Till Ashes do we Part

"Love is not a feeling of happiness. Love is a willingness to sacrifice." –Michael Novak

Chapter 10

"We have to do something," Yang said as she began to pace around the room like a tiger in a cage. Winter hadn't realized the two had somewhat bonded during her brief visit but she supposed that her being friends with Blake who had been friends with Ilia had some small factor in the matter. However, now wasn't the time to be thinking of why's. They needed a plan. From what Winter had been able to gather from Weiss, the ceremony would be in about a week (apparently her father had found it only important to tell the bride a day or so ago) and they needed to think of a way to get Weiss out of there by then.

"Why can't we just bust in and carry her away like in the movies?" Yang asked, finally plopping down in a seat next to Ilia who began to rub soothing circles in her back in response to her lover's stress.

"Because the movies forget to inform about the charges of kidnapping the families tend to press. Even if Weiss claimed otherwise the courts would never believe her since her father's lawyer would spin some story about vampires brainwashing her. We need to figure out a way to make Jacque fold in a way legal measures can't save him from." Qrow almost growled the statement from behind Winter and Tai nodded in agreement, making the young dhampir deflate.

"What about an objection to the union?" Winter asked cautiously. The answer seemed almost too simple. Winter knew there was no way Weiss would sign a contract for any business deal their father would have had to legally bind her to agree to the union. However, she also knew her sister couldn't say no outright without someone objecting. There were too many knives pointed at her to do that. Weiss might have places to go but Winter also knew that Jacque would never let her go that easily without a fight.

"Could work," Ilia agreed with a nod.

"Don't suppose you two happen to have spare wedding invitations for the rest of us?" Qrow asked in a mocking tone. While it wasn't condescending and seemed more out of frustration it didn't stop Winter from shooting him a sharp glare.

"If we could figure out the catering company and what time they would arrive it's possible we would be able to sneak in that way," Ilia noted as she was deep in thought.

"It shouldn't be too hard for Weiss to learn that if she asked Klein. I'm sure he was involved in all of the preparations. He can also guide us safely into the main hall without being noticed," Winter could feel herself growing antsy and excited in anticipation. The plan was like something in a movie, and while she didn't care for the circumstanced the idea of sneaking into a wedding did seem intriguing.

"Awesome, Wedding Crashing it is," Yang cheered before high-fiving Ilia. Tai rolled his eyes at his eldest daughter but nodded in acceptance. On such short notice, they didn't have much left in the way of options. Winter twisted in her seat to see Qrow with his eyes fixed on his phone with an intense gaze. It was probably the first time Winter had actually seen him with the device though he swore he had always had one.

"Then, ladies, I believe we have some preparing to do," Winter said after losing interest in what Qrow was doing. This was it. There was no screwing this up.

…

The plan was going smoothly until Winter tripped into a blueberry tart.

Winter had express delivered formal wear to change into to the Schnee Manor addressed the Klein, as he was already well informed on the situation and fully on board, and Weiss had provided her sister with the name of the catering company. Though means of which Winter didn't question, Tai was able to obtain some uniforms for herself, Yang, Ilia, and Qrow to wear. Tai opted to wait in the car in case they needed to go to plan B of kidnapping.

Everything was going well. There were, as Winter suspected, too many catering employees for anyone to notice a few more unfamiliar faces. All they had to do was blend in to get into the manor and slip away with Klein when as he monitored the staff set up in the reception hall. They slipped in easy enough until Winter tripped and fell.

She wasn't sure what made her trip at first until she turned her head as she fell and her eyes grew wide.

Whitley had always liked to play games with his sisters, even as a child. That never changed, the only thing that did was the game. Winter knew he was just as much of a victim of their father as she or Weiss were. However, it didn't change the fact he had no excuse to act like a brat when others were trying to move forward with their lives.

When Winter fell on the tart, she glared at him from under the visor of the hat she was wearing to keep her hair hidden. Whitley smirked, clearly recognizing her. He winked but didn't say a word, he simply walked away to stand at the far end of the room to watch the chaos he had just created.

People rushed to help her up on her feet and quickly scurried her away somewhere in the back where the atrocity of her uniform couldn't be seen by the host or guests. It wasn't until she was shuffled into a storage closet to change uniforms and she saw the dresses hanging up that she realized he was in on the plan.

"It's good to see you again, dearest sister," she turned to glare at the voice that let itself into the closet without knocking.

"Whitley, what are you doing?" Winter could hear her heart beating wildly in her chest. Whitley was a wild card, there was no telling what he was going to do or when.

"It's it obvious, I'm helping you stop Weiss' wedding to that brute father calls a fiancé," Whitley smirked slightly before turning his back to her and facing the door. Clearly trying to give her privacy to change while they could continue their conversation.

