I stared at her. “Are you kidding?”
“Not today. No one is going to suspect anything. Your spider stunt worked to our advantage. Two classes are the maximum we can miss.”
“Where’s Torin?”
“Getting ready in the east wing. Seriously, Raine, get over here.” She plugged in a curling iron and pulled out facial cleansing towels from a bottle.
I sat facing the mirror, but she turned me around. It took her under five minutes to do my face and my hair. My jaw dropped when I faced the mirror.
I grinned. I had a lot of hair that could look overwhelming when curled, but she’d created soft waves, until halfway down and then had made the curls tighter and kind of layered. The front was pinned away from my face except for two strands near my temples. I reached up and touched the hairclip.
“Something borrowed. What do you think?”
“It’s amazing.”
“I know. I’m good,” Ingrid bragged.
The door opened and Mom and Femi walked in carrying a white organza wedding dress. Femi described it as a princess Chantilly lace gown with sequins and a full skirt. A designer friend of hers had gotten a team of seamstresses to work on it using the measurements from my prom dress. They’d worked for thirty-six hours straight and had barely finished the gown.
Mom and Femi refused to let me see my reflection as they fussed and adjusted lace and the bodice. It was a perfect fit. The veil had the same sequins used on the dress, but the earrings and the tiara had the same diamonds as on my engagement ring.
Minutes crept by. I stopped looking at the clock. Femi talked about her weddings and how mothers would not talk about certain things. Mom never had that chance because she’d been told right after her powers showed that she should dedicate her life to becoming a high priestess. That led to her being made Immortal, selected to join the Valkyries and of course, tapped to be a Norn.
“Women in my time were prudes and didn’t discuss sex,” Mom said. “Not me.”
“Mom,” I whispered.
“The first time can be scary, Raine, but it only gets better,” Mom said.
“Don’t,” I moaned, my face warming up.
“I made sure you stayed pure until your wedding night, so I’m allowed to be proud and do the traditional thing,” she said.
“Don’t forget, she chose well,” Femi cut it. “Most men would not have waited.”
“Most girls would not have waited for a man like Torin,” Ingrid added and they all laughed.
I covered my face, wanting to die. After another five minutes of torture, they slipped crystal-encrusted sandals on my feet and stepped back. Mom’s eyes welled up, her hand pressed to her chest.
“My baby,” she whispered. “You look like a princess.”
“We did good,” Femi piped in. “And in such short notice.”
“Can I look now?” I asked impatiently. The three of them nodded and I turned. The girl in the reflection could not be me, was my first reaction. I did look like a princess.
“I’m going to check on your father,” Mom said, but I heard the tears in her voice.
“Mom, wait!” I called to her before she left the room and gave her a hug. “Thank you for making this perfect. You’re the best Mom a girl could ever have.”
“Oh honey, I brought this on you. If it weren’t for me, all this mess with the—”
I pressed a finger on her lips. “We’re not discussing them. Not today. Don’t forget that if it weren’t for you, I would never have met Torin.” We hugged again. Then she left. Next was Femi. Ingrid was changing into a light-blue dress.
Cora was never going to talk to me after this. We’d never discussed marriage or weddings, but she would have loved to be by my side.
Mom returned with a dried bouquet of flowers, a blend of white and soft shades of blue. “Something old and something blue,” she whispered. “I carried this when I married your father, and I kept it for today.”
I couldn’t talk. I was sure if I did, I’d start crying.
We headed downstairs. I was nervous, scared, and excited at the same time. We went down a curving ivory staircase with a polished ebony banister. Soaring ebony columns with ivory and gold accents at the base stood in the main entrance. I forgot about the room when I saw Dad.
Tears rushed to my eyes.
He stood at the bottom of the stairs, his eyes alert and filled with pride. Because he didn’t do chemotherapy like most cancer patients, he had a full head of hair, which was combed and styled. His hair was so long it almost brushed the collar of his shirt. He never kept it that long. I wasn’t sure why I was thinking about that now. Despite looking frail and gaunt, he had color in his cheeks and he looked dashing in a tux. As I got closer, his eyes grew shiny with tears.
