“We’ll bring her with us for now, but if it doesn’t work out, you’ll be the first person I aethergraph,” Noli assured her.
She had a feeling her mother needed something to keep her occupied, with both children gone and no dress shop. They’d have to see how everything went, but Noli knew the offer was genuine, and she greatly appreciated it. It might end up being the best option for Elise; right now they didn’t know. So much was uncertain.
“Noli.” Her father stood in the doorway. “I … you …
you … ” His voice choked. “And Eady … you both look so beautiful. It’s time, Noli.” He offered her his arm.
Mama pulled the lace veil over Noli’s face. “I’ll take my seat. I love you.”
“I love you too, Mama.” Noli watched her mother hustle down the hall. Then, she took her father’s arm as they walked down the stairs.
Vix stood in the downstairs hallway, trembling. Her lace dress wasn’t nearly as fancy as Noli’s, but its elegant simplicity was stunning. Then again, her mother probably started it at Thanksgiving when their engagement had been announced.
“Are you all right, Vix?” Noli left her father and gave Vix a hug.
“I’m fine.” Vix smiled shyly and didn’t shrug her off.
Noli looked around. “Are your parents here?” She hadn’t heard any mention of Vix’s parents, and she didn’t see any man to walk Vix down the aisle.
“No. It’s better this way,” Vix said softly. “It … I almost asked someone special to be here, but I’m not sure society is ready for the likes of him. I’m my own person, anyway. I don’t need someone to give me away.”
“I admire you for being such a strong woman.” Noli had a feeling that the person who Vix spoke of was the fae air pirate who’d given her her start.
“You’re stronger than you think,” Vix replied. “And stronger than some men give you credit for.” She grinned. “Keep in touch, all right?”
“We will.” Noli returned to her father’s side. They were to enter after Vix.
“Oh, you’re both so pretty.” Elise appeared, in a red and white ruffled dress, a basket of red rose petals in her hand.
“You look lovely, Elise. Are you ready?” Noli’s heart thumped in her chest.
“Yes.” Elise twirled around.
Jameson opened the great room doors. The music began to play and Noli’s ears roared.
The crowd stood and Elise walked down the aisle scattering rose petals. Vix took a deep breath and followed. When Vix reached the altar, Noli and her father walked down the aisle, arm in arm. Noli looked into the sea of faces and almost froze.
She had to remind herself that she wasn’t doing this for her mother or society. She was already married to V in the Otherworld. This … this was for herself and only herself.
Hattie waved at her. She caught sight of Thad and Winky and grinned. As usual, Winky wore his striped hat, glasses sliding down his nose. The great room at Grandfather Montgomery’s had been decorated with greenery and ribbons. Chairs were set up with an aisle in the middle, musicians in one corner, and an alter festooned with so many Christmas flowers it looked as if a garden had sprouted. The same pastor who’d married her parents had been found and he stood there, waiting, peering at a large book.
Next to him stood V, in a tuxedo, a nervous look on his face. James stood behind him. Opposite them were Vix and Jeff, Asa behind them as best man. All the men wore red accents. Someone had made Jeff shave.
Her father pulled her veil back over her hair and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I love you, Noli,” he whispered.
“I love you too, Papa,” she whispered back, taking her place by V.
The pastor droned on about marriage and other boring things, and periodically read from the Bible. Her belly rumbled with hunger. There’d be a cake afterward for everyone in attendance, then an elaborate dinner for relations and close friends before they all went off to Christmas Eve services. It had already been a long day of preparations and it was difficult not to yawn.
Finally, the minister turned to Jeff and Vix. “Jeffery Cornelius Braddock, will you have this woman as your lawful wedded wife, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor her, and keep her in sickness as in health; and, forsaking all others, be true to her so long as you both shall live?”
Jeff gazed at Vix, who wore no veil, only a coronet of flowers, as he took her hands in his, bringing her close to him. “I will.”
“Victoria Eleanor Adler, will you have this man as your lawful wedded husband, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you obey him, and serve him, and love, honor, and keep him in sickness as in health; and, forsaking all others, be true to him so long as you both shall live?”
“I will.” She grinned. “Except for the ‘obey’ and ‘serve’ part. After all, I’m still the captain.”
A scandalized look crossed the minister’s face as a murmur ran through the crowd. Someone cheered, probably Hittie. Noli grinned.
The minister turned to them. Noli stepped closer to V.
“Steven Darrow, will you have this woman as your lawful wedded wife, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor her, and keep her in sickness as in health; and, forsaking all others, be true to her so long as you both shall live?” he asked.
“I will.” V’s eyes met hers. “By the Bright Lady I will.” This last part was in a soft whisper as he took her hands in his and drew her close.
“Magnolia Montgomery Braddock, will you have this man as your lawful wedded husband, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you obey him, and serve him, and love, honor, and keep him in sickness as in health; and, forsaking all others, be true to him so long as you both shall live?”