"But why? You don't like Weiss and you certainly never liked me," Winter began to quiz him as she quickly stripped off the uniform and began sliding into a burnt orange evening gown. "So, what do you have to gain from this."

"Do I really need to gain anything from this?" Winter didn't respond to Whitley's question. She knew better to answer a question that was a response to a question. By the time she got the dress zipped up he sighed and turned to face her.

It was probably the first time Winter had ever seen her little brother with tears in his eyes.

"Father has already sold you off to a blood-sucking monster, Weiss is about to be handed off to a mob boss in exchange for money and help to transport product. How much longer until I'm sold off too? How long till I'm tossed to the side?" Whitley paused to breath and lower his volume for fear of someone overhearing.

"Father doesn't care about a legacy. Or a family name. He cares about money and his own mark on history. And if it takes selling his soul and children then he will do it."

Winter didn't realize she was hugging her brother until she felt him hug her back. He sniffed slightly before pulling back, refusing to be fully immersed at the moment.

"Sorry," he said as he whipped his eyes. "But I can't have you ruining your dress before the party has even started."

With little much exchange on Winter's half, she was quickly shoved out of the door and out to the main floor of the wedding hall. With an audible gulp, she clenched her hands into fists and balled up the fabric of her dress before heading out to the floor to find an empty seat Klein had set for her.

…

The ceremony started not much later. Winter couldn't see Qrow anywhere but she did see Yang and Ilia in matching violet dresses a few rows ahead and to her left. Her hands were shaking but she knew she was going to have to stand when the wedding officiant asked if anyone had any objections.

God Winter forgot how much she hated these damn parties her father threw.

She recognized the groom as soon as he walked up to the podium. From his slicked-back red hair to the trademark red rose on his suit. The sight alone was enough to make her jaw clench and teeth grind together.

Adam Taurus was a known scumbag and crime boss. Everyone there knew it but no one was saying anything because to say something would be a death sentence. At least, to normal people. She had a feeling even a crime boss would be frightened of Qrow or Tai. Hell, even Yang could probably get him to squirm and she's only half vampire.

The music started then, and Winter stood to watch the bride like everyone else.

It was a shame that Weiss wasn't happy because she looked stunning. Her hair was done up beautifully and her make up was flawless. Her dress was lovely and off the shoulders with an A-line of billowing silk. In her hand were a bouquet of white lilies and Winter hated how much it made her look like she was marching up to her own funeral.

Still, Winter was proud as she watched Weiss walk with confidence, and when Adam removed her veil she looked at him with piercing eyes, as if to tell him, "you might own me but you will never control me."

"We are gathered here today to bring together Mr. Adam Taurus and Ms. Weiss Schnee in holy matrimony. Now, before we begin are there any objections to this union?"

This was Winter's chance. Her only chance. She could feel herself rising to her feet and then.

"I object!"

Winter paused. She was pretty sure the words hadn't come out of her mouth yet, but she was about halfway out of her chair when someone else objected. She looked over to Yang and Ilia with confusion and they were also only halfway out of their chairs and looking back at Winter just as confused.

Winter finally looked back to the doors of the hall and she didn't see Qrow or Tai or anyone like that. Instead, there stood a boy with dyed blue hair and motorcycle goggles who stood shaking like a leaf as every eye in the venue turned to look at him.

There was a snort and all eyes turned to look at Adam, a cocky smirk on his mouth.

"And under what reason would that be?"

The boy with the blue hair swallowed before stiffening up.

"Under the reason that I'm in love with her!"

Winter could have sworn she heard a few people gasp in shock, another few 'aww', and the couple behind her saying they should have brought popcorn. Winter just turned her focus on her sister. Weiss was beet red and there looked to be tears in her eyes as she grabbed at her dress.

"Neptune, what are you doing?" Weiss called back to him. "I told you I would handle this."

"I know you did but I couldn't sit by and watch you waste your life with someone you don't even like let alone love."

"This is foolishness," Adam said with an eyeroll before looking down at Jacque.

"Would security kindly escort the boy out of the venue please?" Winter wanted to slap her father for how casually he spoke the words from his seat next to their mother who was already half blind from drink anyway.

"We also object!" These next faces to object were faces that Winter recognized. Sun and Blake stood in the back after having removed some gaudy hats and dresses.

"Adam Taurus is an abusive criminal who should be locked up in jail and has no right to marry my best friend!" Blake spoke with confidence where Sun held her hand for support. Adam actually snarled at her presents. Blake only glared back and stood firm.

