by Ciara Lake
“Yes, but you enjoyed shopping, didn’t you?”
She nodded. “Yes. It was great fun. Celeste had a marvelous time too.”
“I’ll be surprised too with what you purchased. I like beautiful surprises.” He kissed her cheek.
“Maybe you’re working too hard.” Breanna rubbed his arms. “I don’t want you to wear out.”
He laughed. “No, I want the wedding to be special. Plus, Odin himself will be attending, along with other important deities. Even Hathor is providing music for us. I’ve never met him, but Loki knows him. He’s a most excellent musician.”
“Who’s Hathor?” She fixed her hair around her face, using a hand mirror which was on the dresser.
“He’s the Egyptian god of music. This wedding’s truly going to be amazing. Thanks to Loki too, he has connections.” Axel grinned. “I’m lucky he likes me. When he doesn’t like someone, he can make their life hell, or send them to Hel, his daughter. What are these?” He picked up the swaths of materials lying on the table. “They’re nice.”
“Those are the colors of our wedding dresses.”
“Which one is yours?”
“The blue one’s mine. The gowns are to match our eyes.” She coyly batted her eyes at him. “The green is mother’s. The silver is for Chrisalannis and Celeste. They’re going to stand with me at the altar. I really like Celeste. She has been so kind to me.”
“I like her too.” He held up the material. “Can I take these with me?”
“Yes, Celeste said you’d want to see the colors. These are for you.”
“Your mother will be excited to see the color of her dress. I’ll give this to Ice. I’ll give Fiona beautiful jewels to match the dress.”
“I asked the ring for pearls to match the silver dresses,” Breanna nervously told him. She looked down at the floor.
“Ah, I felt a great tug on my power. They’re not real pearls, they only resemble pearls. No human can tell.”
“Real or not, they’re lovely.” Breanna showed him one of the necklaces.
He held it up and examined it. “The pearls are perfectly shaped because they aren’t real. They do look nice though. But the tug I felt was much greater than pearl necklaces.”
“I wished to have many children. I felt the ring pulse up my arm to my womb. Also, I wished for Celeste to have many children too.” Breanna looked at her hands.
Axel broke out in laughter. He sat down on the edge of the bed. “I see. That takes powerful magic. Especially for Celeste. I believe she is, or was, barren. But not now, it would seem. It was good of you.” He put his finger under her chin, pushing her face up to look at her.
“You’re not mad?”
“Of course not. It was very clever of you. Celeste should be ecstatic.”
“She is.” Breanna smiled.
“Well, the ring will see it is so. I hope you like children. My mother has over eighty children. Actually, that’s not many for a troll who has lived as long as she has. So we should have in the hundreds.”
“My goodness.” Breanna sat down. “That is a lot of children.”
“Celeste will probably have ten or more in her lifetime. No wonder I felt a tug on my power.” He threw his head back, laughing. “That’s all right. I like the Duponts, and I’m glad there will be plenty of them. Go down to dinner now. I’m going back to Iceland to work. I’ll stop in to see you again, as I can’t stay away.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” She kissed him. “Bye.”
“Bye, my love. I’ll be back for you two days before our wedding. I love you. Have fun.” He flashed away.
Chapter 10
“The gowns are gorgeous.” Fiona’s hair was piled on top of her head, emerald with diamond pins held it in place with cascading curls. Chrisalannis arranged the tendrils of curls to fall stylishly around her face. Fiona stroked the dresses’ materials as if they were a precious commodity. Her eyes were wide with excitement. “These emeralds are magnificent. Axel’s very generous.” Her fingers trailed over the necklace around her neck as she looked into the mirror, admiring her reflection. Her eyes sparkled like the jewels she wore. She turned to hug Breanna. “The sapphires you have on are even lovelier. I love you, daughter.”
Fiona got up from her chair, and Breanna sat down in front of the mirror for Chrisalannis to arrange her hair. Her mother kissed her cheek. Breanna’s eyes gleamed with excitement.
“Fix Breanna’s hair down, she’s younger. She should wear it down,” Fiona insisted.
“Agreed.” Chrisalannis nodded. “You know what would look great in Breanna’s hair?”
