ELSA'S POV

The wedding flowed into the reception party smoothly—proof of Alice's flawless planning. It was just Twilight over the river; the ceremony had lasted exactly the right amount of time, allowing the sun to set behind the trees. The lights in the trees glimmered as Elsa led me through the glass back doors, making the white flowers glow. There were another ten thousand flowers out here, serving as a fragrant, airy tent over the dance floor set up on the grass under two of the ancient cedars.

Things slowed down, relaxed as the mellow August evening surrounded us. The little crowd spread out under the soft shine of the twinkle lights, and we were greeted again by the friends we'd just embraced. There was time to talk now, to laugh.

"Congrats, guys," Olaf Clearwater told us, ducking his head under the edge of a flower garland. His mother, Sue, was tight by his side, eyeing the guests with wary intensity. Her face was thin and fierce, an expression that was accented by her short, severe hairstyle; it was as short as her both her sons—I wondered if she'd cut it the same way in a show of solidarity. Billy Black, on Seth's other side, was not as tense as Sue.

When I looked at Honeymaren's father, I always felt like I was seeing two people rather than just one. There was the old man in the wheelchair with the lined face and the white smile that everyone else saw. And then there was the direct descendant of a long line of powerful, magical chieftains, cloaked in the authority he'd been born with. Though the magic had—in the absence of a catalyst—skipped his generation, Billy was still a part of the power and the legend. It flowed straight through him. It flowed to his son, the heir to the magic, who had turned his back on it. That left Kristoff Uley to act as the chief of legends and magic now…

Billy seemed oddly at ease considering the company and the event—his black eyes sparkled like he'd just gotten some good news. I was impressed by his composure. This wedding must have seemed a very bad thing, the worst thing that could happen to his best friend's daughter, in Billy's eyes.

I knew it wasn't easy for him to restrain his feelings, considering the challenge this event foreshadowed to the ancient treaty between the Cullens and the Quileutes—the treaty that prohibited the Cullens from ever creating another vampire. The wolves knew a breach might come one day, but the Cullens had no idea how they would react. Before the alliance, it would have meant an immediate attack. A war. But now that they knew each other better, would there be forgiveness instead?

As if in response to that thought, Olaf leaned toward Anna, arms extended. Anna returned the hug with her free arm.

I saw Sue shudder delicately.

"It's good to see things work out for you, Elsa," Olaf said. "I'm happy for you."

"Thank you, Olaf. That means a lot to me." Anna pulled away from Olaf and looked at Sue and Billy. "Thank you, as well. For letting Olaf come. For supporting Anna today."

"You're welcome," Billy said in his deep, gravelly voice, and I was surprised at the optimism in his tone. Perhaps a stronger truce was on the horizon.

A bit of a line was forming, so Olaf waved goodbye and wheeled Billy toward the food. Sue kept on hand on each of them.

Angela and Ben were the next to claim us.

"Elsa, it was so beautiful," Angela was still crying softly. "Congratulations."

Ben bobbed his head in agreement.

Angela's parents followed, then Makayla and Jeremy—who were, to my surprise, holding hands. I hadn't heard they were together again. That was a nice surprise.

"Oh my god, Winters," Jeremy hugged me tightly, "I can't believe it!"

"Me either." I laughed softly.

"Once you guys are all settled, you'll have to come visit me in California, okay?"

"Okay, Jeremy."

Makayla awkwardly held out a hand, "Congrats, Elsa."

"Thank you, Makayla."

Jeremy grinned and began pulling makayla away, "We're going to get some food." He smiled, "Elsa," he looked at me pointedly, "I can'twaitto hear all about the honeymoon!"

My eyes darted to Anna, outwardly she managed to keep her expression even, but I could see the hard line of her lips as she saw the exact meaning of what Jeremy was implying in his mind. I began giggling.

