Page 235 of Nobody's Girl

Wow! I didn’t think it would go this smoothly. This all seems a little too good to be true.

And you know what they say about things which seem too good to be true. They usually aren’t

CHAPTER 32

ALYSSA

My hair is done and my make-up perfect as I hang onto my father’s arm. Flashes of light blind me as people take my picture as I’m led outdoors to a waiting crowd of people, most of whom I don’t know yet, but soon will. The veil which covers my face blurs the scene, which I assume is ideal.

I can hear Eden as he sends me an, I love you, and a You look gorgeous.

I stare straight ahead until I hear another voice. I can’t believe it’s not me at the end of the aisle. It’s Kyle in my head.

In another world, it would be him, but I live in this world and my life is with Eden. In a bizarre twist of fate who I thought to be the perfect man for me is not. Instead, I’ve found myself not entirely human. A bird has dwelled in me, lying dormant until this very night when it shall be unleashed.

What will the air feel like as it flows across my face and body? How will things smell to me? Will I enjoy it?

I’m not sure if this condition is a curse or a blessing. I’ll live a long time, but I will have to endure the deaths of all those I love, save my mate. I will see even our children pass. The depths of sorrow for what I’ve yet to lose have made a chasm in my soul.

To mourn those yet to be born is ridiculous, but I do. This day starts it all, my future as a shape shifter. The other half of the only Phoenixes in this world. Chosen before birth by The Creator of all things. Such responsibility I’ve never known. Somewhere deep inside me, I know I’m up to it.

A tall and very ancient-looking man with long, white hair wears a black robe, and I think it does not bode well for all he’s about to make us promise to.

He stands on an altar above my Eden, who I’m happy to have standing next to me as we move into the next phase of our lives.

I was told this part of the ceremony was acceptable for me to have Kyle and Laura at, but what must they think of this?

As I reach Eden, my father kisses my cheek through the veil before placing my hand in Eden’s. I smile at him as we tell each other everything will be okay and how much we love each other. Then the man speaks.

His voice is booming, and I find I’m flinching at how loud it is and how close he is. “Welcome all to the marriage of two very exceptional individuals. You are all here to witness the vows they will make to Our Creator,” he says, then his arms motion outward, nearly touching Eden as they do. “I am Galchobar and you are about to witness history.”

A thunderous applause from our guests surprises me.

This is not how weddings go!

I hear Kyle thinking, What kind of wedding is this?

Deep in the recesses of an old grey-stoned church in the middle of New Orleans, we’ve come to say our vows and become one. The roof long gone, we stand under the stars, which light up the night as sconces on the stone walls add to it. I told Laura and Kyle that the wedding has a Medieval theme.

Hope they buy it.

My attention is taken abruptly as the old man’s booming voice says my mate’s name. “Eden, son of Lyle, do you vow to love this woman for eternity?”

Eden looks into my eyes. I want to melt into him right now and forget this huge drama of a wedding. His velvet voice speaks, “I do.”

Though I know he loves me, it’s very pleasant to hear him say he vows to for eternity.

“Alyssa, daughter of David, do you vow to love this man for eternity?” the old man asks me.

I answer him quickly, wanting this over, “I do.”

Galchobar looks out to our guests. His voice loud, he speaks to them. “On this night, before all of you, this couple has made a vow to Our Creator to love each other for eternity. You all are witnesses to their vows.”

His long windedness is making me think this will not go as fast as I’d like it to.

Patience, princess, Eden sends to me as he squeezes my hand.

The resounding boom of the old man’s voice makes me jump again. “Eden, son of Lyle, do you vow to honor this woman, Our Creator, and all those created for eternity?”