“The first passage? So there is more than one?”
“Yes. Most of them are now long forgotten. And several of those who discovered this world by accident never realized what they’d done. Or that it would even have been possible to go back. After a while, this was simply where their lives were. They settled in, had children, lived, died, and that was it.”
“So Quinn’s world existed first.”
“Was inhabited by humans first, yes. This world has only had people for a thousand cycles or so – perhaps a bit longer; it’s been awhile since I did the math – but it’s quite young in that way compared to the world where Quinn was raised.”
William nodded. “But the gate we use – that one wasn’t an accident, was it?”
“No. That one was built on purpose. Not everyone traveled here by accident, and not everyone forgot. The gate you’ve been using was built by a young man who was very curious and scientific-minded – rather like you, Prince William. He studied how a naturally occurring gate worked, and thought he had it figured out. He dug up a piece of the magnetic rock under one of the gates, and then traveled to a place where he predicted another weak spot – a place in the Colorado mountains that is now known as Bristlecone, and he buried the rock there. Planted it might be a more appropriate term. Planted two pinecones with it; I never learned why.
“He was right, though. It worked.”
“Why have you never told anyone this?”
Alvin smiled kindly. “I’m not much in the habit of telling people things they don’t absolutely need to know. What you figure out on your own is yours to do with as you wish, but most of the hidden knowledge in this – in any – world is only meant to be understood by those who do the work to discover it.”
“Then why are you telling us this now?” Quinn asked. “What difference does it make – why do we ‘absolutely need to know’?”
“Now, the answer to that question, should you truly desire it, is for you to obtain, Princess.”
“There must be a reason, Alvin. Something you want me to do with this information.”
“All I’ve done is told you a story, Princess. As for what you do with it – that choice is yours. In any case, I believe I’ve shared with you enough that you can set aside your fears that your family will be unable to return home, and you can enjoy your wedding day. My heart is overflowing with joy that the two of you have found each other, and I am looking forward to many, many cycles of watching your relationship blossom. Thank you, Prince and Princess, for allowing me to share your precious day.
“Now, Sir Owen, it has truly been a pleasure meeting you in person. I can only hope we have the opportunity to do it again sometime.”
Owen nodded, blinking up at Alvin with a rather serious expression. “Then what are the bridges for?”
Alvin smiled. “Keeping your feet out of the water.” He winked as he squeezed Owen’s shoulder, then took Quinn’s hand in his and kissed the back of it before turning and walking away. When she looked for him again, only a few minutes later, he was nowhere to be found.
* * *
The wedding celebration lasted much of the afternoon, though the dancing tapered off as the crowd grew smaller. Charles and his family were the first to drift back to their quarters, followed by Ellen and Henry. Quinn noticed that Maxwell and his girlfriend, Catherine, disappeared early on, too.
Eventually it was mostly only Quinn’s and William’s immediate families sitting around small tables and chatting, nibbling at the buffet, and playing games. Jacob and Essie, the only cousins who had traveled in for the ceremony, had settled in for the duration. Essie, newly pregnant, had discovered a new camaraderie with new moms Rebecca and Natalie. The three of them were huddled around a table, babies Quinn and Aiden asleep in arms.
As she watched, Simon’s wife, Evelyn, drifted by and was immediately pulled in to the group. She had been suspecting that Evelyn was already expecting as well.
Simon had already found Jacob, Andrew, and Howard in another corner, talking and laughing. Simon had his little sister Hannah in his arms, and kept blowing bubbles on her tummy. Quinn imagined that these young families would be spending a lot of time together in the future.
The dance floor had been confiscated by the children, who were running back and forth, sliding around on the smooth marble, and making up their own dances. Thomas and Mia had spent a lot of time over there with them, and William had snuck in a dance or two with Annie and his little sisters, but most of the “grownups” were more interested in quieter activities.
There was an unspoken feeling in the atmosphere of the ballroom, a sense that they were all trying to soak up as much of this time together as they could, savoring the way things were right this minute, before everything changed.
The feeling in the room was bittersweet, full of love and celebration, but also a little melancholy. Quinn wasn’t the only one about to permanently leave her home. Even the weather seemed to understand their mood. Shortly after the ceremony, dark gray clouds had filled the skies outside. Soon, enormous raindrops had begun splattering against the floor-to-ceiling windows and the glass doors that led to the patio, creating a symphony that overpowered the music inside.
Now, great puddles had formed on the stones outside, and the giant fountain in the middle of the patio was overflowing, each tier pouring down a bigger waterfall than the last. Every few minutes, distant thunder would rumble through the sky, but the lightning remained high in the clouds.
When Emma came and tugged on William’s arm for “just one more round of Hokey Pokey” Quinn, who had already reached her limit on the game, drifted to the door and stood there watching the rain for several minutes.
It struck her then, as she watched both the rain, and the people behind her from their reflections in the glass, that someday, when she discovered that she was carrying William’s child, they’d be far away in Philotheum, away from both of their families. No Rebecca or Evelyn to turn to for advice. No Linnea to giggle with at night.
