Briannas Prophecy (37 page)

Brianna sniffed. “I suppose.” She gave her mother-in-law a worried frown. “I know you want a big celebration, Silera, but I don’t think I can wait to marry Niklas.”

The other woman began to speak and Brianna held up her hand. “Hear me out, please. I know I was kidnapped because I was alone in my room.” She circled the room, found a chair and sat down. Prepared for the seat to change shape, Brianna continued after the chair stopped its movement. “I’m sure that you’ve noticed that he hasn’t left me alone today. I hate to think of what is going to happen tonight when I go to bed.” She leaned forward with her head in her hands. “We need to be married today. Even if it’s without a big service.”

Silera knelt in front of her. “Niklas has already explained this to me, my dear. That is why we are here. The bride is not to see her gown until the wedding day. In the past it was brought to her, or if she wanted one of her own choosing, the bride must choose between gowns already made by others on the day of the ceremony or she must choose a design and replicate one. Either way, she is not to see her dress until the day of the ceremony.” Silera waved her hand in dismissal. “It’s some strange superstition. Since you were to be married just two days ago, everything is still in readiness for this event.” She covered Brianna’s hand with her own. “Come, we must get you dressed before Niklas finds us and breaks down the door.”

Silera called Urma to the room to help them. When she asked Brianna who she wanted to have be a part of her preparations, Brianna could think of no one, other than Silera and Urma.

Urma curtsied when she entered the room. “I must thank you, Lady, for including me in this.” Her gaze darted around the room. “Usually, this is reserved for family.” Her chin quivered, and her eyes looked suspiciously watery.

To Urma’s complete surprise, Brianna hugged her.

“What are you doing, Lady? You shouldn’t be embracing the likes of me!” Urma stiffened and tried to pull away.

Brianna smiled and held on tight. “Why not, Urma? You are a part of my family.” She hugged her again. “You and Silera, have been the closest to a mother that I have ever had.” She smiled, looking between them. “A mother and an aunt.”

Urma lifted her apron and dashed the tears from her eyes. “Thank you, Lady, I will cherish this memory, always.” She took Brianna’s hand, and not unlike a drill sergeant, began barking orders.

Brianna sat in the chair for what seemed like hours while Urma fiddled with her hair. “What are you doing?” She twisted around, trying to get a look at herself in the mirror Silera had dragged out from behind another one of those magical doors.

Urma grasped Brianna’s face between her two plump hands, forcing her to face forward again. “How many times do you have to be told? You can’t see yourself before you’re ready for the ceremony!”

“I don’t believe in bad luck. I make my own destiny,” Brianna argued.

Urma chuckled. “And that’s why you’re here, making your own destiny?” She smirked as she walked around to face Brianna, a comb in her hand. “I know why you are here, lady. Silera told me.”

Brianna shot a surprised look at Silera. “I thought no one was supposed to know?”

Silera shrugged. “I tell Urma everything.” She stared at Urma wistfully for a moment before she seemed to shake herself and began to bustle around the room again.

Urma put the finishing touches on Brianna’s hair and declared her ready to dress.

Brianna had been afraid they were going to try to squeeze her into a corset, but the dress fit perfectly without one. Her high firm breasts didn’t need the added lift of a corset, and her waist, though not tiny anymore, was small enough to fit into the dress without difficulty, thanks to the empire waist. Besides, she thought with a frown, she didn’t think pregnant women could wear corsets.

Finally, Urma let her turn to the mirror. The color of the dress enhanced the blue of her eyes and the golden sheen of her hair. The maid had piled her hair atop her head in curls. Ringlets, like large sausages, tumbled down her back, framing her face.

The gems on the dress glistened in the waning light, shimmering as she breathed, every time she moved. The low cut bodice framed her high firm breasts showing off her décolletage. A necklace Silera found in another of the anterooms glistened around her neck, the diamond-like gems shining. The large star sapphire that fit snuggly between her breasts matched the color of her eyes.