Behind my human friends, were my new cousins-in-law, the Denali vampire clan. I realized I had stopped giggling and was holding my breath as the vampire in front—Taras, I assumed from the strawberry tint in his blond curls—reached out to embrace Elsa. Next to him, three other vampires with golden eyes stared at me with open curiosity. One woman had long, pale blond hair, straight as corn silk. The other two women beside her were both black-haired, with a hint of an olive tone to their chalky complexions.

And they were all four so beautiful that it made my stomach flutter.

Taras was still holding Anna.

"Ah, Anna," he said. "I've missed you."

Anna chuckled and deftly maneuvered out of the hug, placing her hand lightly on Taras' shoulder and stepping back, as if to get a better look at him. "It's been too long, Taras, you look well."

"So do you."

"Let me introduce you to my wife." It was the first time Anna had said the word since it was officially true; she seemed like she would explode with satisfaction saying it now. The Denalis all laughed lightly in respons. "Taras, this is my Elsa."

Taras was every bit as handsome as my worst nightmares had predicted. He eyed me with a look that was much more speculative than it was resigned, and then reached out to take my hand.

"Welcome to the family, Elsa." He smiled, a little rueful. "We consider ourselves Frederic's extended family, and I am sorry about the, er, recent incident when we did not behave as such. We should have met you sooner. Can you forgive us?"

"Of course," I said breathlessly. "It's so nice to meet you."

"The Cullens are all evened up in numbers now. Perhaps it will be our turn next, eh, Kate?" He grinned at the blonde.

"Keep the dream alive," Kate said with a roll of her golden eyes. She took my hand from Taras' and squeezed it gently. "Welcome, Elsa."

One of the dark-haired women put her hand on top of Kate's. "I'm Elena, this is Carmen. We're all so very pleased to finally meet you."

"M-me, too," I stuttered.

Taras glanced at the people waiting behind him—David's deputy, Mark, and his wife. Their eyes were huge as they took in the Denali clan.

"We'll get to know each other later. We'll have lots of time, I'm sure!" Taras grinned as he and his family moved on.

As many of the standard traditions as we could manage were kept. I was blinded by flashbulbs for the posed wedding photos, then more blinding flashes from cameras and cell phones as we held the knife over a spectacular cake—too grand, I thought, for our relatively intimate group of friends and family, a decent number of whom wouldn't even be eating it. We took turns shoving cake in each other's faces; Anna manfully swallowed her portion as I watched in disbelief. Alice fretted just behind me at every crump and drop of frosting that threatened to fall on our dresses.

And when the music started, Anna pulled me into her arms for the customary first dance; I went willingly, despite my fear of dancing—especially dancing in front of an audience—just happy to be with her. She did all the work, and I twirled effortlessly under the glow of a canopy of lights and the bright flashes from the cameras.

"Enjoying the party, Mrs. Cullen?" she whispered in my ear.

I laughed. "That will take a while to get used to."

"We have a while," she reminded me, her voice exultant, and she leaned down to kiss me while we danced. Cameras clicked feverishly.

The music changed, and the mothers approached us on the dance floor.

Iduna knew better than to expect me to dance well, so we moved safely from side to side in a tiny square formation. Anna and Arianna spun around us like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

"Oh, Elsa, I'm just so happy for you, honey." She cried as we danced.

"Thanks, Mom." I smiled.

"You'll come visit us in Jacksonville, right?" She sniffled.

"Of course we will." I laughed.

As the music wound down, I spotted Agnarr off to the side of the dance floor, shifted his weight from his heels to his toes. I ambled over to him and stood at his side. After a moment he sighed.

"I'm going to miss you at home, Elsa. I'm already lonely."

I spoke through a tight throat, trying to make a joke of it. "I feel just horrible, leaving you to cook for yourself—it's practically criminal negligence. You could arrest me."

He grinned. "I suppose I'll survive the food. Just call me whenever you can."

"I promise."

