Chapter 41

Chapter 41: To The Aisle

Skye and Peggy were quickly walking down the hallway towards her room. Her mind was chaotic as the conversation with her father played over in her head. He had answered almost none of her questions, but some how she was still happy. It was odd to her, but the day itself was probably affecting her.

The incident with Jacob, the interactions with her parents, and now she was finally going to be married to Tidas. It’d been a long time coming, but something still nagged at her: where was Jacob taken? To be honest, she’d been shocked that Tidas hadn’t killed him on the spot. If she’d known he’d be taken away, Skye probably would’ve just drowned him then. Saving everyone the trouble of dealing with him..

Tidas and Lucas were very grateful she’d spared him, however. Without Jacob as leverage, Lord Fowler would’ve never been willing to turn over his private books. They contained the names of all the people he’d dealt with over the years. As well as a complete and detailed list of who was sold, and where they’d come from. It was everything the prince needed to finally break the last of the underground slave markets he’d spent years fighting.

When Maevis had left with Lidia, she’d asked the poor woman many questions: including why Jacob was still alive. She’d explained to the old Fae the truth of it all; at least everything she knew about their war on the slavers. Once that topic was covered, Skye’s mother had gone grim when they’d started talking about Skye’s magic.

Maevis recalled the look Lidia had gotten when Skye had revealed her powers; it’d been one of heartbreak. She didn’t think the sadness she saw now was due to Skye’s attempted act of murder. She thought it was Skye Using magic, that had upset her so. When the old fairy had asked directly, Lidia’s reaction confirmed her suspicions. But wouldn’t speak on the entirety of the matter until Skye’d left for her honeymoon.

Maevis was already waiting for the two women when they’d come through Skye’s bedroom door. She was surprised to see Mae there, busy rebuilding her wall. She thought the old Fae would’ve simply taken a seat after she’d helped with damage and rumor control. When Skye had asked why she was still with her mother, Maevis laughed out loud before explaining.

“Your mother had a hell of a time getting everyone to calm down once they saw me. I explained that I was a Diplomat traveling with Prince Tidas and my dear friend, the bride, to the Capital to meet King Magnus. But that just seemed to whip them up even more,” Maevis said mischievously.

.....

“Are ye sure yer not a Sprite or a Brownie? Ye sure seem to like yer pranks,” Skye said in sarcastic fun.

“I’m a Pixie, by the way.. All Fae have a wee bit of mischievousness in them. Pixies and sprites are both the ‘classical’ fairy type. The ones most often seen in your fairytales. So we’re all just labeled as fairies. To be fair, we simply call all of you ‘humans’, but..” Maevis’ expression turned melancholy as she continued.

“Humans can be quite narrow-minded... Many other types are labeled as monsters or beast men, but they all be Fae. Although some Fae can be harmful in their pranks, so be careful if you ever meet other types,” Maevis’ tone was serious as she warned Skye.

The old fairy had just finished repairing Skye’s wall. Everything was finished except for the glass. Her wedding dress was laid out on her bed with the shoes and hose next to it. Maevis waved her arms slightly, bringing the glass into place. She fluttered her wings faster, adding more of her magic to the shards. The cracks slowly disappeared; resembling ice melting to make clear water. The process had amazed Skye, and she questioned exactly what it was that she’d done.

Maevis chuckled lightly before explaining: “It’s hard to describe... I made the bits that make up the glass, speed up. This brought them close to a melted state; allowing the binding of the elements to be cemented. It might look a little wonky in some spots, but it’ll do until you can have it properly fixed.”

“Where did ye learn somethin’ like that?” Skye’s expression showed her surprise at the level of complexity required just for fixing a window.

“Oh, mostly from books. The Royal Library has the largest collection of ancient tomes in the kingdom. Not as big as the Sai Republic Public Works Library, but close.. Some of the books have the chemical breakdowns of the natural elements. As well as formulas for combining them into new materials; even some unnatural elements. It amazes me, the knowledge humans once possessed... I wonder what happened to destroy it all, you know? What could’ve caused the Great Shift?” Maevis pondered as she fluttered over to Skye to help with her dress.

“I’ve never heard of such books before,” the lass added as she’d begun to undress.

“That’s because they’re only available to registered magic users.. Keep in mind, dearie; this was a hundred of year ago. I don’t even know if the royals still allow them to be viewed. I would assume so, but there’s no way to tell until we get there,” Maevis had grabbed Skye’s wedding dress and had been holding it for the lass as they’d spoken.

“Earth elementals are normally limited in either the amount they can wield, or by a specific element restriction. But you’re like me; your connection to the Source is stronger than most. Therefore negating any restrictions that might’ve been placed on you,” Maevis had spoken before she’d thought it all through.

“The Source? What’s that? I’ve never heard it referenced before.. Do ye mean like, the source of all magic?” Skye’s excitement over completely new information on magic was childlike.

Maevis had screwed up. ‘The Source’ was a reference found in the legend. And most books that contained information on the ‘source of all magic’, referred to the legend for context, or specific content pertaining to it. Maevis felt her panic rise, but was saved by Peggy.

“Ack! Ye can talk later! Yer gonna be late to yer own wedding! And this time, ye have no leeway,” Peggy hollered.

Skye gave a nervous smile as she complied with Peggy. Maevis would have to thank the servant later for the save. Peggy had noticed her hesitation to speak, and it was passed the time that Skye should’ve started getting ready. The two fixed her curls, and helped her into her dress. Once she was laced, Lidia came into the room.