“How can something so beautiful be so gloomy at the same time?”
She turned to see Thomas standing right behind her.
“I was just thinking that. It looks so sad out there right now, but it’s such good news that it’s finally raining.”
“Hopefully it will rain long enough to finally put the fire all the way out,” he said. “We need the water. Sorry that it had to be on your wedding day, though.”
“I don’t know. It seems kind of . . . fitting somehow. We’re inside, anyway. Hopefully it will let up later – when it’s time for Marcus and Ben to take my family to the bridge.”
He reached for her shoulder, squeezing it gently, and leaned in to kiss her on the forehead. “I don’t think I’ve had the chance yet to tell you how beautiful you look today. Nearly brought tears to my eyes when I saw you. And the look on William’s face…”
“Where would I be without your flattery, Thomas?”
“Flattery? Did you not look in a mirror before you came down here, sweet sister?”
She rolled her eyes. “I did look in a mirror, and it’s still flattery. But I like the sound of the word sister.”
“Me too, sweetheart.” He grabbed her and pulled her into a tight hug. “I like it a whole lot.”
“I’m going to miss you.”
He shrugged. “You’re not going that far. And I’m not that easy to get rid of. Dance with me?”
“To the Hokey Pokey on repeat?”
He chuckled. “Why not? I’m only going to get one chance to dance with my new sister on her wedding day. I don’t care what song it is – in fact, I wouldn’t care if there was no music at all.” He didn’t wait for a response before taking her hand and holding it up to twirl her around.
“Hey, get your own girl,” William said, several minutes later when the song had finally changed.
“I was only keeping her safe for your return,” Thomas said, grinning. “Now that you’re back, she’s all yours.” He leaned down and
kissed her forehead again, and then gave her another hug before spinning her back to William’s waiting arms. “I don’t think I could be any happier for you two.”
After several happy hours that Quinn and William spent mostly with Megan, alternating Annie and Owen between their laps, it was finally time to bring things to a close. Most of the dishes had been cleared from the long buffet table when Stephen rang a spoon against his glass, and offered one more congratulatory toast to Quinn and William. Then he and Charlotte walked across the room and hugged them both.
“It’s so wonderful to welcome you to our family officially, Quinn.”
“Thank you, Stephen. It means a lot to me to hear you say that.”
“I mean every word.”
Charlotte had tears in her eyes as she kissed Quinn on the cheek.
“Thank you for everything, Charlotte,” Quinn whispered. “It was a beautiful day.”
“It wasn’t nearly as much as I wanted for the two of you.”
“But it was more than enough, Mother. We both appreciate it more than you could ever know.”
And then, at last, it was time for the part they’d been dreading. Quinn and William made their way to a secluded back hallway. Megan, Owen, and Annie, had changed from their fancy outfits into sturdy, rain-proof clothing. The few items they’d brought, and the many more they’d been gifted, had already been carried out to the saddlebags by Ben and Marcus, who would be accompanying them to the gate.
There wasn’t anything to say; they’d said everything they could over the last couple of days. More words now would only make this harder. They just held each other tightly for as long as they could. William kept his hand on Quinn’s shoulder as they both knelt down in front of Annie to give her the necklace they’d had made for her, a replica of the pendants she and William wore, only Annie’s was half silver and half gold, and bore the symbol that connected their two kingdoms, the one that matched their Friends of Philip tattoos. On the back of her pendant were the words, Love you forever Princess Annie.
Owen’s gift had been more practical, and was already tucked in a watertight bag and packed away in one of the saddlebags. It was a set of Eirenthean schoolbooks, a bit advanced for his age, but appropriate for Owen, that he had become obsessed with during his days in the castle. William had slipped a couple of his personal books in there as well, though Quinn didn’t know what those ones were.
She’d also written each of them, Owen, Annie, and her mother, long letters, filled with her favorite memories of each of them, and telling them how much she loved them. Linnea had helped her bind each one into a little book, and Thomas and William had worked with her to stamp designs on soft sheets of leather that they’d then sewn over the pages.
All too soon, Ben appeared in the corridor behind them. He nodded, and after one last hug, Megan took Annie’s and Owen’s hands and they followed him outside.
* * *
“There’s a reason,” Linnea said, appearing in the hallway behind them, “that it’s traditional for the married couple to leave the building and go somewhere else, at a predetermined time.”
“So they can get away from their annoying little sisters?”
“Funny, Will. Are you really planning on staying down here the whole night? I know it’s sad, but it isn’t like you’re never going to see them again, and people do actually leave their families when they get married.”
“You’re right, Linnea,” Quinn said, swallowing back the last of the thick feeling in her throat, and blinking several times. “This is what we planned on.”
“Good.” Linnea smiled brightly, though it didn’t reach all the way to her eyes, and Quinn had never appreciated her friend quite so much as she did now. As hard as this was, it was done now, her family was gone, and there were other things she needed to focus on – starting with her first night with William as her … she almost couldn’t even think the word yet … husband.
