Chapter 28
Riley and I walk down the aisle as the wedding music plays enthusiastically in the background. It's odd that we could be doing this again in a few years together. He stares at me and my cheeks burn red. We haven't spoken for about a week. Helena's ceremony was changed because of the attack on the castle and I've been stuck here for the week helping her plan out every last detail of her wedding. It's been fun and it helped me pass the time.
I haven't told him what I choose yet. He's ignored me for seven days and my heart has ached. Being this close to him is painful because I know I've hurt him. We march slowly to the music as we practiced all this week wordlessly. People stare in awe at us, but I can't focus on anything but the front of the church. One of Riley's sisters is blowing her nose loudly and crying uncontrollable, but the rest of the bridesmaids and groomsmen are standing up straight and smiling.
We reach the front and Riley let's go of my arm. I want him to stay by my side but I stand by Riley's sister, Anna. Next come Alice and Ted. Ted is Riley's older cousin, they look almost identical with tan skin but Ted has light blonde hair instead of dark blonde. Alice giggles as she stands next to me, her face flushed because of something Ted whispered in her ear. Helena told me that Ted and Alice really liked each other but that Ted was too afraid to ask her out. Maybe, he finally had the courage to ask her. Alice eyes Ted wearily and then she leans over to me.
“Ted asked me out!” she whispers enthusiastically into my ear.
“That's great. I'm happy for you.” I whisper back giving her a half-hearted smile.
Riley looks over at us and rolls his eyes. He's been very callous the last couple days. If he sees me talking to someone or smiling he turns into a man-child, storming out of rooms and slamming doors behind him.
The music changes and everyone stands up as the bride enters. I hadn't seen Helena's dress before now because she wanted to keep it a secret from everyone, but it's breathtaking. Every inch of it sparkles, and it's covered in tulle. It has a sweetheart neckline and I catch myself fantasizing about my own wedding, wishing that I could look as beautiful and radiant as she does. I look over to see the groom staring at her with is mouth open in shock. He's definitely surprised. She smiles and waves as the flower girls dance about and throw flowers at her feet. She stops in front of the groom and they take each other's hands holding them tightly.
“George, do you take this woman Helena to be your wife? Do you pledge...” the priest goes on and on. I can't stop staring at Riley and he keeps staring at me. Finally, he grins in my direction and I smile back at him. I'm not sure what it means, but maybe he's forgiven me finally. “And you may now kiss the bride.”
George and Helena are entangled in what feels like an endless kiss and it makes my heart yearn for a love like that. Where a kiss feels like seconds but in reality it's longer than that. I look at Riley. I could have that with him. We could be happy, even if we're constantly bickering. I could have that with Theo to. He's so kind and smart. I think that the real Theo is the one I love, not the Theo is forced to murder and do things against his will. The music starts and we leave the church one by one. Riley and I ride Felix back to the castle grounds where the festivities begin, but Riley has a different idea.
“We're ditching the reception.” he says. I punch him in the arm.
“Riley, you better make Felix go to the reception right this instant.”, I say angrily. Felix neighs and whinnies and then he lifts us off the ground.
“I know you're afraid of heights so we're going to fly and talk so you can’t escape.” he says. I hit him in the arm again.
“You're frustrating.” I say.
“Yeah, and you love it.” he says. He turns around on the horse and faces me. He takes my face in his and kisses me with so much passion that I swear if it were night time, the sky would be lit up with fireworks. I wrap my arms around him and we get lost for awhile. I forget all about my problems, and the decision that I have to make. I forget about Helena's reception. I forget about the war that is to come against Mathew. I forget about saving Theo. All I think about is this moment with Riley. He stops kissing me and my heart aches again. I need him to be close to me again, I need his warmth and comfort. He stares at me intensely.
“Did you make a decision?” he asks. “I need to know.”
I stay quiet because I don’t know what my decision is yet. Riley makes an exasperated sound and turns around with his back to me.
“Felix. Take us to the wedding reception.” the horse neighs and then darts off as fast as he can fly to the castle. I close my eyes and tuck my head behind Riley. We arrive and this time I don't fly over Riley because the landing is much smoother.
Riley steps down from the horse and reaches his hands up to me to help me down. I smile at him and we walk to the castle hand in hand. I wonder why he isn't angry about my indecisiveness. He didn't get mad at me or yell at me. He's completely calm and something about this isn't exactly right.
We enter the great hall which has been decorated to look like the evening sky with glitter and stars. There are blue and black banners dangling from the ceiling. The tables have been covered by silver cloth. Plates have been placed before everyone. Everyone's eyes land on us, we are the last ones to enter and we walk hurriedly towards the center where the rest of our party sits waiting.
“We may now eat.” the king bellows.
Sounds erupt from all over the great hall. The sound of clanking metal and chattering are the noisiest. A woman sits behind us in a flowing pale pink dress playing the harp. The food is delicious, and soon my plate is empty. The woman stops playing the harp and she opens the doors to the ballroom next door. There is a large orchestra band waiting to play music so that we can dance the night away. By the time we get to the ballroom, I arrive in a half drunken stupor and Riley has to practically carry me there. We laugh; he's had more than enough wine and can barely walk him.
We dance so elegantly that it's hard to believe it's me dancing. Then again, my dance partner is an unbelievably good dancer.
“I told you I liked to dance.” he says smirking.
“I know.” I say in between hiccups.
“Did you have too much to drink?” he asks innocently.
“A little bit.” I whisper, touching his face. “You're pretty.”
“Thank you, but you're the beautiful one.” he says spinning me around in circles. He takes me in his arms, caressing my face. I take out the white velvet box and he gasps.
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