The last of the dressmakers left the large room, and I was alone. I stood before the mirror, and while it was still half a day before the wedding, I was already in ceremonial attire. The dress was a cream colored, form fitting, floor length gown with a high collar and gold embroidery. A gold wreath rested upon my head, and my hair was pulled up perfectly with only a few strands of dangling curls.
The artist would come in soon and finish the painting of my face.
I could smell the feast being prepared for the Sybaris and the humans in attendance.
While most humans were house maidens or workers, some were in good favor and were representatives of the human race, all coming to attend my wedding to Iry.
My stomach fluttered in nervousness. How had I gotten to this point? If I ended up having to marry Iry, then what? He’d made no attempts the night before to seduce me or repeat the kiss, which I was grateful for.
My stomach churned again, and I honestly felt ill. Perhaps I was coming down with something. My face was flushed and I felt weak.
It had to be nerves. Raising my hand to push back a hair from my eye, the wrist jewelry brushed against the scratches on my arms. They hadn’t even healed and still looked fresh. Another sign something was wrong with me.
The only thing that made me smile was Sophie.
The pitter patter of her shoes against the marble floor caught my attention and I knew she was running my way.
My little sister was back.
She had no recollection of the Savage attack or what had happened to our mother.
The door burst open and she flew in. She was wearing a similar dress to mine, only her dress billowed out and her hair had flowers interweaved with in her braids.
“Iry is coming!” She ran to me. “You look like a princess!”
She wrapped her arms around my waist. “I wish Mother could be here and didn’t have to stay behind.”
I looked down at Sophie and rested my hand on her head. I hadn’t told her of our mother’s fate as yet.
“I’m so happy for you, Vala,” Sophie said. ‘I like Iry.”
“Iry likes you too,” Iry said from the doorway. “We are going to have a wonderful life together.”
Sophie giggled and released me.
“Sophie, you need to go practice,” Iry said. “Go on.”
“Alright.” She flashed a smile to me and ran to the door. “I’ll be back!” she said and ran out of the room.
“She doesn’t know,” I said. “She hasn’t asked.”
“It’s not yet time to tell her,” Iry replied. “She will know in due time.”
After a brief pause he said, “You look stunning.”
I bowed my head and blushed. “Thank you. You look very nice as well.”
And he did. Iry wore a cream colored suit with gold trim and buttons, and the collar was raised, similar to mine.
“Aren’t we just the dressed up twins?” he said.
“I know this isn’t something you want to do,” Iry said gently, grabbing my hands. “I promise not to make you do anything you…” his eyes shifted down. “What happened to your wrist?”
“I don’t know. I scratched myself in my sleep.”
Iry lifted my hand. “Odd.”
“Yes.” I pulled the jewelry to cover it. “I just—”
The click of the door caused both Iry and I to look up.
“My King,” Iry said, stepping back from me and bowed. “To what do we owe this honor?”
The king stared at me. “What do you know of a young man named Tanner, Mare?”
“Tanner?” I asked trying to withhold excitement. “He… is a friend from Angeles City. Why?”
“He has arrived in Akana and is en route here.”
“What!” Iry roared.
“Tanner is on his way here? I neither called him, nor did I tell him where I was,” I said in my defense, admittedly scared.
The king held up his hand. “He arrived at the gates looking for you. Savages were attacking our gatekeepers and he and the other man defeated them.”
“He saved the gatekeepers?” Iry asked in shock.
“He asked to speak to Vala. And because he did save the gatekeeper, his wish has been granted. He will be allowed to speak to Vala once he arrives.”
“And then?” I asked. “Am I to go with him?”
The king shot an almost scolding glance at me. “No. You are Intended.” He turned and walked to the door.
I breathed heavily, my chest moving up and down.
“My King,” Iry said, rushing to him.
I stood across the room, truly believing that Iry was trying to talk sense into the king. I could hear their words even as they slipped to the other side of the door.
“What are we going to do with this Tanner?” Iry asked.
“I’ve not decided. Worry about your marriage day.”
“I am,” said Iry. “That is why I am asking.”
Their voices faded too much for me to make out and I turned to face the window and looked out.
So much activity was below me. Sybaris had gathered outside in fancy dresses and suits, awaiting my marriage celebration.
I rested my hand against the pane of glass, staring out. Tanner was on his way. It wasn’t a long journey from Akana to the City of the Ancients. I knew it took shorter than the length of time remaining until I was to marry Iry.
All I could do was stare out that window and beg in my mind, Hurry, Tanner. Get here. Please get here soon.