The Ice Diamond Cuff (Custodian Novel #4) (17 page)

"Come on, Dad. You can do this," she
whispered. Willing him to throw the dart true and straight to its
mark. The buzz of excited energy around the room spiked as excited
murmurs from spectators of all the realms discussed the portent of
Henry winning this game against Odin.

Henry angled his arm taking aim at the board.
The crowd hushed. Faedra realized everyone must have been holding
their breath just as she was, because she couldn't hear a sound,
except that of her father drawing in a deep, calming lungful of
air. He exhaled slowly, deliberately, just as she had seen him do
on many occasions while watching him play back home. As the last
wisp of breath left his lungs, he threw the dart with calculating
accuracy.

Faedra nearly got knocked off her chair with
the energy that hit her in the next second. Henry's head dropped
back in relief, a huge grin spreading across his face. The hall
erupted with cheers as people stood up and clapped. Faedra leapt
out of her chair, ran over to her dad, and threw her arms around
him. "You did it!" she cried. Faen was hot on her heels, offering
his father-in-law a handshake. Within seconds, Henry was surrounded
by people, including the king and his daughter's closest friends
all wanting to congratulate him.

The frenzied burst of excitement stilled as
the deep booming sound of someone clearing their throat encouraged
people to part like waves for the God of War. Odin approached
through the gathered well-wishers, his expression serious. Henry
gulped. Faedra felt fear spike through her dad. She could feel no
ill-will from the great warrior so gave her dad a squeeze of
reassurance.

Odin held out his hand to the winner. "Well
played, Henry. I don't get beaten very often, as you can
imagine."

Henry looked up at the formidable man
towering over him. His eyes widened, probably wondering where Odin
was going with his sentence.

"But, on this occasion, I can honestly say
the best man won." Odin took hold of Henry's hand and gave it a
good shake, taking care not to rip his arm out of its socket. "Well
done, sir. That was fun. But, be warned. I will be practicing
before the next tournament." Odin chuckled as he took a step back.
"I believe this calls for a victory toast," he continued. "Who
would like to join me in the tavern?"

Henry smiled and looked to his daughter and
son-in-law who were both nodding their heads. "Lead the way, Odin.
We're right behind you."

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The tournament continued for another week.
Trophies were handed out on a daily basis and Faedra was enjoying
her new role as princess, handing out nearly all of the trophies to
the champions, most of whom deserved their victory. There was the
odd occurrence where Faedra was sure there was cheating involved,
but, neither she, nor anyone else could prove it. It didn't take a
brain surgeon to figure out who the cheaters were...the Alsians.
Faedra was becoming more and more suspicious of them as each day
passed. She could sense something in the air, but was unable to put
her finger on it.

She was over-the-moon proud of her dad, who
ended up winning his event. Even beating Zaven, much to the
Ambassador's displeasure. There was no handshake and going to the
tavern for a celebratory drink with the loser on that day.
Although, that didn't stop Faedra and the crew joining her dad for
a drink anyway. They even laughed at the fact they would have a lot
more fun without the frosty ambassador joining them. His lack of
good sportsmanship didn't hurt their feelings at all.

By the time it got to the end of the
tournament, though, Faedra had all but forgotten about her
reservations. She had something much more important to think about…
her 'civil' wedding back in the World of Men. She was looking
forward to being able to get married in front of her human family
and friends, as well as a few otherworldlies that wanted to take
part in a World of Men wedding. After saying their goodbyes to the
king, Faedra and Faen accompanied Henry home, leaving Azran, and
her royal duties, behind for a while.

***

A couple of days later, Faedra was standing
in a bridal shop smoothing down her newly altered dress. She looked
at herself in the mirror. The dress was the same she had worn in
Azran but she had taken it to a seamstress to remove the sleeves
and tweak it a little so that it looked like a more modern version
of the original. The seamstress had done a wonderful job. Faedra
smiled as she did a turn in the dressing room.

"Fae, you're killing us here. Hurry up,"
called Amy from the viewing area of the bridal shop.

