Hidden Identities
Disclaimer: I don't own anything in the entire world! Except, maybe, my car, a few books, some clothes, oh, that one pencil, and, um, maybe, a coke can and . . .
Summary: What if Hattie had not danced by and snatched off Ella's mask? What if Char had asked Ella THE question? What will Lela do?
Chapter 12: The Wedding Day Arrives
I didn't see Char again for the next few days. After Aaron dragged me back to the feast, Hattie forced me to tell her everything that happened. She laughed after I told her.
"You're so funny, Ella! As if Charmont would ever love you!" Hattie cried. Her watery eyes squinted at me. "He loves me. I'm marrying him!"
I stared at my plate for the rest of the evening. Char did not return to the feast. I could feel the king's eyes on me. He wanted to know what had happened, but he didn't want to ask about it in front of all his subjects.
It was around midnight that the ladies finally left. The bards who had been singing were getting rowdy and the ale and wine was beginning to affect most of the men and some of the women.
"Why, Ella, you don't look happy. What's wrong?" Aaron whispered drunkenly into my ear and plopped down into the vacated seat between Hattie and me. "Do you miss your lovely princie?"
I recoiled as his breath blew upon my cheek. It stunk horribly of alcohol. Even Hattie was a little annoyed at Aaron when he half laid on her to sit in his seat properly, or as properly as he could.
"Aaron, you're drunk. Don't make a scene," Hattie hissed to him when she saw some of the courtiers looking their way. "Don't give anything away!"
"Hmph," Aaron answered. His bloodshot eyes were on me. He leaned over and took my hand. "You know, I really kind of like you. You're prettier than most girls."
"Aaron!" I whispered heatedly to him as he tried to grab a lock of my hair. I pushed away his hands and looked to Hattie for help. She merely shrugged and returned to watching two women fight over the last roll in a basket. "Stop it!"
"Ella, Ella, Ella. If any other girl was in your place, she'd be. . . hiccup. . . adoring me," Aaron hiccupped.
"Pick one of the other girls to be your wife then!"
"You really . . . hiccup . . . should get used to me." (A/N: That was not an order. It was a suggestion.) "Hiccup. Because you're not going anywhere," Aaron's eyes began to close. He leaned onto the table for support. He opened his mouth again to say something, but fell asleep with a thud in his seat.
The queen stood up, then. She smiled briefly at me and nodded to her ladies-in-waiting. They, in turn, began to get up and follow the queen out of the feast. All the ladies followed and left the men to do what they wanted.
"Hattie," I called to her. I couldn't move. Aaron had ordered me not to go anywhere. I had to remain seated.
"What? Come on, Ella! Let's go!" she cried shrilly back to me. I sighed in relief and made my way after her.
For the next few days, I kept to my chambers. Aaron didn't want me wandering about where he thought I might find some way to tell everyone his plan. I only went out for dinner, which was mandatory, and for the few pre- wedding businesses.
Hattie visited me occasionally. She would talk about all the wedding details like, how her dress looked, how many flounces she was wearing, who made the guest list, where all the guests were coming from, who was bringing what and so on. She talked for hours each day.
"And did I tell you that the wedding cake has seven tiers? I can't wait to see it! And we're importing exotic white flowers from the south especially for the wedding. The flowers are supposed to signify good luck," Hattie rattled on. I sat on the far end of the bench we were sitting on out in the garden.
It was a warm day. Not many clouds drifted by. Hattie's forehead was already becoming sweaty. She wore a gold dress, heavy with jewelry. I hoped she was dying of heat inside that dress.
"Hattie, just shut up for once!" I finally snapped at her. Hattie stopped mid-sentence and stared at me. Her mouth was open in an "O".
"What did you just say?" she whispered.
"I told you to shut your trap. I've been listening to you for hours now! Get over the wedding. I couldn't care less if there were flying monkeys and singing umbrellas!"
"Don't ever tell me to shut up again, Ella! I am your better! Soon, I will be queen!"
"Aren't you forgetting something?"
"What?"
"I'm marrying a prince too! I shall be a queen too! But, you don't see me blathering on and on about it! So, Hattie, for once, just, please, stop talking!"
"You are so rude, Ella. I don't like you. I never have. Why aren't you grateful to be marrying Aaron? Girls would kill to be in your position!"
"I don't love Aaron."
"Oh, that's right. You love Charmont. Well, guess what! I'm marrying Charmont! Not you! He's mine!"
I let out a growl of frustration. Hattie's buggy eyes twitched as she watched me get up. She put down her sewing to glare at me.