“What?”
“A tiara, one of Axel’s works of art. It would be perfect.” She smiled in the mirror at Breanna. “Celeste, please go out in the hallway and call for Axel. Ask him for a simple tiara. He has made beautiful tiaras for mortal and immortal royalty. They’re exquisite, but he can’t come in here and see Breanna now.”
“Yes, it’ll be perfect.” Putting her robe on, Celeste rushed out into the hall.
“This is amazing. I can’t believe all of this is happening.” Breanna smiled.
Within minutes, Celeste was back in the room. “Axel made this for Freya. However, Freya said she’d like you to wear it. She’d be happy if you did.” Celeste handed it to Chrisalannis. It gleamed. “This tiara Axel created without any magic. Axel says he can’t make another without magic so quickly.”
“It’s very nice of her to allow me to borrow it.”
“Perfect, I love the simplistic style of this tiara. It’s elegant.” Chrisalannis held it up before she sat it on Breanna’s head. The petite tiara had been made to be subtle not ostentatious. It shined in the candlelight, shimmering in a rainbow of colors. The diamonds were small, but there were hundreds of them covering the white gold. It had definitely been made for a gorgeous woman, a Norse goddess.
“I don’t know, it’s very special. I don’t feel worthy to wear such a crown.” Breanna frowned.
“Sure you are. Don’t you know immortals from all over are attending?” Chrisalannis stood next to her, looking at her in the mirror. “The gods themselves are waiting for you both to marry. Loki has helped to prepare a party and banquet. It’ll be talked about for centuries. Even Odin’s participating.”
“Odin’s participating?” She quickly shut her mouth, for a second she’d left it wide open.
“Yes, my dear, and not to put Fiona and Ice down...” She looked toward Fiona smiling. “…but they’re here for you and Axel, because you’re both special. He’s the jeweler to the gods, the prince of the trolls. Not by birth, he’s a prince by appointment of his peers and others. You’re his princesses. They admire Axel, and now you.” She brushed Breanna’s hair. “Your hair looks beautiful with the curls cascading down your back and around your face. Your mother’s right, you should wear it down.” She stood back to admire her handiwork. “Now, I want you to wish your gowns on. That way they’ll go perfectly on without messing your hair.”
“I hardly recognize myself.” Breanna stared in the mirror. She touched the dazzling tiara. Chrisalannis had applied rouge to her lips and cheeks. “You really did a great job, Chrisalannis. I love the rouge, my hair, everything.”
“I recognize you, you always look beautiful.” Fiona took her hand. “You’re just fancied up.” They helped each other put on shiny black leather boots that Celeste had chosen to go with their gowns. They were soft, comfortable, molding to their feet and legs like a second skin. Chrisalannis waved her hand, putting on her and Fiona’s dresses.
Breanna held her arms out to the side, her chin up, and asked the ring to dress her in her wedding gown. “Dress Celeste in her gown too,” she requested of the ring. Celeste’s face registered surprise when her dress was fully on her, laced, and buttoned. They all stood admiring each other in their elaborate dresses. “Celeste and Chrisalannis, your silver gowns look amazing. You look like glorious snowflakes.”
“Words can’t describe how you and Fiona loo
k. Those jewel toned wedding gowns will stand out in the venue they’ve created.” Chrisalannis’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Axel and Ice made it very special. I’m amazed at what they’ve done, at how much effort they expended. No.” She shook her head. “I’m not surprised, both are in love. I can’t wait for you to see it. This is such a wonderful occasion. The party to follow will be incredible too. A party to surpass any I’ve ever attended. Axel’s taking you on a special holiday after the party,” she said to Breanna. “You’re both going to have a wonderful time.” She leaned in and whispered in Breanna’s ear. “He’s very excited to be alone with you in a very special place.”
“Every place with him is special.” Breanna grinned. “Where’s he taking me?”
“I know every place is special with him, such is love.” Chrisalannis patted Breanna’s arm. “I can’t tell you.” She shook her head, and her grin grew.
Celeste opened the door to the hallway. A golden-haired man with silver eyes and a Roman military style haircut stood outside the door. Smiling ear to ear, he watched the women step into the hallway. His remarkable eyes were glued to Breanna.