"Okay, I'm coming," Faedra called back. She
could feel her friend's excitement bubbling around her. Faedra
pulled back the curtain and stepped out into the viewing area.
Their gasps prompted another wide grin.

"Do you like it?" Faedra asked.

Amy, Zoe, Jocelyn and Nicki looked at each
other. "Can you believe she just asked us that?" Amy said.

The others shook their heads before looking
back to Faedra.

"You look gorgeous," Zoe said.

"Absolutely stunning," Amy agreed.

"Frederick is a lucky man," Nicki
continued.

A crease appeared in Faedra's brow.

"Frederick...Your husband-to-be?" Zoe said
with disbelief.

"Fae, don't tell me you've forgotten who
you're getting married to," Nicki said, and her three human
bridesmaids fell into giggles.

Actually, for a split second, Faedra had
forgotten. In this world she wasn't marrying Faen but his alter
ego, Frederick. Faedra and Jocelyn locked gazes, having their own
unspoken conversation. She was going to have to be careful. She was
living a different life in this world now. Faedra had to keep her
other life secret at all costs. Faedra plastered a smile on her
face and joined in with her other friend’s good humor. At least
she'd gotten away with it that time.

Her four bridesmaids stood to either side of
Faedra in front of the huge mirror in the viewing area. Her friends
looked stunning in their strapless, deep claret dresses. The
bodices were fitted, laced at the back. They hugged the body to
about mid-thigh, then swept down to the floor with a sleek fishtail
at the back. A slow approving smile curved the lips of all five
girls as they studied their reflections.

Faedra pulled her friends in for a hug.
"Perfect," she whispered.

"Perfect," they agreed.

***

The bells were clanging their joyful wedding
announcement as Faedra and her dad pulled up outside the church on
a bright, sunny Saturday afternoon. The limo driver got out and
opened the door for her dad. Henry then turned and offered his
daughter his hand.

"Well, darling. Here we go again," he said
with a wink as Faedra planted a foot on the curb, pulling herself
up out of the car. Her bridesmaids were already out of their car
and helping straighten out her train as she stood.

She looped her arm through her dad's, and
they started up the gravel path to the church. All the guests were
seated inside now. Faedra fleetingly wondered what Faen looked like
in his morning suit. Her dad looked exceptional in his. The neatly
tailored cut of the charcoal suit fit him perfectly. It was
accented by a silver gray waistcoat and the cravat at his throat
matched the color of the bridesmaid’s dresses. He puffed out his
chest, obviously proud to be walking his daughter down the aisle
for a second time in as many weeks.

As they opened the door, the organ quickly
changed tune and the wedding march echoed around the small church.
Guest's heads turned as if they were all connected. The odd 'ooh
and ahh' was murmured throughout the pews. Well-wishing smiles met
Faedra's as she scanned the small sanctuary that was just big
enough to accommodate her World of Men friends and family, plus a
few others that weren't so human.

Faedra's gaze finally lit upon her
already-husband and she sucked in a sharp breath. Faen's smile lit
up his face. Faedra felt sure her legs were going to turn to jelly.
Oh, boy, did he look good in a morning suit. There was just
something about a man in coat tails that made her go weak at the
knees. He wore the same suit as her dad, only, being the groom, his
waistcoat was gold instead of silver. Etyran, acting as Faen's
best-man once more, didn't look half bad either. Faedra heard
Jocelyn's intake of breath and could feel her emotions. Apparently,
their men's attire was having the same effect on her.

"Wow," Amy whispered. "You are so lucky, Fae.
He looks gorgeous."

Faedra didn't really hear her friend, her
focus was entirely on the man who stood waiting for her at the
altar. At least this time around, she didn't have to walk as far to
reach him. Several strides later, her father was releasing her arm
as she stood next to Faen. Her bridesmaids filtered off to stand at
one side of the altar, and she handed her bouquet to Nicki, who was
her maid of honor. The music faded; silence filled the church as
the vicar cleared his throat to start the ceremony.

