by Nora Lee
She reached the doorway to the great hall and held up a hand to indicate that her companions should stay back. Rowan, Orianna, and Fern stood together in a little huddle, looking more nervous than they had a few minutes earlier.
Giving them a reassuring smile, she stepped out into the main room.
The chiming bells continued to resonate through the castle walls.
Guests sat at all the tables looking toward where an altar had been set up. Across the way, Enid saw Gemma and Fox struggling to close the front door against the slight wind that seemed to have come up.
As though she were seeing things happen in slow motion, Enid noticed Gemma’s foot nudging one of the jack-o-lanterns out of the protective line preventing the ghouls from entering the castle. Fox noticed at the same time and released the door to try to move the pumpkin back into place.
The door blew open and knocked aside more of the lanterns.
Ghouls streamed into the great hall and climbed up the walls. They swung from the chandeliers overhead, raining decorative flowers down onto the guests, who hurried to try to evict the little monsters.
“Stop that!” Enid rushed to pull a ghoul off the table nearest her as the creature tugged on the cloth. Dishes dropped the floor, sending flying shards in all directions. Another ghoul climbed onto Enid’s back and pulled at the collar of her jacket. She fought to break free of the bony fingers, remembering how she’d been rescued by Hephaestus the last time, and looked around to see if her hero might be around.
Garrett and Caedmon struggled to protect the bridal table from being too damaged while other guests fought to protect as many of the decorations as possible. Gemma and Fox worked to put the jack-o-lanterns back into place. Nana hunkered down in a corner, sheltering her sleeping great-granddaughter. A small group led by Adora Glenn captured several ghouls in a protective bubble and fought to levitate them back out the front door; they were joined by Fern, who attempted to direct gusts of wind at the floating ghouls. Iris Westerly hurried to Orianna’s side to try to protect the bride and her amazing dress.
Chaos filled the great hall.
Over her shoulder, Enid saw Rowan jump into the fray.
Where was Hephaestus? She didn’t think they could prevent the complete destruction of the great hall without his assistance. The combined powers of the other witches and warlocks didn’t seem to be enough to hold the ghouls at bay.
17
F ighting off the ghouls seemed to be a losing battle for the most part. No matter how hard the coven tried to be rid of the creatures, they couldn’t get them out of the great hall. Enid felt discouraged that she’d place her community in this position and hated that she’d ruined the wedding she’d set out to make perfect. This would be a lesson she’d long remember.
Two of the ghouls climbed onto opposite ends of one of the long dining tables and looked like they’d planned to rampage and destroy the decorations, place settings, and food, then meet in the center. Enid hurried over to do what she could to stop them.
A bright flash lit the table and the ghouls scurried away with their hands over their eyes.
She turned to find Hephaestus had joined the fray.
With the added power of the former High Priest, the coven managed to focus their energies and contain the ghouls in one corner of the room. Hephaestus hurried over to where Adora Glenn continued to cast a protective barrier and added his own strength to hers as reinforcement.
The brilliance of the shield blinded the ghouls and kept them from trying to escape.
“Will you be able to manage this while I go perform the ceremony?”
Adora nodded, perspiration trickling down one cheek from the strain of holding the shield. “Yes, I can. No problem.” She gave Hephaestus a smile. “I just can’t promise to hold them for very long.”
“We shall need no more than fifteen minutes.”
“That I can manage.”
Hephaestus gave a slight bow before hurrying off to the altar while motioning at Enid.
Her heart raced as she joined him. He’d dressed up for the occasion, wearing a long frock coat over high-collared white shirt, his legs encased in a pair of tight slacks. Hephaestus looked like the hero of one of the period romances she’d been addicted to in her younger years.
“I need you at my side during the ceremony. Miss Glenn will hold the ghouls off as long as possible, but you will serve as my back up, if you do not mind.”
Enid shook her head. “Of course not. This is all my fault so I’ll do whatever I can to put things right.”
Giving her a gentle smile, Hephaestus took her hand in his and led her behind the altar placed on the lowest steps of the grand staircase. From their slight height, she looked out to see the rest of the guests, except the few helping Adora hold the ghouls, return to their places while the brides, Fern, Iris, Nana, and Siobhan ducked back into the hallway where the procession would begin. Garrett and Caedmon hurried to stand before Hephaestus.
The great hall glowed in the soft light of the multitudes of candles spread around the room. Gentle heat from fire warmed the stone floor and walls of the massive space. Oversized pots filled with red and gold mums lined either side of the stairs and the area behind the altar. Jack-o-lanterns smiled at the gathering from all over the room. Burlap ribbon tied cornstalks to the lowest portion of the banister and an arch of creeping yellow vines arched overhead. If not for the slathering ghouls in the corner, the scene would be perfect.
They’d managed to convince the gnome orchestra to return and, at a nod from Hephaestus, they once again struck up the strains of the traditional wedding march. The sounds of the small instruments augmented the self-playing pipe organ to fill the space with glorious sound.
Garrett and Caedmon turned to face the assembled guests who all rose as one.
