by Dee King
times, and the nauseous feeling was an understatement. My suit had already been choosing for me by my father. Black slacks, black jacket, red shirt, a very cool black and red tie, and a new square for my front pocket.
It was red silk, smooth to the touch, as I tucked it inside of the pocket making a small triangle. My hair was the last thing I had to do, then it was time for jewelry. My charmed ring, my gold necklace, and I had our wedding bands in my pocket. Taking one last look in the mirror, I had cleaned up pretty nice. I tug at the jacket towards the collar, loosing it. It felt as if I was being choked. It's probably just in my mind, but still it was tighter than I wanted right now. I hear the carriage arrive, as I walk
down the stairs. My father, Cato, Ian, and Zack were waiting for me.
“I didn't need an entourage, damn.” I shake my head as they all follow me outside. Ian watching my left side, Zack watching my right.
“Stop. This is getting weird, you two need to act like yourselves, come on, nothing's going to happen to me.” I try to plead with Ian and Zack to knock off the weird body guard style they were doing, but they wouldn't.
We hear a noise, and Zack is now standing in front of me. We keep walking to the carriage, all the while they are making me more nervous then I already was. We arrive at the temple, without anyone trying to kill me. Just like I had said. We walk inside, the walls lined with white roses,
large white columns at the end of the aisle, draped with gold ribbon, white rose, blue roses, red fire and ice roses, and a few pink. This was extravagant even for a God. It looked like roses had been picked from the entire earth and they put them all inside one room. It was overkill, and
Selene would hate it. I had kept replaying in my mind her being mad at her father, but he was a part of my plan, and hopefully this worked. If we were going to have the ceremony of the ages, mine as well make some noise
about it. Go big or go home, right? Hopefully, my idea was go big. I wanted Selene to be happy, that's all I have cared about for the past four years. Tomorrow had to be perfect. Aphrodite walks in, making me lose my thought process. She would be the one to marry us, but sometimes just the shear site of her made me take a second look. She walked down the aisle like she was floating, her long pink dress touching the floor, with long dark hair laying on her shoulders.
“Sebastian, my dear, it's a pure pleasure to see you.” She sticks her hand out, and I bow kissing her hand.
“Thank you, it's always a pleasure.” I smile with a small wink, and she slaps me playfully on the arm.
“Such a charmer, just like your father.” She has a smile that lights up the room.
“I have heard wonderful things about your Selene. She must be something great, huh?” I help her step up onto the small stairs, where she can now see over everyone.
“Yes, she is something wonderful.” I feel my face get warm just speaking of her.
“I can see that in your eyes, and here.” She lays her hand on my heart, bending over towards my face.
“Don't worry about a thing, sweetheart, if she loves you half of what you love her, you’re a lucky God.”
She winks at me, then stands tall, as I have to take my step down from her. I had been so wrapped up into Aphrodite’s world I hadn't noticed people were filling into the temple. Everyone where they would be tomorrow. Ian
to my side, taps me on the shoulder with a smile. He would be my witness, or best man if we had been on Earth. Then a harp, a flute, and a piano start to play a melody. A song I had never heard; I turn to tell Ian something to remind me, when the music stops suddenly, and the melody changes to something out of a movie. Iris is standing at the beginning of the temple, at the head of the aisle, holding a bouquet of roses, moving slowly down
the aisle. She smiles at me, taking her side to where Selene would be standing soon. The music changes again, then there she was. Apollo smiling, Selene standing perfectly still. She looks elegant as she walks
towards me. Everything about her was glowing, radiating the room. She didn't smile, till she saw me.
Apollo lets go of her arm, taking the seat where Poseidon would, handing her hand to me. We stare at one another. This was it. This was the moment that my life would change forever. She was beautiful.
She was a light in a very dark place, but most of all, she was my saving grace.
Chapter Twenty
Jitters
Aphrodite goes through the whole welcome everyone spiel, while Selene and I hold hands, shaking together. The next question was going to be the one everyone was waiting for. To ask if anyone could see why these two
should not be joined in marriage for eternity. The room became hushed. Selene turns her head, as I do, waiting for someone to say something. I catch Harper, London, Taylor, and Cato smiling at us. My father, with a
grin across his face, daring someone to say something. It seemed like forever until Aphrodite finally said, “then we shall see these two be wed.”
Everyone claps. It was weird. We hadn't reached the part of me kissing the goddess who stands before me yet, and everyone was already clapping. She keeps on with the fake ceremony, making small jokes about how beautiful love is, even if after only a week. Selene's hand loosens its grip; she was becoming more at ease. The part was coming that I had been anxiously waiting, the kiss, the kiss that said we were now married. She tells me I may kiss Selene now, and I do. Gods help me, I kiss her with all of my passion, all my nerves, all of me. The cheering, clapping, explodes from the audience we had gathered around us, then we walk arm in arm down the aisle, with everybody standing to their feet still clapping.
