“You are being unfair. ”
“No, I am being watchful. So, let’s not discuss this anymore. Marcus can start his own society, but I will never be part of it, and there are many more who feel the same way.”
“Yes, I know, and you are all holding onto fear.”
“We will see.”
I let out a breath, exasperated.
“You’re right. Let’s not discuss this anymore.”
There was silence between us for a second, and then he put his arm around me.
“Alixia, you know I love you.”
“Yes, and I know what you are thinking. This is not goodbye. I will always care for you, no matter what side you are on, so stop trying to turn me away. I won’t let you.”
He smiled, holding me tighter.
The Wedding
Libby fussed with my hair as we went down the stairs at the chalet. She was a basket case. Claire was telling her, in a flustered tone, to calm down. It had been raining all day long and continued into the evening, so the wedding was now inside. Which made Libby and Mother were beside themselves, because their lists were no longer valid.
“Libby, please stop. My hair is good. Mother,” I said, seeing her enter the foyer looking beautiful, her hair up with a few strands of curls hanging down. The red scoop neck beaded gown fitted her figure with simple flattery. I noticed that she even wore the long, white gloves I suggested, to cover the coldness of her hands. Libby moved past me.
“Mrs. Cavelier, how are you doing?” I could see Mother breathe her in, as if she were sweet candy.
Mother!
I’m fine. You can get out of my head. You don’t have to worry tonight.
Good to hear. So, stop looking at her like she’s dessert.
She blinked, and then addressed Libby.
“I’m good. We finally have enough seating, and we found the music.”
“Music?” I said. “Did you change it?”
“No, we didn’t change it,” Mother said hurriedly, holding up the paper.
“Good.”
“Mrs. Cavelier, about the cake?” Libby said, distracting her. She turned to Libby.
I stood there for a few minutes listening as Libby went on asking about various changes to the wedding. Claire took my arm, bored with the details.
“Come on. Let’s get you married.”
“Yes, let’s do that. Mother and Libby, are you coming?” They looked over at me with raised eyebrows.
“Of course,” Mother said, coming over to kiss my cheek. “Are you ready now?”
I leaned in close to her, whispering.
“Yes I’m ready. It’s time for some happiness.”
She whispered back.
“Yes, it is time.”
I walked into a hidden room off the ballroom. As I waited for the ceremony to start, I studied the room. It was uncanny how much it reminded me of the ones at the Ambrosine mansion, with hooded robes on gold hooks. The Family’s clandestine ritual books and albums of our legacies were neatly placed on the bookshelves in chronological order, and on the walls paintings of ancient Family members hung all around the room, as if watching my every move. I shifted my attention to the door, turning away from the paintings’ eerie stares. I just wanted the door to open, so that I could be in Marcus’s arms again.
I looked down at my red orchid bouquet, seeing Father’s cufflinks tied with a white ribbon around the flowers. I moved them through my fingers, picturing his smiling face in my head as if he was here, telling me how much he loved me. I took a deep breath, letting it out with a sigh. I missed him.
There was a knock and the music started.
“It’s time,” Millie said, coming in the room. She brushed my hair back over my shoulders, smiling.
“You are so beautiful, Alixia.”
“So are you.”
I kissed her cheek and walked into the ballroom. It was picturesque. I moved slowly to the music, going down the white rose petal aisle, thinking that Mother and Libby had outdone themselves. The tables positioned around the dance floor were covered in a couple of layers of heavy white lace, accented by red orchids in tall, crystal vases. Around the chandelier, the ceiling and walls were draped in white silk, creating a tent effect as the tiny lights from the chandelier flickered all around the room. It gave the illusion of candlelight everywhere. I looked toward the altar, seeing Marcus standing by a white pedestal. He was smiling broadly, dressed in a white silk suit with a deep red handkerchief tucked neatly in his breast pocket. He was watching me adoringly as I made my way to him, smiling with anticipation.
He stepped down from the altar, taking my hand and brushing my cheek with a kiss.
“I’m surprised you made it. No Family business?”
“Funny,” I said, taking his arm. We walked up to the altar, bringing our destinies together forever.
The reception started right after we sealed our vows with a kiss. After about a half hour of everyone congratulating us, we had our first spotlight dance. The band playing Otis Redding’s “That’s How Strong My Love Is.”
Marcus held me around the waist, our bodies swaying to the beat of the soulful music as we floated across the dance floor, absorbed with each other. He dipped me back, his dark blue eyes gazing down at me with desire.
“You take my breath away, Alixia.” He kissed me passionately, bringing me up as the song ended. The guests applauded, bringing us back to reality.
Marcus had his arm around me as we left the dance floor.
“Marcus,” Robert said, cutting between us and taking me out of his arms. “You don’t mind if I have this dance with my beautiful new sister in-law?”
Marcus raised his hands lightheartedly in defeat, kissing my cheek.
“Go right ahead.”
“Thank you, Brother.”
As the music played, Robert moved in close. He smelled of cologne and alcohol. I congratulated him on his news.
“Thanks. I still can’t believe that, in a few short months, I will be a dad.”
“You’ll be a great dad.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty exciting for both of us.”
