Chapter 45: Hanging by a Moment
Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy.
DPOV
I heaved a sigh of frustration and I allowed Ivan to help me finish dressing. I'd been working double time with a highly specialized team of doctors and physical therapists and trainers in order to be able to stand as I spoke my wedding vows to Rose today, but even after all of my efforts, I was shaky on my feet at best. I could stand for thirty to forty-five second intervals, but couldn't fully support my weight well enough to make it through an entire ceremony. It was discouraging, but Rose and I had a long talk last night and she chided me for pushing myself so hard. She said she understood why I wanted to stand next to her, but said that she'd be just as happy if we both sat facing each other to say our vows.
"Dude, stop worrying. You've always been pretty," he said pinching my cheek.
"Stop," I said pushing him away. I didn't need a bruise on my cheek in addition to being captive to this dread chair.
"You're really going to do this huh?" he asked stepping away to fix his own bow tie. I was wearing my Russian military uniform which was customary and the rest of my groomsmen would be in tuxedos with red vests to match their bridesmaids.
"You doubted it? You know I have to be married before the coronation."
"That's true, it's just odd that you'll be married," he said. "It won't be the same at our guys nights without you man."
"I'm pretty sure Rose isn't going to keep me locked up," I chuckled.
"You're probably right. She's a real catch that one. You're a lucky man," he said sounding wistful scowling at his reflection in the mirror.
"That I am. Roza is the most amazing woman I've ever known. Don't worry. You're quite the catch yourself. You'll find someone just as wonderful," I assured him.
"Eh, you know me. I've never been one to settle down," he said with a cocky smirk. I knew he was putting on an act. I had a feeling the reason he left Chicago so suddenly was because of a woman. His mother was ill, but not ill enough to require his immediate and devoted attention for eight months. Things must have gone sour though because he hadn't been quite himself since I'd returned to Russia. I'd tried on several occasions to get him to open up about it, but he'd insisted there wasn't a girl so I'd dropped it.
"You ready?" he asked.
I nodded. I had been ready to marry Rose since Christmas. I checked my pocket making sure I had the ring and my vows. I had offered her the choice of traditional vows or writing our own. She said it would mean more if we wrote them ourselves and I was planning to surprise her. I had written mine in Turkish especially for her. I knew my mother would be slightly annoyed, but since the press weren't invited, it wouldn't matter.
He wheeled me out of the house to the waiting car. It would take us to St. Basils where the ceremony was taking place. The reception would be held in one of the grand ballrooms at the palace for safety reasons, but I wanted us to be married in the church I'd grown up attending. After the religious ceremony a civil servant would come to the palace to marry us legally as per the law privately with only immediate family before cocktail hour.
We had stayed at the house last night after Lissa had whisked Rose out of the house early yesterday morning stating that the rule was that the bride and groom were not permitted to see each other for twenty-four hours before the ceremony. Rose tried to put up a fuss, but it was futile as Lissa had their entire day planned out including a spa day and a mini bachelorette party.
Ivan and the guys had brought over a few bottles of my favorite vodka and we'd played cards and drank while teasing me about being an old married man. It was nice to spend one last night socializing with my friends.
We arrived at the church a half an hour prior to the start of the ceremony and I couldn't help the flutter of excitement that stirred within me. I couldn't wait to see Roza in her wedding dress. After tonight she would be mine and mine only for the rest of eternity and I couldn't wait to call her my wife.
We discussed our options for a honeymoon and decided that it would be best to honeymoon at home for a few weeks in our new house. She didn't want to risk being spotted in public and I was much too conspicuous now that I was in this stupid chair. We also thought it best not to disrupt my physical therapy. I would of course take her anywhere she pleased after all of this was over. She insisted though that being alone with me uninterrupted in our house would be good enough so I left strict orders for my mother and sisters and friends to leave us be for two whole weeks.
"Dimka!" I heard Vika calling me as soon as we entered through the private entrance. The street was of course flooded with traffic and people hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal wedding. Security was higher than ever and I was sure that things would run smoothly.
