Shadow Rising (41 page)

The trip to Otherworld went smoothly. Even Iris had no problems with the portal—it didn’t seem to affect pregnant women, except to make them terribly dizzy. We’d gone through the one in the Wayfarer, which led directly to Y’Elestrial.

Father was waiting for us, and Trenyth with him, as we arrived just after sunset. As Trenyth came forward, holding out his hands to me, I took them and smiled softly.

“I’m so sorry about Charlotine. But she…she saved our butts.”

He ducked his head in acknowledgment. “As you said when you talked to us through the Whispering Mirror. Not to discuss business on your wedding day, but I thought you’d like to know that Darynal and the caravan are safe. So far, all things are going as planned. We should know more in a few weeks, once they’ve established themselves in Rhellah.”

The thought that, to the south, the sorcerers were grouping like a pack of feral wolves hit home. For the first time, I realized there was no safety—
anywhere
. Oh, if we moved to the Dragon Reaches, we’d be safe. The demons weren’t stupid enough to take on the entire world of Dragonkin, but we
couldn’t just leave Otherworld and Earthside to the hands of Shadow Wing.

“Good,” I said. “We need to be kept abreast. We’re working on the reorganization for the new Earthside headquarters of the OIA. It will be housed at the FH-CSI, but properly this time. Now that we’re in charge, we can do so much more with keeping the lines of communication open.”

Trenyth gave my hand a little squeeze. “That’s a good thing. Now, put talk of business away. It’s time to focus on your celebration.”

Hard as it was—the future loomed dark and dreadful, like a gathering storm—I turned my attention back to Nerissa. She had never seen Otherworld, and now I saw it again through fresh eyes—through her vision.

We’d left Shamas, Bruce, and Vanzir at home—they’d volunteered to stay and watch over Maggie and the house. As much as I wanted our little munchkin with us, we felt it was safer to leave her at home. But Chase—with his broken thumb—and Rozurial, Shade, Morio, Smoky, and Trillian had come with us. And, of course, Iris and my sisters.

The carriages were waiting, and as we climbed in and began our trek through the crowded, bustling city, Nerissa laughed with delight.

“It’s so beautiful, and so different. As noisy as the crowds are, it’s quiet. No planes, no cars, no buzz of electricity…”

“But the magic hums brightly here,” Camille said, laughing with her. She, Delilah, and Iris were in the carriage with us.

Eye catchers lit the streets, and I noticed the roads were actually clean. Apparently the usual beggars had been put to work sweeping the cobblestones, picking up litter, and cleaning the stables and streets of the manure left behind by the horses and animals. Tanaquar had instituted a work-for-food program, and even though she’d used our father and tried to cause trouble with us, I had to give it to her—taking the homeless off the streets and giving them jobs for food and simple shelter was genius.

We clattered along, the horses’ hooves beating a staccato tattoo against the cobblestones, and as we went, Nerissa kept
pointing out the unfamiliar trees and flowers and the architecture that was unique to Otherworld. I let her ramble, loving the animation in her face and the delight in her voice.

“I wish you could see this in the daylight. But you will. I’ve arranged for us to stay a couple days. Father has rented a safe house for us, with a lair for me, and I’ll be safe while you explore the city with Camille and Delilah.”

“But what about work—”

I shook my head. “I talked to Chase. You have the next few days off. And we all need a break. The men will be going home except for Smoky, and we’ll stay here and visit Father and maybe…maybe look up some of our old friends. If any of them are left after the civil war.” I didn’t mention that we’d had very few friends when we lived here before.

The trip across town to the lake took the better part of two hours, but by nine
P.M.
Earthside time, we pulled into the park surrounding the Erulizi Falls. Here, the trees were just beginning to bud, the tiny leaves green and sparkling with dew. It had rained during the day, but now the stars were out and the soft whisper of raindrops dripping to the lush grass below was calming. The night was chilly, but not cold, and I saw that my father had set up tents for us to relax and dress in.

The falls
…the Erulizi Falls were one of the most beautiful places I had ever been in Otherworld. Wide, though not tall, they covered a cavern in which a goddess supposedly lived. Women brought flowers to her all through the summer in supplication for her blessings on their homes and love lives—for Erulizi was a goddess of passion and joy. Water thundered over the top, sparkling in the light of the crescent moon as it rained down on the lake below, concentric rings rippling out along the surface of the lake.