I didn't have much time to talk, I was pulled back to the dance floor immediately. It seemed like I danced with everyone. Angela, Jeremy, Alice, literally everyone took a turn. After what seemed like forever, I was happy for Anna to finally cut in, just half a minute after a new dance started.

"Still not that found of Makayla, eh?" I commented as Anna whirled me away from her.

"Not when I have to listen to her thoughts. She's lucky I didn't kick her out. Or worse."

"Yeah, right."

"Have you had a chance to look at yourself?"

"Um. No, I guess not. Why?"

"Then I suppose you don't realize how utterly, heart-breakingly beautiful you are tonight. I'm not surprised Makayla's having difficulty with improper thoughts about a married woman. I am disappointed that Alice didn't make sure you were forced to look in a mirror."

"You are very biased, you know."

She sighed and then paused and turned me around to face the house. The wall of glass reflected the party back like a long mirror. Anna pointed to a couple in the mirror directly across from us.

"Biased, am I?"

I caught just a glimpse of Anna's reflection—a perfect duplicate of her perfect face—with a besutiful red-haired woman at her side. Her skin was ivory and smooth, her blue eyes were huge with excitement and framed with thick lashes. Her full curls were pushed back from the contrasting angles of her face. The white dress with the shimmering silver embroidery seemed to sparkle in the lights, cut so skillfully that her body looked elegant and graceful—while it was motionless, at least.

Before I could blink and make the beautiful young woman turn back into me, Anna suddenly stiffened and turned automatically in the other direction, as if someone had called her name.

"Oh!" She said. Her browed furrowed for an instant and then smoothed out just as quickly.

Suddenly, she was smiling a brilliant smile.

"What is it?" I asked.

"A surprise wedding gift."

"Huh?"

She didn't answer; she just started dancing again, spinning me the opposite way we'd been headed before, away from the lights and then into the deep swath of night that ringed the luminous dance floor.

She didn't pause until we reached the dark side of one of the huge cedars. Then Anna looked straight into the blackest shadow.

"Thank you," Anna said to the darkness. "This is very... kind of you."

"Kind is my middle name," a husky familiar voice answered from the black night. "Can I cut in?"

I staggered backwards, and if Anna hadn't been holding me I might have collapsed.

"Honeymaren " I choked as soon as I could breathe. "Honeymaren!"

"Hey there, babe."

I stumbled toward the sound of her voice. Anna kept her grip under my elbow until another set of strong hands caught me in the darkness. The heat from Honeymaren's skin burned right through the fabric of my dress as she pulled me close. she made no effort to dance; she just hugged me while I buried my face in her chest. He leaned down to press her cheek to the top of my head.

"Alice won't forgive me if she doesn't get her official turn on the dance floor," Anna murmured, and I knew she was leaving us, giving me a gift of her own—this moment with Honeymaren.

"Oh, Honeymaren." I was crying now; I couldn't get the words out clearly. "Thank you."

"Stop crying, Lesa. You'll ruin your dress. It's just me."

"Just? Oh, Honeymaren! Everything is perfect now."

she chuckled. "Yeah—the party can start. The best man finally made it."

"Now everyone I love is here."

I felt his lips brush my hair. "Sorry I'm late, babe."

"I'm just so happy you came!"

"That was the idea."

I glanced toward the guests, but I couldn't see through the dancers to the spot where I'd last seen Honeymaren's father. I didn't know if he'd stayed. "Does Billy know you're here?" As soon as I asked, I knew that he must have—it was the only way to explain his uplifted expression before.

"I'm sure Kristoff told him. I'll go see him when… when the party's over."

"He'll be so glad you're home."

Honeymaren pulled back a little bit and straightened up. She left one hand on the small of my back and grabbed my right hand with the other. she cradled our hands to her chest; I could feel her heart beat under my palm, and I guessed that she hadn't placed my hand there accidentally.

"I don't know if I get more than just this one dance," she said, and he began pulling me around in a slow circle that didn't match the tempo of the music coming from behind us. "I'd better make the best of it."

