She left, returning two minutes later with Sugar in her arms. She didn’t come any farther than the bedroom door. “Princess, Consort Sinclair is with me, but he’s not coming into the bedroom, so he won’t see you or your dress. But if you stay where you are and he stays where he is, you’ll both be able to see the cats on the bed.”
“Okay.”
“Hi, honey,” Sinclair said. “Are our cats really getting married?”
“Apparently. Love you. Thanks for being a sport.”
He laughed. “Nothing surprises me anymore.”
I looked at Sugar. She still had her translation collar on. “Sugar, you want to marry Spider?”
The little white cat perked up. “Sugar loves Spider. Sugar marry Spider.”
“See, Mama?” Spider looked rather pleased with himself. He walked over to the bed. “Get Birdie now.”
I sighed. “What made me think we could do this without her?”
“On my way,” Allene said. She put Sugar on the bed next to Spider and left.
A few more minutes and she returned with Birdie.
She strode into the bedroom, a few rollers still in her hair, but she had her dress on for the wedding and her makeup done. “Is this for real? The cats are getting married?”
I nodded. “Just go with it.”
“Right.”
Spider and Sugar sat at the edge of the bed.
I looked at them. “Ready?”
Two meows answered me.
“Sugar, do you take Spider to be your cat husband? To love and look out for, to play with and groom, for all nine of your lives?”
“Sugar does.”
“Spider, do you take Sugar to be your cat wife? To love and look out for, to play with and to groom, for all nine of your lives?”
“Spider does, Mama.”
“Wonderful. With the power vested in me as heir to the Winter Throne, I now pronounce you joined in feline matrimony. You may kiss your bride, Spider.”
He leaned in and nuzzled Sugar, then licked her face. She licked him right back.
All around me, my team and Birdie made little cooing noises, then started clapping. I could hear Sinclair doing the same in the other room.
I shook my head, laughing softly. “Congratulations, Spider and Sugar. I hope you’re very happy together.”
Birdie rolled her eyes good-naturedly. “So cute. But I’d better scram and do something about this hair.”
“On that note,” Sinclair said from the other room. “I’m going to finish getting ready too. Come on, Sugar. We have to get your fancy collar on. See you at the altar, sweetheart.”
Sugar jumped down and followed him out while my heart started pounding again. I nodded, which he couldn’t see, then hastily added, “Yes. At the altar.”
I took some deep breaths and closed my eyes as Nesto went back to work on my hair.
It wasn’t long before Nesto leaned in. “I’m all done, Princess. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
I made eye contact with Nesto, then tipped my head toward Spider. “Do you think you could give someone else a little grooming?”
Nesto smiled. “I would love to.”
“His brush is in the basket under the nightstand.” Then I looked at Spider again. “Spider, would you like Mr. Nesto to give you a nice brushing so you look your best for Mama’s wedding?”
Spider’s eyes opened again. “Spider likes brushing. Mr. Nesto is nice.”
I nodded at Nesto. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” He went over and got Spider’s brush out, then started at the top of his head with long strokes.
Spider’s eyes closed, and purrs began to vibrate out of his throat.
“Aw,” Allene said. “He loves it.”
I grinned. “Spider loves any attention paid to him. Don’t you, baby?”
“Mama,” Spider said. “Brushing time.”
“Yes, I know. Don’t interrupt the little prince while he’s being attended to.” I snorted. “Poor Sugar. Does she know what she’s gotten herself into?”
Benna laughed as she turned my chair around to begin my face. “He’s so sweet, though. Hard not to spoil him silly.”
In between the purrs, a few more words slipped out of Spider. “Spider…likes…Benna.”
With a makeup brush in hand, she touched her heart. “I like you too, Spider.” Then she looked at me and mouthed the words, I love him.
I smiled. I totally understood. Even when he was being a little full of himself, he was adorable. I closed my eyes and let Benna get to work.