"Where do you think you're going?" she cried.
"I would rather be stuck in my room alone than with you!" I shouted. Hattie gasped, but I quickly darted away before she could say anything else. "Good-bye!"
I stomped my way up to my room and threw myself on my bed. There was only one thing on my mind then.
Where was Terrance?
He had been missing for a while now. Even Aaron commented on it. But, I lied and said Aaron had run down to do an errand for me.
And what happened to Char?
The day of the wedding dawned. Mists had traveled in from over the mountains in the distance. The sun shone weakly through. Hattie ordered me roughly out of bed.
"Hattie, what are you doing here?" I asked as soon as I was awake. Hattie wore a white nightgown and her hair was billowing around her face. She pulled back the covers from my bed.
"Get out of bed, Ella. You and I are to go to my rooms so we may get ready together," she replied.
"Get ready for what?"
"Are you daft? The wedding! It's only the most important day of my entire life!" Hattie shouted.
I shook my head. I had been dreaming that I was back at the manor with Father, before Hattie had come into my life. Mandy was there. Mother was there, too. I got up from the bed and stood there.
"Come on! We haven't got all day! The ceremony starts soon!"
"I thought it started a little before dusk."
"It does."
Hattie pulled me out of the room and down the stairs. We quickly walked to her chambers across a long hallway. Her bedroom was much larger than mine. There was a gigantic red bed on one side. A large mirror and dresser was on another, and a tea table with four chairs were by another. There were four maids waiting near the mirror.
"Are you ready, Your Highness?" a timid one asked. Hattie glared at her.
"Of course I am! Get on with it!" Hattie cried. She marched over to the mirror. "Where's the seamstress for the final fitting?"
"I'll go get her," a smaller maid answered. She hurried from the room.
I sat down on one of the chairs and watched as Hattie argued with the maids and looked herself over in the mirror. I couldn't breathe.
Today was the day. The Day. I would be forced to marry Aaron and Hattie would marry Char. Then, Aaron's plan would go through and . . . what would happen to Char?
That same blank in my mind, which had haunted me since the feast, appeared in my mind. There was something hidden under an order. I could almost grasp it, but it eluded me.
"Ella, get up here! You need to get fitted!" Hattie's sharp voice interrupted my thoughts. I was forced to get up and undergo the preparations for the wedding.
Several hours later, I emerged from Hattie's room as a bride. The dresses Hattie had picked out for herself was extremely heavy with decoration. It was soft silk in pure white. Diamonds were sewn into the cloth, making it sparkle and shine with every step she took. Her hair was piled on her head with a few strands hanging down. She wore a long and heavy veil that had a long train. Silk roses were sewn in random places on the veil.
I wore a simpler gown. There were no sleeves on my arms or shoulders. It reached a hand's width down from my collarbone. Lace adorned the cuffs of my sleeves and edges of my dress. The skirt fell in a hoop-like form, similar to Hattie's except hers was larger. My hair had been curled and pinned up. The veil with a heavy diamond tiara sat upon my head, and the white, gauzy material reached down to the middle of my back.
Hattie practiced marching down the aisle in front of her mirror. A smile was plastered on her face and her horse-like teeth were protruding from her mouth. She would stop every once in a while and admire herself as the diamonds winked and sparkled in the sunlight from the window.
"Don't you just wish you were me?" Hattie asked. She looked at me expectantly.
"Yes, I wish I looked like the beautiful Hattie," I answered monotonously. I rolled my eyes and looked away. Hattie scoffed, but didn't say anything else.
A guard knocked at the door. Hattie squealed and ran to the door. She opened it and peered out.
"It is time," he said. He backed away from the door to allow Hattie and me out. Hattie grabbed my hand and yanked me out the door roughly.
The hallway was empty. Everyone was in the grand chapel, waiting for the wedding to commence. The wind from an open window gently rustled my hair. I heard Hattie curse under her breath on how the wind was going to mess up her hair and then she wouldn't look as radiant as she did right now.
The walk to the chapel was a blur. Hattie kept chattering about her new life as queen. The guard simply nodded whenever Hattie said something to him. Then, we were outside the entrance to the chapel.
There were several ladies-in-waiting standing in lavender dresses outside the chapel. Each held a bouquet of lilies and roses. I swallowed hard as the music began to play from the piano and harp inside the chapel.
Slowly, two stewards opened the oak doors. A warm breeze whooshed out. The ladies-in-waiting began their long walk to the alter. I squeezed my eyes shut. Perhaps if I pinched myself, it would turn out to be a dream. I pinched my arm.
