Scarlett, wearing a suit that matches my bridesmaid dress, rubs her sister’s shoulder, and Stirling relaxes, some of the stiffness easing out of her posture.
Her hair is the same as always, though it looks like she put the effort in to straighten it, her asymmetric bob pointed to perfection.She has a light coating of mascara and lip balm but nothing else.I didn’t really expect her to wear a full face of makeup though, it is Stirling, after all.
Her outfit though, is exceptional.She’s in a corset with the same sweetheart neckline as Morrigan’s dress and matching suit trousers.Her outfit is white, but as she turns to face me, I grin.There’s a swathe of fabric across the corset that spills down onto her trousers: two blue colours in a ruching wave.
I shake my head.They haven’t even seen each other’s outfits and they’re still matching.
Wild.Those two really are meant for each other.I’m not sure whether I want to be sick or bawl my eyes out from the cuteness.Both.Definitely both.I can’t stand it.I want a love like this.
“You’re going to be okay,” I mouth at Stirling as we reach the dais and slip into the left side to stand near our seats.She smiles at me, but it comes out a bit too much like a grimace, an odd shade of green washing over her expression.I bite the inside of my cheek so I don’t laugh.Today is one day I refuse to be a bitch.
The music shifts.It’s time.I’m practically giddy, hopping from foot to foot until Dahlia slips her hand into mine to make me still.There are more than a few lords and ladies whose eyes drop to where Dahlia clasps my hand.But they can shove their judgements up their arseholes.Nothing is going to ruin this day.
Finally, the music crescendos and then, the doors open and Morrigan and Mother appear.
There’s a chorus of shocked oohs and ahhhs and gasped smiles.I can’t help smiling so hard my jaw aches.
Stirling’s mouth falls open as she gazes at her bride.I glance between them, Morrigan wears the same awed expression as Stirling.
It’s a kind of mesmerised awe.Gods, it’s so cute.Scarlett beams next to Stirling and subtly throws glances at Quinn—who I’ve just noticed is sat a few seats behind where I’m standing.Her brother and Jacob are next to her and then Remy and Bella on the other side.
When Morrigan reaches the bottom of the dais, I hop into action, lifting her skirts to enable her to climb the short steps to meet Stirling.
Mother tiptoes up to kiss Stirling’s cheek and whispers something in her ear that makes a tear trail down her face.Stirling nods at Mother and kisses both her cheeks in return before facing Morrigan.
Mother leaves the dais and takes her place in the front row with the rest of Morrigan’s friends.
“If I never see another sight, I’ll die having gazed upon the most beautiful view in the realm,” Stirling whispers, though I’m close enough to hear.
“Gods, you absolute charmer,” Morrigan says, but she’s giggling and blushing through the makeup.
The pair of them are grinning all toothy and wide like idiots, and it’s adorable.Despite the fact there’s no natural sunshine in the throne room, their smiles light up the cavernous hall.
The officiant steps up to the pair of them and clears her throat.She’s an older woman, with chin-length grey hair and wearing a dark suit.The ceremony begins like any other wedding: a run through of the seriousness and sanctity of marriage, followed by the joys and possible trials they’ll face.
I stand quiet, listening and reflecting.Dahlia’s thumb strokes my palm.I’m not sure she realises she’s doing it.I smile to myself, enjoying the way she presses a little harder at the beginning of each stroke, and then lets it soften as she sweeps out of my palm.
“The rings, please,” the officiant says.Scarlett pulls two boxes from inside her suit jacket and hands them to her.
Stirling pushes her hair behind her ear and plucks Morrigan’s ring from the officiant’s hand.She glances at the room before taking a quivering breath and then focuses all of her attention on my sister.The way she looks at her makes me swoon.It’s as though the entire world has vanished, and the only thing left is them, their rings, and their vows.Stirling stares at her as if she is the light, and the dark, the sun, the moon and all the water in all the oceans.And when Morrigan smiles, it’s as though Stirling were staring upon the gods themselves.
“Wow,” I breathe.
“Yeah,” Dahlia whispers back, and I wonder if it’s because she is thinking the same as I am.That I wish someone would love me so intensely.So obsessively and possessively that they would stare at me the way Stirling is Morrigan.
“Morrigan Lee,” Stirling begins.There’s only the faintest hint of a tremor in the first syllable but by the time she’s finished our surname, her tone is strong and steady and then she says…
“We fucked up.”
There’s a moment of stunned silence and then Morrigan lets out the most unladylike pig-snort giggle I’ve ever heard.
Behind me, Remy cat calls, “Strong start, Stir,” and the audience erupts into titters and mildly nervous laughter.
Stirling, charming as ever, turns to her guests.“Bear with me, folks.”
There’s a few friendly jeers and hollers, but everyone is smiling.
“I’ll start again,” Stirling says and clears her throat dramatically before winking at the crowd.“Morrigan Lee, we fucked up.But… I’m the lucky one.We so nearly lost each other, but the gods gifted me a second chance to win your heart… and another runic poker game.”
