The devious flash in Fiera's deep burgundy eyes had Odette instantly on guard. Although her face was set in a serious expression, Odette knew better than to fall for it. She pretended she wasn't suspicious as Fiera walked over.
Fiera and Odette had become best friends about two months prior to this meeting. Through a series of unpredictable events, Fiera had ended up saving Odette's life when they first met, told Odette of her past, trained Odette to be a Guardian, a mystical band of warriors who resided in Elmswell, and helped Odette defeat Sabian, the most dangerous demon known to earth.
So, yes, Odette knew when Fiera was up to something. But with Fiera being as unpredictable as the events described, Odette was never quite sure what that something was.
"Something wrong, Fiera?" she asked just as smoothly as she could.
Fiera's face maintained its serious composure and her voice was hard and solemn, all while her eyes were dancing with mischief. "Well, yes. There's a problem that only you can handle."
"I thought you could handle anything."
"I was wrong."
"What's the problem?"
"I should warn you," Fiera cautioned. "This won't be easy to see, and you'll probably walk away feeling very different."
"I think I can manage," Odette replied easily, her mouth breaking into a smile.
"Well, there is an important event that will happen in about a week, and you, Derek, Angel, and I must be in attendance. It's long in coming, and there have been delays to prevent its arrival. But now, it can and will happen, Odette. There is no stopping it now, as it's all been planned out. I myself am a little nervous about it."
"What is it?"
"My wedding."
They both broke into peels of laughter. When they had first met, Fiera's wedding to Angel was in two days; however, it was postponed due to Odette's return and Sabian's attacks. Fiera and Angel had been good humored about it, but Odette had always felt a little guilty, despite being told repeatedly that she was not at fault.
"Of course I'll go," Odette said when she could finally stop laughing. "I owe it to you."
"For the thousandth time Odette," Fiera groaned, humorously exasperated, "it wasn't your fault that the original wedding was postponed."
"Yes, but you did save my life – twice, in fact. I owe you for that, don't I?"
"No, of course not. I was doing my job the first time."
"And the second time?"
"I was helping out my best friend. I knew you didn't finally find your mother just to die only a few hours after you met her."
"True," Odette agreed. "So, what are weddings here like, anyway?"
"They're a lot different from what yours probably was. It's hard to explain, but you'll see. They're short, but the reception is always fun."
"And more fun for you, since you'll be the bride."
"I know," Fiera agreed, although her smile was shifty and nervous. "Angel can hardly wait."
"I'll bet. He seemed a little disappointed that the first one was postponed."
"He was, but Angel has an innate ability to get over things really fast. It didn't bother him for long."
"And you? Are you ready?" Odette asked, knowing that even she was nervous about her wedding. It wasn't because she didn't think she and Derek belonged together. It mostly felt strange that they had hated each other all their lives and they only just figured out that the childish annoyance was love in another form. And even after Derek rescued her from Rothbart, she wondered what would happen if there were more enemies from her father's past. She'd heard from Bromley how badly Derek was hurt, and she knew, no matter how thankful she was, she did not want it to happen again.
"Yeah, I think so," Fiera answered. "I mean, we didn't just walk through hell and back to not pursue our dreams. You know what I mean?
"Yes. I see your point."
"So, I'm nervous, but that doesn't mean I'm not ready. It means…"
"That you're human?" Odette offered.
"Yeah, or at least some part of me is." Fiera smiled. "But even if I am nervous, it's not going to stop me."
"Glad to hear it."
"Well, you and Derek were in the same position, weren't you?" Fiera asked. Odette had told her everything about Rothbart, Clavius, Zelda, and the Forbidden Arts.
"Yes, we were. Strange coincidence, isn't it?"
"Yeah. Just wondering, did you ever tell your mother what happened?" Fiera inquired.
"I'd had the chance, but I didn't."
"Why? It seems like she'd want to know."
"Well, it was the night of the victory ball, and we were all so happy. I didn't really want to spoil it."
"I understand. And I don't blame you. It'd be pretty unnerving hearing about it when you were trapped as a statue for more than twenty years."
Odette nodded in agreement. "She told me she was conscious for the entire time."
"Wow. That'd be a pretty miserable existence."
"I don't know what I'd do."
"Could you imagine being separated from Derek for that long? If it had been Angel and me in that situation, I think I'd lose my mind!"
"Yes, but it's over now, and I'm glad for that."
"I'm glad for you," Fiera said. "I don't know what I'd do without my mother. I'd be a lot different, that's for sure."
"I wonder if Leda will come," Odette said michievously. Fiera half grinned.
"I don't see why not. It's not like she was banished or anything like that."
"You made your point clear."
