Or to join him.
I do my best to shrug off that thought. Colin hates his father. If he went after him, it was to kill him, not join him. With a deep breath, I force my focus back to Alexander and our upcoming nuptials.
“I’m going back to him now with your answer,” Jo tells me with a little squeal of excitement. “And, provided he has no further need of me, I will be back at 6:30 to help you prepare.” She grins. “I’ll have more information for you then. We don’t have a lot of time, but Alexander wants it to be romantic.” She gives me a dreamy look. “I’ve still got some details to work out, but I won’t disappoint.”
“You never disappoint, Jo,” I say, unable to hide my goofy smile. “You are fantastic at this stuff, you know? You should be a faerie wedding planner.”
Her face lights up as she evaporates into a cloud of glittery-gold smoke. I take one last swig of champagne before shoving what’s left of it in the break room fridge for some lucky barista to stumble upon later. I hate that I have to blow off the plans I have with the Four tonight. But this is more important than my much-needed witch-time.
There’s a lilt in my step as I leave the coffee shop, and I take a moment to offer cheerful goodbyes to my fellow baristas. I have no idea what the next step is for us once we are lightbound (for real this time). I may never see them again.
13
"Hold still," Jo complains through a mouthful of bobby pins as she tugs at my hair. "You're moving around so much, you're going to make a mess of everything I've already done."
"Ugh, I can't help it," I say, clenching my jaw and tensing the back of my neck to stay still. "I am so nervous. I feel like I'm even more nervous now than I was the first time I tried to marry Alexander."
"Well, honey, there wasn’t much time to be nervous the first time around."
Jo pulls at my hair, my neck cracking in response. I suck in a breath.
"You don't have to do this the hard way," I say, wincing as she stabs a pin into my head. "You could just wave your hand or something. The whole Faerie Godmother kind of thing.”
“And bypass the entire process?” Jo frowns at me. “Where’s the fun in that?”
I suppose not everything is better with magic. There’s an art to preparing for that big day: the last-minute preparations, the hair and makeup, the girl-bonding time…none of that would happen with magic. Sure, Jo could wave her hand and I could step out of my room looking like a million magical bucks, but Jo’s right. It’s tedious and sometimes painful, but it’s so much more fun this way.
“Honey, I can't wait for you to see the dress I have picked out for you. It's not as elaborate as the Erte gown you wore the first time around. It's just beautiful, though,” she says. “It’s simply exquisite.”
I glance out the window at the massive storm that has been pummeling Nevermoor for the past two days.
“Great day for a wedding,” I mumble. “I can't imagine anything I wear is going to hold up against that storm.”
“Now, that’s where magic can help," Jo reassures me. “I’ll give you a raincoat and a pair of boots I’ve infused with magic. They’ll keep the wind and rain off of you. You want to look your best when you arrive.”
Nervous excitement threatens to overtake me all over again. I have missed Alexander, despite convincing myself I didn't. I wish Jo would hurry with my hair and makeup. It wouldn’t kill me to arrive early.
"Have you seen him yet?” I ask. “What is he wearing?” I chew my bottom lip. “I hope it’s not that kimono again. Jeez, I can’t handle that kimono.”
Jo rolls her eyes. "Oh, how I envy you, honey," she says, sticking the last of the bobby pins in my hair. "To be so young and in love…”
“Well, it’s not like you're an old maid, Jo,” I remind her as I make a sweeping gesture at her. “What about Colin?”
“Oh, he’s traipsing around Berlin right now, from what I understand.” She blows out a breath of air. “You’d think he could’ve at least asked me to come along.” She pouts. “I can do lots of things now as a faerie, but going back in time on my own is not one of them.”
“Perhaps he really is going after his father,” I whisper.
“I have no idea, but whatever it is, it’s important… Druid stuff.” Jo frowns, pondering this for a moment. She chews thoughtfully on the end of a bobby pin before she shrugs and resumes her pinning. “Ah, well. That’s a conversation for another day, honey.” She places her hands on my shoulders and lowers her face so it’s level with mine in the mirror. “Today, is all about you and Alexander.”
