Page 89 of Wolf's Bane
Wolfsbane, a common decoration for good luck. How fitting.
A knock sounded at the door. “The coach is waiting.” Godwin entered, dressed in a finely tailored outfit of dove gray. Other than the waistcoat, it matched Luis’ outfit.
“You look beautiful,” he said, sounding a bit dazed. “Just like your mama. I don’t think I’ve told you, but you and Luis are both made in her image. It’s like Amalie never left me.”
Solenne resisted the urge to fuss with her hair. “Thank you, Papa.”
Silence stretched awkwardly between them.
“Luis, give us a moment,” Godwin said, fussing with the cloak draped over his arm. When the door shut behind Luis, he said, “You really do look like your mother.”
“The coach is waiting,” she prompted, because the moment felt sticky, like it would trap her.
“Right, right. It’s raining, and I thought you’d need something to wear.” He presented the cloak with a flourish, rich blue velvet the color of twilight. Crystal beads decorated the edge of the hood and around the clasp.
The weight of the cloak settled over her, warm like an embrace. Godwin raised the hood and fastened the clasp. The length was ideal, stopping mid-calf. She ran a hand over the fabric, appreciating how it was made for her and wondering how her father afforded such a thing.
“Your mother wore this on our wedding day,” Godwin said. Her eyes watered. Godwin cleared his throat, looking everywhere but at her. “I wish you wouldn’t leave. I need you here, I’ll always need you here, but I understand that you must go. I wanted you to know that you’ll always have a place here, you and Alek.”
Solenne threw her arms around her father, fully crying now and not caring if her dress wrinkled. “Oh, Papa, thank you.”
Aleksandar
Boxon
The Chapel
Gravel crunchedunderfoot as Alek paced. He tugged at the cravat around his throat, somehow making it tighter. He hated how constrained he felt in his new suit, like the coat had been cut for a slimmer man. If he raised his arms, he felt the seams would rip.
He did not need a fancy ceremony with special clothes that seemed designed for discomfort. He only needed Solenne.
The clock in the village square struck noon.
Things happened, and he could not say how.
The coach arrived. He stood at the altar, awkward next to Chambers.
Solenne entered the chapel like the sun.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The golden thread between them hummed and sang, and he was lost in the joy of it until only snapping out of his reverie when prompted to kiss the bride.
His bride.
Chapter 23
Solenne
Boxon
Vervain Hall
Married.
Solenne couldn’t stop smiling or holding Alek’s hand. Not that she wanted to. She wanted to remain in this moment, blissful with the demands of the world at bay.
Well, not at this exact moment. She would very much like to skip ahead to the evening portion when she’d be alone with her husband.