Fern stepped out of the hallway with her little basket of flower petals and threw them onto the ground as she walked between the pumpkin-lined aisle they’d created for the occasion. Enid smiled at the seriousness of her expression as she took each measured step closer.
Hephaestus squeezed her hand.
She glanced up, her breath catching at the look in his eyes.
Orianna followed a few feet behind her daughter. She looked every inch the fairy princess they’d talked about earlier as she carried the glorious bouquet of colorful daisies that showed the slight tremble of her hands as she walked. A few feet behind her, came Rowan, standing straight and tall and carrying a single red sunflower tied with a bright yellow bow.
Enid saw both grooms appropriately stunned at the beauty of the women coming toward them. Though the brides had joined in the fray earlier, the men had been too busy to get a good look.
Fern stopped at the base of the altar and set down her basket. Orianna stopped by Caedmon and Rowan moved into position next to Garrett. Once the brides were in place, Fern took their flowers and set them into the special vases provided to hold them during the ceremony. The little girl then went to stand between her mother and Caedmon.
Hephaestus raised his hands and the music faded away. “Please be seated.”
The assembled group followed his direction as though they’d practiced.
In the corner, Adora and her assistants continued to hold the ghouls, though the little creatures were now throwing themselves at the barrier as they tried to escape. Enid kept an eye on that side of the room in case the monsters escaped so she could help keep them at bay long enough to finish the wedding.
Again, Hephaestus raised his hands. “We are gathered here on this beautiful All Hallows Eve to celebrate the union of these two young couples: Garrett Blank and Rowan Middlebrook. Caedmon McFarland and Orianna Westerly. Please join hands.”
The couples turned to face each other. Their faces all radiated the joy and love they felt.
“As your hands are joined, so are your lives. Hold each other, caress each other, support each other, and love each other.” Hephaestus handed each couple a cloth. “Place these around your
joined hands, please, and repeat after me in turn.”
Garrett and Caedmon did as they were bid.
After Hephaestus finished speaking, Garrett said his part. “I Garrett, promise you Rowan, that I will be your husband. From this day forward. To love and respect you. To support and hold you. To make you laugh and to be there when you cry. To softly kiss you when you are hurting. And to be your companion and your friend on this journey that we will now make together.”
The warmth and strength of Hephaestus’ hand in hers caused her to feel an intense longing.
Caedmon repeated, “Because to the depths of me, I long to love one person, with all my heart, my soul, my mind, and my body. Because I need a forever friend to trust with the intimacies of me, who won’t hold them against me, who sees the small child in me, and looks for the divine potential of me.”
From the corner of her eye, Enid noticed a commotion, and turned to find the barrier holding the ghouls failing. Adora fought to keep the containment, but her strength flagged, until one ghoul managed to get a hand through a small opening. This led to a full failure of the protective confines and the escape of all the ghouls.
Enid gathered strength from her connection with Hephaestus and turned her mind to the problem of keeping the ghouls away from the altar as she continued to listen to the ceremony with half an ear.
“Because I need someone to cuddle in the warmth of the night,” said Orianna. “Someone who is thankful, with someone I feel blessed to hold.”
Rowan then took her turn. “Knowing this, I promise myself to take full responsibility for my spiritual, mental, and physical wholeness.”
Hephaestus spoke up again. “As you seek to enter this state of union you should strive to make real the ideals you both share. With full awareness, know that within this circle you are not only declaring your intent to be joined into a single unit before your friends and family, but you also recommit yourselves to seeking your creative higher powers.”
The ghouls spread out around the back side of the assembled guests and upended a couple of the wrought iron candelabras. Maddock Leif and a handful of Ash cousins got up and helped to create another wall between the little monsters and the assembled guests.
“Do you have rings to exchange?”
“We do,” said the two couples in response to the question.
Fern held one jewelry box out to Caedmon and then crossed to hand the other to Garrett.
The brides and grooms took out their wedding bands.
“As these circles are designed without an ending, they speak of eternity. May the incorruptible substance of these rings represent love glowing with increasing luster through the years. Bless these rings which you give to each other as a sign of your love and faithfulness.”
The couples placed the simple gold bands on each other’s fingers.
Enid glanced over long enough to watch the exchange, before returning her attention to the ghouls, who were working their way around the edges of the room toward the assembled wedding party.
“Now that you have joined together in matrimony, may you strive always to meet this commitment with the same spirit you exhibit at this moment. We all bear witness to the ceremony you have just performed and you may now call yourselves by those old and respected names, husband and wife. Bless this union. You may now seal your unions with a kiss.”
Applause filled the room as the couples complied.
With a wave of her hand, Fox caused confetti to fall from a net hidden above the vine-covered arch over the altar, the colorful papers floating gently over the newlyweds. Fern danced in a circle and created a slight breeze that rained confetti out over the closest guests.
The ghouls once again broke through the wards and everyone gave up on trying to hold them.
18
A dora Glenn’s honey mead flowed freely as the celebration progressed. The couples ascended to the bridal table and looked out over the proceedings while the rest of the guests tried to enjoy the banquet created for the occasion. Game hens roasted with root vegetables, savory stews served in hollowed-out pumpkins, salads, fresh fruits, and casseroles filled one of the long serving tables. Another held delectable desserts ranging from tartlets to the towering wedding cake created by Nana Winterblossom.