She was waving her arms at me like a lunatic and I chuckled at her enthusiasm.
"You look beautiful Sestra," I greeted her as she nearly accosted me on the alter.
"Thanks. You look handsome too." She kissed my cheek.
"Why aren't you with Rose?" I asked.
"She asked for some private time with her father before the ceremony," she said pointing to the back of the church where the rest of the bridal party was congregated minus Rose and Lissa.
"I'm glad. I hope she's asking him to walk her down the aisle," I said.
"How is she?" I asked.
"She's fine Dimka. Don't worry so much," she chastised clucking her tongue at me.
"Okay, so this might not work, but I thought about it and what if instead of sitting during your vows you use these?" she asked holding out two dark colored crutch like objects.
"What are they?" I asked.
"They're wooden crutches, only they don't look tacky. Mason and Dr. Olendsky helped me make them," she said.
"Do you think they will work?" she asked hopefully.
"One way to find out," I said holding my hand out so she could help me stand.
"These are fantastic," I told her. I was able to balance my arms on them so they held most of my weight and I still had my hands free. They weren't conspicuous either and one would have to look very closely to tell I was being supported by them. It would give the illusion that I was standing.
"They are custom made exactly for you," she said. "It's your wedding gift," she beamed.
"You're the best. You know that," I told her.
"Go put them on the alter and I will be up there in a few."
I'd just seen Abe looking quite happy walking from the direction of the bridal suite and I wanted to sneak in there and see Roza. Tradition be damned. It had killed me not to be with her last night and this morning. I just wanted to pop my head in for a quick kiss before we said "I do".
The bridesmaids were lined up looking around anxiously awaiting their cue. Lissa of course was probably with Rose, but even if she pitched a fit, I wanted to see her anyways. The guests had begun to arrive and I greeted several familiar faces as I made my way to the bridal suite which was quite a long trek when having to wheel oneself at a snail's pace. It was secluded on purpose to give the bride privacy from the guests. I'd gotten side tracked speaking with guest and I knew I only had a few minutes until the ceremony started, but I was determined to see her one last time before she walked down that aisle.
As I made my way down the long hallways I thought I caught a glimpse of someone rapidly heading the other direction having just exited the suite. The person was tall and dressed in black and I couldn't quite make out who it was from this far away and in such dim lighting.
"Roza," I knocked on the door in hopes that she would let me in.
There was no answer. "Roza?" I questioned knocking harder this time. Still there was no answer.
I heard a faint scraping noise and what sounded like a vase crashing to the ground.
My heart began to race as my hand closed around the doorknob. It was locked.
"What the hell?" I wondered aloud. "Why would she lock the door?"
A second crash made my apprehension even worse. I tried to see if anyone was in the hallway to help me kick the door open, but it was empty and quiet. I heard the beginning notes to canon in D begin to play and I knew the bridesmaids would be starting down the aisle any minute and Abe would be waiting for Rose at the back of the church. Where the hell was Lissa and why wasn't Rose answering the door? I cursed myself for leaving my cell phone with Ivan.
It took a few tries, but I managed to pick the lock with the pin from my boutonnière.
"Roza," I called pushing the door open wide.
My heart leapt into my throat at the sight before me. It looked like someone had ransacked the room and there were definite signs of a struggle. There was broken glass from two shattered vases amongst flowers strewn all over the wet carpet and a chair was tipped on its side. Lissa was lying on the floor passed out with a champagne glass still clutched in her hand, but the most horrifying sight of all was when my eyes settled on Rose. Her eyes were closed and she swayed slightly as she hung in her wedding dress, a noose around her neck, from the fan on the ceiling.
Okay okay, please stop cursing and throwing things at your computer. Any clue as to why Rose hung herself? What do you think happened to Lissa? Who was running down the hallway? Is Rose dead? The next chapter will be posted as soon as I hear what you think so make it good and so will I=)
