Godiva brought out white material. "This will be your wedding dress," she said.
"But—"
"Any woman looks beautiful in her wedding dress," Godiva said. "It is part of the enchantment."
"But I can't wear that if I don't get married!"
"Of course you can. Naldo will figure out how." The woman worked busily, measuring Electra here and there, then cutting the material and tacking it together with quick temporary stitches. Soon she had it ready to try on. "Strip."
Electra gave up protesting. There was a hope and fascination about this business that she could not resist. Of course she would not get to marry Dolph, but for this hour she might pretend. She removed her shirt and jeans and heavy shoes.
Godiva studied her with embarrassing directness. "You are grimy from the siege. Go to the alcove and sponge yourself off."
Obediently, Electra went. The voice of a mother was not to be denied.
There was a polished stone mirror, but Electra did not look at herself, knowing that there was nothing to be gained. She cleaned up, dried, then turned to put on her panties. But they were gone. In their place was something else.
She picked up the satiny bit of material. It was a pair of delicate pink panties! "Oh, I can't wear these!" she said.
"Do you think I want you trying on a wedding dress in grimy off-white panties?" Godiva demanded.
Embarrassed, Electra capitulated. She donned the pink panties, then the pink bra, feeling wicked. She stepped out, knowing that her blush just about matched the color of the forbidden items.
"Very good," Godiva said briskly. "Now this." She held up the dress. It was thoroughly evident that it was not lack of dressmaking expertise that caused Godiva to wear her hair instead. She must have had much practice with her daughter.
Electra climbed into it, almost afraid to touch it. The material was wonderfully light and frilly. Godiva made quick adjustments, then had her step into white slippers.
"Unbraid your hair."
Electra did so, and fluffed it out. Finally she had to don a translucent veil and put a white flower in her hair. She felt totally foolish.
"Now look in the mirror," Godiva said, pushing her back toward it.
Reluctantly Electra went. She nerved herself and looked.
Before her stood a vision of absolute beauty, a veritable princess of a bride. The woman in the mirror was tall and slender, yet full above and full below, and her thinly veiled face was lovely. It couldn't possibly be her!
"Yes, I think it will do," Godiva said. "Now we must hide this until the occasion, and see what Naldo has devised."
Electra was sorry to return to her old, grimy clothes, but she realized that this was best. It had been a wonderful vision, but that was all it was.
Soon she was her normal shabby self, with a package under her arm. She had never felt as negative about herself as she did now. That was the trouble with a vision: it made the reality seem so much worse.
At the surface, Naldo was ready. "I believe I have found the way," he said. "Prince Dolph must marry Electra—" Electra's heart jumped foolishly. "The day before she is eighteen, and divorce her the next day so he can marry Nada," he concluded. "That will save her life without depriving Dolph of his desire."
Electra couldn't bring herself to comment. He had indeed found a technicality that should save her life—but what was the point? Without Dolph she didn't want to live. Nada looked no more pleased.
"You do want Dolph to be happy?" Naldo asked Electra.
"Yes, of course," Electra said immediately, realizing how selfish she was being. Dolph would not be happy if she died because of him or if he did not marry Nada.
"You can take a potion to nullify your love for him, after your life has been saved," Naldo said.
Electra nodded. She could hardly imagine not being in love with Dolph, but of course that would ease her own pain.
"And you do want not to void the alliance between our kind and the human folk?" Naldo prodded Nada.
"Yes, of course," Nada agreed, her voice the echo of Electra's.
"And you can take a love potion with him," Naldo said. "Then when you marry him, you will love him."
Nada was silent in the same way as Electra. Naldo had indeed come up with an answer, and the fact that neither of them liked it was irrelevant. The fact that it was as cunningly sinister a device as anyone could imagine was also irrelevant. It would work.
"So let's tell Prince Dolph," Naldo said, setting off at a brisk slither. Nada followed less briskly.
