by Riana Lucas
The jacket does nothing to hide Reed’s muscled body. If anything it only emphasizes it more, from the way the jacket hugs his broad shoulders all the way down to where the buttons pull snugly around his tapered waist. The perfectly pressed pants make his legs appear even longer, giving him a very imposing look. Seeing him standing there in front of me does not make me feel threatened, though, only protected. Even with my high heels I still feel tiny and delicate beside him. I like this feeling more than I ever thought I would.
But I can’t tell him that. I take a step back and lift my chin so that I can look into his eyes. Eyes that are dancing with humor when they meet mine, letting me know that he already knows what I’m thinking and doing. I roll my eyes and turn my back on him. I don’t get very far, though. Reed has me by the wrist, gently tugging me back around to face him.
His face may be serious but he is obviously struggling to keep it together if his still dancing eyes are any indication. I cross my arms over my chest, cock my head to the side, and raise one eyebrow in question.
He clears his throat before speaking. “You look very beautiful, Poppy.”
I snort.
“What?” he asks innocently, too innocently.
“Apparently I look so beautiful that you find it funny?” I can’t help it. I love it when Reed complements me, but it usually makes me jittery and dizzy. It’s nice to tease him for once.
He smirks at me. “You know that’s not why I’m laughing.”
“I know.” I smile up at him.
“Ready?”
And just like that my mood shifts. All of my earlier nervousness starts rushing back. The thought of having to walk down that never-ending aisle while everyone turns to stare at me makes my stomach roil. Then to have to stand up there the entire time Rowan and Anna say their vows? This really is not something I am looking forward too. I am so happy for them, truly, but the idea of everyone staring at me as I do my duty is making me nauseous. Getting ready with Willow proved to be a good distraction but now with Reed and Gideon standing in front of me, ready to escort us to the ceremony, reality is setting back in once again.
Sensing my inner turmoil, Reed speaks up to try and calm me. “You’ll be fine, Poppy. I promise.” He takes my hand in his, smiling down at me. “I talked to my dad. I’m going to walk with you down the aisle. When we reach the end, we’ll split up but I’ll only be a few feet from you. Then once my mom comes in, all eyes will be on her. No one will even remember you’re still in the room.” Reed winks, knowing that to some that would sound more like an insult, but to me it’s perfect and exactly what I hope happens. “So take a deep breath because we really need to go now.”
I do as he says then turn when I hear the click of Willow’s heels as she comes up behind us. I am struck once again by the transformation she has so simply made. In just a matter of minutes she is able to turn herself from the meek servant girl of the Seelie court to a confident, beautiful fae worthy of much more than being a mere servant.
Her smile is radiant as she stands beside me, hair flaming out behind her, dress flowing around her like a puff of smoke. I see that I am not the only one that notices. Gideon, who had been waiting quietly and patiently behind Reed, now looks awestruck as he stares openly at Willow. A blush rises up in her cheeks, matching the shades in her dress, but she doesn’t look away. Instead, her eyes sparkle with happiness, just like her jewels.
Reed delicately clears his throat. Gideon blinks his eyes once, then twice before he seems to realize he has an audience. He does not look the least bit embarrassed, though. He smiles warmly at Willow. “You look absolutely breathtaking,” he says as he takes a step closer to her, extending his bent arm for her to take.
“Thank you, Gideon,” she replies as she wraps her arm in his, moving closer than she usually would. They begin walking down the hall talking softly to one another, having completely forgotten about Reed and I.
Reed snickers as he moves beside me, mimicking Gideon so that I can take his arm. We follow behind the pair, allowing enough distance to give them some privacy as well as ourselves.
“You really do look beautiful, Poppy. That dress is just as amazing as the very few others I have had the pleasure of seeing you in. I love how the fae use magic to make them seem like they're alive.” He reaches up to lightly touch the flowers growing over my shoulder.