She had a small, long box usually meant for necklaces in her hand. She smiled at Skye with misty eyes. Wearing the same dress Sorcha had worn when she’d married Lucas; Skye looked so much like her mother. Before she had died, they often chatted about such future events like weddings for their daughters. It pained her to think of how excited her friend would’ve been for her daughter’s wedding, whom she loved so much..

Lidia shook the sad thoughts from her mind. Skye was her daughter now, and knew how angry Sorcha would be if she failed their daughter today. She also felt like she owed it to her best friend to put aside her own pain, and make their daughter feel just how much she was loved on her special day.

Extending her arms with the box in her hand, Lidia said; “You are the most beautiful bride there has ever been,” and pulled her daughter into a hug.

Skye went stiff at first, surprised by the gesture. Her mother hadn’t done it since she was a child. Skye only hesitated for a second before she embraced her mother back. She’d just decided with her father that she would work on her relationship with her parents. The rare hug from her mother was like a sign to her that she’d made the right choice.

A discussion with her mother would have to wait, however. As soon as Lidia presented the box to Skye, she saw the handwriting on the top. Instantly recognizing it; she’d ripped open the box to find pieces to a necklace. A large moonstone sat in the middle with three plain silk choker straps. One was white, one was black, and one was the same shade of blue as Skye’s wedding dress.

“Ohhhh... They look like the ones Mei would often wear! And the moonstone is gorgeous! He did so well! The stitching is excellent!” Lidia gushed over the silk choker straps.

“Who are they from?” Maevis had asked; curious as to Skye’s level of excitement.

“That’d be the chicken scratch of Genie: Skye’s teacher. He’s quite dear to our lass, as Ima sure ye know,” Peggy replied, recalling that Skye had discussed much of herself with the wee fairy.

Maevis was quite aware of who the man was but still asked; “Did he know of Skye’s dress or is this a common color she wears?”

“No, that one is from me.. Genie taught me to make it before he’d left. Do you like it? I know the stitching isn’t perfect like Genie’s, but the stone should cover-” Lidia was cut off by Skye with a bear hug.

Skye sniffled, trying not to cry for the hundredth time of the day. Her eyes were still a little swollen from her discussion with her father. If she cried now, there was no way she’d be able to walk down the aisle. Pulling back from her mother, Skye simply said: “It’s perfect..”

Lidia smiled warmly at her daughter before Peggy said; “Tis very sweet, but ye best put one on and move yer arse! I can hear the musicians warming up!”

The hallway was lit by the early evening sun. It gave off a soft, warm glow that came in through the windows. The atmosphere was so different compared to her first wedding march down the hall. The morning light had been blinding, and the air had been slightly chilled. Now it had a warmth to it not typical of the season. She could hear the violinist checking their bows; ‘Probably checking to make sure they have enough rosin on the bowstrings’.

It was an odd thing to think of, but Skye’d suddenly found herself very anxious. Not scared nervous, but excited. After the reception, Tidas would be all hers for the weekend. They would be married, and no longer need to worry about dishonoring each other, or anyone else.

They turned into the waiting room, and headed for the main entrance doors to the banquet hall. Butterflies filled her stomach as the guards to the banquet doors came into view. She’d used the side entrance in the first wedding. But the banquet hall had been moved around slightly to accommodate the new decorations. Or rather, the original ones Tidas and her had picked years ago.

Peggy and Lidia each squeezed her hands as Maevis fluttered around in front of her. They’d felt and heard her nervousness, and had wanted to reassure her. Skye felt calm almost instantly when she looked at the three. She could feel their love and assurances, and smiled warmly at them in return.

“We must go in now.. I love you, Skye,” Lidia was fighting the tears back as her voice cracked, and she hugged her daughter.

After pulling away; Lidia handed her daughter a beautiful, colorful bouquet that Peggy had just passed to her. When Skye looked to her servant in a questioning manner, Peggy understood and nodded to her mother. Indicating that Lidia had been the one responsible for making it.

“Thank you, mother... I love you, too,” Skye’s reply was strained as she tried to keep her tears at bay as she hugged her mother again.

“We best be goin’, me lady. The music is starting,” Peggy was as weepy as her lady had been as she’d spoken to Lidia.

“I’ll be around outside, looking in from the skylights. All the attention should be on the bride, not me,” Maevis stated as she hovered next to Skye.

“Ack! I don’t care about that! I want you there, in the room,” Skye practically yelled.

“I prefer it, child. That’s a lot of humans in a small space.. I’ll be in for the reception, so don’t worry. It’s just for the ceremony,” Maevis consoled the bride with a smile.

“Alright... Thank you, Maevis. For all ye have done for me,” Skye’s smile was soft and warm was she spoke.

Not wanting to start crying herself; Maevis nodded and smiled at the beautiful bride, then flew out the nearest window. Aside from the two guards, Skye was alone as she stood in front of the doors to the banquet hall. Her nerves sparked and twinged, but she calmed herself by remembering who awaited her on the other side.

Skye took a deep, determined breath, and smoothed out a nonexistent wrinkle from her dress. She then gripped her bouquet and smiled at the two guards. The guards grinned at her familiar action and manners in response. As the music cued them to open the doors, Skye nodded to the men, and walked through the doorway into the bright light of the banquet hall..