Electra started to walk, but Godiva held her back. "If you have to, you can ask the Good Magician," she reminded her. "He may have a better Answer."
"I hope so!" Electra said.
"But Naldo is cunning enough to make a good goblin leader," Godiva continued. "I don't think we appreciate the ramifications of his ploy. I think you should play it through."
Electra sighed. "If it makes Dolph happy," she said.
"You are a generous person. That's a good quality, in folk other than goblins."
It was a poor consolation. But Electra couldn't afford to start crying, for now Dolph was coming toward them, smiling. Evidently he was thrilled with the idea.
Electra knew she loved an idiot.
This time there were no challenges at the Good Magician's Castle. Grey Murphy was ready for Electra's Question. He thought.
Ivy greeted them both with abandon. "We saw that siege on the magic mirror!" she said. "I was frightened, but we couldn't interfere. I'm glad it turned out all right. Gwenny and Jenny seem to be doing nicely at the centaur's glade."
"Now for your Question," Grey said.
"Oh, we don't have a Question," Electra said quickly. "Just a favor. We'd like to get two vials from you. One to nullify love, and the other to make it."
"Two vials?" Ivy asked blankly.
"We're following my brother's suggestion," Nada said. "Electra will marry Dolph first, then divorce him, and I will marry him the next day. So she'll live, and Dolph will be happy. But we won't be happy unless we change our own emotions. So we aren't asking you for an Answer."
Grey shook his head, bemused. "Just as well. That was the answer I was going to give you. I don't like it much, but I found it in the Book of Answers, so it must be right."
Ivy went to the storeroom and fetched the vials. "These will be our wedding gifts to each of you," she said. But she did not look happy.
"Make sure you use these correctly," Grey cautioned. "The nullifier is no problem; it simply cancels the magic love, such as the enchantment that caused you to love the prince who woke you, Electra, without touching any other magic. So it won't cause you to age abruptly or to be free of the need to marry Dolph. But there's no need for you to take it until the divorce anyway." He turned to Nada. "But you must be careful to be looking at Dolph when you take this, because if you see another man first, you will love him instead. This is not the type of potion found in some springs, that causes instant, ah, activity; it will just make you love him. But it would be awkward if—"
"I understand," Nada said.
"There's one other thing," Electra said somewhat diffidently. "I don't know how to—to signal the stork. I understand that the marriage won't count until we do that."
Grey shook his head. "You're still technically under age. The Adult Conspiracy—"
"But Dolph doesn't know either," Electra said. "So how do we—?"
Ivy spread her hands. "We're not allowed to tell you. But surely you will be able to figure it out when the time comes. Most folk do."
Electra didn't argue, but she had her doubts.
They held the wedding on the Isle of View, of course. That was where Electra had slept for her thousand years (with time off for good behavior), and where Prince Dolph had kissed her awake. King Dor had arranged to have a pavilion that could be enclosed at night erected on the beach, so that they could consummate the marriage right here on the island of love. In fact the isle had become popular since its
rediscovery, and not merely for young couples. It was a beautiful region. The centaurs had even sent an expedition at one point to dig in the sand to see if they could find the ruins of the Sorceress Tapis' old residence. That expedition had been headed by centaurs named Archae and Ology, and they had surely known what they were doing, but no one else did. They had not bothered to consult with Electra, who had actually lived there and could have told them all about it. But this was the nature of the folk of Centaur Isle.
Electra took her package into a closed chamber to don her wedding dress. She had not been allowed to see Dolph this day, to her dismay; it was part of the ritual of the occasion. Nada was to be her maid of honor, which meant that it was her job to see that Electra did things the right way. That was just as well, because Electra knew she would have botched it on her own. She was horribly nervous and guilty and depressed and hopeful all at once. She would have one day and night married to Dolph, and her sheer joy in the notion was countered by her knowledge that it would be awful for Dolph. She would do anything to make him happy, but this was not what would do it. This would only save her life so that he would not suffer guilt when he married Nada.