This is exactly how I wanted tomorrow to go. Perfect, no interruptions, no one stopping us, just Selene and I becoming one. Apollo is the first out of the temple, rushing us to the next hall for the dinner. We find the room where we would spend most of the day tomorrow, not decorated at all. No flowers, no candle light, no nothing. We glance at each other briefly and then go to the table where our names were. One long table on top of an
oversized step. A platform. We would be able to see everyone from this point of view. Iris and Ian come sit down by our sides, both talking so fast I can hardly understand either one of them.
“Slow down, dude. What did you say?” I thought he and Iris had just said Alex and Cali were here together, but I thought there was no way that could be true. I had been wrong. They were here, and they were making their way to our table.
“Get out.” Selene points to the doorway they had just walked from.
“Selene, you know I can't do that. Plus, we just came to tell you that we will not be a problem for you. Is there any way I could talk to you alone, for just a minute?” He's looking directly at Selene.
“Hell no!” I stand up, leaning over the table to Alex.
“You’re only here because Daddy sent you. I know you have to be here tomorrow, but not tonight. You’re not welcome. Leave.” I point the same way that Selene had just done.
“Sebastian, I know you hate me, I understand why. I promise, I'm not here to stop this. I just need Selene to hear what I have to say. That's all.” Cali is starting to shift her body back and forth from one foot to the other.
I take it she doesn't like the idea either.
“Whatever you need to say to me, you can say in front of them.” She moves her arms out to her sides, letting Alex know that we weren't letting her go with him.
“Fine.” He murmurs.
“What is it, Alex?” I sit back down, waiting for him to tell us, then leave my sight.
“I just wanted to tell you that I know you cared for me for a very long time, and I hope after tomorrow we can become friends. I'd like that very much. I am in no way, shape, or form going to stop the two of you. I knew
Cali was the one person I truly loved, I just never disobeyed my father. Sebastian was right when he told you that I didn't love you and I probably never would. I could learn to, but I don't love you like he does. Cali
proved her l
ove to me. Even if she had to kill someone, no offense, but that was all it took for me to know the truth about real love. My father is wrong. He should let the two of you be together, but I have no idea if he is really going to let the two of you go through with this. I hope tomorrow is the best day of your lives, I really do.” Alex bows his head, stepping down from the platform.
“Thank you.” Are the only words Selene could say, while they turned their backs to us, trying to mingle with the others that were there now.
“What a d-bag.” Ian says, making all of us laugh. He starts to mimic Alex, ‘I don't love you, I love the crazy bitch that killed one of you.’ What a joke he tells us.
He laughs again at himself, while we all laugh with him. Now was the part where people got to come and talk to
us, before the dinner was served. My father was first, then Cato, Colin, and the rest of what we would call our friends came by the table. Finally, dinner was being served, where we could actually talk.
“You doing okay?” I could see it in her eyes that it wasn't okay. She missed her friends and family.
She said yes, but her face said no. I hated seeing her sad when we were supposed to be happy. Trying to liven up her mood, I asked her if she wanted to dance. She glanced at me like I was nuts, but to my surprise she said yes. I take her hand in mine, stepping down from the platform, to the middle of the dance floor. The room went quiet. I needed a song. Our song. We didn't have a song and no music was playing. Then we just looked like idiots standing on the dance floor. I told everyone that it was
an honor to have them here, thank you for coming. Then, I heard music. Ian and Iris were standing close to us with what looked like a radio, except the music that came out filled the entire room. It was the same song I had
been thinking of. Ian was reading my mind, and for once, it was greatly appreciated. The song begins again. Wrapping my arms around Selene, we begin to dance. I pick her up off the ground, her feet dangling in the air,
while I twirled her around. The words to the song were beautiful, just like Selene. Her eyes showed signs of tears as I let her feet slowly touch the ground. Then the tears that had filled her eyes began to fall down her rosy
cheeks, with a slight look of joy in her eyes. She loved the song, it was written on her face. The words took us to a different place; we danced as if we were all alone. She was the star of the show, tilting her head back at the
right moments, smiling with her eyes. All the while, I was transfixed on her. I was watching her twirl around her in dress, holding out her hand for me to come wrap my arms around her. Selene was everything I could ask
for, and in this moment, she was all mine. No worries, no problems, just her and I, living the true meaning of a fairy tale. The song ends with everyone cheering for us again. It was a great feeling. We kept dancing to whatever song came on next, inviting everyone to join us on the dance
floor. We watched as the floor filled with bodies, dancing, laughing with one another, and enjoying themselves. This is what happiness felt like, true happiness. It was just about then I heard them.
Again? Here, now? They had to do this now? Selene was pulling on my arm, making our way to them.
“I told you that this wasn't over.”
“Stop you two.” Iris is standing between Cato and Colin.