“Lovely ladies.” He bowed. “All of you are startling to a male’s base emotions. You surpass the most beautiful of goddesses.” He winked.
Chrisalannis put her finger over her mouth to shush him. “Var, please be careful as the goddesses are vain females, and they may become jealous due to your overly generous words. You know what I mean?” She eyed him.
“I do indeed. Forgive me. I’m merely responding to the temptation you have on my male senses. I may be a god, but we’re weak for loveliness such as all of you possess.” He turned to Breanna. “I’m Var, the god of marriage and vows. When a man sees the woman he loves, I’m the god who instructs him in what he must do to make her his. I’m here to escort the brides to the mountaintop.” He opened his arms wide as in welcome. “I’ll be handing you off to your husbands-to-be. Loki has specific instructions. Please follow me to your ride.” He took Breanna’s arm and smiled at her. “You, my dear, are as lovely as Axel described. In fact, more so. He’s a lucky troll.” He looked to the others. “All of you look outstanding.” Focusing in on Celeste, he touched her arm. “You, my dear mortal girl, I honor you, because of what I see within your soul.”
Celeste inhaled sharply. “What was that?” Her face flushed. She noticeably shook.
“That, my dear, was a blessing of longevity along with good fortune. It swirled through your mortal body. This was bestowed because I can see you honor your vows. It’s within your heart. You’re pure as well as honest.” He took her hand, kissing the back of it. His eyes met hers. Celeste giggled. “This blessing extends to whom you love as well as those who are true to you.”
Celeste blushed a bright pink. “Thank you very much, Var. What a special gift.”
“It is indeed.” He grinned. He turned his focus to the entire group. “Odin’s here, and all the guests have arrived. We’re ready for your nuptials. The sun’s about set. I can feel it sinking on the horizon.”
“So can I,” Fiona blurted. Her eyes were bright.
“Of course you can, daughter of Hema.” He nodded at her.
“No longer.” Fiona bowed her head.
“Ah, Hema may have disowned you, Chrisalannis may adopt you, Hema may free you, but you’ll be forever a Forsaken vampire. You’re luckier than most. Even luckier than the vampires who aren’t Forsaken. Hema did you both a favor. They’ve a tough way of it, in my way of thinking. Out of all of the immortals, their gifts have a greater price.”
With Breanna and Fiona’s hands tucked in his arms, one on each side, he walked them down to the front entryway. They encountered a graceful, blonde-haired woman waiting at the bottom of the grand staircase. Dressed in scarlet satin, which tightly hugged her shapely body, she sauntered toward them.
“Hello, young brides. I’m Sjofn. I’m here to help Var escort you to the wedding location. It’s a top of a mountain, my dear.” She smiled at Breanna. “Axel built a venue there to be closer to the heavens.”
The great doors opened as they approached, allowing a gust of cold wind to blow in. It blew Sjofn’s hair from her face. Heavy snow fell, making the world completely white. The sun’s amber orb was setting in the west. It was nearly gone, and as it sunk behind the mountains, the sky darkened. Elegant torches lined the bridge crossing the frozen moat. The torches were silver staffs standing at least nine feet tall and wrapped in green garland with small red berries. Huge flames roared at the top of each torch, brightening the area in a golden glow. At the end of the drawbridge, two black and silver sleighs awaited.
“What are those animals?” Celeste pointed to the fidgeting animals with huge antlers. Every time they moved, bells rang, echoing loudly and making music.
“Reindeer, my dear. They belong to Icesykcus.” Sjofn took Celeste’s hand. “He thought they’d be perfect to pull the sleighs.”
“They’re prefect in every way,” Celeste agreed. She smiled at Sjofn. “Are you a goddess too? You’re alluring.”
“Yes, sweet mortal, I’m the Norse goddess of love. You, I, and Chrisalannis will take the first sleigh.”
Breanna got into the sleigh with Var and her mother. The reindeer swiftly pulled the sleighs to the mountaintop destination.
“Look there.” Breanna pointed. “The globe of light, it shines like a star.”