"Oh, for god's sake would someone get these people out of here?" Jacque cried out again, actually turning to see the commotion now. Winter could hear those present now start to whisper. With verbal confirmation, the vultures could begin swooping in to take their pick of the meat.

And finally, Winter stood. The face alone Jacque made at her was worth the trouble alone.

"And I can confirm the bride does not want to marry the groom," Winter spoke the words loud and clear, with more confidence in front of those who used to control her than she ever thought possible. "I have emails from the bride to prove it!"

"That won't be necessary." A new voice spoke and startled everyone present.

"Adam Taurus you are under arrest for illegal drug trafficking, several counts of first-degree murder, and damage to private property!"

Adam glared at Blake once more before shoving Weiss away and bolting. Weiss was beginning to topple before Neptune managed to come in and catch her. There was a cute moment from what Winter could see between the two, him with a cheeky grin and her playfully slapping him on the shoulder before he let her down and she gave him a proper hug.

"This is outrageous! You can't arrest me!" Winter was almost doubled over laughing at the irony of the sight before her now. Jacque Schnee in handcuffs.

"You are under arrest for aiding a criminal and laundering money, you have the right to remain silent..." the officer continued to rattle the Merenda rights off to Winter's father before Winter felt a chill hand on her back.

"Well don't you look lovely," Winter only leaned into the touch in response before looking up at the source of the velvety voice. Qrow looked dashing in a deep green tux with the first few buttons undone along with his blazer, no tie or bow tie in sight and hair just as messy as usual.

"And where have you been, you missed all the excitement."

"Who do you think managed to get the cops here. Sure, as hell wasn't Romeo or Nancy Drew over there." Qrow nodded his head over to where Weiss was standing and hugging Blake with Neptune still glued to her side.

"How?"

"I called in a few favors from some people who owed Oz a favor on the police department. Managed to pull a bunch of them off of the White Fang's payroll in exchange for not killing them."

"Too bad they didn't know you bite about as hard as a newborn pup."

"Hey, I can bite when I want to ice queen. All you got to do is ask." Winter's throat went dry as he whispered that into her ear. Her heart hammered in her chest and she wasted no time taking a step away from him. Whatever it was she was feeling, she wasn't ready. Not yet. She still needed to take care of her little sister.

Winter quickly walked over to Weiss, and the younger wasted no time throwing her arms around her older sister.

"You came," Weiss cried out as she latched her arms tightly around Winter, making it hard for her to breath.

"Of course I did, I wasn't about to leave you there to marry that monster," Winter reassured her sister as she pets the side of her hair to smooth a few stands that were out of place.

"If you want you can grab your stuff now and we can head to the manor. No sense in waiting if you don't want to." Weiss' eyes lit up at Winter's off before pausing and looking back at Sun and Blake and where they stood together. She looked over at Whitley who was serving himself a piece of wedding cake. And finally, she looked at Neptune who watched her with big blue eyes and a love-sick smile.

"I'm sorry," Weiss finally said letting go of her sister fully and taking a step back. "I know I said I would live with you and the others in the castle, but my life… it's here. Away from dad and with the family I've made for myself."

"I understand." And Winter did. If she had anyone, she was truly close too she might have made the same choice as well.

"Besides, someone has to make sure Whitley doesn't cheat his way through high school."

"I resent that," Whitley said as he approached the two girls. A piece of cake being shoved in his mouth as he narrowed his eyes at his sisters. Both girls giggled in response to the antics of their baby brother. Even more so as he puffed up in response.

"We're still going to have the reception if you want to stay," Weiss offered with a smile. "Though, I'm definitely not staying in this dress the rest of the night."

Winter looked back at Qrow then and where he stood exactly where she had left him. He was getting a few awkward side eyes, especially from anyone who knew about him from the rumors. Winter sighed before turning back to her sister again.

"Sorry, I think I need to get that one home before he causes trouble."

"Understandable."

"But I think Ilia and Yang would stay if you asked."

"Your right, I should ask." And with that Weiss was off to ask her new friends if they wanted to stay as well. Leaving Winter with a slightly hollow feeling, like a bird when all the chicks have left the nest.

And with Weiss gone, she had no one to focus on but herself.

BRK: So I kind of died this last semester. I'm so sorry I haven't updated the last few months. It was rough and the amount of homework on top of my job not realizing school being back in session meant they should cut my hours I was swamped and barely had time to write. I'm hoping to be back on my Tuesday update schedule at least for Christmas break if not for next semester.

As for my other companion story "Written in Blood Red Ink" that story will be on hiatus until I'm done with this story just because I don't want to be trying to keep everything moving around the same time frame so I don't spoil anything.
I hope my schedule sticks. And until next time, later gators!