I’d never felt more appreciated, or loved, than when Kallie laid the blessing upon me. My soul felt like it was buzzing, nearly ready to lift out of my body and float upon the air. Our eyes connected, and in that moment, Kallie and I shared something special— something I knew that even Charlie and I couldn’t mimic, a connection that was just as deep and profound as any soul bond. She was my best friend, and I knew I could count on her to support my marriage and advocate for Charlie and me. Even if hard times came, Kallie would be there to help us stay strong, and tell me not to give up on him. Marriage wasn’t just about the blending of two people, but the unity of one community. We loved each other, but Charlie and I couldn’t do this alone. We needed support to stay married and be happy, and Kallie was offering that help to us if and when we required it. I’d never had a more faithful, more loving friend, and I adored the ancestors for sending her to me.
Opal approached, dropping hibiscus leaves into the water. “Within the gods of merfolk lore, there is Mytera, the goddess of motherhood. Ava, like me, you are a mother. You may not have a child as I do, but you care for and love everyone you meet, regardless of who they are or what they’ve done. You take care of your friends, and look out for them as a mother would. Because you are a mother to all, Mytera will watch over you and any children that you have, whether they are born from your body or simply from your heart. As you watch over others, Charlie will watch over you, protecting you with his body and providing whatever you may need or ask for. As you’ve decided and desired, he is your head of household, and I ask Mytera to give you the guidance you need to follow his leadership with faith, trust, and love. He will be your safe place, and it is you who will make his house a home.”
I gave her an anxious smile, because all this talk of motherhood was a little nerve-wracking, even if she didn’t meanit like that. But Opal was right. Iwasa mother, because despite not having any children, I cared for my friends like they were my own. I had to look out for everyone and make sure they were okay, putting others before myself no matter what. That was just the kind of person I was. I wanted to make sure everyone I loved was happy and safe, even if it cost me something. That kind of sacrifice could be draining sometimes, because I often forgot about myself in the end. But I didn’t have to do it alone, because Charlie would be there to give me whatever I was lacking. I looked out for everyone else, but he looked out for me. He’d helped me handle my bipolar, tended to me after my spinal injury, and watched out for me every day, even when I was sick of managing myself. He took care of me gently, and always would until the moment I died. I knew that without a doubt. My heart swelled as I thought of how much my dom loved me, and I wanted to please him by following his lead until the end of my days.
Ivy stood at the edge of the pool, clutching the flower petals in their hand tightly. It almost looked like they were considering something deep— a decision was being weighed in their mind, one to speak up or back down.
Then Ivy tossed the petals in and said, “Look, the vampires only have one god, and we don’t really follow him. Uraeus ain’t really a god of weddings, more of a god of destruction, but you know what? Who needs him.”
Ivy straightened their shoulders. “Precious,myblessing is better than any gift any god could give you. I’m right here, right in front of your eyes, and I ain’t going anywhere. I’ll be here to protect you, and protect your marriage for as long as you wanna be with him. I bless you with passion and desire. I pray that you will follow your heart and honor the longings of your body, that you will follow your darkest impulses and most secret inclinations, no matter how wicked they might be. Theseflower petals I dropped in? They’re cardinal flowers, and they’re rumored to bring love to the lives of elderly ladies. Cause I hope that even when you’re ninety, you and Charlie are still having the same crazy, kinky and devoted sex you’re enjoying now. I love you, precious. Don’t forget that, because I’m always gonna be here, no matter who stays or who goes.”
“Thank you, Ivy,” I whispered. I felt reassured by their promise, because I knew I could always count on them. When I had been at the lowest point of my life, Ivy had been there. I wouldn’t be getting married today without Ivy’s support. They were the reason Charlie and I had made it this far, and the reason my husband and I were getting along so well. Without Ivy’s guidance and love, my marriage wouldn’t have made it. I wouldn’t be with the man I loved if Ivy hadn’t been there to bestow their wisdom and give me their shoulder to grieve on when my world was falling apart. They taught me how to love myself first, and for that, I was eternally grateful.
I heard the rushing beat of wings, and Oberi landed beside the pool. She dipped her beak into the water. The effect made ripples as she said,I provide you with the blessings and the protection of the mutabeecha. The companions of the Great Spirit, beings who exist outside the boundaries of time and space, are here with you now. May they surround you, and may the sanctity of their connection keep you and Charlie intertwined, as my existence, and heart, binds you together as one.
Several people gasped, and my eyes widened as the water around me began toglow.A white sheen spread throughout the room, the light reflecting off the ceiling and bouncing off the stained glass. I lifted my hand and saw that my body was glowing, too, a dazzling halo erupting off my golden skin.
When Oberi withdrew her beak, the glow subsided. She blinked at me with her pretty black eyes.I will do my best tolove you and keep the two of you safe. As a Familiar, my duty is to enable the two of you to have a relationship that is strong, intimate, and kind. It is all I can do, and all that I desire from my life.