The soft sweep of her brushes against my skin and her gentle touches put me in a deep state of calm.
When I had to open my eyes a few times, I was surprised at how relaxed I really was. My nerves had faded, at least for the moment.
“Almost done,” she said, brushing a little setting powder over my cheeks and chin. “There you go. Beautiful as always.”
She turned me back to the mirror.
“Oh, Benna. It looks great. I look exactly how I wanted to look. Like myself. But better. Thank you.”
She curtsied. “My honor.”
“You look beautiful,” Allene agreed. “Now we should get you into your dress. Queen Klara and Lady Kringle are on their way with the photographer.”
And just like that, my nerves were back. It was all getting very real. I got to my feet, taking a few deep breaths as I did. “They had better not make me cry, because I do not want to ruin this makeup.”
“Everything is waterproof,” Benna said.
I still didn’t want to cry.
The door to my apartment opened, and my mother’s voice rang out. “Jaynie, Aunt Martha and I are here. Where are you, sweetheart?”
“In the bedroom, Mom,” I answered.
They came in, and I let out a happy gasp. “You both look so beautiful!”
They did too. Both of them were in deep shades of plum, their dresses embellished with little bits of crystal and sequins. My mom’s had silver accents. My aunt’s darker gown had some iridescent beads dancing across the bodice. Their hair and makeup, done by their people, were flawless.
Both of them came over to me, kissing my cheeks gently so as not to mess up my makeup.
“You’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen,” Aunt Martha whispered with tears in her voice.
“You stop that,” I said. “Do not make me cry.”
My mother sniffed loudly. “She’s right, though. There has never been a prettier, more elegant bride. You look like a dream.”
I was getting weepy. That could not happen. Not this early in the day.
“We need a picture,” I announced. “Where’s the photographer?”
“In your living room,” my mom answered.
“We’ll get a picture,” Aunt Martha said. “Just as soon as you put your dress on.”
I looked at Allene. “Ready?”
“Just a moment, Your Highness.” She took the dress off of its form and arranged the opening so I could step into it without wrinkling it. “All set.”
Davide and Nesto made their way to the door. Davide gave me a quick look. “When you’re ready for your jewels, I’ll be back.”
“Thank you.” I made my way to the gown, then took off my robe and stepped into it.
Allene, with the help of my mom and aunt, fit me into it, zipping the hidden zipper, fixing the way it lay on me, straightening the skirt, and smoothing the fabric until there wasn’t a single adjustment left to be made.
My mom sniffed again. “I can’t believe my baby is getting married.”
“Mom.” My look held a gentle warning. “Please don’t make me cry. Benna worked so hard to make me look like this.”
My mother smiled and nodded, but liquid edged the rims of her eyes. “I know. I can’t help it.” Then she laughed. “You think I’m bad, wait until your father sees you.”
“Dad won’t cry.”
My mother, the Winter Queen, snorted. “Oh, please. That m
an is going to make the Meltwater River look dry.”
I glanced behind them. “We should get Lila Crowe in here for a picture too.”
My aunt nodded. “We should. Do you want me to go get her?”
“I can do that, Lady Kringle,” Allene said. “The Crowes are in Consort Sinclair’s apartment. I’ll just pop over.”
“Thank you, Allene.” I took a look at myself in the mirror. It was staggering to see a bride looking back. Especially when that bride was me.
I took a breath, soaking in the moment. Today was the day I was marrying Sinclair. Our lives were going to change forever.
I couldn’t wait.
All the pre-ceremony palace pictures were taken, my veil and tiara were on—as was the rest of my jewelry—my bouquet was in my hand, everyone was in their place, and my father awaited me at the south exit for the carriage ride to the ice cathedral. There, I would finally get to see Sinclair. And marry him.
My heart wasn’t pounding so much as fluttering with anticipation, joy, nerves, and the sheer excitement of the day. I felt like I was floating, but also like I was in my body and at the same time somehow watching from outside it.