I remembered the festivals from my youth spent here, on holidays—they were some of my happiest memories.

Today, Y’Elestrial had already had its public spring equinox festival here by the falls, but tonight, we would have ours, and perhaps, if she willed it, if she was in a good mood, Erulizi would see fit to bless our wedding.

Nerissa walked out to the edge of the lake, staring over
the expanse. “I could get used to this,” she said, turning to me. “I could get used to living here. Just…so you know.”

I understood what she was saying and wrapped my arm around her waist. “Maybe one day, we’ll have a home in both worlds.”

“I’d like that,” she said.

“What about your condo? Are you keeping your condo now that you’re moving in with us?” We’d figured out that if she slept during the night, and I during the day, there was no real danger to her sharing my bedroom.

While the basement couldn’t be expanded, Smoky and the men were adding on an extra sitting room upstairs, just for us. The parlor would no longer be Nerissa’s home away from home and she wouldn’t have to sleep on a sofa, or on a cot in Delilah’s spare room.

“Renting it out. We might as well have the rental income coming in.” She inhaled deeply, then slowly let it out, shaking her head as the breeze ruffled through her hair.

“I have a surprise for you. I hope you don’t mind.” I turned around and motioned to the carriage that had drawn near. “I invited someone to the wedding.”

Nerissa turned in time to see Venus the Moon Child jump out of the carriage. The werepuma shaman, who was now one of Asteria’s Keraastar Knights, hurried over to throw his arms around Nerissa, planting a big kiss on her cheek. He turned to me, and I allowed him to do the same. The smell of puma sweat clung thick to him.

“I’m so happy for you, Nessa.” He clapped her on the back. “And you, too, Menolly.” He lowered his voice, glancing over at Delilah, who hadn’t noticed him yet. “Zachary sends his love. He didn’t think it would be a good idea for him to show up—there’s just too much water under the bridge, you know. For him, at least. But he’s happy, and he can run free here.”

“He’s in puma form all the time now, isn’t he?” Zach had made the final transformation to his full puma shape, eliminating the paralysis that had claimed him from battle.

“Yeah, but we talk a lot, and he’s got himself a gorgeous wildcat of a girlfriend. She’s pregnant and they’re expecting a fine litter of cubs.”

I left Venus and Nerissa to catch up and headed across the meadow to start dressing. Nerissa would dress in the other pavilion, helped by Delilah. When I reached the tent I found that my father had arranged a surprise for me, as well.

As I entered through the linen canvas, I found myself staring at Aunt Rythwar. She was standing beside Iris and Camille, who was weeping for joy.

“Auntie!” I rushed over to her, throwing my arms around the courtly Fae, who stood taller than even Delilah, with the same jet hair as Father and Camille, and crisp blue eyes. She wrapped her arms around me and held me tight.

“Menolly—my sweet little niece. Let me look at you.” I stood back, obediently, as Aunt Rythwar made me turn for her. “Your beautiful hair, it is…most interesting. But you are, as you always were, my lovely niece. Daughter of my brother, so today you wed?”

I was having a hard time choking back my tears. It was as if Mother had come back to be with us—I’d never expected to see Aunt Rythwar again, yet here she stood, in a sparkling silver dress.

“We have so much to catch up on, but…” I glanced at Camille. “What time…?”

“You need to dress. Aunt Rythwar will be here after the wedding, and tomorrow night, as well, so hurry and let us dress you.”

“Camille’s right. Shed your clothes.” Iris was standing next to Camille, waiting for me. She gazed up at my aunt and I had an odd feeling that the surprises weren’t over with.

Camille handed me the box containing my wedding dress, as eye catchers floated everywhere to produce soft, illuminating light.

“We have another surprise for you,” Camille said. “Nerissa was in on this one. In fact, it was her idea, once she knew that I had…well…you’ll see.”

“I’m not sure how many more surprises I’m up to.”

“Just open the box, will you?”

I slowly untied the ribbon and lifted off the lid. There, in the box, I found, not the wedding dress Nerissa had bought
for me, but instead, a vision in white. As I held up the dress, I let out a choked cry.

“You didn’t…I didn’t know you had this!” I held up the flowing ball gown. It was a princess’s dress, with long sleeves and a sweetheart neckline with beaded bodice, and the skirt was chiffon covered with tulle and lace. Every movement made it shimmer.