I started crying again— because, you know, howwasI supposed to keep it together when my Familiar performed beautiful magic like that? Even if the entire world fell apart, and Charlie and I didn’t know how to start again, or had forgotten how to love, Oberi would always be there to bring us back together. She bound us as one, and the connection between the three of us was powerful and deep. Nothing would separate us, now and forevermore.
The Great Mystic spread primrose flowers over my body, which fell upon my wet hair. “With the completion of this ceremony, I complete the rite that transforms our bride into Caralyn, so she may wait for our prince, her Idril. Arise from this pool, and become the goddess.”
My friends lifted me out of the water, and I dried off using my Toaqua magic. As they placed me back into my chair, I felt renewed and invigorated— like I was a different woman than I’d been before going into the water with all the blessings my friends and family had bestowed upon me.
Even so, the disquiet burning in my chest remained with me. Oberi cocked her head, like she felt it and didn’t understand.
“Now that the rites are over, we must hurry, princess,” the Great Mystic said. “There is much to do before the ceremony.”
“Yay! Now for the fun part,” Opal gushed.
When we got to the bridal suite where I was supposed to get ready, we found a whole waffle bar with mimosas ready for us. I was almost too nervous to eat, but I managed to have a small breakfast before the stylists got started on my hair. They fashioned it so it was falling free down my back in big, beautiful curls. It took over an hour to do my makeup, because I was veryspecific on having glittering silver eyeshadow, winged eyeliner, and a nude mauve lip gloss, with a dusting of glitter over my cheekbones. I didnotlay on a spa table for three hours last week getting lash extensions for them to go to waste, after all. My choice of manicure for the wedding was an almond-shaped nail with sparkling diamond tips and a thin, gold French edge. When in Ilamanthe, be extravagant.
Around two o’clock, Elrye strode in. She was the official planner for the royal wedding, and appeared horrified that I was still in my robe. “The wedding is soon to start, and the princess is not in her dress! What is the bridedoing?” she yelped.
“Helping everyone else!” several people cried out at once.
It was true. After getting my hair and makeup, I’d fashioned Ivy’s hair, put on Opal’s makeup, and was currently zipping Kallie into her dress.
I froze as Elrye scowled, crossing her arms. “Princess, this isyour wedding, not everyone else’s. May I remind you thatyoucome first?”
“Sorry!” I turned my chair around and hurried away. I couldn’t help it if I wanted my friends to look pretty, too. As I headed to change, my bridesmaids were running around the room, chatting loudly, eating snacks and hurrying to yank on their dresses. All of my bridesmaids were wearing long black gowns, the bodice embroidered with pink flowers— everyone, save for Kallie. As my maid of honor, she wore a special off-the-shoulder black dress with see-through, long lace sleeves and a skirt that draped behind her when she walked. Each of my bridesmaids wore floral crowns of twisted branches, decorated with dark green leaves and small pink and white flowers.
My mother and I went behind a large curtain in the bridal suite, to conceal the dress until the big reveal to my friends once it was on. The Elves had a special wheelchair made for my wedding day— it was painted white, and adjustable, withremovable handles and armrests. The back of the chair was folded down, and the seat attached on top of it, so the skirt of the ballgown could fall over the sides and the wheels. When I sat on the chair, it didn’t appear that I was in a wheelchair at all, merely sitting down. I couldn’t really move around when the chair was like this— only stay in one place. It would be like this during the ceremony, then for the reception, the chair would be adjusted again with all the parts reattached so I could move around.
I bounced my hands up and down on the fluffy skirt, examining the layers of tulle. I was in my perfect pink dress. No turning back now.
I couldn’t really wear heels anymore, because they put my legs in an awkward position in my chair, and put more pressure on my hips than I would’ve liked. My feet had also developed a more pronounced arch since I’d been paralyzed, so it was a pain in the ass to find heels that fit, anyhow. Instead, I wore dusty pink pointed flats with rhinestone embellishments and big bows on the heels.
Finally, my mother placed a dazzling veil into my hair, at the back of my head. The edge of the veil was bordered with diamonds, embroidered apple blossom petals spreading throughout the piece. It was long, cathedral length. I was counting on my bridesmaids to make sure it didn’t get tangled up in my wheels at any time during the ceremony.
“You’re dazzling, Ava,” Mama said softly as she took me in, brushing my curls back as tears welled in her eyes. “The perfect look for a bride.”
I swallowed thickly. “Is it normal for me to be this… nervous?”
“I suppose it depends,” Mama mused. “Do you know what you’re nervous about?”
“Not really,” I confessed. “I know I want to do this, and I want to be married to Charlie. I want the big wedding, and I want to celebrate our love.”