"Ow!" I yelped. Hattie glared at me. "Sorry."
Hattie turned around and plastered a gigantic, toothy smile on her face. She began to walk forward, motioning to me to follow behind her. I stepped in pace with her a few yards back. The chilly air grew warm as I stepped into the chapel. Into my doom.
Through the veil, I could see hundreds of faces peering at me. People were crowded into the wooden benches of the chapel. Their faces were eager and excited to see the royal weddings. I wanted to scream.
Finally, after the long walk, we arrived at the altar. Char and Aaron were standing there, side by side. It was like seeing evil and good. Aaron wore darker colors, black and purple. Char wore black and white. I watched as Hattie literally launched herself into Char's arms. I took my place beside Aaron. The ceremony began.
"We are gathered here today to witness the most joyous moment in the history of Kyrria and Ayortha," the minister, an elderly and balding man, said. "The uniting of two couples, Prince Charmont and Princess Hattie and Prince Aaron and Lady Eleanor."
I felt a tear slip from my eye and trail down my cheek. This was it. After the vows, Aaron's plan would be sealed and the one thing I didn't want to happen would happen. Aaron took my hand.
"This is it," he whispered softly. Another tear fell down my cheek. I wanted to shout out about Aaron's plan. I wanted to run and run and never see anyone again.
I felt Char's gaze on me. It was like two sun rays piercing through my back. I could feel his sadness and confusion over me. I know he didn't want to marry Hattie.
"Do you, Princess Hattie, take Prince Charmont to be your husband?" the minister asked, breaking my thoughts. I looked over at him startled. How could the ceremony have progressed so fast?
"I do!" Hattie squealed. For a moment, I thought I saw Char's face wrinkle in disgust at Hattie's face. The minister turned to Char.
"Do you, Prince Charmont, take Princess Hattie to be your wife?"
Char faltered for a moment. His eyes turned to me, as if he was asking a question, one last time. Hattie fidgeted nervously when she saw his gaze go to me. I closed my eyes and looked away.
"I do," Char whispered. My heart broke into a thousand pieces.
"Do you, Prince Aaron, take Lady Eleanor to be your wife?"
"I do," Aaron replied. He squeezed my hand. I forced myself to look up at him. His eyes were bright with excitement.
"Do you, Lady Eleanor, take Prince Aaron to be your husband?"
I stared at the old minister. He frowned after I didn't respond. Aaron's pressure on my hands intensified. But, I couldn't open my mouth to say anything. It clamped shut of its own will.
"Say 'I do'," Aaron whispered the dreaded order. My gaze fell on him as my mouth opened to say the words. "Say it, Ella."
"I . . . I," I stuttered. A thunderous look spread across Aaron's face. The curse was gripping me and slowly forcing me to do the order, but I could fight it. I know I could. "I . . ."
"Ella," Char whispered softly. My eyes widened as he stepped forward towards me. Aaron growled and Hattie tried to stand in Char's way. I couldn't stop staring at Char as my mouth opened and closed, trying to force the two little words out, and trying to keep them in.
"Now," Aaron growled. The people in the pews began to whisper among themselves. The ladies' skirts rustled as they leaned together to speak to each other.
"I do." The words escaped my mouth and flew into the air. The minister smiled and the people in the pews leaned back into their original seats in satisfaction. Aaron smiled and slid a golden ring onto my finger. Char looked at me sadly.
"Wonderful. Now, if anyone here has any reason to speak against this union of these couples, please do so now or forever hold your peace," the minister addressed the crowd. My eyes searched each face.
Please, some one stand up, I thought. Anyone.
No one said anything. The minister clapped his hands once and raised them above his head in a blessing.
"Then, without further ado, I now pronounce you man and -"
Then, the double doors burst open and clanged against the stone walls. A wind rushed and whipped at everyone's hair and gowns and clothes. A lone man stood there in the middle of the open doorway. His outline was darkened with the sun directly behind him.
"I object!"
Author Note: Another chapter done! I hope it was good. I did it all really late at night because I've been extremely busy. Anyways. I think I need an editor person or betareader, so if anyone is interested please let me know via review or email or something.
The next chapter should either be out next week or, because I'm going on vacation for a while, sometime in the middle of August. Sorry about the long wait if I don't get the chapter out next week. But, the next chapter will include the end of the wedding, the mystery guy and a new twist to the tale.