“Thank you, but don’t get used to it. I hate dresses, even if they are beautiful.” I wrinkle my nose a little.
“Why don’t you like them? You look great in them. They make you look different. Not necessarily better but just…different. Kinda sexy.” He winks when he says the last part.
I smile, liking that complement, but then explain myself. “They just aren’t practical. I can’t fight or run or anything like that in them. I have to struggle to get to my daggers. It’s just so much easier to wear pants.”
Reed stops walking, causing me to stop as well. “What’s wrong?” I ask when I see him giving me a puzzled look.
“Do you have your daggers on now?” His voice is almost astonished and I can’t help but laugh.
“Of course. I don’t go anywhere, and I mean anywhere, without them. Ever.”
“But we’re going to my parents’ wedding. What could you possibly think is going to happen there?”
“Do I need to remind you about my coronation?” I ask with raised eyebrows.
“Well, no, but Damien’s dead now. You don’t have to be scared anymore.”
My spine immediately stiffens at his insult. “I am not scared! There is a huge difference between being scared and being prepared. Not being stupid and unarmed. It’s called being smart. That is what I am.” I try to tug my arm away but Reed holds on, bringing his other hand up to smooth down my bare arm.
“Okay, okay. I’m sorry. Don’t get mad. I didn’t mean it in a bad way. I just meant that Damien is dead, and so is your father. No one is threatening you now and you’re safe. You can relax, enjoy yourself, and stop looking over your shoulder all the time. I’ve got your back, Poppy. You know that, right?”
My shoulders relax and I stop trying to separate myself from Reed. “Of course I know that. I’m sorry too. It’s just that I have never been in this situation before. For my entire life, I have always had to watch my back. I slept every night with one dagger under my pillow, hand firmly gripping the hilt even while I slept. I have always gone on missions knowing that when I was done there would be another waiting for me. Then all of this with Damien and the king came up, only intensifying my instinct to protect myself and be always on guard. Something like that can’t just be turned off overnight. It will take me time, but I am trying.”
Reed pulls me in for a tight hug, one that I happily return. This is the only time I feel completely safe and that I can let my guard down, when I’m tight in Reed’s arms.
“You can stay here forever, right here, if that’s what it takes,” he whispers, having heard my thoughts.
I smile and pull back. “We can’t. We have a wedding to go to.”
Reed huffs dramatically but lets me go, all but my arm still locked in his. We start walking toward the throne room once again.
It is quiet around us for a moment until Reed asks softly and seriously, “So where exactly are you keeping those daggers, anyway?”
I laugh and bump my shoulder against his as I tease back. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
We smile and joke the rest of the way to the throne room, successfully keeping my mind off my nervous thoughts.
25
The wedding ceremony is wonderful and beautiful, and most importantly, Reed was absolutely right. I have my moments of being the center of attention but they are short. Anna is the main focus of the day. Thankfully.
When we make it to our designated meeting place, a room next to the throne room, everyone is already there waiting for Reed and me. Anna wanted to use some of the human traditions, but Rowan would not agree to all of them. Refusing to keep away from each other pri
or to the ceremony was one that he would not bend on. Rowan is right here watching my mother and Willow as they put the final flowers in Anna’s hair, making her look so much like a faery one could almost pretend she is.
Her face glows with such pure joy, a joy reflected in Rowan’s face as he watches from his perch up against a far wall. He doesn’t even look up when we enter the room, having eyes only for his bride. Reed and I immediately break apart, he moving to his father’s side and I to Anna’s. As I move closer, Anna looks up. “Oh,” she says softly, covering her mouth as tears pool in her eyes.
I rush over. “No no! Don’t cry. You’ll ruin your makeup…or something. Right Willow?” I shoot a wide-eyed glance at Willow for help, totally uncomfortable with Reed’s mother crying in front me.