We moved to the rhythm of her heart under my hand.

"I'm glad I came," Honeymaren said quietly after a moment. "I didn't think I would be. But it's good to see you... one more time. Not as sad as I'd thought it would be."

"I don't want you to feel sad."

"I know that. And I didn't come tonight to make you feel guilty."

"No—it makes me very happy that you came. It's the best gift you could have given me."

She laughed. "That's good, because I didn't have time to stop for a real present."

My eyes were adjusting, and I could see his face now, higher up than I expected. Was it possible that she was still growing? Shw had to be closer to seven feet than to six. It was a relief to see her familiar features again after all this time—her deep-set eyes shadowed under her thick black brows, her high cheekbones, his full lips stretched over her bright teeth in the sarcastic smile that matched her tone. Her eyes were tight around the edges—careful; I could see that he was being very careful tonight. She was doing all she could to make me happy, to not slip and show how much this cost her

I'd never done anything good enough to deserve a friend like Honeymaren. "When did you decide to come back?"

"Consciously or subconsciously?" she took a deep breath before she answered his own question. "I don't really know. I guess I've been wandering back this direction for a while, and maybe it's because I was headed here. But it wasn't until this morning that I really started running. I didn't know if I could make it." she laughed. "You wouldn't believe how weird this feels—walking around on two legs again. And clothes! And then it's more bizarre becauseit feels weird. I didn't expect that. I'm out of practice with the whole human thing."

We revolved steadily.

"It would have been a shame to miss seeing you like this, though. That's worth the trip right there. You look unbelievable, Elsa. So beautiful."

"Alice invested a lot of time in me today. The dark helps, too."

"It's not so dark for me, you know."

"Right." Werewolf senses. It was easy to forget all the things she could do, he seemed so human. Especially right now.

"You cut your hair," I noted.

"Yeah. Easier, you know. Thought I'd better take advantage of the hands."

"It looks good," I lied.

she snorted. "Right. I did it myself, with rusty kitchen shears." she grinned widely. "I see you haven't cut yours." she observed, catching a long curl between two fingers for a moment, before returning his hand to the small of my back.

"Alice wouldn't let me."

she sighed after a moment, and her expression turned serious. "Are you happy, Elsa?"

"Yes."

"Okay." I felt her shoulders shrug. "That's the main thing, I guess."

"How are you, Honeymaren? Really?"

"I'm fine, Elsa, really. You don't need to worry about me anymore. You can stop bugging Olaf."

"I'm not just bugging him because of you. Ilike Olaf."

"He's a good kid. Better company than some. I tell you, if I could get rid of the voices

in my head, being a wolf would be about perfect."

I laughed at the way it sounded. "Yeah, I can't get mine to shut up, either."

"In your case, that would mean you're insane. Of course, I already knew that you were insane," she teased.

"Thanks."

"Insanity is probably easier than sharing a pack mind. Crazy people's voices don't send babysitters to watch them."

"Huh?"

"Sam's out there. And some of the others. Just in case, you know."

"In case of what?"

"In case I can't keep it together, something like that. In case I decide to trash the party." she flashed a quick smile at what was probably an appealing thought to him. "But I'm not here to ruin your wedding, Anna. I'm here to…" He trailed off.

"To make it perfect."

"That's a tall order."

"Good thing you're so tall."

she groaned at my bad joke and then sighed. "I'm just here to be your friend. Your best friend, one last time."

"Kristoff should give you more credit."

"Well, maybe I'm being oversensitive. Maybe they'd be here anyway, to keep an eye on Olaf. There are alot of vampires here. Olaf doesn't take that as seriously as he should."

"Olaf knows that he's not in any danger. He understands the Cullens better than Kristoff does."

"Sure, sure," Honeymaren said, making peace before it could turn into a fight.

It was strange to have her being the diplomat.

"Sorry about those voices," I said. "Wish I could make it better." In so many ways.

"It's not that bad. I'm just whining a little."