All right, that's it for now! Review please! Thanks so much!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything in the entire world! Except, maybe, my car, a few books, some clothes, oh, that one pencil, and, um, maybe, a coke can and . . .
Summary: What if Hattie had not danced by and snatched off Ella's mask? What if Char had asked Ella THE question? What will Lela do?
Chapter 12: The Wedding Day Arrives
I didn't see Char again for the next few days. After Aaron dragged me back to the feast, Hattie forced me to tell her everything that happened. She laughed after I told her.
"You're so funny, Ella! As if Charmont would ever love you!" Hattie cried. Her watery eyes squinted at me. "He loves me. I'm marrying him!"
I stared at my plate for the rest of the evening. Char did not return to the feast. I could feel the king's eyes on me. He wanted to know what had happened, but he didn't want to ask about it in front of all his subjects.
It was around midnight that the ladies finally left. The bards who had been singing were getting rowdy and the ale and wine was beginning to affect most of the men and some of the women.
"Why, Ella, you don't look happy. What's wrong?" Aaron whispered drunkenly into my ear and plopped down into the vacated seat between Hattie and me. "Do you miss your lovely princie?"
I recoiled as his breath blew upon my cheek. It stunk horribly of alcohol. Even Hattie was a little annoyed at Aaron when he half laid on her to sit in his seat properly, or as properly as he could.
"Aaron, you're drunk. Don't make a scene," Hattie hissed to him when she saw some of the courtiers looking their way. "Don't give anything away!"
"Hmph," Aaron answered. His bloodshot eyes were on me. He leaned over and took my hand. "You know, I really kind of like you. You're prettier than most girls."
"Aaron!" I whispered heatedly to him as he tried to grab a lock of my hair. I pushed away his hands and looked to Hattie for help. She merely shrugged and returned to watching two women fight over the last roll in a basket. "Stop it!"
"Ella, Ella, Ella. If any other girl was in your place, she'd be. . . hiccup. . . adoring me," Aaron hiccupped.
"Pick one of the other girls to be your wife then!"
"You really . . . hiccup . . . should get used to me." (A/N: That was not an order. It was a suggestion.) "Hiccup. Because you're not going anywhere," Aaron's eyes began to close. He leaned onto the table for support. He opened his mouth again to say something, but fell asleep with a thud in his seat.
The queen stood up, then. She smiled briefly at me and nodded to her ladies-in-waiting. They, in turn, began to get up and follow the queen out of the feast. All the ladies followed and left the men to do what they wanted.
"Hattie," I called to her. I couldn't move. Aaron had ordered me not to go anywhere. I had to remain seated.
"What? Come on, Ella! Let's go!" she cried shrilly back to me. I sighed in relief and made my way after her.
For the next few days, I kept to my chambers. Aaron didn't want me wandering about where he thought I might find some way to tell everyone his plan. I only went out for dinner, which was mandatory, and for the few pre- wedding businesses.
Hattie visited me occasionally. She would talk about all the wedding details like, how her dress looked, how many flounces she was wearing, who made the guest list, where all the guests were coming from, who was bringing what and so on. She talked for hours each day.
"And did I tell you that the wedding cake has seven tiers? I can't wait to see it! And we're importing exotic white flowers from the south especially for the wedding. The flowers are supposed to signify good luck," Hattie rattled on. I sat on the far end of the bench we were sitting on out in the garden.
It was a warm day. Not many clouds drifted by. Hattie's forehead was already becoming sweaty. She wore a gold dress, heavy with jewelry. I hoped she was dying of heat inside that dress.
"Hattie, just shut up for once!" I finally snapped at her. Hattie stopped mid-sentence and stared at me. Her mouth was open in an "O".
"What did you just say?" she whispered.
"I told you to shut your trap. I've been listening to you for hours now! Get over the wedding. I couldn't care less if there were flying monkeys and singing umbrellas!"
"Don't ever tell me to shut up again, Ella! I am your better! Soon, I will be queen!"
"Aren't you forgetting something?"
"What?"
"I'm marrying a prince too! I shall be a queen too! But, you don't see me blathering on and on about it! So, Hattie, for once, just, please, stop talking!"
"You are so rude, Ella. I don't like you. I never have. Why aren't you grateful to be marrying Aaron? Girls would kill to be in your position!"
"I don't love Aaron."
"Oh, that's right. You love Charmont. Well, guess what! I'm marrying Charmont! Not you! He's mine!"
I let out a growl of frustration. Hattie's buggy eyes twitched as she watched me get up. She put down her sewing to glare at me.