Anna quickly swipes her fingers under her eyes to catch the tears and sniffs a few times. “It’s okay, I’m fine. Sorry. Just a little emotional is all.” She sniffs one last time then offers me a reassuring smile. “You just look so beautiful, Poppy, and I’m so happy you’re doing this for me. It means so much to have you up here with us. Not only are you the love of my son’s life, but if it weren’t for you, Rowan and I wouldn’t be here, together after all this time.”
Feeling slightly uncomfortable with her words, I glance around for help, but everyone is looking at me with their own share of pride and love. I look back to Anna, much more comfortable with facing just her instead of a whole room.
“Anna, you really don’t have to thank me. It was nothing really. I mean, I didn’t even do it on purpose. It’s not like I went out seeking Rowan and knew he was Reed’s father. In fact, he’s the one that found me. It was just luck on my side. That’s all. No need to thank me, really.” I try to offer my own smile but I’m sure it comes out uncomfortable and weird.
Anna only smiles bigger. “You are such an amazing girl. I can see why my son loves you so much.” She takes my hand in hers, probably sensing that I am about to run from this room. “Let me just say this last thing and then I’ll leave you alone.”
“Oh, Anna, it’s okay. I mean…” I begin to squirm.
She cuts me off with a kind smile, saving me from rambling. “I love you as if you were my very own daughter, and I hope one day you will be.” She winks, but keeps talking. “I know you don’t think what you have done has been much, but to me…to all of us, it has been so much. For someone so young, you are so very brave and strong. Thank you, Poppy.” Anna stands up and I try to protest. It’s her wedding day. She should be the one getting all this attention and praise, not me. She ignores me as she shakes her head slightly and pulls me into a warm hug. It surprises me once again to feel so consumed by someone that stands a whole head shorter than I do, but I guess that’s what happens when someone loves you this way. It doesn’t matter how big or small they are, you feel it everywhere as it wraps all around you, making you feel small and humble.
I hug her back but not too tightly. I don’t want to wrinkle her dress or mess up her hair. It all looks so perfect. When I pull back I smile, a real one this time. I can’t speak but I can see that I don’t need to. Anna understands me just like my mother does. It must be some sort of mother’s intuition.
“Okay, let’s get you finished up and married!” Willow announces, bringing the mood in the room back to busy and happy.
I take a step back to give my mother and Willow room to work. Willow may have shown me a thing or two in the dressing-up department but I definitely don’t know enough to or want to help with this. My mother smiles at me with her I am so proud of you and love you so much look causing me to quickly take a few more steps back, not wishing to get into it with her now. Anna’s speech was enough for one day. Or year.
I finally stop when my back hits the wall. I look over to find myself standing between Gideon and Rowan. I almost sigh. I don’t want him to get all mushy with me too. I glance at Reed who has plenty of room on the other side of him. I take a step in that direction when Rowan places his hand on my shoulder stopping me. This time I do sigh.
He chuckles and leans close. “What she said,” he whispers in my ear before letting me go. I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. I absolutely love this fae.
Reed is smiling when I get to his other side but wisely remains quiet. We watch as my mother and Willow continue to fuss over Anna until my mother finally claps her hands together twice and declares, “It’s time!”
I hear Rowan mumble “thank the faeries” under his breath as he moves toward Anna. My mother and Willow come toward us, motioning for us to leave the room ahead of them. Anna and Rowan will have one more private moment before he takes his place with my mother at the top of the dais in the throne room where he will wait for Anna to become his wife.
Once outside the room, my mother begins giving final instructions to Reed and me. Willow quietly double checks to make sure my mother and I are in order before she and Gideon leave to take their seats. Once my mother is sure Reed and I know what to do, she knocks softly on the door. Rowan answers almost immediately with Anna at his side. Rowan kisses her softly and then turns to hug his son tightly. He releases him and turns to follow my mother, but before leaving he quickly places a soft kiss on my cheek. He and my mother are gone before I can even register what he has done.
