The Ice Diamond Cuff (Custodian Novel #4) (11 page)

Faedra turned. Her maid, Erin, stood by her
bed. She glanced from her maid to the bed, and, out of nowhere,
butterflies danced in her stomach. Then she realized why. It was
soon to be her and Faen's bed. She brought her attention back to
her maid, who was waiting patiently for an answer. Faedra blinked a
couple of times, willing herself back to the here and now. Faedra
had become very fond of the young maid since the king appointed
her, and she regarded her with warm affection. Erin had run her a
bath and set out her nightgown, which Faedra was now wearing, ready
for bed.

"No, thank you, Erin," Faedra said. "That
will be all for tonight. Please, get some rest. We have a busy day
ahead of us tomorrow."

Erin beamed at the princess, then looked to
the chaise where she had laid out Faedra's wedding dress and
accessories. "I'll be back in the morning, bright and early, to
help you dress, My Lady." With a quick curtsey, she turned and left
the room, closing the door behind her with a soft click.

Faedra looked back out of the window. Wow,
was this really happening? Was she actually getting married
tomorrow? It all seemed so surreal. She was a princess, and Faen
would become her prince in the morning. She sighed and a crease
wrinkled her brow. When they were married, that meant he could no
longer be a Guardian. But, if he was her husband, and had always
been her Guardian, did that mean he would still assume the role, or
would the king insist they be appointed another one? She hadn't
even thought about it until then, and the king hadn't mentioned it
either. She wasn't quite sure how she felt about a stranger looking
after her when her husband was perfectly capable of doing the job.
Oh, well, she was sure she would find out soon enough.

Faedra stopped brushing her hair and turned
away from the window. Once again, she found herself staring at the
bed. This time tomorrow, she would be a married woman. The
butterflies skittered about in her stomach again. She was excited,
but nervous all at the same time. She drew in a long, deep breath
and released it slowly. Stepping towards the large four poster that
occupied one of the largest sleeping chambers in the castle, Faedra
lay her brush down on the nightstand and climbed in between the
luxurious satin sheets. She lay for a few more moments looking up
at the ceiling, an introspective smile dancing on her lips.
Releasing a sigh of contentment, she turned on her side, tucked an
arm under her pillow and closed her eyes. "Lights, dim," she
whispered.

***

"This bed is huge," Skylar squealed as she
jumped up and down on Faedra's unmade bed the next morning, fully
dressed in her flower girl dress.

"Skylar! You get down from there this
minute!" Allora reprimanded.

Faedra and Jocelyn looked at the little girl
then turned to each other and giggled.

"Aw, Mama," Skylar said as she dropped to a
sitting position and scooted herself off the side of the bed. She
dragged her feet towards as she walked towards her mother.

Allora held out her hand for the little girl.
"Come here, it's time to have your hair done."

Skylar's face lit up.

"Go, sit over there, Bree will do your hair."
Allora scooted her daughter in Bree's direction with a soft pat on
her backside.

Skylar skipped over to where another young
maid stood waiting with a comb in one hand and an Alice band,
covered in fresh flowers, in the other.

Erin was just finishing fastening Faedra's
dress when there was a knock at the door. Faedra looked at Jocelyn
who returned her confused expression with a conspiratorial smile.
Whoever it was at the door, her head bridesmaid knew all about
it.

"Err, come in," Faedra called.

The king poked his head around the door, as
if requesting an 'all clear'.

"Father? Come on in."

The king opened the door, stepped through,
and froze when his eyes lay upon his daughter. Faedra heard an
audible gasp just before noticing his eyes begin to shine.

"Father?" she prompted. Wondering what the
king was doing here early. He was supposed to be there a bit later
with her other dad to walk her down the aisle. She had insisted
that they both do it and would hear of nothing else. The king had
begrudgingly obliged her, saying at first that it was against
protocol. Well, everyone was beginning to get the idea of what
Faedra thought of protocol.

The king blinked a few times and sniffed
before stepping further into the room.

"You look beautiful," he murmured. Upon
reaching her, he took her face in his hands and looked at her for a
long moment. "You look just like your mother."

Faedra smiled up at him.

Once again, he blinked a few times in rapid
succession before bringing his hands down from Faedra's cheeks.
After clearing his throat he said. "I've come to give you your
wedding gift."