“Pumpkin,” he whispered.
“I told you your wish would come true,” I whispered back, fighting tears.
“What wish was that?” Eirik asked from the doorway to our right, a camera in his hand. He was here. He raised the Nikon to his face. “Smile.”
He took pictures and gave me a hug, then took Dad’s arm.
“No, son,” Dad said. “I got this. I’m walking her down the aisle and handing her over to Torin,” he chuckled, but it sounded hollow as though he was barely hanging on. He cleared his throat and added, “He’d better take good care of you.”
I took his arm, a tear escaping. “He will, Daddy. I know he will.”
“I’ll make sure he does,” Eirik added. “More pictures.”
“Just a second, Eirik. No crying,” Mom scolded even though her eyes said she’d shed a few. “You don’t want to ruin your makeup.” After a few more pictures, she adjusted my veil, kissed Dad, and whispered, “If you need me, Tristan…”
“No, my love. I’m fulfilling a promise I made to myself the day she was born. Go. We’ll be okay.” He patted my hand for emphasis. “Won’t we, pumpkin?”
I nodded.
He walked slowly and I adjusted my steps to accommodate him. Every few steps, I could feel tremors shoot through him. I wanted to ask if he wanted the wheelchair, but the words he’d spoken and the determination in his eyes told me this was one walk he planned to complete.
It seemed like forever before we left the foyer and entered a small chapel brimming with people. Who were these people?
Even as the question flitted in my head, I recognized them. Witches who’d fought beside us against the Immortal Warlocks and survived. Rita and Gina sat by their mother and waved when our eyes met. Bash and the twins. Their father was missing and I couldn’t remember whether he had died the night of the battle. But it seemed like everyone who’d survived that night was here. Had someone issued a Call?
“Dad, these people…” Of course, he wouldn’t know.
“Friends of Eirik’s,” he said. “He said they were here for your protection.”
They had lost friends and family, yet they’d come from all corners of the globe to stand by me again, ready to defend me if there was an attack. I saw it in their eyes. I was one of them.
Fighting tears, my eyes followed the rose petals to the arch decorated with lace and flowers and found Torin. He looked handsome in a tux, the brilliance of his sapphire blue eyes taking my breath away. I was going to love this man with every breath in me. It didn’t matter whether we had a year or centuries.
Andris stood beside him and to the left of Hawk and Femi while Ingrid was to the right. I supported Dad’s weight up the steps, and past the flowers and petals forming a circle around the arch. Someone had created an opening for us to walk through. When Mom whisked him to their seats, Ingrid pushed the flowers and the petals back to complete the circle. My eyes stayed on Dad for a few minutes until he smiled. That walk had been too much for him.
Hawk cleared his throat.
“Friends, family, Witches, Immortals, and Valkyries. The day when two souls finally unite to become one is a day of celebration. It is a day of laughter and joy. A day to thank the ancestors, the
gods, and Mother Earth for clearing the path that led to this moment. It takes some of us a lifetime to find the one, our soul mate.” He glanced at Femi and I could swear he faltered before taking the silk rope from the tray she was carrying. “But once we do, we must learn to love and cherish them. Clasp your hands,” he said. “Torin and Raine, are you ready with your vows?”
I hadn’t come prepared, but I knew what I had to say. I grinned and nodded. Torin smiled as though he knew I wanted to go first.
“Torin, I didn’t know it was possible to find someone like you. You love me for who I am, not what I am. You’ve taught me that it’s okay to walk on my own, yet you’re always there to carry me when I can’t. You’ve taught me it’s okay to run, stumble, and fall, and pick myself up because a fall is nothing to be ashamed of. You’ve taught me it’s okay to fly because the sky is the limit and you’ll catch me if I fall. You inspire me, challenge me, and celebrate me. You are the first man I’ve ever loved and you will be the last man I’ll ever love. You are my one and only true love, and I promise I will love you for eternity.”