"You're... happy?"

"Close enough. But enough about me. You're the star today." She chuckled. "I bet you're just loving that. Center of attention."

"Yeah. Can't get enough attention."

She laughed and then stared over my head. With pursed lips, she studied the shimmering glow of the reception party, the graceful whirl of the dancers, the fluttering petals falling from the garlands; I looked with her. It all seemed very distant form this black, quiet space. Almost like watching the white flurries swirling inside a snow globe.

"I'll give them this much," she said. "They know how to throw a party."

"Alice is an unstoppable force of nature."

she sighed. "Song's over. Do you think I get another one? Or is that asking too much?"

I tightened my hand around her. "You can have as many dances as you want."

she laughed. "That would be interesting. I think I'd better stick with two, though. Don't want to start talk."

We turned in another circle.

"You'd think I'd be used to telling you goodbye by now," she murmured.

I tried to swallow the lump in my throat, but I couldn't force it down.

Honeymaren looked at me and frowned. she wiped his fingers across my cheek, catching the tears there.

"You're not supposed to be the one crying, Elsa."

"Everyone cries at weddings," I said thickly.

"This is what you want, right?"

"Right."

"Then smile."

I tried. ahe laughed at my grimace.

"I'm going to try to remember you like this. Like…"

"Like what?"

She clenched her teeth. ahe was struggling with herself—with the decision to make her presence here a gift and not a judgment. I waited patiently for his answer.

"This is how I'll see you in my head. Pink cheeks. Heartbeat. Two left feet. All of that."

I deliberately stomped on her foot as hard as I could.

she smiled. "That's my girl."

She started to say something else and then snapped her mouth closed. Struggling again, teeth gritted against the words she didn't want to say.

My relationship with Honeymaren used to be so easy. Natural as breathing. But since Anna had come back into my life, it was a constant strain. Because—in Honeymaren's eyes—by choosing Anna, I was choosing a fate that was worse than death, or at least equivalent to it.

"What is it, Honeymaren? Just tell me. You can tell me anything."

"I—I... I don't have anything to tell you."

"Oh please. Spit it out."

"It's true. It's not... it's—it's a question. It's something I want you to tell me." "Ask me."

She struggled for another minute and then exhaled. "I shouldn't. It doesn't matter. I'm just morbidly curious."

I stared at him for a moment, not understanding, then I put it together.

"Oh! Oh, Honeymaren," I sighed. "Are you asking… when?"

she averted his eyes, trying to hide his frown.

"Well, you'll be pleased to know that I have no plans for that anytime soon."

she blinked at me a few times. "Oh," he said, trying to downplay his relief. "Oh."

A new song started playing, but he didn't notice the change this time.

"But it is going to happen?" she whispered.

"I don't know, Honeymaren." I shook my head. "I made the decision to stay human. I don't know for how long, but for now, that's the course I'm on."

she seemed comforted by this.

"Besides," I continued, "I definitely wouldn't want it to happen now. Last thing I want to do is spend my honeymoon writhing in pain."

"You'd rather spending it how? Playing checkers? Ha ha."

"Very funny."

"Kidding, Elsa." She smirked. "Well, anyway, I'm glad." she was quiet for a moment before she spoke again. "So what are you going to do for the honeymoon? Is she taking you somewhere expensive and over the top?"

"I don't know yet," I answered truthfully. "But I'm excited for it."

"I guess," she shrugged, "but it's really more like a vacation than a real honeymoon, isn't it?"

I stared at her curiously. "It'll be as much a real honeymoon as anyone's, Honeymaren."

shw stopped our circle abruptly. For a moment, I wondered if she'd finally noticed the music change, and I scrambled in my head to figure out what I had said that had upset her.

And then her eyes bulged wide with a strange kind of confused horror.

"What?" she gasped. "What did you say?"

"About what…?" Honeymaren asked? What's wrong?"