"I just had an idea," Nada said as she fussed with the dress, getting things fastened and adjusted. "Suppose we pour the love potion into Dolph's drink? So he takes it when he's with you, and—"
Electra was obscenely tempted. She cursed herself for that. "No. It wouldn't be right."
Nada sighed. "I thought you would say that. Your life and happiness are on the line, but you insist on doing what's right."
"I'm sorry. I know it's stupid."
"That wasn't the word I had in mind." Nada went on with her business, briskly. She set a fragrant red rose of love in Electra's un-braided hair, and put the veil on Electra's face, adjusting both.
Finally it was done. Nada stood back to look at her. "It's amazing!" she breathed.
"It's a nice dress," Electra agreed.
"You are suddenly the loveliest woman of the day," Nada said.
Electra laughed, somewhat bitterly. "Godiva said that wedding dresses have magic. Think what it will do for you, tomorrow!" For they would let out the seams here and here and particularly there, so it would fit.
"I can only see what it does for you, today. 'Lectra, you've always had an inferiority complex about your appearance, but believe me, you are stunning now. Take my word: when the others see you, they will be astonished. They will not be mocking you. You are queen for the moment. Make the most of it!"
"The only one I want to impress is Dolph," Electra said regretfully. "And he—" She shrugged.
"This time his eyes will pop out of his head!" Nada said. Then they both laughed, picturing that.
It was time. "Oh, Nada, I think my knees are going to melt!" Electra exclaimed.
"And there's a butterfly in your stomach," Nada said.
"How did you know?"
"Open your mouth and stand still," Nada said.
Surprised, Electra did so. Nada whacked her on the back. The butterfly flew out of her mouth and fluttered around the room. It was bright yellow, of course.
Nada opened a window and the butterfly flew out. "You feel better now," she said.
Electra nodded. It was true.
"Now you must go out there and do it. My brother will guide you down the aisle. Just go where you're taken, and when someone asks you a question, say 'I do.' Then kiss Dolph. After that it's just a matter of listening while folk congratulate him for marrying you."
"Yes, it's a real sacrifice for him."
"Now stop that!" Nada opened the door and shoved her out.
Electra was suddenly in front of an audience. Everyone was there: King Dor, Queen Irene, Dolph's grandpa Bink with his wife, Chameleon, in her neutral stage, King Emeritus Trent with Queen Emeritis Iris, Magician Murphy with Sorceress Vadne; Grey Murphy with Ivy; the Zombie Master with Millie the (former) Ghost and their grown children Hiatus and Lacuna; Cheiron, Chex, and Che Centaur, and with Che was Gwenny Goblin and Jenny Elf and her cat Sammy, all four wearing spectacles and looking happy with the joke; Godiva Goblin with Gloha beside her; Grundy Golem and Rapunzel; Marrow Bones the walking skeleton, and Grace'l Ossein, his female friend with the nice bones; even Draco Dragon quietly smoking in a corner, keeping his fire damped, for he was Dolph's friend too; and any number of other folk Electra had come to know in her six years in this time. Everyone was there, looking at her.
Electra felt herself reeling. She knew she was about to faint.
Then a firm hand caught her elbow. "No you don't, beautiful bride!"
It was Nada's handsome brother, Naldo Naga, in full human form. The one who had suggested this way through their impasse. She wasn't sure whether to bless him or curse him for that, but his presence was reassuring. He surely knew what he was doing.
"Why are they staring?" Electra asked faintly.
"They hardly believe it is you," Naldo replied in a low voice. "You have been transformed, Electra."
"No," she said doubtfully. But somehow she did feel prettier than ever before, except for that moment before Godiva's mirror when she had first tried on the dress. She knew it was illusion, but it was a precious one. She was thankful for the veil, which at least hid her freckles.
Then two trumpet swans stood in a garden of red, green, and bluebells. The swans lifted their flaring bells and played, and the flowers rang their colored bells in accompaniment. Electra realized that Queen Irene must have taken great care with those plants, so that they would be tuned just right. It was the "Wedding March." It was the loveliest music she could imagine, though it mocked her.
