothing to explain.”
And
should haves
are too painful to consider.
I forced a bright smile to my face. “All will be well. You’ll see. I’ve only to find a young man, also immortally eighteen. And then I, too, can live happily ever after. I shall expect your help with that, as you’ve wings to fly and can search farther." Turning away, I willed my heart to close, my mind to seal before she could see the thoughts swirling there.

There is no other man immortally eighteen. Even if there was, it would not matter.

It was Hale I was fond of, Hale whose affection I desired. But to choose him would only be to ultimately lose him as he aged and died, while I lived on forever.

Alone
.

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Michele’s Amazon Author Page

Michele Paige Holmes spent her childhood and youth in Arizona and northern California, often curled up with a good book instead of out enjoying the sunshine. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in elementary education and found it an excellent major with which to indulge her love of children’s literature.

Her first novel,
Counting Stars
, won the 2007 Whitney Award for Best Romance. Its companion novel, a romantic suspense titled
All the Stars in Heaven
, was a Whitney Award finalist, as was her first historical romance,
Captive Heart
.
My Lucky Stars
completed the Stars series.

In 2014 Michele launched the Hearthfire Historical Romance line, with the debut title,
Saving Grace. Loving Helen
is the companion novel, with a third,
Marrying Christopher
released in July 2015.

When not reading or writing romance, Michele is busy with her full-time job as a wife and mother. She and her husband live in Utah with their five high-maintenance children, and a Shih Tzu that resembles a teddy bear, in a house with a wonderful view of the mountains.

You can find Michele on the web:
http://michelepaigeholmes.com

Facebook:
Michele Holmes

Twitter:
@MichelePHolmes

First Light has been a long time in coming, as writing fractured fairytales for a young adult audience is a different, and in some ways more challenging, adventure than the romances I have written in the past. This story was one of the last to go through my critique group, and I am especially indebted to each member— Stephanni Myers, Annette Lyon, Lu Ann Staheli, Heather Moore, Lynda Keith, Sarah Eden, Jeff Savage, and Rob Wells— for the insights and inspiration they added to Adrielle’s story.

I am also grateful for skilled editors Angela Eschler, Cassidy Wadsworth, and Lisa Walker Shepherd whose sharp eyes and talents always make a manuscript better. I am thankful to Heather Justesen for formatting.

Once again Rachael Anderson has designed a gorgeous cover, and I so appreciative of her talents. I continue to be thankful to Heather Moore and Mirror Press for the opportunity to publish clean romance. Thank you for taking a chance on this one.

And finally, I am grateful for a family who allow me the time to dream and make those dreams come true. I’ve been so fortunate to raise two little boys who enjoyed playing superhero, wearing capes, and brandishing tinfoil-covered swords, while jumping off the furniture. I’ve been blessed to watch three daughters, who danced around in tutus and princess gowns, grow into lovely young women. Mostly, I am grateful to be married to their father, prince charming if there ever was one.