“Tell him Iris, or I will.” We were watching Cato, Colin, and Iris argue, except now they had all of our attention.
The music cut off just when we hear Colin say that he would kill Cato. That was a button I guess my father
didn't want to hear.
“Boys, boys, boys. This is not the time or place for killing anyone. What seems to be the problem?” My father along with Aries stand next to all three of them.
“Nothing.” Both Colin and Cato answer my dad. Selene and I watch them closely.
“Hmm, I see. Well, can we agree that for the next two days the two of you cool off, so that these two can get married in peace?” My father was growing tired of these games with them, and I agreed.
“Yea.”
“Yes, sorry, Sis.” Colin turns around leaving the hall. Selene chases after him, and I am left with Cato and Iris.
“You two have got a lot of nerve. I don't need this shit right now. Fix it between you guys, or don't, I could care less. But don’t... don't do this shit tomorrow!” I chase after Selene.
“It wasn't me.” Cato protests with me, but I didn't care.
This was all over their love for Iris. I cared for Iris, I truly did, but this wasn't the right time for them to be causing a scene. Cato needs to confront Colin about him and Iris, and if he wouldn't do it, I would. I take the same steps that Selene had just gone to follow Colin. I overhear them.
“You're an idiot. You say that you’re here for me, but you’re not. You are only out for yourself. How could you start an argument on the night before I get married? You know that this is hard enough for me, but you have to
make it worse? Why can't you just be a normal brother? Why can't you be like Chris?” She has her arms folded across her dark blue dress.
“I didn't start it, but I will end it. Iris loves me, she told me. I don't want to be Chris. He is nothing to you. He isn't your real brother, and your mom only married his dad for a short time. You aren't blood. Don't compare that
wimpy mortal to me!” This was the time I should step in, but I knew if I did, Selene was going to be furious with me.
She would want to have the last words, she needed to have those words. I stand back, waiting for her.
“You ever speak of Chris that way again, and I will end you. You know nothing, you’re an idiot. Cato slept with her last night. So, I think your love doesn't outweigh her love for him. Too bad so sad for you. Dick!”
She stormed off towards me, in an outrageous fury. Colin was angry, too. I wish I would have stepped in, but the damage had been done to the both of them. Colin hurt Selene with his words about Chris, her brother in her
eyes, that she adored more than anyone, while she hurt him with the truth of Iris. This was bad. I run after Selene, catching her by the elbow.
“Slow down. You alright?”
“No... Yes. I don't know. I just want this over with.” Her face dropped, then mine did.
She just wanted this over with? The wedding was becoming too much for her, and that incident with Colin didn't help the situation at all.
“Oh gods... I didn't mean it like that. I swear.” She pulls away from me, turning her body towards mine.
“Not us. I just meant the drama from all of this.”
“I know, me too.” I did agree with her though. I wanted this to be over, too. My father comes outside of the hall, finding Selene and I talking.
“Hey, you two, everything alright?”
“Yea.” We both answer, but the truth was no. We just wanted our lives to begin without any more issues arising.
“Well, after that little stunt, we decided the dinner would be over. Plus, it's late. Tomorrow is the big day.” He wraps one arm around me, and one arm around Selene's waist.
“Selene, your father is still running late. You are more than welcome to stay with me, and Sebastian will stay with his brother.”
“Dad? No.”
“Son, she will be safe with me. Wait, I have a better idea. Why don't you and some of the girls stay at your father's home and I will have guards watch all doors? Sound better?” It didn't really, but it was better than her having to stay the night with my father.
She was already nervous and I knew my father made her nervous too.
“Okay, that sounds alright.”
“Great. Your carriage will be here shortly. I will let the two of you say goodbye, alone.” He winks at us, letting us go from his arms. I decide if these are my last minutes with Selene before tomorrow, I wanted to hold her. Embraced in my arms, I run my fingers through her golden blonde locks. She held me back, and that's when I felt her sobbing into my chest. This wasn't how I had expected the n
ight to go. I had wanted to marry her
because I loved her, now everything felt forced. She felt like she was in a world where she didn't belong. I never wanted that. Selene was the only girl in the past four years I had ever thought of, dreamed about, and had
grown to love. Yet, here she was, the night before we were to be married crying because she felt lost. I hope that my plan for her tomorrow is going smoothly. Waiting to see if I can make our wedding day the day she dreamed of, when she did dream, was all that I needed. I wanted Selene to see that everything could be wonderful on our wedding day. If we couldn't control the two of them, how were we going to control the entire gods and goddess world tomorrow?
Chapter Twenty-One
Marry Me
We said our goodnights to one another, kissing one last time. I wiped away her tears, then kneeled down in front of her.
“I love you, marry me?” I know I already asked her twice, but I didn't want her to forget the love I had for her. I would ask her to marry me every day of our lives if that meant she knew I loved her.