Page 19 of Wolfsbane

“Perfect.”

THIRTEEN

HESPER

Hours feltlike mere minutes as I had spent the entire night and day creating a gown. Dr. Altair had visited me last night after hearing of our news, bringing me all sorts of materials required to sew my own dress, a request I had mentioned to Morel. He presented me stacks of fabrics and materials, lace and silks, needles and threads of every color. I could tell he was rather excited by our engagement, scuttling about to ensure I had everything I needed. Before he left, he stopped, pausing as he glanced around the room. When I asked if he was alright, he simply smiled, stating that Morel’s room was even more beautiful with me in it. When I questioned him on the odd statement, he explained that the very room I had been staying in was in fact Morel’s prior to my arrival. He had it finished overnight just for me and took to sharing a room with Orion. Before I could respond, the old man bowed his goodbyes, addressing me as his queen. I had tried to stop him, explaining that I was Queen of Hellbore, not Grisset, but he refused to hear me out, beaming as he stated that Morel’s mother would be proud to know his son had finally found love, the one thing she had always wanted for him.

As the sunstarted to set, I began to prepare myself, dressing in the handmade wedding dress and fixing my hair. I had spent hours ensuring perfection, a gentle wave of fear and anxiousness filling my veins as I wondered if Morel would be there, waiting for me under the moon. It felt like a dream, the fairytale I had always wished for. I never wanted to grow up and find a handsome prince and live happily ever after. No, I never wanted a prince. I wanted a warrior. Someone who could match my own strength and ride alongside me in battle. And Morel was just that.

A gentle knock at my door told me it was time.

My eyes gazed at my reflection in the full-length mirror, admiring every detail of the dress I made, the lavender silk and lace straps hanging loosely around my elbows, the material pulled tight around my torso as it flowed freely down to the floor. It was an elegant yet freeing gown, the lavender reminding me of wolfsbane flowers growing around the room. My hair was curled and loosely pinned partially back, encrusted with star accents and diamond pins, the contrasting sparkle resembling the night sky upon my head. I had tucked the crystal necklace Morel had given me in my hands, the leather strap wrapped around my wrist as I clutched it close, the glow beaming through my fingers.

“Please, let this be real.” Another knock on my door told me it was time to leave. “Coming,” I called out as I approached the door, inhaling before opening it. Standing on the other side was Orion, dressed in a formal black tunic lined with silver metallicaccents, a long, black velvet cloak in his hands. He cleaned up rather well, smiling as he took in the sight of me.

“Are you ready, my queen?” he asked, handing me the cloak. I gracefully took it, draping it around my dress as I lifted the hood.

“Orion, I have told you, I may be marrying Morel, but I am not your queen.” He tsked, adjusting my hood as to avoid the material catching on my hair accessories.

“Say what you like, but you have been Grisset’s queen since the moment you stepped foot on our lands.” He stopped, ensuring I was fully concealed. “And it is an honor to call you my queen.” Orion bowed, offering his arm as he began to escort me from the castle.

My stomach began to twist and flutter as we walked down the castle steps into the woods.

“Will he be there?” I asked, filled with a rushing wave of nerves and anxiety.

“He would rather die than leave you at the altar, my queen.”

The night skyhad churned into a mix of dark purples and blues, the stars shining brighter than ever before as we approached the ivy curtain that led to the garden of death caps. I had been tending to them in my free time since my arrival, helping them grow and overtake the surrounding land. Considering this is where Morel and I first met, it seemed only fitting to be married in such a beautiful place. Orion stopped, taking the cloak from my body. The cold air and light snowkissed my bare skin, heightening my nerves as I breathed heavily, fogging the air around me.

In just a few moments, I would be Morel’s wife. It felt unreal, my heart pounding, as if trying to escape my chest and run to his on the other side of the ivy. It had never longed for someone the way it did for him. There was no doubt in my mind that I loved Morel, and soon, we would be together forever, our souls finally united.

“It’s time,” Orion spoke softly, lifting the ivy for me to pass through.

Inhaling one last time, I stepped through the garden entrance, gasping as I spied Morel just ahead, standing beneath a small wooden arbor covered in wolfsbane, their lavender popping against the cool blue hue of the garden. It was beautiful and perfect, almost reminding me of home.

Morel was speaking to Dr. Altair, dressed in a formal black tunic with black velvet filigree and silver trim and accents. His hair was partially tied atop his head, looking like the son of the moon himself, his hair burning blue as his amber irises caught sight of me. I nearly melted, seeing him there. His eyes widened, his smile dropping as he froze. I began to panic, an internal fear pulling me down as I tried to register his face.

Oh, no. He’s regretting this, he doesn’t want to marry me. Oh gods, I have?—

Morel’s face softened as he smiled larger than ever before, his eyes glistening as he seemed to fight back tears. His obvious glee was the push I needed, filling my bones with such confidence as my shoulders relaxed and body eased. Orion stepped to my side, clearing his throat as he offered me his arm. Accepting, I inhaled one last time before stepping down the tiny snow-covered walkway surrounded by hundreds of blue fluorescent mushrooms, staring at Morel as he stood there, beaming.

As my foot moved forward, the snow began to thicken, covering us in a magical wintery scene, creating a snowy veil along my midnight hair as the death caps glowed beneath the moonlight, the trail of my dress dragging behind. Orion continued to walk me down the aisle-like trail, my heart beating hard as the world fell silent, my eyes focused only on Morel as he watched me. It felt as though the heavens had opened up, highlighting him with their light as he stood there, waiting to devote his life to me. I had thought true love was a myth, only existing in fairytales, and yet here I was, drowning in its bliss. My parents might not be here with us physically, but I could feel their presence surrounding me as I neared the end of the aisle, guiding me to the very man they told me to seek out. Deep down, I wondered if they knew what future lay before me, as if, somehow, they knew the goddess would bring us together; Hellbore and Grisset, united as one. The king of darkness and his queen, a daughter of the night. How fitting.

My hand squeezed the crystal close as we stopped beneath the arbor, the petals of the wolfsbane dangling in the air above us, their sweet smell filling the night air. Closing my eyes, I inhaled softly, enjoying their smell, feeling truly at home. Orion bowed to us both, stepping back as he smiled, just as happy about what was occurring as we were. I turned back to Morel, consuming the sight of him.

“How did you do all of this?” I asked gently. He smiled, stepping closer.

“I spent all night building the arbor, but I knew how much you loved your wolfsbane. So, I gathered as many as I could and brought them here, just for you. Formywolfsbane.” His hand gently brushed a snowflake from my cheek.

“But their scent?”

Morel looked up, snow falling all around us as he inhaled.

“I did the same as you, slowly introducing my body to their scenet little by little until I could withstand its toxic aroma.” His eyes fell back to me. “A fitting wedding present, is it not? To be able to say your vows beneath your kingdom's flowers in the garden of mine?” I couldn’t control my emotions, smiling enthusiastically as Dr. Altair cleared his throat.

“Are we ready?” He seemed just as happy as the rest of us, dressed in formal robes. Morel nodded, taking my hands as he felt the crystal within my grasp. I glanced down, opening my palm as it glowed in the moonlight, brighter than ever before.

“Allow me.” Morel took the necklace, carefully placing it around my neck, his fingertips grazing my exposed skin, causing it to prickle at his surprising warmth. “You look beautiful, my queen. A vision in the night, challenging the moon goddess herself.”

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