A Fairy-Tail Marriage

Chapter 5

Mariah was a born diplomat, and with the help of several fairies and werewolves, she had managed to pull together a dinner that would satisfy any creature who had come for the wedding. Of course, fairies and werewolves had been in attendance, as well as the Gorgon Theno and one of her sisters, some elves from a neighboring kingdom, a kingdom which were allies to both the fairies and the werewolves, and a handful of centaurs, who had always remained neutral.

The food, it had been agreed upon, had been provided mostly by the fairies, and the werewolves had supplied the beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Several tables had been magicked by the fairies to the clearing where they had chosen to hold the reception and were laden with so much food and drink an army could have eaten for days. More tables were tastefully decorated with flowers and vines that grew in the area.

Mariah walked around, making last minute adjustments here and there to make sure it was perfect for her daughter. She had watched her new son-in-law’s face when Althea had stepped out and walked down the aisle. He might not love her now, but he was certainly attracted to her. She hadn’t been able to see Althea’s face, but something Theno had said had shocked the couple. They’d frozen, looked at each other, then at Theno.

She stepped over to Theno. “You performed a lovely ceremony, Theno. Thank you.”

“You are most welcome. What is truly on your mind, Mariah?” Theno asked as she watched the guests file in and select seats while they waited for the happy couple to arrive.

Mariah chuckled and looked down. “What did you say to Althea and Braxton before you began the ceremony?”

Theno’s slow smile altered her face; her haggard appearance became more comely, though not quite lovely. “I told them the truth.”

Mariah sighed. Asking Theno what she’d said had been a lost cause, but she’d had to try. Maybe Althea would tell her. The curiosity would drive her mad. She excused herself and walked to the table where a group of fairies were decorating the cake, a lovely combination of earth tones and sunset colors to represent both Althea’s heritage and Braxton’s.

“Beautiful work, ladies,” Mariah complimented. She turned to survey the growing crowd, pleased that the fairies, werewolves, and other creatures seemed to be mingling rather than keeping to their own kind.

*****

With Cala’s help, Althea shed the wedding gown for a more comfortable dress. She’d chosen a bright pink dress with a diaphanous layer of white tulle over it. Her eyes kept drifting to the gold band with vines engraved into it on her left ring finger. She was silent, lost in her thoughts, and Cala did not interrupt her musings. When Althea was silent, it was best to leave her alone.

“Need anything else?” Cala asked.

“No, thank you,” Althea murmured in response as she checked her hair in a mirror. “Thanks for helping me.”

“Is Braxton coming to retrieve you, or are you meeting him?” Cala asked as she finished hanging up the wedding gown she hoped her friend’s daughter would wear someday.

“Retrieve me? Am I his pet?” Althea’s tone was harsh, ugly. Cala looked at her and waited. Althea dropped her eyes. “I’m sorry, that was rude.”

“Yes, but I understand.” Cala took her friend’s hand between hers. “It’s a tradition for the bride and groom to walk in to the reception together. All species adhere to that one.”

Althea chuckled mirthlessly. “Yeah, that’s one thing we have in common. That tradition.”

“I’m sure you’ll find more in common the more you get to know him,” Cala assured her. “It will take time, but I think you’ll grow to like him.”

“Oh really? What makes you think that?” Althea asked, her skepticism plain in her voice.

Cala shook her head. “You’re so pessimistic. When did that happen?” Althea stared at her best friend blandly, and Cala chuckled. “I think you’ll like him because he’s a decent man, I’ve heard he’s intelligent, and he’s so gorgeous I want to lick him!”

 Surprised by her friend’s raunchy statement, Althea’s laugh exploded out of her. “I can’t believe you said that about my new husband!”

“Girl, if you don’t want to lick him, I’ll question your preferences!” Cala exclaimed, and the pair doubled over in laughter.

A knock sounded on the door. Althea wiped her tears of laughter and answered the door. Braxton stood on the other side holding a gift box exquisitely wrapped in gold paper. His smile vanished when he saw her tears.

“Is everything all right?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.

Althea straightened and wiped her cheeks. Her smile had also disappeared. “Everything is fine. We were laughing.”

Cala looked from one to the other, the tension between them so thick she couldn’t breathe. “Well, I’ll just leave you two alone.”

Braxton smiled at her. “I’m Braxton.”

Cala stopped and smiled back. “I’m Cala, Althea’s best friend.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Braxton replied. He glanced at Althea, who watched the exchange without comment. “I look forward to getting to know you.”

Although the statement was in response to Cala’s introduction of herself, he was clearly speaking to Althea. She looked at him, her eyes narrowed a little. She offered him a small smile and nodded.

Cala watched the awkward exchange, a small smile on her face as well. Everything will be just fine, she thought to herself. “Please excuse me.” She walked out of the room and closed the door behind her, hoping the couple would use the opportunity to find a way to ease the tension between them.

Braxton and Althea stood in the room, their eyes on anything but each other. Neither of them knew what to say, so neither spoke. They were the oddest married couple.

“You looked beautiful today,” Braxton told her. “You still do. Look beautiful, I mean.”

Althea smiled at him. “Thank you. You look handsome, then and now.”

“So,” Braxton said. He rocked back on his heels. He remembered the gift in his hand and extended it to her. “I asked a friend to bring this from the castle for you. I hope you like it.”

Althea looked at the box for a moment before taking it. “I didn’t get you anything.”

“You aren’t supposed to get me something. A girl’s wedding day is her day. The groom just shows up and does what he’s told,” he joked. She looked at him but didn’t smile. He sighed. “I know this isn’t what you imagined your wedding would be. Same here.”

“Yes, this isn’t what I imagined, but it wasn’t awful, either,” Althea agreed, still holding the present she had yet to unwrap.

Braxton chuckled. “Not awful. That’s a good start.” Althea laughed with him. “Open your gift. Please.”

Althea ripped the paper off and let it fall to the floor. She opened the box and gasped. A pendant on a silver chain lay in the box, waiting for her to lift it out and make it hers. The moonstone pendant shone, its blue and pearl colors beautiful iridescent and eye catching.