No single word existed that could describe what was going on inside me.
I doubted I’d ever have a day like this again. I focused on being centered, absorbing everything I was feeling, then exhaled and nodded to those around me. “I’m ready.”
Two footmen held Spider and Sugar in their carriers, Allene was behind me to manage my train, and Benna was at her side with a small makeup case for any last-minute touch-ups that might be needed.
The apartment door was open, and Ezreal waited in the hall to escort me downstairs. He was in a dark suit with a blue tie patterned with the House of Frost crest. He nodded at me as I left my apartment to join him. “You are a vision, Princess.”
“You’re very kind, Ezreal. You look pretty handsome yourself.”
He extended his arm to me. “It’s my honor to escort you to the king and your carriage on this special day.”
Emotion threatened to close my throat. Ezreal had been a part of my life for a long time. Having him here with me now felt right. I couldn’t imagine anyone else in his place. “Thank you,” I whispered.
His smile was tight, as if he was fighting emotion too. He gave me a quick nod, then lifted his chin.
I took his arm, and we began the procession to the south exit. There would be no elevator today. Instead, we took the grand staircase that led down to the palace’s main entrance. All of the household staff were lined up. They bowed or curtsied as we passed. I noticed a few of the housekeepers and cooks looked weepy despite their smiles.
We made the turn and headed for the south exit. I was excited to see my father.
He was at the doors, waiting, looking very royal in his morning coat and full regalia. He wore a number of royal badges on his lapel and the sapphire and diamond House of Frost crest on a thick platinum chain around his neck. On his head was a matching platinum crown. He was every inch the Winter King.
He smiled when he saw me, then blinked hard. Was he fighting tears? Snowballs. That was something I’d never seen from him before, but then, my mom had predicted he’d cry. I couldn’t believe she’d been right.
I smiled back, big and bright, my way of counterbalancing his obvious emotion and keeping myself from getting pulled under with it. “Hi, Dad.”
He cleared his throat and seemed to shake off whatever he was feeling. At least on the outside. The thickness of his voice said he was still very much caught in the moment. “Hello, Jaynie.”
Ezreal took my fingertips and held my hand at chest level between us. “Your Highness, may I present Her Grace, Princess Jayne.”
My father took my hand. “Thank you, Ezreal.”
He bowed and stepped back.
I held my smile as I glanced at Ezreal one last time. “See you at the wedding.”
He grinned. “Yes.”
Then my father gave me his arm. I took it, clutching my bouquet tightly in my other hand, and two footmen opened the doors ahead of us.
The carriage sparkled like it was diamond-encrusted, even in the shadows of the portico. Another footman stood beside its open door, waiting to help me in.
We left the palace, but my father paused on the outside landing. His gaze shifted to me. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. You look very regal today. And very handsome.”
“I love you, Jaynie.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
A hint of liquid rimmed his eyes. The emotion was back.
Something about seeing my big, strong father like this twisted everything inside me. I sniffed and took a deep breath. “If you cry, I’m going to lose it.”
He laughed softly. “Hard not to on such a big day.” Then he kissed my cheek. “I’m glad you’re marrying such a wonderful man as Sinclair. I know I’m not losing a daughter, I’m gaining a son-in-law, but I can’t help but feel that you’re not going to be my little girl anymore.”
Oh boy. My eyes were hot with unshed tears. “I will always be your little girl. Being married isn’t going to change that, I promise.”
He nodded and swallowed. “I hope not.”
I patted his hand. “We should go, or Sinclair’s going to think I changed my mind.”
My father smiled. “Can’t have that.” He took a breath, and we started for the carriage. “We also can’t have your mother thinking something’s gone wrong. She’ll be more of a wreck than she already is.”
“She didn’t seem like a wreck this morning when she and Aunt Martha were helping me get ready.”
“She hides it well.”