He swung me out and brought me back close, looking at my neck.
“What are you doing?” I asked, wiggling away from him.
“Just checking for a bite.”
“Robert!”
“Come here.” I moved back into his arms.
“Marcus didn’t bite me.”
“Hey, I had to check. It’s hard for me to believe you would marry him without becoming one of them.” I gazed up into his eyes. Even though he was being amusing because there were a couple of drinks in him, I sensed his fear for me.
“You don’t have to worry about me. I have told you several times that Marcus would never hurt me. You have to trust that.”
He twirled me.
“Well, he did tell me you were special, and different from other girls.”
I smiled.
“Special, huh?”
“Yeah.” He looked over my shoulder. “So, I’m curious.”
“About what?”
“How many of the guests are vampires?”
“A few. Why?” I asked as the music stopped, seeing his expression turn grim. He was staring over at Clair and Marcus talking to other guests.
“Because a couple of them have been staring at us as if we were lunch.”
“Robert,” I took his arm. “They are not going to hurt any of you.” I smiled at him wickedly. “I don’t think so, anyway. But I do have to say that you look very appetizing tonight, in that white suit. Maybe one of them…”
“Alixia stop. You’re creeping me out.”
I laughed.
“Come on, let’s enjoy the rest of the evening.”
“Yeah, and I need another drink.”
“I don’t know about that.” I looked up at him. I was nervous about his drinking, and blurting out something that he shouldn’t. I sat down by Marcus. He kissed me, and I got into his head quickly.
Watch
Robert’s drinking.
I’m watching.
“Robert,” Marcus said, standing up. Can we talk a minute?”
“Yeah, sure. Just let me grab a beer.”
Marcus shook his head as they walked off.
“What is that about?” Claire asked, watching them leave the room. I had to lie, which was getting easier each time as life moved along.
“I don’t know,” I said, as if it were no big deal. “Probably wants some big brother advice.”
“Really? Advice? Watching you two, I don’t think either of you need any advice.”
“Claire!”
“Hey, I’m just saying.”
“Okay, it’s time to change the subject.”
“If you say so,” she said with a smirk, looking across the room. “Hey, I have a question. Who is that young woman over there staring at us with the scowl?”
“That’s Millie. She’s a friend of the family. Why?”
“Well, she’s been eyeing me all evening. In fact a lot of your guests have. It’s kind of eerie. ”
I stared at Millie, shaking my head.
“Hey, girls,” Libby said, touching my shoulder and then taking a seat at the table with Davis. She wiped her brow with his handkerchief.
“I’m just sweating up a storm from all this dancing. So, where are Marcus and Robert?”
“They are outside, talking.” I could see that she was peeved from the look of irritation on her face.
“Well, they’d better get back here soon. It’s almost time to cut your cake.”
I knew Libby would not tolerate anyone going off her schedule.
“I’ll go find them.”
“You don’t have to,” Davis said, leaning back on his chair and looking at the doorway. “They’re coming in now.”
Walking over to us, Robert seemed a little more subdued.
“Marcus,” Libby got up, taking my hand. “It’s time for you two to cut your cake.” She hustled us away, mumbling under her breath about our lack of responsibility.
Mother and Charles were waiting by the cake to toast us. The cake, of course, was decorated by Mother’s meticulous touches. It was three-tiered with white frosting, and on the top were small red orchids cascading down the sides onto a crystal platter.
“To Marcus and Alixia,” Mother toasted, raising her glass of champagne in pretense. I knew she would not drink. Her preference lay not in champagne tonight, but in a different thirst. She was doing well, not quenching it.
“Thank you, Mother,” I said, picking up the pearl-handled knife with Marcus and hearing applause.
I smiled out at the guests, and then sliced down into the cake. Marcus kissed me, wiping the frosting off my lips, and speaking under his breath.
“We’re out of here after one more dance.”
I smiled.
“You got that, Mother?” I asked, taking her attention away from Charles. “We will be leaving right after the next dance.”
“Okay, I will meet you upstairs.”
I took Marcus’s hand, taking a step toward the dance floor.
“Oh, could you tell Millie to come, too?”
“Yes, I will make sure she is there.”
“Thank you Mother,” I said, pulling on Marcus’s arm. “Let’s go dance, Hubby.
When the music stopped I left Marcus at the bottom of the stairs, and ran up to change. Mother and Millie were waiting for me. My suitcase was open and packed, lying on the bed.
“Help me out of this dress.”
Millie started unbuttoning it.
“Can you believe I’m married?” I asked her, looking down at my ring.
“It’s nice you have happiness.”
“Thank you, Millie. I know this day was hard for you,” I said, sensing her loss of Henry again.
“It’s alright. It brought back some good memories too. There you are. ”
“Thank you,” I said, turning to face her and giving her a big hug. “I love you.”
“I know you do,” she smiled.
Mother walked in with my traveling outfit. She had gone shopping in Paris.
“So, Alixia, how long will you be staying at Achill Island?”
I pulled my wedding dress over my shoulders and let it fall to the floor, stepping out of it.
“A couple weeks. Here, Mother.” She took the dress and handed me the outfit. “Well, you will enjoy being there. It’s a beautiful island, and the coast of Ireland is spectacular.”