Hawk draped the silk rope around our wrists and picked up the second one.
Torin looked into my eyes as he started to speak, his voice sure, his words sincere. “Raine Cooper, from the moment you opened your door and our eyes met for the first time, I knew I had reached the end of my quest, yet I didn’t even know what I was searching for. I just knew you were the one, my omega. Where there was cold, you’ve brought warmth. Where there was sadness, you’ve brought happiness. Where there was pain, you’ve brought relief. Where there was darkness, you’ve brought light. You know me better than anyone, my fears, my shortcomings, my habits, yet you still love me. My vows to you are a privilege because I get to laugh with you, cry with you, walk with you, run with you, and fight with you for the rest of our lives. I promise to be patient. Most of the time,” he added, smiling. “I promise to be faithful, respectful, attentive, and to become even a better man for you. I promise to celebrate your triumphs and step back so you can shine like the star you are, but I’ll always be there when you need me. My shoulders are yours to cry on and to carry your burdens. My body is the shield that blocks the blows that might harm you and yours to do with as you wish. My hopes and dreams will always start and end with you. Yours will be the name I cry when I’m in need. Your eyes are the balm I seek when I’m in pain. And your soul is the beacon that my soul searches for when I’m lost. I will love you fiercely, tenderly, and passionately. And when we have children, I promise to be the best father a child could ever want. For you, Raine Cooper, deserve the best and I plan to give it you. You are my one and only true love, and I promise I will love you for eternity.”
I was crying by the time he finished. I didn’t hear the rest of the words Hawk and Femi said as they wrapped the ropes around our wrists and tied the knot that made us one. I had no idea what tradition we were following. Mom’s Celtic handfasting ceremony, or a Native American ceremony, or an Ancient Egyptian marriage. They tied the knots several times.
Then Andris and Ingrid brought the rings, and both Hawk and Femi blessed the rings, invoking the elements, the four directions and the blessing that came with them. They talked about the ribbons and the knots and what they symbolized.
At last, Andris pulled out an artavus and started etching a rune on Torin’s cheek. “To seal the bond, I give you the binding rune of love intertwined with Raine’s rune.”
I had a rune? Torin’s eyes didn’t leave mine. He didn’t even flinch. The rune glowed. Then it was my turn as Ingrid took my chin and whispered, “Engage your pain runes.” She added louder, “To seal the bond, I give you the binding rune of love intertwined with Torin’s rune.” My cheeks tingled.
They stepped back, then Hawk ended the ceremony with, “You may now kiss the bride.”
The kiss went on forever, and the applause that followed had me hiding my face in Torin’s chest. “You’re mine now, Freckles,” Torin whispered.
Some of the Witches started to sing. Others played instruments. A few shouted something about sending positive energy our way as we left the room. Mom and Dad, I noticed, had disappeared. Eirik took more pictures until I insisted he should be in them.
“You have to go now,” Torin said.
“Yes, we do,” Ingrid said, glancing at her watch. She grabbed my hand. “The period will be ending soon.”
I didn’t want to go yet. I yanked my hand from hers and ran back to Torin for another kiss. We clung to each other.
“Remember, no one can know about this,” he whispered.
“I know.” I left his arms reluctantly, turned, and hugged Eirik. “Thank you for coming and bringing all of these people.”
He winked. “That’s what brothers are for. And if you ever need them for anything, just send Onyx to find me.”
I nodded, gathered my dress, and ran up the stairs. At the top, I paused and waved to the people below before following Ingrid. I changed while peering out the window at a beautiful landscape with lawn fountains and gorgeous gardens.
“We gotta go!” Ingrid yelled. I was ready.
We opened a portal into the upstairs bathroom at school. My rings were once again hanging around my neck. Just as well. The moment we stepped into the bathroom, I felt traces of the Norns. They must know how often we used this bathroom. Whether they knew it or not, I had made my choice. All that remained was appearing before the Valkyrie Council when I turned eighteen and challenging whatever ace they had up their sleeves.
We left the bathroom and bumped into Cora. Dang!
