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At first, Peyton and Luna seemed a little awkward, but after I’d skated around them on my tiptoes, they began to laugh and we were off and chatting again, like nothing had changed. Behind us, the guards whispered softly among themselves, and I decided not to listen in on their conversation.
We arrived at our first destination—a bridal shop. Since our weddings were coming up so quickly, we’d convinced Lainule, before she left, that we could buy our gowns and not worry the seamstresses with making them. She reluctantly had agreed.
Desiree’s Bridal specialized in unique wedding gowns. It stood across the street from the old Abby Theater. Like most of downtown New Forest, the building was redbrick and had a vintage, Old World feel to it. The Abby Theater had been built more than sixty years earlier, and I wasn’t even sure it was still in business—there was no placard out front announcing any show, and the marquee at the top of the box office was dark.
A three-story clock tower—also brick—ran up one side, housing an ornate clock face. I’d read somewhere that the clock had never once lost time. The same person—a man who was now in his early eighties—had been given the job of making sure that it ran consistently and evenly. Every hour, on the hour, chimes rang out, echoing through the streets.
“After the coronation dresses, I’m grateful we’re picking out our own wedding dresses,” I said. “I’ve never worn anything so beautiful yet so cumbersome. It will be a relief to have something elegant and yet easy to move around in. ”
“You know we won’t get away with simple, but we can push it as far as possible. ” Rhia turned to Luna. “You will be my maid of honor?”
Luna sputtered. “I…I…up there in front of everyone?”
“You’ll have company, because Peyton’s going to be my maid of honor, and since we’re having a double wedding, we’ll all be up there together. ” I grinned at her.
Peyton gave me a sharp look. “That’s the first time I’ve heard about this. ”
“That’s because I haven’t had a chance to tell you yet. ”
“Tell me, is it? Not ask?” But the twinkle in her eye told me that she was joking. “So, what are we to wear? Hopefully not godawful satin dresses with big bows and poufy sleeves?”
Rhia snorted. “I wouldn’t wish those on my worst enemy. No, we’ll figure that out when Cicely and I find our dresses. ”
And, laughing, we entered the shop. The guards waited outside, though Rex followed us in to keep an eye on us. I squirmed, feeling all too watched. For the umpteenth time I wondered how I’d ever get used to this gig.
But the uncomfortable sensation vanished as we entered a world of tulle and satin and silk and lace. While the theme was definitely bridal, the designs and colors were far from traditional. Elegant, intricate dresses, some sweeping to the floor, lined the walls. Princess gowns and draped Grecian dresses and mermaid hems and tea-length frocks—all in vivid jewel tones and delicate pastels—exploded in a maelstrom of colors and textures.
On the center tables, accessories abounded: tiaras and clutches, rosettes and handkerchiefs and everything a bride could want to finish making her wedding ensemble shine.
As Rhiannon and Luna started down one side, Peyton and I started down the other. I immediately nixed the idea of a mermaid gown. I didn’t like the lines on them. And I wasn’t Cinderella—my coronation dress was the closest I’d ever get to a princess gown. Fit-and-flare gowns were just about the same as mermaid dresses in my book, so those were out.
Peyton pointed to a horrendous bubble affair. It looked like it was pieced together from bubbles made of netting. The sleeves were so huge around the shoulders that they could have held watermelons, and there were so many ruffles and tiers of lace that all I could see was a mound of fabric pieced together.
I snorted. “You aren’t getting me anywhere near that monstrosity. Why don’t you try it on?” But then, as I turned, I caught sight of it. The dress. And I knew, right then, right there, it was mine.
At first glance, it was a drape of silver lace over pale gray chiffon, with royal blue lace straps that led to a keyhole back. Form-fitting but not tight, it had a low-cut bodice and a beautiful beaded sash that matched the straps. The sash tied in a bow in back, with the ribbons draping down to calf length.
“That one,” I said. “What’s the train like? I don’t want to trip over it. ”
Peyton peeked around back, motioning me over. The train of the gown was delicate tulle. “This looks like it drapes out in back. I think they call it a chapel train. ”
“Yes, it’s a chapel train. ” One of the saleswomen hustled over. “But if you tuck it here and here, you can see that it folds neatly into a bustle for dancing. ” With a few minor adjustments, the sparkling silver train was transformed into a bustle that looked like it had been made that way.