Fern, Keene, and the other kids ran around the room, hiding from the ghouls, who continued to fling food and flowers in all directions. The gnome orchestra continued to play in their corner, protected by a small cage of wrought iron Hephaestus had found in the storeroom and bolted to the floor. The gnomes cast disparaging glances at the ghouls while they played and Enid kept expecting them to vanish from sight at a moment’s notice.
As the mead relaxed the guests, they took ever greater joy in taunting the ghouls, zapping them with the occasional burst of magic that sent the little creatures scurrying for cover. The kids, of course, found the situation hilarious and continued to run around laughing and shrieking at the uproar.
The gnome orchestra struck up the strains of a waltz.
Enid turned to watch Caedmon step down from the dais, holding out a hand to help Orianna. Garrett and Rowan soon joined them in the center of the cleared space. Both couples bowed to each other and then swept into elegant waltzes, circling the room beneath the oversized chandelier Hephaestus had installed, and surrounded by guests who watched with fond smiles as they rocked to the beat of the tune.
Happiness and misery warred within Enid. She loved the couples and wanted the best for them. Yet she also envied them and feared she’d never find what they had. The fact that she’d unleashed the ghouls and depressing spirits upon the proceedings didn’t make her feel very good about herself as a person. All of this could have been avoided if she weren’t so prideful.
She thought once again of Hephaestus and wondered where he might have gone.
The room warmed up and Enid removed her jacket. She watched the others laugh and eat and dance and chase ghouls and felt like even more of an outsider than ever. Near the head table, Gemma and Fox sat talking together and fed each other tastes of every item on their plates. Rowan, Garrett, and Siobhan sat with Nana Winterblossom, the three adults cooing over the adorable infant. Orianna and Caedmon continued to slow dance together even though the gnome orchestra now played a lively jig. Several of the more intoxicated were knocked over by the kids chasing the ghouls around the room. Even the familiars were in attendance, Sparkle and Thorne in the rafters, and Bronson sleeping on the hearth with Fern’s kitten.
Time passed with agonizing slowness. Enid watched the clock tick down the hours until midnight. At that point, the newlyweds moved to the dessert table and cut the ceremonial pieces of cake, which they then smeared all over each other to much laughter and applause. Then came one o’clock, two o’clock, three o’clock, and beyond.
Many of the kids fell asleep in a corner at some point as their parents settled in to relax and talk together. The ghouls continued to throw things around, but no one paid them any mind anymore now that the main part of the celebration had wound down. Everyone waited for just one dawn when the veil between worlds would close and Secret Hallow would settle down to normal.
Enid couldn’t stand the waiting and decided to go find Hephaestus. She searched the empty rooms of the castle for quite some time before coming the realization he must’ve gone outside. She checked the courtyard and saw no sign of him there, either. Looking up at the starry sky, she spread her arms wide, calling on the universe for help. Enid then felt a strong urge to go explore a dark corner of the grounds she hadn’t yet seen.
There, away from the living souls huddled together in the castle, she found Hephaestus alone in his family cemetery. He stood over one large stone in particular, looking down at the inscription with a thoughtful expression.
Moving to his side, she saw he stood over his own grave.
Hephaestus looked up when he realized he had company.
“I’m sorry to interrupt.” Enid turned to leave.
He reached out a
nd took her hand. “No, please stay with me. I could use the companionship.”
They stood in silence for several long moments before he turned to face her. “How is the party?”
“Everyone’s tired. Even the ghouls have calmed down a little.”
“That is good to hear.” Hephaestus lifted his face and sniffed at the sky. “Not too much longer before the dawn and this will all be over. No matter what happens next, I am glad to have been a part of the celebration.”
No time like the present.
Enid braced herself. “There’s something I’d like to say to you.” Their eyes met and warmth filled her. Only he could make her feel this way. She couldn’t let him go back – yet he couldn’t stay. What could they do? “I understand how you feel about my family, but in the time we’ve spent together you’ve become special to me. Very special.”
“My feelings toward your family have changed. Emilia Ash is laid to rest.”
Her heart fluttered. “Do you mean to say…?”
Hephaestus nodded. “You have also become very special to me.” He took her other hand and pulled her closer. “In fact, I do believe I have fallen in love with you.”
“Oh!” Enid’s eyes filled with tears.
Taking a step back, Hephaestus released her hands and turned away. “My apologies if I misunderstood what you meant to say.”
“No, I’m thrilled to hear you say that.” Enid threw her arms around him. “I love you, too. So much that the thought of you going back to the Spirit World is more painful than I can say.”
He returned her embrace. “I do not want to go back. In all the time I have been on the other side, thoughts of returning to the mortal world did not occur to me. Yet, of late, I have thought of nothing else. The idea of being parted from you is painful to me as well.”
Enid looked up into his eyes as he leaned down toward her, his hair rippling in the gentle breeze, and her lips parted in anticipation of his kiss.