I zipped up the black skirt, reaching for the red silk blouse.
“Yes I heard that. And Marcus got us a cottage right beside the water.”
“So you will be staying in a cottage, not a hotel?”
“Yes. We just want to be with each other.” I looked into the mirror straitening my skirt.
“Here’s the jacket,” Mother said, handing it to me. She gazed at me affectionately as she moved my hair back. “So, is there anything you want to know?”
I stared at her in the mirror, seeing the softness in her eyes again.
“No, Mother. There are no questions that I need answered tonight.”
“That is what I wanted to hear.” She kissed my cheek. “I have no worries now.”
She put her arm around me.
“So, when will you return to New Orleans?”
“Right after our honeymoon. We’ll make a quick trip back here to Paris, to say goodbye to Millie.” I turned, seeing her by my suitcases.
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about, Millie. You are staying here, right?”
She closed the top of the suitcase and walked across the room, plopping down in a chair and staring at us. I could sense her misery.
“Listen, if you don’t want to stay, I will take you and James back to New Orleans with us when we return from our honeymoon.”
“No” she said moodily. “For now, I will stay here. But New Orleans is our home, and I will return one way or another.”
I went over to her, kneeling down in front of her and taking her hands.
“Listen, I will do everything to make that happen. The Pure Ones have to understand that this belief of Marguerite’s was wrong, and vindictive.”
“I love you, Alixia, but I don’t see it happening unless…” She looked over at Mother. “Never mind. The beliefs are our laws. You know that.”
I didn’t argue. I knew there was no point.
Desire
Our flight to Ireland landed at the airport in Knock, and Marcus had arranged for us to borrow a car that was parked in the long-term lot. We drove across County Mayo to the Curraun Peninsula, passing through impossibly green fields with ancient rock walls and windswept hedgerows. Here and there the ruins of an old castle kept watch on the countryside.
I inhaled sea air as we zigzagged our way down the road toward the Atlantic, and the bridge to the island. A few stars were still out, visible through wisps of cloud in the early morning sky. I looked over at Marcus, reaching out and touching his hand.
“How much longer?”
“We’re almost there.”
We crossed the bridge at Achill Sound, leaving the mainland behind us. On the island, we followed the main road through the villages of Cashel and Keel, skirting a long, sandy beach. A little farther on, Marcus stopped the car in front of a cottage. It was as quaint as a page in a storybook. Ivy vines climbed the gray stonework on all sides. A rock chimney in the thatched roof released a thin swirl of white smoke. Weathered wooden shutters were open, and a soft, warm light invited us inside.
“Welcome home,” Marcus said, getting out of the car. “Well, at least for the next two weeks.” He walked around and opened my door, leaning in to kiss me.
“Who’s here?” I sensed someone inside.
“Oh, that’s Miss Saylor,” Marcus said as the door opened wide. A blonde woman with a full figure walked out. She looked to be in her late thirties, I thought.
“Welcome!” She came toward us with a huge smile. “Everything’s ready for you.”
“Hi, Miss Saylor. I’m Marcus, and this is my new bride, Alixia.”
“Well, congratulations!” She beamed, and shook our hands.
“Thank you,” I said. “It’s an enchanting cottage. I can’t wait to see the inside.”
“It’s lovely, isn’t it?” she said. “Well, I won’t keep you. There’s milk and wine in the fridge, and food in the cupboard. The fire is on, and here is the key.”
“And here are your car keys,” Marcus said.
“Grand, then. I’ll see you in two weeks. Call if there are any problems. The number is beside the phone.”
She smiled warmly again, and left.
“No car?” I asked.
“We don’t need one. Come here.” He picked me up and carried me across the threshold. I could smell lit candles and fresh cut flowers as he let me down, holding on to me around the waist. I stood there, taking in the room. There was a small kitchenette to the right of us, and a stone fireplace lit and crackling on the other side of the room. A round white couch faced the fireplace, with a matching chair on either side. There was a coffee table between them with a vase of fresh-cut flowers. It was cozy and romantic, ideal for a honeymoon.
“You like it?” Marcus asked, kissing the back of my neck and sending a sensation of desire right through me. I turned around to kiss him. I could barely breathe as my body rushed with pleasure at the touch of his hands. We moved down the hall in a ravenous fervor, finding the bedroom. Ripping off our clothes, we entangled with each other and fell onto the down-filled bed. Marcus moved on top of me, his full lips smiling slightly at the corners as he looked down with desire and love.
“You complete my existence, Alixia.”
I reached up, touching his face.
“I love you.”
He moved down on me, with an open kiss. I felt the coolness of him on my skin as our bodies moved in perfect rhythm together, becoming one for eternity.
I stretched out with a smile. Thinking back on Marcus’s touch made my body start to stir again for him.
“You’re still in bed?” Marcus laughed, coming into the room wearing blue jeans hanging low on his hips. Going to the suitcase, he took out a tee- shirt. He sensuously pulled the white shirt down over his firm, smooth chest and abs. He came toward me with a boyish grin, jumping on the bed and taking me into his arms.
Path of Descent: Ambrosine Page 27