"Where do you think you're going?" she cried.
"I would rather be stuck in my room alone than with you!" I shouted. Hattie gasped, but I quickly darted away before she could say anything else. "Good-bye!"
I stomped my way up to my room and threw myself on my bed. There was only one thing on my mind then.
Where was Terrance?
He had been missing for a while now. Even Aaron commented on it. But, I lied and said Aaron had run down to do an errand for me.
And what happened to Char?
The day of the wedding dawned. Mists had traveled in from over the mountains in the distance. The sun shone weakly through. Hattie ordered me roughly out of bed.
"Hattie, what are you doing here?" I asked as soon as I was awake. Hattie wore a white nightgown and her hair was billowing around her face. She pulled back the covers from my bed.
"Get out of bed, Ella. You and I are to go to my rooms so we may get ready together," she replied.
"Get ready for what?"
"Are you daft? The wedding! It's only the most important day of my entire life!" Hattie shouted.
I shook my head. I had been dreaming that I was back at the manor with Father, before Hattie had come into my life. Mandy was there. Mother was there, too. I got up from the bed and stood there.
"Come on! We haven't got all day! The ceremony starts soon!"
"I thought it started a little before dusk."
"It does."
Hattie pulled me out of the room and down the stairs. We quickly walked to her chambers across a long hallway. Her bedroom was much larger than mine. There was a gigantic red bed on one side. A large mirror and dresser was on another, and a tea table with four chairs were by another. There were four maids waiting near the mirror.
"Are you ready, Your Highness?" a timid one asked. Hattie glared at her.
"Of course I am! Get on with it!" Hattie cried. She marched over to the mirror. "Where's the seamstress for the final fitting?"
"I'll go get her," a smaller maid answered. She hurried from the room.
I sat down on one of the chairs and watched as Hattie argued with the maids and looked herself over in the mirror. I couldn't breathe.
Today was the day. The Day. I would be forced to marry Aaron and Hattie would marry Char. Then, Aaron's plan would go through and . . . what would happen to Char?
That same blank in my mind, which had haunted me since the feast, appeared in my mind. There was something hidden under an order. I could almost grasp it, but it eluded me.
"Ella, get up here! You need to get fitted!" Hattie's sharp voice interrupted my thoughts. I was forced to get up and undergo the preparations for the wedding.
Several hours later, I emerged from Hattie's room as a bride. The dresses Hattie had picked out for herself was extremely heavy with decoration. It was soft silk in pure white. Diamonds were sewn into the cloth, making it sparkle and shine with every step she took. Her hair was piled on her head with a few strands hanging down. She wore a long and heavy veil that had a long train. Silk roses were sewn in random places on the veil.
I wore a simpler gown. There were no sleeves on my arms or shoulders. It reached a hand's width down from my collarbone. Lace adorned the cuffs of my sleeves and edges of my dress. The skirt fell in a hoop-like form, similar to Hattie's except hers was larger. My hair had been curled and pinned up. The veil with a heavy diamond tiara sat upon my head, and the white, gauzy material reached down to the middle of my back.
Hattie practiced marching down the aisle in front of her mirror. A smile was plastered on her face and her horse-like teeth were protruding from her mouth. She would stop every once in a while and admire herself as the diamonds winked and sparkled in the sunlight from the window.
"Don't you just wish you were me?" Hattie asked. She looked at me expectantly.
"Yes, I wish I looked like the beautiful Hattie," I answered monotonously. I rolled my eyes and looked away. Hattie scoffed, but didn't say anything else.
A guard knocked at the door. Hattie squealed and ran to the door. She opened it and peered out.
"It is time," he said. He backed away from the door to allow Hattie and me out. Hattie grabbed my hand and yanked me out the door roughly.
The hallway was empty. Everyone was in the grand chapel, waiting for the wedding to commence. The wind from an open window gently rustled my hair. I heard Hattie curse under her breath on how the wind was going to mess up her hair and then she wouldn't look as radiant as she did right now.
The walk to the chapel was a blur. Hattie kept chattering about her new life as queen. The guard simply nodded whenever Hattie said something to him. Then, we were outside the entrance to the chapel.
There were several ladies-in-waiting standing in lavender dresses outside the chapel. Each held a bouquet of lilies and roses. I swallowed hard as the music began to play from the piano and harp inside the chapel.
Slowly, two stewards opened the oak doors. A warm breeze whooshed out. The ladies-in-waiting began their long walk to the alter. I squeezed my eyes shut. Perhaps if I pinched myself, it would turn out to be a dream. I pinched my arm.
