Uncommon Vows

Chapter Five: A Wedding Or An Invitation To Chaos?

"Did you get Amelia's invitation?"

Silence had been the only thing that passed between us since Zel reluctantly agreed to accompany me back to the castle. The ten minutes between then and now had been strained and a little awkward but I hoped to fix that with some soothing conversation.

"No, I didn't." Zel was surprised. "I wonder why she did that?"

I tried to keep the sadness from my smile but I don't think I succeeded. "Maybe she's learned that clinging to her pride isn't as important as admitting that she was wrong."

Zel looked at me in disbelief. "What?"

"You heard me." I replied tartly. "Amelia wants to speak with you."

Zel regained his cool composure. "Fine. Let's get this over with."

I had planned to drop Zel off at the Royal Library but it seemed my luck was against me today. I had forgotten it was nearly time for Amelia's wedding rehearsal and Syphiel ambushed me in the Main Hall.

"Hello, Mr. Zelgadis." Syphiel nodded to him politely then turned her guns onto me.

"Miss Lina!" Syphiel looked upset which was unusual. "There you are! Time for you to get dressed."

"No way!" I exclaimed with a shudder. "I am not wearing that pink monstrosity that Amelia picked out. I have standards I have to uphold, you know."

Syphiel looked close to tears. "But I picked that dress out."

"Uh..." I stalled for time, very aware of Zel next to me. "It's nice, just not my style. Got it in another color?"

Syphiel lost the tearful look and smiled at me. I knew I had been neatly finessed into her trap. "Blue. Let's go see how it looks."

Zel said dryly. "You are a master at subtlety, Miss Syphiel. I can see that Gourry will be skillfully managed."

Syphiel pinked and I laughed. "See you in a few minutes, Zel. Meet us in the rose garden, will you?"

He shrugged with what I hoped was agreement as Syphiel dragged me off to my doom.

It had been pure, unadulterated torture. Terrible, long and drawn out. I swore that the end of the world would be neither as taxing nor as sickening as Amelia's rehearsal. I would rather die or become the bringer of the apocalypse than to ever inflict this on another human being.

And I had to do it again tomorrow.

My strength was drained from the effort of restraining myself from killing Xellos, who had stuffed the gagged and bound flower girl into a closet then changed his appearance to suit hers. He had caused some chaos before he showed himself and generally enjoyed himself hugely at the expense of everyone else.

He reminded me of the fact that some people never change, including trickster priests and rock headed chimeras.

I told Amelia that Zel was here and after everything calmed down, I led her to where he was waiting. The rose garden was beautiful and full of blooming spring roses. I know he heard us coming long before we reached him. Fringe benefit of being a chimera, you know. I don't think he realized what a dramatic scene he was a part of as Amelia saw him for the first time in years.

He was seated on a white marble bench in profile. Red roses rambled behind him in a dramatic backdrop that took my breath away. It was a forceful reminder of all the romantic things that first made Amelia starry eyed about him in the first place. I turned to leave when Amelia's voice stopped me.

"Lina?" She asked, uncertainly.

I turned back. "You have a lot you need to talk about, Amelia. A third wheel isn't needed here. Neither is a buffer. Be grown ups and deal with the past like you should."

I turned right back around and left. I had a quiet dinner in the guest room that Amelia had appointed me before falling asleep. Somehow I knew that everything would be just fine come tomorrow morning.

And it was.

The day was cool and sunny without a cloud in the sky. The cathedral Amelia had chosen was crammed full of people whom she knew and most of whom she didn't. But they all knew their princess by sight and all wished her well on one of the most important days for a woman.

I could go on and on about the wedding now but that would be trite. And Lina Inverse, the beautiful Sorceress Supreme, intensely dislikes being trite. But I shall attempt it anyhow. There was expensive china, golden utensils and tinkling crystal goblets. The food was delicious and plentiful; though I tried, there was more than enough for the other guests. Amelia was a vision come to life in her beautiful dress. Amelia and her groom were perfectly matched pair like the miniature couple that adorned the six tier wedding cake.

A recently arrived Filia kept Xellos occupied for most of the ceremony and reception. From the way he kept pestering her, I got the idea that he really did miss her. Filia spent even more time trying to sock him with the mace that she kept in hand throughout the day. Perhaps the feeling is mutual; although Filia would rather die than admit it.

Zel was also among the guests. He was cloaked and covered so well that strangers thought him a poor soul, hideously maimed or deformed. Wouldn't they be surprised at the blue wonder that was hidden inside the bundle of fabric. The cool aura and demeanor of his person as well as the dry tone that he speaks in dispels the doubts that he is anything other than a man, cursed though he may be.

Zel approached me. I twitched the fabric of my skirt nervously as he stopped in front of me. I hate dresses. I'll have to arrange to pay Syphiel back when I have the chance. There's nothing I hate more than fussy, formal clothes. Give me my sorceress garb any day.

"I hear you're in the market for a new partner. Willing to take me on?"

There was something in his voice that made me look sharply at him. Only his eyes were visible in that damn hooded cape and face mask. I searched his eyes when they flickered briefly with something I discovered was distrust.

Friends can help more than anyone realizes. But when a friend turns on you, it hurts. And Amelia's defection had damaged Zel's trust in us as friends.

I knew that I would have to combat that but I was more than willing to do so. Lately life had become predictable and a little boring. Killing bandits, finding treasure and conflict can become a trifle dull after years and years. I was ready for a new challenge and fate had presented me one. And I was more than ready to take Zel up on his offer.

Also, I felt a little guilty. Part of me felt like I should have been able to head the whole Amelia/Zel disaster off. I knew each of their feelings but I had thought it would be best if I hadn't gotten involved.

But now all of our friends were paying for that mistake.

And so I answered. "Sure, Zel. I need a new partner."

"What about Gourry?" He nodded towards Gourry who was stuffing his face from the buffet line.

I smiled but it must have been a little sad seeing how Zel's face changed a little. "He's getting married to Syphiel in a year or so. She needs him to go home to Sairaag with her and help rebuild what's still rubble."

"But I thought he made a promise to you." Zel's voice held a little question at the end of the statement.

I shrugged. "Life has a way of screwing things up, Zel. Things change after love enters the picture. It's time that Gourry settles down and helping rebuild Syphiel's city is something that Gourry will be excellent at doing."

"I swear I'll guard your back. No one will harm you while I'm there." Zel gave me a small smile. "I'll journey with you always until you release me from my promise."

"I'll keep away your gloom and keep you enjoying life, Zel." I gave him a wink and a victory sign. "New adventures will provide me with spontaneity and you with chances for gaiety."

At that moment, Zel's gloom faded away as he chuckled softly. He looked almost happy and a rush of something warm flowed over me. I knew what it was, indeed I have always known what I felt for Zel but I pushed it down like all the times before. I concentrated on the friendship aspect of my feelings and gave him a fat smile.

"Great!" I laughed. "Let's head out tomorrow. I'll tell Amelia tonight. Newlyweds need their privacy anyways."

Zel blushed hotly. I swear, that man is so easy to discomfort at times that I sometimes feel guilty about how easy it is. But then the feeling passes and I poke at him a little more. Keeps him on his toes and it keeps my wits sharp.

"Change out of that dress first." Zel advised after he recovered his dignity.

I made a face at him. "If you wanted to wear this dress so bad, Zel, you could have just asked."

I shrieked and ran as a sputtering, red chimera chased me across the floor of Amelia's reception. People scattered right and left as I carved a path through them. All damages are his fault, damn it!