Redaura: see, told ya it be up by 6pm and here it is. I hope you like it, and since I know buy the end you'll demand the next part I do promise it will be up by this time tomorrow…unless the apocalypse happens (^_~)

Jenny: what can I say, except I apologise for being the Queen of Evil Cliff hangers. I'm glad you enjoy the story though. (^_^)

Kara stood leaning forward slightly, her hands gripping one post of her four-poster bed in a death grip to support her self. Millie stood behind her lacing her wedding dress. The rest of the time leading to this day had passed swiftly and somehow uneventfully and now it had come to this.

She moaned in discomfort, as the corset was pulled ever tighter.

"Millie! At this rate I'll have passed out before I can make to down the aisle! Does it have to be so tight?"

On the bed Sarah laughed, "It can't be that bad, surly?"

"Easy for you to say, you're not the one she's torturing!" No sooner was the sentence complete, before Kara moaned again as Millie pulled tighter and tied it off.

"There you go my lady, it's done," she said stepping back.

"That's neat and there'll be an oxygen mask on hand so I can actually complete my vows?"

Millie simply smiled, "I'll leave you now and come back when its time to do your hair," she said and left.

Kara muttered tugging at her bodice. Sarah caught her hands and stilled them.

"You're just nervous," she said gently.

Kara sighed, "I know." She went to stand in front of the mirror and looked over her dress. The bodice was tight and, thanks to the corset it accentuated her small waist and her breasts. Kara couldn't help trying to tug the neckline up a fraction. She'd never worn anything that showed off so much skin before. The skirt flared out at the waist tumbling down in layer on layer of white silk that swirled as she moved. She noted with more than a little sadness that it also showed off the scar Ulrich had given her. A fine white line that stood out on already pale skin now that the wound had healed completely. She rubbed at it absently as if it were a mark she could just rub away, even though she had proven already that she couldn't. She tuned back to Sarah looking over her simpler pale blue dress that highlighted the older girl's figure to perfection and went well with her pale complexion and dark hair.

"And you have so much more to be nervous about," Kara murmured.

"I know. I keep thinking he'll see me and he'll just turn round and walk away. At first I thought he'd yell, and then I thought him not yelling was worse because if he does that then he really doesn't feel anything for me at all." The words tumbled out of Sarah's mouth in a rush and she didn't quite meet Kara's eyes.

Kara came and sat on the bed next to Sarah, gasping as the corset of her dress made breathing more difficult. She pulled Sarah into a sisterly hug and stroked her hair.

"I am willing to bet anything he won't be able to walk away. In fact I'll agree to wear a full corset everyday for the next year if he does."

Sarah laughed and the mood instantly lightened.

Kara grinned, "So you know the drill right?" Sarah nodded her head silently.

"Good."

There was a knock on the door and a moment later Mille entered. With a sigh and a groan Kara stood up and went to her vanity. She stood silent and unresisting as Millie wove her hair into a simple yet elegant style. Sarah was the one to fit the vile.

"Are you ready?" Sarah asked her.

"Are you?" responded Kara.

Laughing they both left the room.

***

Kara peeked around the corner. The other five bride's maids were assembled with their ushers but luckily Jareth hadn't appeared yet.

"You don't mind not having an usher?" asked Kara worriedly.

"No, there's only one man I ever want to walk down the aisle with," Sarah said with a bittersweet smile.

Kara nodded, squeezing her friend's hand briefly before Sarah went to take her place at the head of the bride's maids. Jareth wouldn't see her face till they had reached the end of the aisle and by then he wouldn't be likely to voice any anger he might feel.

"What's so fascinatingly interesting," said a voice behind her.

With a smile Kara turned, "You're late," she chided good-humouredly.

"A king is never late," scoffed Jareth. "You look wonderful," he stated after a pause.

"Thank you," Kara said, still smiling.

"You look like the proverbial cat that stole the cream, what are you up to?"

"Jareth I'm shocked," she said in mock outrage, which was spoiled by the fact she really couldn't get the smile off her face. "It's my wedding day. I think I rather did steal the cream on this occasion."

"Well I did hear Lady Marissa wouldn't be attending because she is too heartbroken to move from her bed. She was in love with Hunter you know," Jareth said leaning in conspiratorially.

"Isn't it unfitting for a King to listen to gossip?" Kara asked.

"Yes well you didn't hear it from me," he said with a laugh. "Are you ready?"

Kara nodded and took his arm. He led her to stand at the end of the line of bride's maids.

"The girl at the head looks very tense," remarked Jareth conversationally. Kara's eyes flitted over Sarah as the other girl held herself ridged, struggling with the desire to turn around and look at Jareth.

Kara shrugged, saying nothing.

She also looks familiar, thought Jareth and then dismissed it. He'd probably seen her at some point when visiting the Vampire Court. The doors of the hall opened, music began to play and the small procession began to move.

Kara gripped Jareth's arm tighter and he covered her hand with his own, "You'll be fine," he whispered. Then they were moving. Her feet sunk into the red carpet and she heard whispers of approval and she smiled, keeping her eyes lowered, afraid that if she were to look into the faces that surrounded her, she wouldn't be able to take another step. Jareth squeezed her hand but a moment later his grip had become painful. They were at the end of the aisle and the bride's maids and ushers had turned, giving him a perfect view of the girl in front.

Kara peeked up at him from under her lashes. "Close your moth before something crawls in there," she whispered to him. His mouth promptly snapped shut but he was looking down at her with a murderous expression. Kara simply smiled as he handed her over to Hunter.