Faedra did a quick glance around him. She
couldn't see anything that he had brought in with him.

To her surprise he took a few steps back
until he was standing behind and to the side of Jocelyn. He rested
his hands on her best friend's shoulders and a smile lit up his
face.

Confused, Faedra looked from her father to
Jocelyn, who was also wearing a grin from ear to ear. They both
looked at her expectantly, willing her to understand the meaning
behind the king's gesture.

In the next second, Faedra's eyes
widened.

"Really?" she gasped, gaping first at her
father, then at her best friend. "I'm your charge?"

Jocelyn nodded, excitement bursting from
every pore.

Faedra lunged forward and threw her arms
around her friend. "You're my new Guardian? I can't believe this. I
won't lose you to some far flung place, after all?"

Jocelyn shook her head. "No, we get to stay
together forever."

Faedra let go of her new Guardian and threw
her arms around her father, resting her head on his chest. "Oh,
thank you, Father!" She pulled away and looked up into his still
shining eyes. "You have no idea how much this means to me."

The king smiled. "Oh, I think I do," he said.
Taking a step back from his daughter, he inclined his head.
"Ladies, if you will excuse me, I will take my leave so you can
finish getting ready." He leaned down and kissed his daughter on
the forehead. Faedra closed her eyes as she soaked in the love that
was pouring out of him. Love for her.

A little while later, all three girls were
ready. Hair primped, makeup flawless, and dresses perfectly fitted.
They stood next to each other in the mirror. Their reflections
smiled back at them. There was another knock on the door. They
turned.

"Come in," Faedra called.

The door opened and Henry stepped inside,
followed by the king. When Faedra and her dad's eyes met, they both
sucked in a breath.

"Wow, Dad. You look...amazing. Fae clothing
suits you. You almost look as regal as my other dad.

The king harrumphed and shot his daughter a
disgruntled frown. Faedra winked at him. "Just kidding."

"Oh, darling," Henry breathed, the wonder in
his voice floating across the room. "You look stunning." He sniffed
back a tear. "I can't believe my little girl is getting
married."

Faedra felt her cheeks burn but she was
quickly distracted by a grunt from behind her. She turned.

Allora was pushing her ungainly, heavily
pregnant self up from the chaise. Seeing the Lady struggle, Bree
ran around the chaise and offered her a hand. "This is where I take
my leave and go and find my husband." Allora said as she waddled up
to the Custodian. Faedra leaned down and gave her a hug. Allora
cupped Faedra's face in her hand. "You look radiant, my dear. Enjoy
your day." Then she turned to her daughter. "And, you, little lady.
Behave yourself." Lady Allora squeezed her daughter's cheek before
shuffling out of the room accompanied by Bree.

"Well, darling," Henry said. "The guests and
your husband-to-be are waiting patiently downstairs. Are you
ready?" He held his arm out for her. The king stepped to her other
side and did the same. Faedra looked at both her dad's and blinked
back a tear. No, she couldn't cry. She was determined not to ruin
her makeup before she even got down the aisle. She drew in a long,
calming breath, using all her will to calm the whirlwind of
emotions that were threatening to stoke the already blazing furnace
in her head. She held out her hands and took the offered arm on
either side of her. They took a step towards the door.

"Oh, wait, My Lady," Erin called.

Faedra turned her head to see Erin bend down
and pick something up from the chaise. She brought it over, and,
seeing what it was, Faedra released both her dad's arms.

"Thank you, Erin," Faedra said as she took
the cuff that Zaven had given her as a wedding gift and placed it
around her wrist. It was a perfect accent to her dress, so she had
decided to wear it on her wedding day. She hoped it would go some
way to thawing out the ambassador's frostiness towards her.

"You may go now," Faedra said. "Thank you for
all your help this morning. I'll see you down in the hall with all
the other guests."

Erin curtsied. First to Faedra, and then to
the king, before scooting out of the door.

Faedra returned her hands to lie on both her
father's forearms. "Shall we?"