Brianna stared in the mirror, stunned. She was beautiful, really and truly beautiful. Is this what Niklas saw every time he looked at her? “Oh, I hope so.”

“Did you say something, dear?” Silera asked as she stepped closer.

Brianna shook her head. “No, I just don’t believe that’s me.” She indicated her reflection.

Holding out a small book, Silera said, “It is customary for the bride to carry the Book of Life with her to the ceremony. It symbolizes her willingness to give life to this family by bearing children.” She grinned. “We all know of your willingness, dear, but it is custom.”

Brianna took the small oval book in her hands. She nervously turned it over and over as they left the room and headed for the temple hall.

Silera and Urma led her to the nearest door down the corridor, and she followed them into it. She looked around the small room, yelping when it started to move. Okay, this was some kind of elevator. She scowled. Someone could have told her as she’d been walking everywhere.

The doors opened onto an opulent corridor. Statues representing Gods and Goddesses lined each side of the long hall. Carved wainscoting lined the walls and intricately carved pillars accented the doorways they passed. Candles burned brightly at the foot of each statue, next to the offerings of flowers and fruit that sat at their feet.

Brianna walked slowly down the long hallway, feeling blessed to have the eyes of the gods watching her approach the very temple that honored them, that honored their presence on this world.

Brianna blinked, realizing someone was missing. Someone who had every right to see her married, if that was what he wished. She paused near the end of the long hall. Staring at the ornate hand carved balustrade that led up the stairs to the intricately carved doors on the next level. “Larin.” Brianna said, softly. “I’m inviting you to my wedding, if you’d care to come.”

Silera looked at her sadly. “It’s a shame you have no male relatives to give you away. It is a very significant gesture during the ceremony, stating that your family entrusts your care to Niklas.”

Brianna nodded. “Yes, it’s a shame I had hoped…”

Suddenly a bright light appeared at the top of the carpeted stairs. Larin stood leaning his hip against the swirling, carved banister. His clothing glowed with a magical light as if a silver aura surrounded him. He held his arm out. “I felt your need for family,” he swallowed visibly. “Will I do?”

Brianna could see his fear of rejection. The poor man. He joked and played pranks to cover the fact that he was so lonely. She bet he’d never admit to it, though. She gave him a brilliant smile and hurried up the stairs. Taking his offered arm, she said, “I would give you another kiss for this, Larin, but I’m afraid you’ll disappear again.” Brianna leaned closer and whispered, “It’s a good thing there is a transport pad up here, or you would have some explaining to do.”

Larin gave her an unfathomable look. “I’m sorry your father could not be here to do this, or one closer in your lineage.” He hooked a finger beneath the neckline of his top and pulled it away from his throat.

She turned to Silera. “This is Larin. My friend and the closest thing I have to family. He has agreed to give me away.”

Silera smiled. “I am pleased to meet you, Larin.”

“And I you, Your Highness.” Larin bowed in deference, using his company manners.

Brianna smiled up at him and covered his hand with hers, and whispered, “You are just the person I wanted. If I couldn’t have my father, I wanted my friend.”

Larin rested his hand over his heart and bowed deeply. “My gratitude, fair Brianna.” He stood, and toned down his glamour a bit, so he didn’t glow so brightly, then indicated the door. “Shall we proceed?”

Brianna’s eyes widened as they stepped through the door. She had expected to see the inside of their holy place. Instead, they stood just inside a huge inner courtyard. She could see the temple quite a distance away. The place of worship was a huge square-shaped building, which stood four stories high. The steeples, three of them in all, looked at least three times as tall as the rest of the building, one steeple on each end and one in the middle.

“See the steeples, Brianna?” Silera said. “They were designed to house the bride and groom. You will be on the right, there.” She pointed. “And Niklas will be on the left.” She smiled softly. “You will meet in the middle, symbolizing your partnership in your marriage, and throughout your lives.”

Brianna inhaled deeply. She was getting married today. She’d never dreamed to have a wedding of this size, and she had certainly never dreamed that she would have a male member of her family, no matter how distant, standing by her side. If all Fae were related as she’d read in one of the books Amber gave her to study, then she was related to Larin in some way, whether he wanted to admit it or not.

