On a day full of pale cherry blossoms, Tessa looked down at herself. The white silk complimented her, she supposed, but she found herself oddly uncomfortable on what should be the happiest day of her life. The discomfort didn't stem from the tight rigid clothes, although she would rather be wearing something simple clothes, but from a nagging feeling in the back of her head that insisted something was wrong.
"Are you alright?" Behind her, Sophie stood. She held Tessa's veil in well-worked hands. While the scar across her face was still livid, a smile still shone through. Tessa returned the smile, noting as she always did the delicacy of the engagement ring Sophie now wore.
Noticing Tessa's gaze on her ring, Sophie blushed. "You're to be married today. And…Gideon and I…well, you and I will both be married to Shadowhunters even if we aren't."
Tessa nodded. "But you're going to Ascend, aren't you?"
Sophie looked shocked. "Of course! I mean, the Council wouldn't allow us if—" She stopped guiltily, looking at Tessa's face. Clearly, Tessa couldn't Ascend. Warlocks couldn't, and that was what Tessa was.
Unlike most warlocks, however, Tessa had grown up human, and was still very much so. Until she had been captured by Ms. Dark and Ms. Black, she had no idea that she was anything but normal. Now that she knew she wasn't, Tessa's view of the world had shifted.
Everywhere she looked, things that had appeared ordinary now were chock-full of mystery and magic. Who knew that the world was so complex and full of the unknown?
Attempting to sound lighthearted, Tessa said, "I hope you…I hope you and Gideon find joy."
Sophie smiled appreciatively for a moment, then exclaimed, "What are we doing! Yammering on about me when it's your wedding day!"
Tessa smiled as well. Sophie handed her the veil. Tessa looked in the mirror as Sophie wrangled the lace onto her curled hair. She had been so certain before everything happened. Not certain of her future or her goals in life; who was certain of those, really? But certain in at least the recognition of her own face.
Now, everything that had been solid before for Tessa had disappeared.