“Mo’denasey
…” Aunt Rythwar clapped her hand to her mouth. “Your mother’s wedding dress. You still have it?”

Camille was crying now. She nodded. “I saved it when war broke out. I kept it with me all this time, in the back of my closet. I knew I could never fit into it, and I thought maybe for Delilah, but she’s too tall. Then I talked to Nerissa and she loved it so much…so we took it to the alterations woman and she shortened for you. It should fit, though. Mother was petite, like you.”

A wave of sorrow and joy and amazement washed over me and I burst into bloody tears. Iris handed me a red handkerchief, which made me cry even more—it was the one Sassy Branson’s ghost had left for me when she faded into the afterlife with her daughter and beloved Janet.

“I can’t believe I actually get to wear Mother’s wedding dress. It never occurred to me to even think that would be a possibility.” I gazed at the gown, my heart warming like it hadn’t in a long time. “Thank you…
oh, thank you
.”

After I’d dried my eyes and made sure my hands and face were clean, I let them help me try it on. The seamstress had been spot on. It fit like a glove, though it was still a little long, but I didn’t care.

Iris went to unbind my hair and I stopped her.

“My braids are part of who I am, but you can put them up into some pretty design, can’t you?” I was resisting the urge to cry again. I didn’t want to bloody up my dress, so I kept the handkerchief ready.

She did, while Camille fixed my makeup. “I wish I could take a picture of you. I wish we could take wedding pictures of you and Nerissa, but…we’ve got the best thing.” Iris grinned. “Are you ready for another surprise?”

“Another? I seriously don’t know if I can take it.” I hated to admit it, but it did bother me, the fact that we could never have a wedding photo. Nerissa insisted it was okay, but I knew she was disappointed.

“Just a minute.” Camille opened the flaps of the tent and motioned. A moment later, Father came through.

He stared at me, letting out a little sound, and tears sprang to his eyes.

“Please, don’t mind that I’m wearing Mother’s dress…” It would just kill me if he yelled at me about it.

But he merely choked out, “You are so incredibly beautiful, my daughter. Your mother would be proud. This makes it like…she’s almost here with us.”

I ducked my head. “I wish she could be.”

After a pause, Camille said, “Well, the rest of us are. And we’ll have to do. Father, why don’t you tell her your surprise? I almost spilled the beans.”

He shook his head. “Your vernacular never ceases to amaze me.” Then he turned to me. “I told you I had a gift for you. When I found out you were engaged, I began to search for someone with talent. As a wedding gift, please allow me…I hired an artist to paint the two of you. He’s brilliant, and does quick work, and tomorrow night, you and Nerissa will sit for him here, by the lake. He can work all night long and then be able to finish up over the next few days on his own. So you’ll have a wedding portrait.”

I stared at him, uncertain what to say. Finally, because I was almost out of words for my feelings, I just said, “Thank you…so much.”

“I just wanted you and your wife to be happy.” He glanced around. “I’d best be getting to my post. I’ll see you at the altar, my daughter.”

Before he could turn, I jumped up and grabbed his arm. “I really mean it, Father.
Thank you.
”

“I know…” He ducked out of the tent as Camille tugged on my arm, yanking me back into the chair.

“If you do that again, I’m going to stick a mascara brush in your eye.” Scolding or not, she was smiling, too.

When we were ready, we headed out of the tent. There, by
the side of the lake, our father waited. As befitting his office in Y’Elestrial, he would be legally able to preside. And since we were married in Otherworld, our marriage would be counted as legal over Earthside—that had been a mutual agreement when the portals first opened up. Marriages on either side of the fence would be recognized.

As I waited, the flap to Nerissa’s tent opened and she stepped out, gorgeous and glowing in her plum-colored gown. Her eyes lit up as she saw me.

Camille pressed a bouquet of white roses, deep purple lilies, and sparkling green fern fronds into my hands. Delilah handed Nerissa her matching bouquet, and then the two of them, along with Iris and Aunt Rythwar, joined the men who were standing near the lake, where my father waited.

Venus, who was escorting us to the altar, stood between Nerissa and me. He crooked his arms, and we lightly rested our hands on his elbows as we waited for the signal to begin.