“I love the color. I love that it isn’t stark white or ivory. ” I turned to the saleswoman, whose name tag read RHONDA, and, my hand still fingering the hem of the dress, said, “I want to try this on. ”
“Of course, Your Highness. ” At my startled look, she smiled. “We were told you and your cousin would be coming in today, looking for your wedding dresses. While we’re not used to the Fae frequenting our shop, let alone royalty, we’re here to serve. ”
Speechless, I watched as she lifted the dress down from the display rack.
The dresses weren’t on mannequins, but instead they hung separately on individual racks on the raised dais that circled the room. The boutique probably had a hundred dresses total, and by the looks of them, the store was geared toward women with unusual tastes.
As I followed Rhonda to the dressing room, I glanced over at Rhiannon. She was still sorting through dresses, but she looked happy rather than frustrated, and the clerk who followed her was carrying two dresses already.
I slipped off my jeans and sweater and let Rhonda slide the dress over my head. It was a sample size, and didn’t fit right, but she was able to adjust it so that I could tell how it would look. As she wrapped the sash around my waist, I began to smile, and when she led me to a mirror, I caught my breath.
The dress might have been made just for me. It was simple, elegant, but it matched my style, and my circlet glimmered softly in the light, echoing the silver of the dress. The splash of royal blue on the straps and sash set off my eyes in an arresting way. I still wasn’t used to the change in color, but now they shimmered with an icy frost.
As Rhonda spread out the train so that it trailed behind me, I couldn’t tear my gaze away from the mirror. “I cannot believe…this is me. ” It was more beautiful than my coronation dress, and so much more me.
Peyton let out an uncharacteristic squeak. “You’re so beautiful, Cicely. I love it. ” She shivered, grinning. “You look like the Snow Queen. ”
I laughed then. “I am the Snow Queen, remember?” Turning to Rhonda, I smiled softly. “This is it. Can I get it in a week? I’ll pay for a rush. ”
She inclined her head gracefully. “Of course. We will make it happen. What about a veil?”
I glanced at Peyton. “I suppose it needs to be fitted to my crown. ” She nodded, and I turned back to Rhonda. “Something swept back from my face. I’m not a shrinking violet. Maybe…in silver lace to match my dress? Midback length? I don’t need to go tripping over extra material. ”
“I think we can create the right one. ”
“Wonderful. I also need a maid of honor dress for Peyton here. In the same royal blue as the sash on this dress. Something tea length, satin, sleeveless. Maybe a simple retro-fifties frock?”
“Let’s get you out of this so I can measure you; then we’ll search for Peyton’s dress. ” Rhonda, in a flurry of movement, had me out of the dress and was measuring me every which way. She wrote down my measurements, then was out of the room, off in search of a maid of honor’s dress. One vintage tea frock in royal blue later, we had our outfits. Rhiannon ha
d found her gown—a sheath of pale gold with green beading, elegant and vintage—and we decided Luna would have a dress matching Peyton’s, but hers would be forest green. By the time we’d finished and paid the deposits, it was nearly four thirty. Rex was sitting in the corner, a cup of coffee in hand, reading a book.
“We need coffee. There’s a shop right around the corner. ” Rhia pointed toward the corner of Broadmore and Williams.
I glanced up at the Abby Theater clock. Four thirty, and sunset had already fallen. “Coffee sounds good. Actually, a steaming hot mocha with whipped cream sounds fantastic. I have to visit Lannan tonight. Anybody want to come with me?” I didn’t expect them to say yes, and they didn’t fail my expectations.
“No thanks, but we’ll take you up on that mocha. ” Peyton snorted. “The less I have to do with Lannan Altos, the better. ”
Behind her back, Luna nodded vigorously.
As we started toward the corner, the streetlamps came on. They were wound with garland and sparkling lights, and against the snow-shrouded dusk, they made for a picturesque sight. The Winter Solstice celebration in the Barrows had been postponed until our double wedding, given that the coronation had taken place on the Solstice. And Christmas, for those yummanii who celebrated, wasn’t for another few days.