***

As soon as Faedra set foot in the corridor
that led to the great hall, she felt like she was going to float
away like a helium balloon. The energy was incredible. This kind of
energy she could handle. It was full of joy and excitement. The
butterflies in her stomach flitted around with wild abandon. They
continued walking toward the entrance to the great hall. Excited
mumblings resonated from the enormous room and rambled on down the
corridor. The soothing melodic sounds of a harp and other stringed
instruments wafted down the passageway, enticing anyone in its path
to move towards it. A page, who was obviously keeping look out,
spotted the bride and her entourage. After gaping at them for a
long second with eyes like saucers, he turned and scooted into the
hall. The music changed.

Faedra had requested that she walk down the
aisle to one of her mum's favorite songs. If her mother couldn't be
there to witness the most special day of her life, she sure as heck
was going to have her mum with her in whatever way she could. The
melody sounded ethereal being played by harps and mandolins, but
the essence of it was still there. Faedra swallowed.

Just as they were reaching the entrance to
the hall, Faedra looked back at her bridesmaid and flower girl.
Jocelyn and little Skylar looked perfect. Faedra felt comforted by
their presence. Jocelyn bent forward to smooth out Faedra's train
before they all took a step forward and stood in front of the open
doors.

Faedra drew in a long slow breath. She took a
moment to savor every detail as the sights, sounds and smells
caressed her senses. The feel of the plush red carpet beneath her
dainty slippers was like stepping on soft, freshly cut grass. The
length of the aisle was framed by branches of flowering apple
blossom trees, standing like sentries at the beginning of row upon
row of chairs covered in gold cloth, accented by a bow that matched
the color of Jocelyn's dress. The branches reached high above and
touched together creating a living tunnel for her to walk through.
Garlands of flowers were spiraled around each of the massive stone
pillars holding up the roof, and the chandeliers floated overhead,
their twinkling lights dancing off every surface.

Faedra closed her eyes as she breathed in the
sweet perfume of the apple blossoms, their fragrant bouquet filling
the vastness of the great hall. Her father had brought a beautiful
spring day inside the castle.

"Do you like it?" the king whispered. Faedra
turned her face to him. Her eyes glistened with tears of happiness.
It was all the answer he needed. He smiled and faced back to look
down the aisle.

Faedra cast one more glance around the hall
at all the excited guests who were smiling at her. She'd never seen
it this full since the very first time she had stepped foot inside
its walls. Today the hall was brimming over under much happier
circumstances. Her gaze continued around the hall until it fell
upon the only person she really wanted to see. Their eyes met. Her
world stopped.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Faen's sparkling blue eyes spoke volumes as
they soaked in the image of his bride-to-be. Had he ever looked at
her like that? She didn't think so. There was something more there
this time, something carnal. He looked gorgeous, her fairy-tale
prince looking every bit the part. From his matching ivory doublet
with the intricately embroidered knot-work, to Zaven's gift hanging
at his waist, to the fitted leather breeches that disappeared under
knee high, polished-to-perfection, boots. Out of nowhere, Faedra's
mind pulled forward the image of her bed, their bed. Her cheeks
felt like flames had just erupted on them. Why did she suddenly
feel shy? Oh, yeah...that's why. Faedra pushed the thought away for
now and held her Guardian's gaze. He was to be her Guardian for
just a few more moments, and she was going to cherish every one of
them. She hardly even noticed Etyran standing next to his best
friend, doing the honors as Faen's best man. Good Lord, she didn't
dare think about what the Lightbender had prepared for his
speech.

Her fathers took a step forward; she glanced
at each one in turn.
That's right, Faedra. You need to walk down
the aisle to get to the other end
. Faedra smiled at her private
joke. As she did, Faen's lips curved, too, and Faedra felt her
shoulders relax.

On her way down the aisle, she took a moment
to look around. The vicar was waiting patiently on the dias to
perform the ceremony. She was hard pressed not to give him a little
wave. And there was Carina and Anwynn, sitting with Todmus, Allora,
and Alyssa. She returned their warm smiles. A little further down
she saw Umor's royalty, Odin and Freja. Even Zaven wore a smile,
especially when he glanced at Faedra's wrist and saw his gift
there. It may have looked forced, but it was a smile, nonetheless.
Faedra praised herself for her decision to wear it. As she made her
way further down, she saw Faen's parents, along with the dragons,
sitting on the front row.