Legend of Stygian Downs (Vampire DeAngeliuson Book 2)
Page 14
“Probably entranced,” her Father whispers to Jessica who smiles at the thought that her mortal man to-be is fully in attendance, awake, and quite calm - she thinks of Raven - although surrounded by vampires.
“Almost ready?” her Father asks Jessica.
“Just one more thing,” she says, then asks, “Could you help me with this?” She holds the necklace of the ancients she had worn on her first night to the Underworld Castle up to her neck and hands her Father both clasp ends to fasten. He nearly lets a vampire tear drop fall.
“You know, Jessica, your mother wore this necklace once, when I brought her here, with me.”
“Swear?”
“She did. I swear it. She looked beautiful in it too. Just like you do, now. Look at you,” and then he does. He lets one lonely, vampire tear drop trickle from the corner of his eye right down to the floor.
She looks in the mirror at the necklace, the white lace dress they have found for her. Her hair is done up and she looks very grown up. She is grown up, she thinks, and she is proud of herself, of Drew, and to be following her heart. She is also proud of her Father for helping her find Drew.
“O Jessica, sweet Jessica! Just look at this beautiful bride, would you?!” Ickabod says to his guest. “I hope you don’t mind if we peek,” Ickabod’s guest slips off her dark glasses and a wig.
“Date!” Jessica squeals with excitement. They hug.
“I just couldn’t miss this, Jessica, your wedding and in quite an exotic location!”
“And you’re awake! Ickabod, thank-you, this is such a great surprise,” she says.
“Tell the string quartet we’re ready,” Jessica’s Father tells Ickabod, “I think it’s time.”
The music of the string quartet begins. Ickabod and Date take their seats. Theopolis stands as the best man and Domina as the maid of honor. Jessica, helped by her Father, walks across the conservatory’s tiled floor with many windows revealing the twinkling stars by candlelight. Jessica holds a bouquet of ferns tied with a single, blue ribbon she’d found. Drew awaits her arrival, standing near Theopolis and Old Nostramadeus is set at the center to ask the bride and groom to each read their vows to the other. The ceremony is small, elegant, and very touching. I even cried. Then there’s more music, and blood-red cake with white frosting. There is even dancing, Ickabod with Date, Old Nostramadeus with Domina, Theopolis with a cake server from the downtown area’s café, Drew with his bride, and Jessica’s Father with yours truly, the author. Then everyone switches and Jessica’s Father ends up, once again, with Date, who flutters her eyelashes at him more than just once. O ruined revenge! He really is quite something to behold. And all the things you think you’ll say to him, all the victims you’ll stand up for, then you’re asked to dance, well, the wedding was enchanting - it really was.
The happy couple is now on their honeymoon. Theopolis is back at Thaddeus Preference’s, just ‘hanging around’ for the summer. Jessica, after her waves and hugs ‘good-bye’ to everyone, promises she’ll never be back to the Underworld Castle again. O, and I’ve heard from her Father, Jessica is renouncing her ‘vampire side’ to be Drew’s unending and devoted wife. I didn’t want to be the one to say it, but, ‘tick tock‘.