Anna tells me softly as I stare after Rowan. “I told you, you are like a daughter to us. He loves you as much as I do.”
“Thank you. That really means a lot to me,” I tell her as I try to keep it together.
Thankfully Reed comes to the rescue. “Come on! Can we stop with all this emotional stuff? We’re supposed to be having fun! It’s a wedding!” He cheers loudly.
Anna and I both roll our eyes as we laugh at Reed. Then we hear the music start. “That’s our queue,” Reed says to his mother. He kisses her quickly on the cheek then holds his bended arm out for me to take. Feeling lighter, I take his arm with a happy smile. We walk to the entrance of the throne room and pause before entering. Reed glances down at me with such love in his eyes that my breath stutters. “One day this will be us. I love you,” he whispers softly and then leads me down the aisle.
The rest is a complete blur, thanks to Reed’s words that keep replaying in my mind. I stay on my cloud during the entire ceremony until I am in Reed’s arms once again and he is leading me down the aisle out of the throne room. Once we are out in the hall, I pull him quickly around the corner. As soon as we are out of sight I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him deeply. Letting him feel just how much I love him and just how much he means to me.
After what could have been hours or merely minutes, who knows, we finally pull apart. He rests his forehead on mine, our heavy breathing mingling together. “I love you, Reed,” I say to him for the first time.
“I know,” he answers back with a soft smile. He is not mocking me or teasing like usual. I know he has been waiting for me to say these words to him, just as he has known that I feel this way. He has given me the patience and time I have needed to actually say it, though. It came so easy with my mother, telling her as soon as she uttered those words to me. But this is different. Not that I ever doubted Reed’s feelings for me, but my mother’s love is something that I know she always has had and always will, no matter what.
There is an insecurity that comes with loving someone this way; at least for me there is. It is not a guarantee like a mother’s love, but a choice. A choice that two people are making to love, cherish, respect, and be truthful with each other. This is not something that is easy for most people. And after all that I have been through, the betrayal and loss I have had to deal with, saying this to Reed means so much more because I mean it with every ounce of my being and every inch of my soul. And this is what he knows.
Our quiet moment does not last long because soon the other fae are filing out of the throne room, making their way to the main dining room where we will celebrate Rowan and Anna’s union. Usually the party would go well into the night, the fae dancing and drinking me
rrily with one another, but this celebration will be cut short. Rowan does not wish to delay any further in taking his place at the Unseelie court, and I agree with him. The longer they are left without a ruler, the harder it will be to get them back in line.
Reed and I join the crowd as we make our way to the dining hall. My only thought now is getting through the rest of the evening so that I can start the rest of my stress-free life that will begin tomorrow.
26
Of course the thought of a new day bringing with it a new, carefree, stress-free life for me is only wishful thinking. As well as my desire to never return to the Unseelie court.
I can tell immediately that I am not going to like what I am about to hear when Rowan and Reed approach me with matching somber expressions on their handsome faces. I glare, willing them to turn around and go the other way. They do not. While I wait patiently for whatever news I know I’m not going to like, I turn my attention to what was going on around me.
The party is going full swing with music playing and food being served, including the infamous fae wine. Everyone is happy, laughing and dancing together. It is nice to see this for a change. I have not been the only one suffering recently. The entire Seelie court has suffered right along with my mother and me. The betrayal of their second in command and the injustices done to their queen, followed by the loss of their princess, is something the fae in this court have never quite recovered from. Then the joy of my return was short lived because of Damien’s attack on our court once again and the losses we suffered because of him.
To finally see a true celebration and genuine happiness on the faces of my fellow fae is truly a wonderful experience. I watch as they greet each other, the males slapping each other heartily on the back and the females eagerly hugging their friends. The children are running around dressed in their finest attire, the boys in pants and shirts, the girls in frilly dresses, all magical because they have been made by the hands of the fae. Even my mother has let her guard down a bit. She is talking so happily with her people, all of them just as eager to speak with her.