"What do you mean? A real honeymoon as anyone's? You're not thinking you're going to… I mean, you're not planning on… While you're still human? Are you kidding? That's a sick joke, Elsa!"

I stared at her slightly open. "Honeymaren, why are you getting upset? It's really not your business, anyway. I shouldn't have… we shouldn't even be talking about this. It's private—"

Her enormous hands gripped the top of my arms.

"Maren, calm down!"

Her eyes bored into mine.

"Elsa! Have you lost your mind? You can't be serious! Tell me you're joking?"

Her grip tightened, and I could feel his hands quivering, sending vibrations deep into my bones.

"Honeymaren—stop!"

The darkness was suddenly very crowded.

"Take your hands off her!" Anna's voice was cold as ice, sharp as razors.

Behind Honeymaren, there was a low snarl from the black night, and then another, overlapping the first.

"Honeymaren, Girl, back away," I heard Olaf Clearwater urge. "You're losing it."

Honeymaren seemed frozen as she was, her horrified eyes wide and staring.

"You'll hurt her," Olaf whispered. "Let her go."

"Now!" Anna snarled.

Honeymaren's hands dropped to her sides, and I felt unsteady suddenly being released from her vice-like grip. Before I could fall, cold hands replaced the hot ones, and the air was suddenly whooshing past me.

I blinked, and I was a half dozen feet away from where I'd been standing. Anna was tensed in front of me. There were two enormous wolves braced between her and Honeymaren, but they did not seem aggressive to me. More like they were trying to prevent the fight.

And Olaf—gangly, fifteen-year-old Olaf—had his long arms around Honeymaren's shaking body, and he was tugging her away. If Honeymaren phased with Olaf so close…

"C'mon, Honeymaren. Let's go."

"I'll kill you," Honeymaren said, her voice so choked with rage that it was low as a whisper. Her eyes, focused on Anna, burned with fury. "I'll kill you myself! I'll do it now!" she shuddered convulsively.

The biggest wolf, the black one, growled sharply.

"Olaf, get out of the way," Anna hissed.

Olaf tugged on Honeymaren again. But Honeymaren didn't budge. "Don't do it, Honeymaren. Walk away. C'mon."

Honeymaren's eyes were still locked on Anna, her body still vibrating.

"Honeymaren," I could barely manage more than a whisper, "Please."

Honeymaren's eyes refocused on me, and her expression shifted minutely. As our eyes locked, the rage slightly subsided, and I could see pain. Deep, unrelenting pain.

Olaf took the opportunity to yank Honeymaren a few feet further back.

Kristoff—the bigger wolf, the black one—joined Olaf then. He put his massive head against Honeymaren's chest and shoved.

The three of them—Olaf towing, Honeymaren trembling, Kristoff pushing—disappeared swiftly into the darkness.

The other wolf stared after them. I wasn't sure, in the weak light, about the color of his fur—chocolate brown, maybe? Was it Quil, then?

"I'm sorry," I whispered to the wolf.

"It's all right now, Elsa," Anna murmured.

The wolf looked at Anan. Her gaze was not friendly. Anna gave her one cold nod. The wolf huffed and then turned to follow the others, vanishing as they had.

"All right," Anna said to herself, and then she looked at me. "Let's get back."

"But Honeymaren—"

"Kristoff has her in hand. She's gone."

"Anna, I'm sorry. It was my fault—"

"You did nothing wrong—"

"I have such a big mouth! Why would I… I shouldn't have said anything."

"Don't worry, love." She touched my face. "We need to get back to the reception before someone notices our absence."

I shook my head, trying to reorient myself. Before someone noticed? Had anyone missed that?

Then, as I thought about it, I realized the confrontation that had seemed so catastrophic to me had, in reality, been very quiet and short here in the shadows.

"Give me two seconds," I pleaded.

My insides were chaotic with panic and grief, but that didn't matter—only the outside mattered right now. Putting on a good show was something I knew I had to master.

"My Dress?"