“Yes, they’ve created an area enclosed with ice. It’s magnificent.” The moon’s reflection shone bright, the snow floated around it. “Icesykcus is very talented too. Axel and Ice have outdone themselves. Even Odin’s impressed.”
The sleigh got closer to the ice structure. It was a crystal clear dome. It sparkled. The reindeer stopped in front of it, stomping their feet with impatience as their passengers got off the sleigh. Var helped Breanna and Fiona with his arm extended for both women to take, one on each side. They stood to the side, waiting for Sjofn to escort Celeste and Chrisalannis to the entrance. Large snowflakes fell all around. Huge flakes hit their hair and clothing, but they didn’t melt.
The glimmering ice dome arched high over the crowd of people sitting inside. Most of the crowd turned to watch them approach. The white marble floors reflected the torches which lined the aisles making it a beacon atop the mountain. When they were in front of the dome’s shiny icy wall, an opening swooshed, parting, allowing them entrance. A floral mixed with pine scented breeze hit Breanna’s face.
“It’s warm inside.” She inhaled the fragrant air.
“Indeed it is.” Var patted her hand.
Then she saw him. Her eyes riveted to the spot where her love stood. “Axel,” she whispered.
Heat rushed to her core, an epicenter of emotions radiating out from her center as if a small explosion hit within, growing rapidly. Her heart ached as if squeezed tight with the intensity of her feelings—love, tenderness, and desire. A tall, golden-haired angel, her beloved troll, dressed in a sapphire tunic and black trousers with tall, dark leather boots, waited by the silver altar. His eyes met hers, causing her to smolder inside.
Celeste and Chrisalannis started walking down the aisle.
Loki stood behind the altar, smiling with his usual mischievous air.
Axel’s sword hung at his right side, his ruby dagger tucked in his belt at his waist. He looked as a warrior of old, a Viking troll. His expressive blue eyes widened. She could tell he was pleased with her appearance. Breanna saw all the others, but her mind could only focus on him. He was the only one who mattered.
Celeste and Chrisalannis reached the front and stood to the side waiting on her. The group rose, all eyes upon her and Fiona. Her mother preceded first down the aisle to a very eager looking Icesykcus. As Breanna waited next to Var her hands dampened with nerves. The torches, decorated as the ones on the drawbridge with garland and berries, blazed bright. Red silk carpet laid out for them to walk on to meet their mates.
“This is unbelievable,” Breanna said.
“No, my dear, there’s nothing unbelievable in our world. There are just things you haven’t seen or heard of.” Var grinned down at her. “Soon you’ll fully appreciate what I say.” He kissed her cheek. “Now it’s your turn to take the walk to your mate. Embrace this moment with him.”
Breanna began her walk, holding the arrangement of greenery she’d been given in the sleigh. The greenery matched the decorations at the end of each row of seats. Breanna was grateful to have something to do with her hands by holding onto the bouquet. With each step, her heart pounded harder in her chest.
Axel held out his hand to her. As she reached him, she took it. His grip was warm, soothing to her nerves. She forgot she was the center of attention, because to her, he was her center. Behind him, she could see his brother Leif smiling at them.
“I, Var, the god of marriage and vows, am hereby bestowed with this honor. I give these two women into marriage to their selected mates.”
Breanna looked back over her shoulder to see Var. He bowed at the waist. Sjofn stepped next to him. Her blonde hair blew back from her face with a gust of air that materialized out of nowhere.
“I, Sjofn.” She turned to look over the crowd from right to left. “The goddess of love, bless these unions with everlasting love and devotion. May no being come between these couples.”
“Hear, hear,” rang out as the audience agreed with her proclamation.
“Please be seated,” Loki directed the group.
Axel and Breanna turned to look fully at Loki. The other couple did as well.
“Isn’t this a glorious moment? In my long existence, I’ve witnessed truly only a few, and this is one I’d count as glorious. Welcome everyone to this joyous occasion.” Loki waved his arms to all. He nodded to each couple. “Now, you truly worthy grooms of these most worthy brides, take your daggers in your hand.” Breanna’s pulse skipped. “Fear not, my sweet.” He looked at Breanna. “Hand the dagger to your chosen.”