“She became involved with the wrong people, unfortunately,” Hemlock said sadly. “My mate was an Unseelie fae, and he was killed for the fae’s hatred against all dark magic. Callista never got over her father’s death. She sought revenge against those that had killed him, and wanted to bring equality to Malovia for all fae. But she tried to change the country through violence, and eventually, it cost Callista her life.”
“That’s truly awful. I’m so sorry for your loss,” I said. Hemlock had lost her mate, and her daughter. I couldn’t imagine how alone she felt.
“Callista wasn’t a bad girl. Merely someone who desperately wanted to stop others from suffering. She thought the only way to change the world was by using force and pain,” Hemlock stated heavily. “I tried to help her heal, but my actions weren’t enough to stop her from meeting a horrible fate. After Callista’s death, I realized that I had failed her.”
“You could never fail her. You did all you could to help her get back on the right path,” I insisted.
“But it wasn’t enough,” Hemlock replied. “I swore to myself if therewasa child out there that I could save, a girl who had found herself on the wrong side of things but was looking for a way to make them right again, I’d be there for her. I would set her straight, and help her find her way in life before it was too late. I couldn’t save Callista, but I could save someone else. That’s why I came to the Darke Institute to teach. I wanted to help girls like Callista… help someone like you. You remind me alot of her. I confess, Ava, when I think about my daughter, I seeyou.”
A deep affection spread like warmth throughout my body, because I didn’t know Hemlock felt that way about me. I realized we were close, but didn’t know exactly what I meant to her until now.
“I know I can’t replace what you lost,” I said. “But I hope that reigning in my wild and crazy ways has given you a bit of comfort. You’re the kind of teacher thatshouldbe instructing at a reform school. You actually care where kids end up. And you care about me— you cared even when I didn’t care about myself, and it might’ve saved my life. So thank you for looking out for me and being there. Because even though I couldn’t have my mother at the Institute, I knew that I always had you there.”
Her face crumpled, and she raised her arms. Hemlock wasn’t able to reply in words; all she could do was stoop down and give me a hug. I hugged her back, because I cared about her just as much as she cared about me.
“I’m so happy to be marrying you and Charlie all over again. You two always look like you’re so in love,” Hemlock said, wiping a tear away from her eye. “It’s an honor to do this for you.”
“I wouldn’t want anyone else,” I reassured her. “Thank you. For marrying me and Charlie, for watching out for me, protecting me… everything.”
Hemlock cupped her hand to my cheek and whispered, “My dear, there is nothing you need to thank me for. Truly, I do not want you to feel regret for what I experienced at The Mission’s hands. I was more than happy to do it, all for you.”
Hemlock left then, because I don’t think either of us could talk further without both of us breaking down. By this time, the ceremony was about to start. Oberi jumped off her perch and changed into a unicorn. As she did so, my father opened the massive double doors and stepped in.
Daddy’s eyes widened, then immediately watered as he took me in. He spread his arms wide as he said, “Oh, baby. You look every part a princess.”
“Thanks, Daddy.” I embraced him, squeezing his broad shoulders tightly. “Tell me the truth. Do youreallyaccept Charlie? Are you okay with me marrying him?”
“Of course I am, peanut,” Daddy hushed. “I know there’s no better man in the world for you than him. You love him, and he loves you. That’s the only thing that matters.”
“Will you be here for me, no matter what happens?” I asked. “Charlie and I can’t do this alone. We need our families, and we need support.”
“Every step of the way.”
A rush of tears trailed down Daddy’s cheeks. “I never thought I’d make it to this day. I thought… you know. But the ancestors answered my prayers.”
I understood. He thought his disease would take him from me before he got to see me become a bride. But fate had smiled upon us and been kind. I thanked her for it, because I didn’t think I could get married without my father by my side. I reached out to wipe his tears away, but as I did so, my magic froze the tears into ice.
I paused to observe them as the tears floated off of Daddy’s face, hovering in the air in front of us. As I watched, I saw the ice crystallize, gleaming under the light. They’d solidified and turned solid— like diamonds.
The tears floated in the air at first, before they twirled downward and landed upon my skin. Threads of ice materialized between them and joined the tears together, forming a dazzling silver necklace. I touched the shimmering necklace and found that it was just as solid as something forged from metal and gems. This piece would be permanent— a creation of my demigod magic. I couldn’t create illusions, but the power ofmy demigod abilities had forged my Spirit and Toaqua magic together to make something out of deep love.
Daddy’s shock was clear on his face. “Your magic has no limits, does it?”
“I guess not.” I touched the necklace with awe. “I didn’t know I could do that. Now I’ll get to wear your love whenever I need you there.”
“It’s a gift you’ll have forever, even when I’m gone.” Daddy’s voice choked up, though he forced his way past the tears. “There’s nothing you’re incapable of, peanut. And I couldn’t be any prouder than to call you my daughter.”
Daddy stood and squeezed my hand. “Come on, peanut. Let’s get you married.”
Oberi walked to us. Daddy lifted me out of my chair and onto her back, so I was sitting side-saddle. He fitted a diamond bridle onto Oberi’s face, then grabbed one of the reins to lead her out the double doors and to the hallway that connected to the temple. A servant came to take the bridal wheelchair to the altar, where it would be waiting for me.
By this point, the ceremony had started. All of the bridesmaids and groomsmen had walked down the aisle in pairs, except for Marcus and Kallie. I heardAve Mariaplaying from the temple’s interior behind the doors, and felt my stomach dip yet again— but this time, it was in excitement. I honestly couldn’t wait to get out there.
Kallie draped my veil so it was hanging over Oberi’s rump and trailing onto the floor, then placed a light purple bouquet into my hands. It was made of cascading clematis flowers, cut and arranged from the gardens that morning. Clematis flowers symbolized love that was unchanged throughout the passing of eternity, and I thought that was a wonderful flower for Charlie and me.
Plus, the lilac color went well with my pink dress.
Marcus’ mouth was open as he took me in with a gaze of awe. “You look incredible.”