“Let’s go.” Without waiting for a response, Linnea turned and headed back up the hallway.
William smiled, and she realized his cheeks were a little pink, too. When he took her hand, a little electric current raced up her arm, and it took her a second to catch her breath.
She smiled shyly back up at him, and he bent down to kiss her cheek before they followed Linnea.
“Where are we going, anyway?” Quinn asked when they reached the main staircase, suddenly thinking about how awkward it would be to head back to one of their bedrooms, where they’d be surrounded by his family.
Linnea’s answering smile was a little smug. “Just follow me.”
She led them up the stairs, but didn’t turn at the entrance to the family’s quarters. Instead, she headed for a different hallway, where there were guest suites for visiting dignitaries. Unfamiliar warmth blossomed underneath the surface of Quinn’s skin, and she heard William begin to breathe just a little faster.
Linnea stopped just outside the door of a room Quinn had never been inside, and turned to them.
“Congratulations, both of you. I love you so much.” She hugged William tightly, before turning to Quinn. “Do you need anything before I go?” she whispered. “Help with this?” She fingered the soft material of Quinn’s gown.
The soft warmth that had been slowly building burst suddenly into a roaring flame. “I … I think I can manage,” she stuttered, knowing her cheeks were probably shining brightly enough to guide a plane in for a landing.
Linnea, to her credit, only nodded and hugged her before turning and disappearing down the hall.
She’d barely turned the corner when William let out a giant snicker. A second later, they were both laughing so hard that tears were running down their cheeks and Quinn was gasping for air. He tried to turn the knob to let them into the room, but his laughter shook him so badly that it took several attempts before he finally got it open. Once he did, they both practically fell into the room; William landed against the back of the door as he closed it, his chest still heaving.
“Aren’t you supposed . . . to carry . . . me across the threshold?” Quinn asked, when she’d finally calmed enough to sort of talk.
William raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t I supposed to what?”
“Carry me through the door.”
“Why? Is that a tradition in your world?”
“You never watched any romantic movies while you were there?”
“No. You’re not really serious, are you?”
She nodded.
William eyed the door dubiously. “I am not going back out there. What if somebody comes down the hall?”
Her eyes widened.
“If it’s really important to you, I could like, pick you up and throw you on the couch or something.”
That was all it took to start the giggles going again.
William reached to pull her into his arms, and she held her head against his chest, listening to the glorious, deep sound that kept time with her own. Slowly, they sobered, and she became aware of another sound in his chest – the heavy, rapid pounding of his heart. Her mood changed instantly.
William must have felt the shift, must have been right there with her, because he reached down with his finger and tipped her chin up until her lips met his. The kiss started out gentle and sweet, but it quickly turned into something more, something deeper. Instinctively, her hands went up to help him shrug out of the jacket of his tuxedo, and as soon as his hands were free, they reached around to the top button of her dress.
17. Interruption
Quinn woke with a start; her heart racing though she wasn’t sure why. The room was quiet and dark. She’d fallen asleep with her head on William’s chest; his breaths were as deep and even as hers were shallow and erratic. As soon as she lifted her head to sit up, though, he stirred, and his eyes opened.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said, pulling himself up next to her. His hand was warm on her back as he leaned in to kiss her temple. She could almost hear him frown as he registered the irregular pattern of her breat
hing. “What’s wrong? Why are you awake?”
“I don’t know. I just woke up like this, feeling like something’s wrong. But nothing is.”
“Everything’s fine, love.” He ran the back of his finger down the side of her face and then he kissed her, first on her forehead, then her cheek, and finally moving to her lips, planting a soft kiss there before pulling back to look at her again. “Better than fine, I’d say.”
She blushed, remembering the night before, how strange it had been as they’d walked into the bedroom together, her heart beating like a hummingbird at the sight of the large bed and the huge vases of flowers on the night tables on either side.
They’d both stopped at the same time, with the sudden realization that this was real, they’d actually gotten married – and neither one of them knew what they were doing.
She’d been standing there in her long slip, him still in his pants, with his dress shirt mostly unbuttoned, both of them blushing and awkward. Then they’d started giggling again.
His thumb traced the warm spot on her cheek now, and, though surely he couldn’t see it in the dark room, he kissed it again, while she reached to put her arms around his neck.
He kissed her lips again, running his hand down her face, to her shoulder and then to her back, but his hand stopped halfway down, and he pulled back a little. “Your heart is going a million miles a minute, Quinn. And I don’t think it’s from me.”
She sighed. “No, it isn’t. I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s going on. I just feel really weird. Anxious.”
He moved away from her slightly, and a second later she heard a soft click, which was immediately followed by the room filling with blinding light. In truth, it was only a soft bedside lamp, but for a few tense seconds, it felt like he’d turned on the sun. “Sorry.”
Blooms of Consequence (Dusk Gate Chronicles - Book Four) Page 21