It may be all about Alexander and me, but I still want to press her more about Colin. Ask her if she’s heard from him or anyone who might understand what he’s looking for in Berlin. Something about it doesn’t sit well with me. But, knowing I need to keep the distractions at a minimum, I push those thoughts aside. This binding ceremony needs to be perfect this time. There is absolutely no room for error. I can’t worry about what Colin is or isn’t doing on his secret-druid-mission.
“Okay, but what is he wearing?” I ask again. She never answered me the first time. “Do you know?”
“I do. But you’ve got to leave something to surprise, honey.” She flashes a mischievous smile. “And it’s not the kimono.” She sighs. “But he is quite dashing regardless of what he wears, isn’t he?”
“You have come a long way,” I observe. “You hated him in Berlin. Remember how you lectured me that day in the cafe about all the mistakes I was making with him?”
“Yeah, well,” Jo mumbles. “I watch out for my friends. What can I say?”
She puts the finishing touches on my hair and makeup as I try to harness Sarah's magic and bring a picture of Alexander to my mind. I need a preview. Sarah's magic seems to evade me, though, and I see nothing. After my month-long ban on all things witchy, it’s no wonder I’m weak and my magic doesn’t work.
I forget about it the moment Jo retrieves my dress from the closet. It's a form-fitting, pale blue, floor-length gown with a low V in the back. From behind, it leaves very little to the imagination. Beautiful is an understatement. This dress doesn’t even seem like it’s of this world. And, knowing Jo and her extravagant taste, it’s probably something she picked up in Faerie.
“Wow, Jo. That’s gorgeous,” I breathe, reaching out to touch the fabric as she helps me step into it. "But I'm surprised. It doesn’t have your usual razzmatazz.” I throw up some jazz hands to emphasize “razzmatazz”.
“Hey, honey, I've got to keep up with the times.” She winks at me. “I was going for something different. Not every occasion calls for an Erte.” The heavily beaded flapper gown that drapes elegantly over her slender frame says otherwise. “Okay, I think that's everything.” She walks over to my dresser where, as usual, she pours herself a glass of champagne and one for me too. “It wouldn’t be a wedding without champagne.”
She hands me a glass, and we toast to the joyous occasion. It will be different this time. I can sense it. I grab my phone and shove it inside the little beaded clutch that goes perfectly with my dress. I step into the clunky rain boots and shrug into the huge raincoat Jo has prepared for me, and my pulse races. It won’t be long now. The ceremony will take place in exactly 1 hour.
We will be properly lightbound this time, and nothing will ever come between us again.
Jo offers a sly, secretive smile. “I have a couple of things I still need to do, but I’ve called a car for you, and I am more than happy to pop back and ride with you if you want the company. The road ends at the edge of the forest, but it’s better than walking the entire way in this horrid weather.”
I follow her gaze out the window and watch the trees whipping back and forth in the wind.
“Isn’t a car a bit risky?” I ask, chewing my lower lip. “Though, everyone who is anyone will be at that volleyball game tonight…” I think about it for a moment.
“I’ve enchanted the car,” she explains. “No one will see it but you.” She studies me for a moment, stroking her chi
n. “I wish I could enchant, you, too, and make you invisible, but your witch-friends would sense something was up.” She pauses again, as if still considering this possibility. “No…nope, it would backfire.” She shakes her head.
“This way is fine. I can take a car.”
“Okay do you you remember how to get there after the car drops you off?” She arcs an eyebrow at me as if I’m a child walking to school by myself for the first time. “You've been a bit distracted, and I don't want you making any wrong turns. The druid I have performing the ceremony has three other binding ceremonies to perform after yours. You and Alexander are the most important, of course, but we don't want to keep him waiting. Or, Alexander." She wiggles her eyebrows at me. “I imagine you have a lot of catching up to do.”
“Yes,” I say, clearing my throat as I smooth the front of my flawless gown. “I remember. Take the hiking trail, head right at the fork, and then continue through the forest, until I reach the little cabin.”
Jo nods. “You’ve got it.” She glances out the window and then back at me. “The car will be here in five minutes. He’ll meet you outside of that secret entrance you showed me,” she instructs.