Brianna reached up and dashed the tears from her eyes. This was her wedding day and she refused to ruin it with silly tears.

They walked slowly across the inner courtyard, up the huge marble-like steps, and into the massive temple. Brianna followed Silera and Urma to the right tower where they would await the hail to descend to the wedding steeple.

Brianna gazed at Urma fondly and was glad that she’d insisted the woman wear one of the dresses in the
morreenah
. She was beautiful, and she looked so familiar, but Brianna couldn’t figure out why. Silera stood next to Urma, holding her hand. How many times over the years had she wished for a mother? And now, she had two.

Soon the summons came from the marriage steeple. The butterflies fluttered in Brianna’s stomach, protesting the stress she was under. As they walked from the bride’s steeple to the middle one, Brianna hoped to get a glimpse of Niklas, but he was nowhere to be seen.

“Where is he?” she whispered softly as they entered the small room, and it sure was small in here, for being such a big building on the outside. Silera crossed the room to anther door. “We wait here, until summoned further.” She stood with her ear to the door. She grimaced. “There is some strange male ritual that we have to wait for them to complete.” She grinned. “It’s most likely a good strong drink to toast away their freedom.”

Brianna giggled and nodded. She sat in a chair in the corner, surprised it didn’t change shape.

It felt like they’d been waiting forever when the door finally creaked open ominously. The screech of the door had Brianna jumping from her seat.

“Shall we?” Larin asked, holding his arm out for her to take. “I hope you don’t regret asking me here, Brianna. Niklas,” he stressed the name unkindly, “could have a problem with my presence.” His icy blue eyes bored into hers.

Brianna shook her head. “No. He won’t mind that you’re here because I am happy. And if I’m happy, he’s happy.” She smiled. “Don’t ask me why, but he takes pleasure in it.”

Larin looked at her with his ancient eyes. “Then you are indeed lucky, Brianna. Most people, whether they are Fae, or human, do not find that within a mate.”

They rounded a corner, and the full temple was spread out before them. Brianna gasped. “There’s so many people here! It looks like the entire city has come.”

 
”It is the entire city,” Larin said with a nod. “And if I haven’t already done so, I will tell you that you are beautiful today, Brianna.” He touched a bit of the blue sapphire satin, a faraway look in his eyes. “This is your great grandmother’s dress. She married Niklas’s ancestor in this. You look stunning.” Larin bowed low over her hand.

He led Brianna up the long aisle. She was in shock. She had no idea the entire village was to attend, though she probably should have known. Their king’s nuptials were a very important event for them, and no doubt, most of them just wanted to get a good look at their new queen. Brianna clamped her lips shut at the thought. She’d almost giggled right here in front of everyone.

Brianna raised her eyes when she noticed a movement in front of her. Niklas was moving out into the aisle. He looked stunning. Brianna’s step faltered for a millisecond before she continued down the aisle.

Niklas wore pure white shot with silver. His eyes widened for a split second when he recognized Larin. His lips twitched, then he smiled.

The butterflies in Brianna’s middle stopped fluttering and took flight. She pressed her free hand to her waist. Suddenly, she felt as though she may be ill. She swallowed thickly and struggled to control her stomach.

It’s just nerves.
Brianna rubbed her belly slightly, trying to make it look as though she was holding the Book of Life for all to see, instead of pressing it to her middle in an effort to keep what was left of her lunch down.
You’re just nervous because he is the most handsome man you have ever seen in your life, and you’re about to realize your dream of marrying him.

The silver and gleaming white suit Niklas wore clung to him like a second skin. The white pants hugged his muscular legs, emphasizing his thighs. The black, calf-high boots shone brightly, polished to a mirror-like shine. The light from the crystal chandeliers above his head reflected perfectly on the glossy ebony surface. Niklas’s torso was fit snugly into a silver and white tunic that hugged every luscious inch of his well-defined upper body. It contrasted well with the color of his bronzed skin.