Page 60 of The Pactbound Angel (The Soul Mirror Duet #1)
Lavender is for Luck
“There, Lady Nathalia. All ready and quite beautiful, I must say.” My older mus fey attendant fluffed my long-sleeved lavender dress then twitched her nose as she scrutinized me from head to toe for any necessary last minute alterations.
While humans typically married in white and elves in gold, fey married in lavender.
I was told the color gave good luck, and I needed all the luck I could get today.
Deep breath.
My heart beat like a drum in my ribcage, and my pulse throbbed in my ears. I can do this. This is what I always wanted. I can do this.
Raewyn’s words suddenly popped into my mind, and I scoffed to myself. Can’t possibly be happy. Of course, I’m happy. This is what happiness looks like.
A clawed hand burrowed into my chest and squeezed everything it could reach.
Isn’t it?
“It’s time,” said the attendant, straightening as the broad mouse-like ears on her head opened fully. “I can hear the music. ”
“Hm? Oh, yes. Of course.” My voice sounded far away. Everything sounded far away.
I stepped down off the pedestal, taking one last look in the mirror at myself. I did look beautiful. My silver hair was curled and plaited, running rivers down my back. A small tiara perched on top of my head glistened in diamonds and gray pearls.
The only problem was my haunted eyes staring back at me.
I looked away and moved toward the door.
“Wait!”
She pushed a bouquet of lavender roses into my hands with a smile. “You can’t forget these!”
The woman opened the door for me, and I floated through, feeling as though my feet were barely touching the ground.
Vaguely registering the hallway to the wide and winding stairs, I startled as, the next thing I knew, I stood before the closed double doors that led to the Great Hall.
Hundreds could fit inside its walls, and every available seat would be filled.
Hundreds I didn’t know.
Important dignitaries, nobles, and the like were invited out of want or obligation by Her Majesty.
I had no say in the guest list, which made sense as I barely knew anyone here.
Tapestries and banners were displayed without my opinion, however the queen said tradition dictated which ones were to be used as this was an eluva match.
Flowers were arranged without my approval, but I wasn’t very familiar with Feylands florals.
Just the ones I saw in the meadows west of the Tanta Desert.
There would be no one to give me away. I wished my mother and father could be here with me.
The queen said she sent a message to Camlynn, through magical means even, but there was no reply.
I wished Raewyn could be here, too. And Ramiren.
Even Georgina and M.A.L.C.O.L.M. Everyone in the Great Hall would be a stranger to me. No family. No friends. I was alone.
I swallowed, my anxiety palpable to the older elven footman standing next to me. He smiled kindly. “Don’t be nervous, my lady. You’ll do well.”
I nodded, bouncing my head quickly in agreement, not trusting myself to speak.
He bowed, then the trumpets sounded from inside the hall. My cue.
He smiled at me again and went to open the doors with his partner on the other side. The heavy doors groaned in protest, and the footmen had to plant their feet in the floor to move them at all.
That was the moment I realized I’d never actually dissolved the new pact. And neither had Ramiren. Why was I thinking of that?
Plastering a pleasant, unbothered smile on my face as the doors opened, the music hit me full in the face.
As did the sheer number of people present.
As expected, the hall was packed to the brim with all sorts, fey and others, and I again wished my parents could be here to see this.
I searched for Ramiren, even though he said he would not attend.
He was nowhere in sight.
For some reason, that made me glad.
I stepped across the marble floor and onto the green carpet runner between the pews of guests and witnesses, heading toward the altar.
My future. Gripping my bouquet like a lifeline, the thorns from the roses bit into my skin and made me focus.
Forward I went, upright and stiff. Some might call it good posture, but composed and rigid were not the same.
I stopped next to Jaylin, who smiled as he gently took my hand. We faced the priest together, with my eyes shifting from Jaylin to the fey priest of Valiset as he began to speak.
“The union of two souls into one is a holy event, symbolizing the meeting of heaven and earth. It is this…”
A buzzing began in my ears, drowning out the priest who was droning on about the religious importance of marriage. Normally, I would be interested in his words, but my stomach lurched.
“...Love and fidelity, being the cornerstones of marriage…”
Sweat began to bead at my temples and above my upper lip. My breathing increased.
“...forsaking the embrace of all others…”
Panic. Pure panic clutched at me. My heartbeat was pounding in my ears. Breathing became difficult as the boulder pressed down.
“...Do you, Jaylin Torik Lorenaskan, Prince of Wistran, Duke of Kopi…”
What the fuck are you doing?
“...swear to love and cherish your wife for all of your days…”
Wake up, Nathalia. Wake up. Wake up.
A wild thought occurred to me. Maybe this is an illusion. Is the mischief hag still alive?
My eyes darted around for any tells that it was an illusion, but there was nothing.
“...guide her, protect her, and honor her…”
Oh gods, this is real. I’m getting married. To him.
“And do you, Nathalia Maxliana Swordhand, Lady of Camlynn and Protector Initiate…”
My inner voice turned soft, familiar… and masculine. “Please don’t.”
“...help him, submit to him, and honor him…”
The boulder evaporated from my chest, and the sudden relief made my next word come out as a gasp, “Stop.”