Page 61 of The Howling (Monsters of the Yeavering #2)

T he day is finally here. My stomach is in knots as I stare at the dress hung up from an iron hook on the stone wall.

I don’t mind admitting I’ve already thrown up once this morning, and I’m not blaming morning sickness. After all the build up, after having to fight a Faerie and bargain with the Reaper, getting married should be a walk in the park.

It is not.

Not because I don’t want to marry Reavely. I absolutely do. I’ve seen him turn from feral to a leader in such a short time. Having his family back around him has done him so much good. Admittedly, I still like to see his feral side on occasion.

“Penny for them?” Kaitlyn peers around the door. Then she’s through and has her arms around me. “It’s not too late, you know.”

“Too late for what?”

“To back out.”

I pull away from her. She has a grin a mile wide over her face, clearly pulling my leg.

“Have you seen the size of me?” I run my hand over my stomach. “And this is only a month gone.” Bessie has had to add darts to the wedding dress, not that you’d ever notice. “There is no backing out now.”

“Like you ever would. You love Reavely. It’s as plain as the nose on your face,” Kaitlyn says, heading over to the sideboard near the window where the Duegar have set out food when I wasn’t looking.

There’s a soft knock on the door and Lilburn comes in, followed by Gloriana.

“There’s a Bluecap lurking in the vaulting,” Gloriana says with a shudder. “You want me to get rid of him?”

A little spark of magic flutters from her fingers.

“That’s just Linton. He’s a massive creep but he means well,” I respond. “He helped us defeat Lord Soulis.”

“Got to be a first time for everything.” Lilburn shrugs, joining Kaitlyn by the food.

I see Gloriana give it a sidelong glance as she huffs at what’s on offer and places a large shallow square basket on the bed.

“I have a wedding breakfast fit for a queen,” she announces, pulling back the red and white gingham cover.

The scent of fresh baking fills the room. My stomach rumbles. And then the nausea hits.

I make a run for it, down the hall to the bathroom where I lose what’s left of the tiny amount of food left within me.

“Hey,” Kaitlyn says as I lean my forehead against the cool wall. “You okay?”

“I didn’t think I’d be like this today. It’s been coming at me for a long time, but…” I look up at her. “I’m nervous and I don’t know why.”

“I’m sorry about the backing out thing,” she says.

“No you’re not.” I give her a weak smile.

“Well, okay, it was still a good joke. But honestly, I didn’t mean it.”

“And I have no desire to back out of this wedding either. I just wish I could settle my nerves.” I sigh.

“Come on.” Kaitlyn offers me her hand. “Gloriana says she has something which will help.”

“Is it chocolate?”

“Might be.”

“She knows her stuff.”

Kaitlyn smiles and I take her hand. “If you want to go back beyond the veil, I’m sure Reavely can help arrange it.”

“There’s nothing for me there.” She shakes her head sadly. “Nothing I want to go back to anyway. Gloriana has given me a job, and I have a little room above her bakery. It’s not much, but I’m not a prisoner of the Faerie, and that has to be a good thing.”

“I agree. But you know, whatever you need, I’m here for you,” I say.

“And I’m here for you. With chocolate.” Kaitlyn smiles.

We head back to my room. I don’t see Linton, so I wonder if Gloriana has done something to him, although I can’t honestly imagine much bothers the Bluecap.

Lilburn is predictably tucking in to the food Gloriana has brought with her. The witch gives me a good looking at as I enter.

“Sorry,” I say.

“I was exactly the same on all of my wedding days,” she trills.

“All?”

“Gloriana has been married five times.” Kaitlyn hands me what has to be the Yeavering equivalent of a pain au chocolat.

“ Five times?”

“I wear them out.” The witch chuckles. “Not really. Sometimes these things work and sometimes they do not. Yours is one which will work,” she says kindly. “I married all mine on a whim.”

“Is that why you’ve been checking out the unmated Barghest?” Lilburn says.

“I might not have youth on my side,” Gloriana says, lifting her chin, “but I can still look, can’t I?”

“With the Barghest, there’s plenty to look at,” Kaitlyn admits, her cheeks colouring. “They’re not so interested in clothing on the top half, are they?”

“Or the bottom,” Gloriana says happily. “Must be all that turning into were-hounds which means clothing is optional.”

By the time Bessie knocks on the door, my nerves are all but forgotten.

“Before I get you dressed, there’s someone outside who wants to speak with you,” she says, eyeing the basket of baked goods.

“Help yourself before Lilburn eats everything.” I point to the food.

I’m not surprised when I find Reavely in the passage.

He’s wearing clothing which is probably the most formal I’ve ever seen on him.

Tight trousers, naturally, with gold piping down the side of each leg and a pair of long boots which look like they’ve been painted on.

Over a white shirt, he wears a dark jacket with intricate gold braid stitched down the front and on the arms. It fits him snugly, emphasising his broad shoulders and slim waist.

Frankly, he looks like a king.

“I probably should say something about not seeing the bride before the wedding, but I suspect bad luck doesn’t matter in the Yeavering.”

“I wanted to give you something,” Reavely says somberly. “After the wedding.” He twists his hands. “If you don’t mind.”

“I have everything I need.” I take hold of his arms as his eyes trail down my body, pausing at my stomach.

He swiftly captures my mouth, pulling me into a long, deep kiss which makes my toes curl.

“Have my heart, little deer. I wanted to make sure you had it, to carry it with you today of all days,” he says. “Because you don’t belong to me anymore. I belong to you. Now and forever.”