My entourage followed us out. One of the footmen gave me his hand to get into the carriage, then Allene helped the footmen with my train, settling it around me in such a way to keep it from getting wrinkled. Then my father got into the carriage and sat beside me. Lastly, Sugar and Spider were let out of their carriers to join us. They settled in on the top of the seat so they could see out the back.
Or in Spider’s case, so he could be properly adored by the people.
The footmen bowed deeply before one of them closed the carriage door.
With a wave to everyone, we took off for the drive through town. A matched team of four reindeer in silver harnesses pulled the carriage. I squeezed my dad’s hand.
We exited the palace grounds, crossed the Meltwater River Bridge, and headed into town. It didn’t take us long to reach the crowds. They were lined up on both sides of the street. Some held signs and banners wishing Sin and me good luck or congratulations. Others waved North Pole flags. Some threw flowers. A few held pictures of Sin and me surrounded by hearts and wedding bells.
It was staggering to see how many people had turned out. My heart was filled by the show of love and support. I waved and smiled. Spider even lifted his paw a few times.
“I can’t believe how many people there are.”
My father nodded as he kept up the waving too. “This is a big day for everyone. They all want to see you.”
“I hope I do them proud.”
“You already have, sweetheart.”
By the time the carriage entered the town square, I’d reached a place of pure calm. My father was right. The people were here for us. To support us. To share in our amazing day. I took all of that in, and then, magically, there was no room for my nerves anymore.
“We’re here,” I whispered to Spider and Sugar.
Spider looked up at me and gave a soft meow. I think he was as awestruck as I was at the sight spreading out before us.
The cathedral was beautiful. This was my first time seeing it complete. The arches of ice, open on the sides to keep as many views unobstructed as possible, gleamed in the bright North Pole sun.
Ivy twirled up the columns, and flowers dotted the vines, woven in amongst the green. The effect was simple, but stunning.
The carriage stopped, the footmen opened the door, and the swe
et scent of the flowers flowed in. But my eyes were focused on the end of the aisle I was about to walk down.
Sin stood there looking as handsome and wonderful as I’d ever seen him. A little flutter ran through me. Not nerves this time. Concentrated joy.
My father helped me out, and the footmen arranged my train. “Ode to Winter,” the traditional bridal processional, began. The light, crisp notes only added to my happiness. With my hand on my father’s arm and my bouquet front and center, we started down the aisle.
I couldn’t take my gaze off Sin. From his black morning coat to the plum-colored rose on his lapel, he was perfect.
Each step brought me closer to him. I was vaguely aware of all the guests. I think I was smiling and nodding at them too. But all I could really see was the handsome man I was about to marry.
A few whispers found their way to me. People telling me I looked beautiful, or congratulating me, or similar things. It was heady stuff, but I was already floating. Everything about the moment was flawless and shining with happiness.
My dad and I reached the end of the aisle. I handed off my bouquet to my first attendant, then faced my dad. He kissed my cheek, and his last whisper to me as an unmarried woman was, “I love you.”
I held on to him a moment longer. My mother was visible over his shoulder. I smiled at her. “I love you both.”
A single tear trickled down my mother’s smiling face.
My father and I turned to face the officiant, Reverend Vandersnow. The same man who’d presided over my naming ceremony.
The reverend spoke. “Who gives this woman to be married?”
My father lifted his chin, answering proudly, “Her mother and I do.”
Reverend Vandersnow looked at me. “And do you, Princess Jayne Lilibeth Frost, heir to the Winter Throne, descendant of the House of Kringle, descendant of the House of Frost, come to this marriage of your own free will, with no reservations?”
“I do.”
“Then by the power vested in me by the king and queen, and with the authority of the realm, I shall marry you.”
My father gave my hand to Sinclair, and the ceremony was underway.
Sinclair and I faced each other, holding hands. I wasn’t sure if I was trembling or he was, probably me, but there was no denying the excitement flowing through us.
Miss Frost Says I Do: A Nocturne Falls Mystery (Jayne Frost Book 7) Page 18