"Ow!" I yelped. Hattie glared at me. "Sorry."
Hattie turned around and plastered a gigantic, toothy smile on her face. She began to walk forward, motioning to me to follow behind her. I stepped in pace with her a few yards back. The chilly air grew warm as I stepped into the chapel. Into my doom.
Through the veil, I could see hundreds of faces peering at me. People were crowded into the wooden benches of the chapel. Their faces were eager and excited to see the royal weddings. I wanted to scream.
Finally, after the long walk, we arrived at the altar. Char and Aaron were standing there, side by side. It was like seeing evil and good. Aaron wore darker colors, black and purple. Char wore black and white. I watched as Hattie literally launched herself into Char's arms. I took my place beside Aaron. The ceremony began.
"We are gathered here today to witness the most joyous moment in the history of Kyrria and Ayortha," the minister, an elderly and balding man, said. "The uniting of two couples, Prince Charmont and Princess Hattie and Prince Aaron and Lady Eleanor."
I felt a tear slip from my eye and trail down my cheek. This was it. After the vows, Aaron's plan would be sealed and the one thing I didn't want to happen would happen. Aaron took my hand.
"This is it," he whispered softly. Another tear fell down my cheek. I wanted to shout out about Aaron's plan. I wanted to run and run and never see anyone again.
I felt Char's gaze on me. It was like two sun rays piercing through my back. I could feel his sadness and confusion over me. I know he didn't want to marry Hattie.
"Do you, Princess Hattie, take Prince Charmont to be your husband?" the minister asked, breaking my thoughts. I looked over at him startled. How could the ceremony have progressed so fast?
"I do!" Hattie squealed. For a moment, I thought I saw Char's face wrinkle in disgust at Hattie's face. The minister turned to Char.
"Do you, Prince Charmont, take Princess Hattie to be your wife?"
Char faltered for a moment. His eyes turned to me, as if he was asking a question, one last time. Hattie fidgeted nervously when she saw his gaze go to me. I closed my eyes and looked away.
"I do," Char whispered. My heart broke into a thousand pieces.
"Do you, Prince Aaron, take Lady Eleanor to be your wife?"
"I do," Aaron replied. He squeezed my hand. I forced myself to look up at him. His eyes were bright with excitement.
"Do you, Lady Eleanor, take Prince Aaron to be your husband?"
I stared at the old minister. He frowned after I didn't respond. Aaron's pressure on my hands intensified. But, I couldn't open my mouth to say anything. It clamped shut of its own will.
"Say 'I do'," Aaron whispered the dreaded order. My gaze fell on him as my mouth opened to say the words. "Say it, Ella."
"I . . . I," I stuttered. A thunderous look spread across Aaron's face. The curse was gripping me and slowly forcing me to do the order, but I could fight it. I know I could. "I . . ."
"Ella," Char whispered softly. My eyes widened as he stepped forward towards me. Aaron growled and Hattie tried to stand in Char's way. I couldn't stop staring at Char as my mouth opened and closed, trying to force the two little words out, and trying to keep them in.
"Now," Aaron growled. The people in the pews began to whisper among themselves. The ladies' skirts rustled as they leaned together to speak to each other.
"I do." The words escaped my mouth and flew into the air. The minister smiled and the people in the pews leaned back into their original seats in satisfaction. Aaron smiled and slid a golden ring onto my finger. Char looked at me sadly.
"Wonderful. Now, if anyone here has any reason to speak against this union of these couples, please do so now or forever hold your peace," the minister addressed the crowd. My eyes searched each face.
Please, some one stand up, I thought. Anyone.
No one said anything. The minister clapped his hands once and raised them above his head in a blessing.
"Then, without further ado, I now pronounce you man and -"
Then, the double doors burst open and clanged against the stone walls. A wind rushed and whipped at everyone's hair and gowns and clothes. A lone man stood there in the middle of the open doorway. His outline was darkened with the sun directly behind him.
"I object!"
Author Note: Another chapter done! I hope it was good. I did it all really late at night because I've been extremely busy. Anyways. I think I need an editor person or betareader, so if anyone is interested please let me know via review or email or something.
The next chapter should either be out next week or, because I'm going on vacation for a while, sometime in the middle of August. Sorry about the long wait if I don't get the chapter out next week. But, the next chapter will include the end of the wedding, the mystery guy and a new twist to the tale.
All right, that's it for now! Review please! Thanks so much!