“Yes, and now all I've got to do is to sneak out without four very nosy witches noticing.”
“Don’t worry about them, honey. I’ve got them plenty preoccupied with the volleyball game. You should see what I’ve thrown into their game. Those poor boys are going to need a week to recover,” Jo laughs.
Guilt gnaws at me for keeping my witch friends out of this very significant loop. We’ve all become pretty close, and I hate that I’m lying to them and sneaking around, but I agree with Jo. My reconciliation with Alexander is a big deal and should be private. Then, once we can do so, we will have a gigantic party to celebrate. We will invite all of Nevermoor, even Edgar.
“Okay, honey.” Jo squeezes my hand. “It’s showtime, as they say.”
My heart flip-flops in my chest. “Thank you so much, Jo,” I say, trying to control the nervous trembling in my voice. “Not just for helping me get ready tonight, but for talking some sense into me.”
“Anytime, honey. Now, I’ve got to go. Please don’t be late.”
She waves as she fades out the room. There’s no showy, glittering cloud of smoke this time. She means business. I release a slow, calming breath and give myself a quick glance in the mirror before I saunter to the window. No car yet.
Tucking my clutch into the pocket of my giant coat, I saunter to the window and look down at the streets below, watching and listening for the first signs of an approaching car.
But no car arrives.
After ten minutes of waiting and debating my next move, I decide not to wait any longer and to make a break for it on foot. Jo has weatherproofed me for the occasion, and not that far, after all. Nevermoor is only so big. Still, I can’t ignore the unease that creeps along my spine as I crack my door open and peek out.
The hallways are, as I expected, deserted. And despite the storm outside, even the ghosts seem quieter than usual, which makes for ideal sneaking-out conditions. Taking another deep breath, I close the door behind me and bolt down the hall toward the dark staircase that leads down to the private faculty entrance, praying I won’t run into anyone on my way down.
Showtime.
Fortunately, I make it out of the Academy and into the cold, stormy night without seeing a single soul, dead or alive. Even Edgar’s perch stands empty, leaving the streets vulnerable to lawbreakers and jaywalkers. I pull the hood of my raincoat down around my head. Despite Jo’s assurances that I’m well-protected from the downpour, I don’t feel weatherproof as I did in the warm, dry comforts of my room. Icy raindrops cling to my eyelashes, and the wind whips through my hood, freezing my ears. I grit my teeth and press on, hoping that Jo can fix me right back up with a wave of her hand or some gold faerie glitter. It seems like the perfect occasion for gold faerie glitter.
The forest looms ahead of me, dark and foreboding. I’d seen it off in the distance a few times, but this is the first time I’ve seen it up close. I’m afraid that once I step in, I might not come back out again. It’s that kind of forest. I keep reminding myself that Alexander is worth it, and it isn’t much farther now.
Follow the trail. That’s all I have to do. Then take the fork to the right, and I’m home free.
I repeat these words to myself as I follow the trail. A bolt of lightning strikes a tree to my left, leaving the surrounding air charged with electricity that makes my skin tingle beneath my raincoat. I grit my teeth, biting back a scream.
It’s worth it. All of this is worth it. If he can take his entire realm to war because of his love for me, then I can stand to run through a lightning storm.
A vision stops me dead in my tracks. I see Alexander in my mind’s eye. He stands before a fire, nervously twirling my cuff around his index finger. He frowns and narrows his eyes as if he’s just remembered something important. That, or he can sense that I’m spying on him. He has given up the Fae armor and 1920s duds for a modern, slim-fitting suit that he doesn’t seem at all comfortable wearing. Jo must’ve given him the same spiel she’d given me about keeping up with the times.
The druid performing the ceremony stands across from Alexander, his face obscured by a long, intimidating black cloak. He stares down at the pages of a huge leather-bound book in his hands.
As the vision fades, my heart pounds, which kick starts my adrenaline. This is really about to happen now. It’s about to become official.
Something rustles in the trees up ahead. I gasp, startled to see a cloaked figure float out from behind the trees. Another druid, perhaps? Or something else that prefers the mysterious cloaked-look? I stand frozen in place as the figure reaches up to push back the hood of the cloak. Pulse racing, I call my magic to the surface, just in case I need it. Then I see it’s only Horace.