22. Death Comes Knocking
“Hey. Where are you guys coming from?” Cora asked, studying our faces suspiciously. “Don’t tell me you ditched class and went somewhere fun without me.” She peered at me. “Are you wearing makeup?”
My face warmed. “We went makeup shopping at the mall. The lady tried some on me,” I fibbed and sighed. More lies.
“She’s good. You look amazing. What’s the brand? What shop?”
“I’ve been meaning to ask you something,” Ingrid interrupted, slipping an arm around Cora’s. “Excuse us, Raine. See you at the mansion at lunch.” She winked and I knew she was deliberately detaining Cora while I escaped. Cora would have noticed my hair.
I didn’t look back.
The Norns’ presence lingered. Any second, I expected them to float through the walls like ghosts and grab me. I made it to class without seeing them, but I was tense throughout the whole hour.
I called home as soon as the class ended. Femi picked up the phone after one ring.
“How’s Dad doing?”
“Not good. I know this is not the day for sad news, but he has slipped into a coma.”
My heart squeezed even though I’d known the wedding had put a strain on his frail body. At least, he’d been there for my greatest moment. “Do you want me to come home?”
“What can you do, doll? I’m keeping him comfortable. Lavania is expecting you.”
I started upstairs when Beau called my name. “Sorry about yesterday,” I said as he and his friends drew closer.
“It’s okay. Torin fixed my ride. The dude needs to start his own shop. He and I also went over the last two questions, so I’m good. I owe you one.”
“Extra-large caramel Frappuccino?” I asked.
He chuckled. “Got it.”
Cora, Ingrid, and Blaine were waiting for me by the bathroom when I got upstairs. Lavania was in the foyer of the mansion in one of her trademark long gowns when we arrived.
“Oh, I missed you, girls,” Lavania said, giving us hugs. “I have so much to tell you. Come here, Blaine,” she added when Blaine kept his distance.
“Nice to have you back, Lavania,” he said without moving.
Lavania chuckled, walked to where he stood, and gave him a hug anyway. “As long as you live in this house, you put up with my idiosyncrasies. Where are my boys?”
“StubHub Center,” Blaine said, extricating himself from her
arms.
“Oh no, not one of the teams,” Lavania said. “They’re so young. Come along. I brought pastries for lunch.” She led the way to the kitchen. Mrs. Willow wasn’t around, which meant she was either out grocery shopping or running other errands for Lavania.
Once we sat, Lavania took a stool next to mine and asked, “How are you holding up, dear?”
“Fine,” I said and wondered if Femi had told her about the wedding. I tried to redirect the conversation to the meat-filled pastries before she blurted out something. “These are really good.”
“Thank you. I stopped by to see your father. I didn’t know he’d slipped into a coma.”
“He’s not been lucid since yesterday,” I fibbed. I didn’t know whether she knew about the wedding or not. “I don’t think he’s going to come out of this one.” The conversation stayed on Dad, until Lavania changed the subject to Asgard.
As we headed back to school, Lavania gave me a longer hug and whispered, “Congratulations. You two are perfect for each other.”
I grinned. “Thanks.”
The rest of the day was perfect. Blaine stayed with me when we went back to school, while Ingrid and Cora went ahead. It was obvious he wanted to talk.
“S’up?” I asked.
“You and Cora are going dress shopping this afternoon?”
“Yeah, for her prom dress. Why?”
“Can we tag along?”
I shook my head in confusion. “Why?”
“Echo stopped by the mansion this morning. Cora was attacked last night by a dark soul. We’re to keep an eye on her just in case.”
I shrugged. But I was worried. “I don’t mind, but she might.”
“I can deal with her,” he said. “Just wanted to give you a heads up.” Funny how I used to think he was the hottest guy in school. He and Beau, one preppy and wealthy, the other dirt poor and dressed like he slept in his clothes, yet girls had drooled over both of them. The difference between them was Blaine always stayed faithful to his girlfriend while Beau did his bee dance—circle, sting, and fly away.
Witches (Runes series Book 6) Page 34