Luna slipped a little and I steadied her, cupping her elbow. She was bundled up in an ankle-length tan coat with fur trim, and her boots were lace-up granny boots with thick chunky heels. But the sidewalk was rough, the ice kept melting and freezing over the new snow, and it was obvious the city hadn’t been out to clean roads for a day or two.
As she righted herself, a long black car pulled up to the sidewalk near us. A sudden stab of fear hit me. I knew who owned those cars—vampires. My gut instinct took over and I whirled around, frantic. The guards, who were flanking us closely, saw my expression, and Check leaped forward as the car doors nearest the sidewalk opened.
Out jumped Geoffrey and Leo, along with a couple of other vampires.
Rhiannon screamed, stumbling back, as Peyton tried to shove herself in front of Rhia. I frantically reached for my dagger and then realized I’d left it back in the Barrow. Clumsy, careless fool!
The vampires were on us, and Check led the guards to the front. Rex yanked his daughter out of the way, sending Peyton spinning into the snowdrift behind him. I heard a scream, and as I fought my way toward the front, one of Rhiannon’s guards went soaring over my head, limp and bloody.
“No!” Luna’s scream cut through the evening. I struggled to push past Check and Teral, but they wouldn’t let me by. Check shoved me back, a black look on his face, but I managed to dodge around him, just in time to see Peyton scrambling to get out of the way of one of the vampires, who was looming over her, fangs bared. Rex let out a shout and dove in between them, a stake in his hand. Where he’d gotten it, I didn’t know, but as he met the vampire’s chest with the tip, the vamp roared and then, as the wood penetrated his heart, he turned to dust.
Rex staggered back, a look of horror on his face. I followed his gaze and saw Leo, holding Rhiannon by the arms. He was shoving her into the backseat of the car.
“No!” Screaming at the top of my lungs, I started forward, but again, Check grabbed me by the shoulders and dragged me back.
Rex was closest to them, and he grabbed Leo’s arm, trying to break his grip. Geoffrey suddenly appeared behind him, and before we could make a move, before the shout could fall from my lips, he had plunged his fangs deep into Rex’s neck, the blood fountaining out from the wound. He bit again, viciously, and ripped a long strip of flesh as he did so.
Rex went down, and Geoffrey yanked him up like a rag doll, grinning at Peyton with bloody lips as he administered one last bite. Rex’s head lolled to the side. Peyton shrieked and started forward, but Teral grabbed her back.
I broke free from my paralysis, realizing that Leo had managed to drag Rhia into the car. As I started to race forward, Geoffrey jumped to block my way but pulled back when the remaining guards pushed me between us.
“No!” Ulean, help us!
“Your time will come, Cicely. You owe me. You owe me everything, and I will have my payment. ” Then, before Check could reach him, Geoffrey jumped into the car and they roared away, taking Rhiannon with them.
Peyton sank to Rex’s side, her moans filling the air. The snow was drenched with blood, stained pink, and around us, people were staring, milling around but not coming near.
“They have the Queen of Summer,” Rhiannon’s remaining guard whispered.
“They have my cousin. ” I was angry, furious that we had been so concerned about clothes that we’d let ourselves get careless; I wanted to grab a car and chase after them. But they were gone, and we had no clue as to where.
Ulean swept by. I will see if I can find them. I’m sorry, Cicely. I should have stayed with you.
Go, please. See if you can track them down.
“Rex is dead. ” Peyton looked up at me, tears streaming down her face. Her hands were stained with his blood, and she leaned to the side, vomiting.
I was so worried about Rhia that I’d almost forgotten about Rex. Now I knelt by Peyton and softly took her by the shoulders, lifting her away from Rex’s body. She started to cover her face with her hands but then stopped as she saw the blood. Trembling, she gave me a look that told me she was one step away from a breakdown.
“Check, Peyton needs help. We have to get to Lannan Altos’s mansion. ” Lannan, freak though he might be, would help us. He would do everything he could to help us find Geoffrey.
Before we could move, another shriek rang out, this time across the street near the theater. We all turned, just in time to see a figure creep out from the shadows, face bloody and eyes blackly luminous. He was tall and thin beyond thin, stretched like an insect, his long limbs resembling a walking stick as he crept forward. His glittering gaze turned my way, and he scuttled toward the road.