"You look fine. Not a hair out of place."

I took two deep breaths. "Okay. Let's go."

She put her arms around me and led me back to the light. When we passed under the twinkle lights, she spun me gently onto the dance floor. We melted in with the other dancers as if our dance had never been interrupted.

I glanced around at the guests, but no one seemed shocked or frightened. Only the very palest faces there showed any signs of stress, and they hid it well. Jasper and Cassandra were on the edge of the floor, close together, and I guessed that they had been nearby during the confrontation.

"Are you—"

"I'm fine," I promised. "I can't believe I did that. What's wrong with me?"

"Nothing is wrong with you."

I'd been so glad to see Honeymaren's here. I knew the sacrifice it had taken her. And then I'd ruined it, turned her gift into a disaster. I felt awful.

But I refused to let anything else tonight be spoiled. I would put this away, shove it in a drawer and lock it up to deal with later. There would be plenty of time to beat myself up for this, and nothing I could do now would help.

"It's over," I said. "Let's not think of it again tonight."

I expected a quick agreement from Anna, but she was silent.

"Anna?"

She closed her eyes and touched her forehead to mine. "Honeymaren is right," she whispered. "What am I thinking?"

"shw is not." I tried to keep my face smooth for the watching crowd of friends. "Honeymaren is way too prejudiced to see anything clearly."

She mumbled something low that sounded almost like "should let him kill me for even thinking…"

"Stop it," I said fiercely. I grabbed her face in my hands and waited until she opened her eyes. "You and me. That's the only thing that matters. The only thing you're allowed to think about now. Do you hear me?"

"Yes, mam," she sighed.

"Forget Honeymaren came." I could do that. I would do that. "For me. Promise that you'll let this go."

She stared into my eyes for a moment before answering. "I promise."

"Thank you. Anna, I'm not afraid."

"I am," she whispered.

"Don't be." I took deep breath and smiled. "By the way, I love you."

She smiled just a little in return. "That's why we're here."

"You're monopolizing the bride," Cassandra said, coming up behind Anna's shoulder. "Let me dance with my little sister. This could be my last chance to make her blush." she laughed loudly, as unaffected as she usually was by any serious atmosphere.

It turned out there were actually lots of people I hadn't danced with yet, and that gave me a chance to truly compose and resolve myself. When Anna claimed me again, I found that the Honeymaren-drawer was shut nice and tight. As she wrapped her arms around me, I was able to unearth my earlier sense of joy, my certainty that everything in my life was in the right place tonight. I smiled and laid my head against her chest. Her arms tightened.

"I could get used to this," I said.

"Don't tell me you've gotten over your dancing issues?"

"Dancing isn't so bad—with you. But I was thinking more of this,"—and I pressed myself to her even tighter—"of never having to let you go."

"Never," she promised, and she leaned down to kiss me.

It was a serious kind of kiss—intense, slow but building...

I'd pretty much forgotten where I was when I heard Alice call, "Elsa! It's time!"

I felt a passing flicker of irritation with my new sister for the interruption.

Anna ignored her; her lips were hard against mine, more urgent than before. My heart broke into a sprint and my arms were locked around her marble neck.

"Do you want to miss your plane?" Alice demanded, right next to me now. "I'm sure you'll have a lovely honeymoon camped out in the airport waiting for another flight."

Anna turned her face slightly to murmur, "Go away, Alice," and then pressed her lips to mine again.

"Elsa, do you want to wear that Dress on the airplane?" she demanded.

I wasn't really paying much attention. At the moment, I simply didn't care.

Alice growled quietly. "I'll tell her where you're taking her, Anna. So help me, I will."

She froze. Then she lifted her face from mine and glared at her favorite sister. "You're awfully small to be so hugely irritating."

"I didn't pick out the perfect going-away outfit to have it wasted," she snapped back, taking my hand. "Come with me, Elsa."