Faedra couldn't help but smile, and wondered
what her family and friends would think if they knew half of the
congregation and wedding party weren't even human. Oh, what a world
she had fallen into.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here
today..." the vicar started. Then all else faded into the
background as Faen took hold of her hands. They both went through
the motions, answering when asked a question, unable to tear their
eyes away from each other. It was merely a formality after all. To
all intents and purposes, they were already married.

"You may now kiss the bride," the vicar said.
Meaning they had obviously answered their questions correctly.

Faen leaned in. Faedra leaned in. Family and
friends started clapping. Just as Faen's lips grazed his wife's,
the church door slammed open with such force it silenced the whole
congregation. Faedra and Faen jerked their heads towards the
intruders just as the rest of the crowd did. All eyes were on the
two gangly men, dressed in black that strode into the church.
Surprise and anxiety flooded the church. Faedra swallowed hard to
push down the sudden surge of energy. Every set of eyes followed
the harried newcomers as they stalked up the aisle towards the
newlyweds.

When they reached Faedra, the Messengers
dropped to one knee and bowed their heads.

"Your Highness," one of the slightly
breathless men said.

Confused murmurs spread around the onlookers,
as guests turned to each other with perplexed looks on their
faces.

Faedra's eyes widened at his announcement.
What was he thinking? Didn't he know how dangerous this talk
was?

Faedra cast a wary glance around the church
before bringing it back to the two Messengers kneeling before her.
Her face paled. She swallowed when she saw a shiny substance
covering one of their black tunics. Blood. Something was wrong,
something was very, very wrong. Sensing her anxiety, Faen held his
wife with a steadying arm around her back.

"What's going on, Fae?"

She heard Zoe's question whisper at the edge
of her consciousness as she leaned towards the two men at her feet.
Her hands started shaking even before they spoke.

"Your Highness, we have distressing news,"
one of the Messengers whispered.

"It is your father. He has been gravely
injured," the other interjected.

"But Henry's standing right here." she heard
Amy whisper.

Faedra brought her hand to her mouth and took
a step back. Henry, Etyran, and Jocelyn moved closer.

"Where is he?" Faen asked.

"We were able to get him out of Azran. We
took him to the only place we knew as safe...the cottage."

Faedra pushed past the Messengers and took
off down the aisle. Tears now burgeoning at the corners of her
eyes. Before she reached the door, they were sliding down her
cheeks.

Faen was hot on her heels, running through
the baffled conversation that was now blossoming through the guests
and echoing around the church. He looked back. "Jocelyn,
Messengers," he commanded. "You're with me."

Jocelyn acknowledged her brother with a curt
nod and split from the group of bridesmaids. The Messengers arose
and also acknowledged their prince's command with a curt nod.

"Etyran, Henry, we will meet you there," Faen
continued.

Both men acknowledged with the same curt
nods. He then spied Alyssa and the dragons in the pews. "You, too,"
he said, just as he reached the door. They stood and filed out from
their pew.

Faen scooped up his bride as soon as he
stepped foot outside the church and took to the air. Jocelyn and
the Messengers followed suit close behind him, and they headed
towards the cottage.

"Glamour!" Faedra shouted as she watched her
other three bridesmaids and her uncle Leo burst out of the church
behind her dad, Etyran, and the guests Faen had asked to follow,
who were now running full pelt down the gravel path.

Her friends and uncle stared goggle eyed up
at the sky. A second later, the airborne were all cloaked, but she
continued to watch as Amy, Zoe, Nicki, and her uncle looked at each
other, then back at the sky. Shortly after, the other guests
started emerging from the tiny church doorway. Thank goodness, they
hadn't seen the group take flight.

Just as Faedra pulled her attention away from
the church, she saw her bridesmaids and her uncle take off after
her dad, Etyran, and the others. She drew in a deep breath.
Unwittingly, her family and best friends had just been dragged into
her other world. A world, it now seemed, had become even more
dangerous.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

As soon as Faen touched the ground, Faedra
jumped from his arms and ran to the front door. She burst into the
living room and looked around. "Father!" she yelled, moving into
the dining room. It was empty. "Father!" she yelled again.