In fact this whole elaborate ceremony mocked her, because everyone knew it was only for a day. Yet Electra knew that it was her only possible chance for joy; if she wasted this, she would have nothing on the remaining days of her life. So she straightened her back, faced forward, and let Naldo guide her down the aisle while the beautiful music played.
There seemed to be a murmur of awe as she passed the various folk of the audience. They were probably admiring the dress. Electra was really thankful that Godiva had made it for her, because otherwise she would have been ashamed to be here at all. She had had no idea that it would be such a fancy occasion!
Then she saw Prince Dolph, standing at the far end of the aisle at the edge of the pavilion. He was in a suit and his hair was combed, both of which she knew made him really uncomfortable. He was taller than he had been. When they first met, they had been the same height, though she was two years older. But recently he had grown, and now he was taller than she was. He was also halfway handsome. He was facing her, and absolutely still; he seemed to be in a trance. Her heart went out to him; she knew he didn't want to marry her, even for a day, and she was sorry to be putting him through this. But it was the way it had to be.
Beyond the end of the aisle was a huge hypnogourd, angled so that its peephole faced away. Before it stood what appeared to be a big wooden horse.
That was the Xanthly representation of the Night Stallion, she realized—the head of the realm of bad dreams! She had encountered him briefly when she first woke from her long sleep after being kissed by the Prince, and she had been terrified. But now she was outside the gourd, where the Horse of Another Color did not have power, and she was more curious than afraid. What was he doing here?
But further consideration gave her the answer. Prince Dolph had a special relationship with the gourd; he could go there when he chose and be well treated, because the Night Stallion liked him. Naturally the stallion was here for Dolph's wedding. He was Dolph's best man—or best creature.
King Nabob Naga, Nada's father, was here to perform the ceremony. Naturally he had an interest, too!
Naldo placed her beside Dolph, facing the King, and stepped back. But Dolph remained fixed. It was as if he had been turned to stone, which was impossible, because the Gorgon, Magician Humfrey's wife, was no longer in Xanth, and nobody was getting stoned.
Turn him.
It was the stallion. Electra understood that he could speak normally when he chose when he was in the gourd, but this wasn't the gourd, so it was more mental, like a dream voice.
It didn't matter, as long as he could be heard.
So Electra put her hands on Dolph and gently turned him to face King Nabob. She had thought that she was the one freaked out by the ceremony, but now she saw that Dolph was worse than she, and she had to help him get through it. She was glad to do it. She would have been glad to help him through the rest of his life, if only he had wanted that.
King Nabob was saying something. Electra tried to pay attention, but she was worried about Dolph, who might as well have been a zombie for all the animation he had. He must be utterly terrified! She took his hand and squeezed it reassuringly; this would soon enough be over.
Suddenly she was jolted to awareness of her own situation. King Nabob had asked her a question! She remembered what to do. "I do," she said.
". . . pronounce you man and wife. Kiss the bride."
Dolph remained in his trance. So Electra lifted her veil away and kissed him. Then at last he began to recover. His arms tightened around her, and he kissed her back. That was a relief; she had been getting quite worried about him.
Then they were in the reception, and the folk were filing by, congratulating Dolph. Electra would have been disgusted, but she realized that this was all show, in an effort to make the man feel good about being caught by the woman.
There was a wonderful big wedding cake, too. Dolph was supposed to cut it, but he still seemed a bit vague, so she guided his hand for him. Her own nervousness had disappeared in her effort to get Dolph through. She would have to warn Nada about this, so that she would be prepared to get him through tomorrow.
Finally it was all done, and they were alone in the pavilion for the night. The others had all gone home, or wherever wedding guests went.
The chamber was beautiful. It had a monstrous feather bed, and pillows and cushions all over, and not much else. It seemed that couples were not expected to be interested in other things on their wedding night.
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