I tugged against her hold, stretching up on my toes to kiss her one more time. She jerked my arm impatiently, hauling me away from her. There were a few chuckles from the watching guests. I gave up then and let her lead me into the empty house.

She looked annoyed.

"Sorry, Alice," I apologized.

"I don't blame you, Elsa." She sighed. "I blame Anna for getting you so worked up."

I giggled at her martyred expression, and she scowled.

"Thank you, Alice. It was the most perfect wedding anyone ever had," I told her earnestly. "Everything was exactly right. You're the best, smartest, most talented sister in the whole world."

That thawed her out; she smiled a huge smile. "I'm glad you liked it."

Iduna and Arianna followed us up the stairs. They all waited while I changed out of my dress into the deep blue going-away ensemble Alice had picked out for me. My mother handed me my phone as I opened the door, tears streaming down her face.

"I'll call you when I know where I'm going," I promised as I hugged her goodbye. I knew the honeymoon secret was probably driving her crazy; my mother hated secrets, unless she was in on them.

"I'll tell you as soon as she's safely away," Alice outdid me, smirking at my wounded expression. How unfair, for me to be the last to know.

"You have to visit me and Phil very, very soon. It's your turn to go south—see the sun for once," Iduna said.

"It didn't rain today," I reminded her.

"A miracle."

"Everything's ready," Alice said. "Your suitcases are in the car—Jasper's bringing it around." She pulled me back toward the stairs with Iduna following, still halfway embracing me.

"I love you, Mom," I whispered as we descended. "I'm so glad you have Phil. Take care of each other."

"I love you, too, Elsa, honey."

"Goodbye, Mom. I love you," I said again, my throat thick.

Anna was waiting at the bottom of the stairs. I took her outstretched hand but leaned away, scanning the little crowd that was waiting to see us off.

"Dad?" I asked, my eyes searching.

"Over here," Anna murmured. She pulled me through the guests; they made a pathway for us. We found Agnarr leaning awkwardly against the wall behind everyone else, looking a little like he was hiding. The red rims around her eyes explained why.

"Oh, Dad!"

I hugged him tightly, tears streaming again—I was crying so much tonight. He patted my back.

"There, now. You don't want to miss your plane."

It was hard to talk about love with Agnarr—we were so much alike, always reverting to trivial things to avoid embarrassing emotional displays. But this was no time for being self-conscious.

"I love you forever, Elsa," I told him. "Don't forget that."

"You, too, kiddo. Always have, always will."

We embraced one more time.

"Call me," he said.

"Soon," I promised.

"Go on, then," he said gruffly. "Don't want to be late."

The guests made another aisle for us. Anna pulled me close to her side as we made our escape.

"Are you ready?" she asked.

"I am," I smiled.

Everyone applauded when Anna kissed me on the doorstep. Then she rushed me to the car as the rice storm began. Most of it went wide, but someone, probably Cassandra, threw with uncanny precision, and I caught a lot of the ricochets off Anna's back.

The car was decorated with more flowers that trailed in streamers along its length, and long gossamer ribbons that were tied to a dozen shoes—designer shoes that looked brand-new—dangling behind the bumper.

Anna shielded me from the rice while I climbed in, and then she was in and we were speeding away as I waved out the window and called "I love you" to the porch, where my families waved back.

The last image I registered was one of my parents. Phil had both arms wrapped tenderly around Iduna. She had one arm tight around his waist but had her free hand reached out to hold Agnarr's. So many different kinds of love, harmonious in this one moment. It seemed a very hopeful picture to me.

Anna squeezed my hand.

"I love you," she said.

I leaned my head against her arm. "That's why we're here," I quoted her.

She kissed my hair.

As we turned onto the black highway and Anna really hit the accelerator, I heard a noise over the purr of the engine, coming from the forest behind us. If I could hear it, then she certainly could. But she said nothing as the sound slowly faded in the distance. I said nothing, either.

The piercing, heartbroken howling grew fainter and then disappeared entirely.