“Horace, thank God," I say, placing a hand over my heart and breathing a sigh of relief. “You scared me to death.”
An odd look flits across his face, and he regards me with a tight smile. He seems disoriented and jumpy. He’s not a fan of the woods either.
“It’s just me,” he purrs, his eyes flashing as lightning strikes overhead. “No need to be afraid.”
“Are you escorting me the rest of the way?” I ask, taking his arm as he falls in step beside me. “I’m glad. This forest gives me the creeps. Though I feel bad that Alexander has sent you out in this terrible storm when the cabin is just beyond that fork up there.”
“I feel bad, too, Sophia,” he murmurs, his tone regretful. “This isn’t something I want for you.”
"What? That I’m being bound again to Alexander?” I frown and look over at him, but he keeps his eyes focused on the trail ahead. “I know it’s a pain to do it all over again. But why wouldn’t you—“
“We’re going this way,” he blurts, steering me toward a dense cluster of brambles.
“No, Horace. It’s just up there. We’re supposed to take a right up there.” Red flags and warning sirens go off in my brain. Something isn’t right. “I don’t think… Jo said nothing about fighting our way through brambles. Plus… do you have any idea what it will do to my hair? I may be navigationally challenged, but this isn’t—“
Horace’s grip tightens, and he turns me to face him. Malice flashes in his eyes as a contemptuous smile spreads across his lips.
“It’s taken me so long,” he says in a low voice as he drags me toward the brambles. I attempt to plant my feet in the ground. I try to pull away from him, but it’s no use. He’s got me under some kind of enchantment, and it’s a powerful one. My magic seems to shrivel up and die inside of me. “At first, I wasn’t sure I could do this. After all, you’re just a human. But once I heard you say you wished you’d never met my Lord, I realized it was for the best…for you, for him…for everyone.” He shrugs.
“What in the world are you talking about, Horace?” I say as fear grips my throat.
“You ne
ver appreciated the magical gifts we gave you. Therefore, you do not deserve them. You do not deserve to rule by his side. I am doing everyone a favor. Please. You must understand that, Sophia.”
“What?” I wriggle in his grasp so I can glare at him. The malice in his eyes seems to fade into guilt. Regret, even. “What is this about, Horace? You know I love Alexander.”
“Jo was a fool to send such an incompetent driver to fetch you. He was so easy to get rid of. It was too easy,.” His face falls as he shakes his head. “Pity. There’s a thrill that goes along with these sorts of things, especially after I’ve already met with so many challenges.” He glances at me. “I’ll have you know, Sophia Kelly, it has proven difficult to get rid of you. Or perhaps I just selected incompetent vampires to do the job before.” He seems to ponder this before he shrugs again. “Never mind that, though. They say that if you want something done, best do it yourself, right?”
He flashes me a toothy smile before producing a creepy dagger from the inside of his cloak. Tightening his grip on my arm, he pulls me into the brambles. They tear and slash through my coat, ripping the hood from my head and snarling through my hair. I thrash against him as hard as I can. I try to scream, but I can’t seem to find my voice. Thick, thorny vines wrap around my wrists and ankles. They dig into my skin as they pull me into their prickly embrace. Horace wraps an arm around my neck, the dagger dangerously close to my throat.
“My Lord will have my head for this, I’m sure. He loves you,” he whispers. “But this love does nothing but blind him... it distracts him. Our realm is at war because of you. You! A naïve human girl who refuses to acknowledge her magical gifts and wishes to discard them.” He presses the dagger to my throat so that the blade cuts into my skin. Blood trickles down, pooling at the base of my throat. “I cannot allow this binding to happen, Sophia. I know what’s best for him, you see? I’ve always known what’s best for him.” He lets out a shaky laugh. “Please understand, it’s not personal. You are a fantastic human. And sometimes even mildly amusing. But until you’re gone…until you’re truly gone, he’s only going to keep trying. He’s never going to give up. That’s why you need to die.” He sniffles. “I’m so sorry, child. I promise I will make it quick.”
Faebound Rhapsody Page 17