Just then, a maid walked through the door. "Captain Fiera, your dress fitting is today."
"Thank you for reminding me!" Fiera exclaimed. "I totally forgot!" she groaned as she took off. "Oh, and Odette, can you do me a favor?" she called as she left.
"Of course," Odette replied.
"Give your mother an invitation!"
XxX
The ceremony took place in the ballroom, which was the first of many differences between Fiera and Angel's wedding and Odette and Derek's wedding to come. Everyone in attendance stood tall, staring at the double doors that opened for ball attendees to enter. They were waiting on both Fiera and Angel.
Odette was told they were to enter together, which was symbolic of starting their journey together. They would walk together to the end of the room, where the moon and starlight would shine down on them as the minister could perform the ceremony. Everything was symbolic and meant a lot to the Guardians, meaning while she was to enjoy the ceremony and be happy for her friend, Odette also had a lot to learn about wedding protocol for Guardians.
Derek, Odette, and Cassandra, Odette's mother and the former queen of the Guardians, waited more anxiously than anyone. After everything Fiera and Angel had done for their family, they were the ones who were most excited that the two were finally going to be happy together. They stood closest to the minister, who waited at the end of the room for the bride and groom.
Before the crowd could become too restless, Fiera and Angel appeared at the doors, their arms linked. Fiera was wearing a white dress with long sleeves that hugged her slender arms. The dress accented her gorgeous frame. Even her hair was done up, with little perfectly curled ringlets falling just in front of her ears. She looked radiant.
Angel was a contrast, dressed in all black save for his golden buckled belt and clasp for his cape. His face was like a Greek statue, strong, but still handsome. He was smiled deeply, an expression that reached his soul and shined in his icy blue eyes.
They walked down the center of the audience, looking more at each other than the people, not allowing themselves to be distracted. They reached the minister, who surprised Odette by not having any speech written down.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, my dearest fellow Guardians, people of Elmswell, and all titles that go with these, we are here today to see a deep, profound love be set and stone and recognized by Guardian, man, and even demon, for this young lady is all three at once. Fiera Bivar has done many a great thing for this city and its people. She has fought and defended her comrades, and because of this, and after much thought, I have decided that her symbol be this."
From a man who stood by him with a black box, the minister took a long golden necklace, attached to it a heart with two swords crossed over it.
"It is the hero's heart, and it belongs to Angel, who has held it in more forms than this necklace."
Angel inclined his head as he minister ceremoniously put the necklace around Angel's neck. Angel smiled the moment he stood up. The minister reached into the box again and pulled out another necklace, this one a pair of golden wings.
"To be taken under someone's wing means to be protected and guided by that person. Angel has acted on his namesake almost since the day he was born. He too has served the city and its people in ways that cannot be described. But more important to him is the love of Fiera, which has given him flight more than his own wings."
The minister looped the necklace around Fiera's neck. She was blushing when she stood up, but smiling gently. The minister turned the two to face the crowd.
"Join hands and show them that your love is binding, that you will never be separated and that time, death, demons, man, or even Guardian can overcome the love between you!"
Fiera and Angel faced the rest of the Guardians, smiling proudly, holding their clasped hands up in the air, almost as if they were daring anyone to challenge their new happiness.
As Fiera had promised, the reception was long and as much fun as the victory ball had been after they defeated Sabian. There was dancing and laughter all around. Everyone was so happy. Odette and Derek had as much fun as Fiera and Angel.
And then it was over. As the guests bid them good bye and good luck, Fiera and Angel seemed more and more excited to be alone. They too left, on their way to Angel's family home, which, like Fiera's mother's house, was just outside the city. Angel's family didn't lie in Elmswell, so he and Fiera would have the house to themselves.
So, with Fiera in Angel's arms, they flew off, leaving Derek and Odette with nothing to do but go up to their own room.
"I'm glad they were finally able to get married," Derek said on the way up.
"So am I," Odette agreed. "I bet it seemed like they'd been waiting forever."
"You still feel guilty about it getting put off, don't you?" Derek asked, smiling.
"Yes," Odette admitted.
Derek wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her in answer. She responded by entwining his hair in her fingers as she reached up his back. The kiss felt like it lasted forever, and they were trapped in their own happiness. Finally, they absolutely needed air, and they broke it off. Derek smiled at Odette.
"Don't feel guilty. They're just glad to be together, as I'm glad to be with you."
Odette smiled back at Derek. Ever since Sabian was beaten, things had been so much better for her. She and her mother had been reunited, she now had a home that didn't feel so haunting, she was close to her best friend, and Derek was happy too.
She walked up stairs, changed, and fell asleep with these peaceful thoughts in her mind.