“I will.” She couldn’t stop grinning. “However, I’m still the queen,” she added in quiet Latin. V suppressed a laugh, his eyes dancing.
“The rings?” the minister asked.
Asa handed Jeff his rings, and James did the same for V.
V slid the thin gold ring onto her hand. “With this I thee wed.”
The minister droned on again about boring things. Not that she listened. All she could do was hold V’s hand and grin.
“Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder,” the minister announced. “Mr. and Mrs. Braddock, and Mr. and Mrs. Darrow, as witnessed before God and this company, having given and pledged their troth and declared the same; I now pronounce that they are man and wife. Gentlemen, you may now kiss your respective brides.”
V leaned in and kissed her, so long and deep she could hear giggles and titters from the crowd.
The music played and Jeff led Vix down the aisle, then V led her out. Jeff and Vix disappeared and V led her into the parlor so they could steal a few moments alone until they were ushered back into the great room, which was quickly being converted into a reception hall.
With his foot, Steven pushed the door of the parlor closed and kissed her in a way that made her wonder how much time they had before they would be called back into the room.
Probably not that much.
“Why, Mr. Darrow, are you getting fresh with me?” She gazed into his eyes as he leaned her against the door, his face inches from hers, hat falling off his head.
“Why, Mrs. Darrow, I do believe I am.” His lips captured hers as their bodies pressed together.
Mrs. Darrow. Oh. She was Mrs. Darrow, wasn’t she?
“The day after tomorrow you’re Your Grace again, but for today and tomorrow, you’re Mrs. Darrow.” His grin widened as he leaned in for another kiss.
Someone knocked on the door and they jumped away from each other, startled.
“Five minutes until photographs,” James called from the other side.
“That was fast.” Steven shook his hea
d. “Your mother and grandmother make things move at a speed that would make the seneschal’s head spin.”
“And we’re not finished in the slightest. But yes, they’re quite good, aren’t they?” Even though the wedding had been quick and small, it was still an acceptably extravagant society affair.
“Oh, it’s snowing again.” Noli went over to the parlor window and gazed out at the piles of snowflakes. “I think tomorrow we need a snowball fight. Team Darrow versus Team Braddock.”
“Why, Mrs. Darrow, I think that’s an excellent idea.” V came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and bringing her close.
Noli traced the cuff links she’d given him last night, then turned to bury her face in his chest, breathing in the scent of him. He smelled like home.
“We did it, didn’t we?” she said. “We took a kingdom, fell in love, and got married. Now we’re going to university, ruling the kingdom, and doing our duty to your family. And they say you can’t have it all.”
V touched his forehead to hers. “No one can have it all. But we have what we need. At least, I have everything I need.” His fingers brushed her face, the movement as light as the touch of a feather. “Do you have everything you need, Noli?”
There was still so much to do, so much at stake, with Elise and the Staff of Eris and the state of the Otherworld. But it no longer seemed impossible. She looked into V’s eyes and ran her fingers through his hair, which still wouldn’t lie quite flat.
“Yes, Mr. Darrow, I believe I do.” Noli reached up and kissed him, pouring everything into that single kiss as church bells rang in the distance, rejoicing with them.
Epilogue
The Time is Near
Nearly all of the pieces of the staff were in the Otherworld now. She could feel it.
The time was drawing near.
The girl would assemble the staff, the small one would wield it, and the silly queen would be overthrown.
No longer would she need to rely on the sacrifice for nourishment. No longer would she be kept hungry.
Very soon, she would be free.
All she had to do was wait.
THE END
Author’s Note
One of the things I enjoy about writing steampunk is the ability to move historical things back and forth, manipulating events, places, and history to suit my story. For example, Los Angeles didn’t have an art museum in 1901; then again, they didn’t have airships at all. In any case, robbing an art museum—even if you have magic—is probably not a very good idea.
Likewise, I’m not entirely sure there were “ladies’ nights” such as the one Noli and company enjoyed at Mathias’ Place, but it certainly sounds fun. Stag parties have been around in some way, shape, or form for some time, and this, of course, gave me one more way to torture V. Since I was torturing him, it seemed only fair to harass Vix and Noli with a bridal shower. Many wellborn girls of that era had no idea what happened on their wedding night, and the advice they’d get from their mothers, if they got any at all, would be vague at best, like what was given to Noli.
Mintonette was actually an early term for volleyball, although in the Otherworld they play it using no hands, just magic. I don’t think there’s a portal to Faerie in Central Park, but if you find one, please let me know.
—Suzanne Lazear
Acknowledgments
It takes a lot of people to make a book. I’d like to thank my awesome editor, who gave Noli a chance, and the Flux team who made her shine. My agent. The usual suspects, especially the Apocalypsies, the Class of 2k12, LARA, the Steamed Lolitas, and my ever-epic Airship Squadron.
Hugs and cupcakes to Rachel, Jenn, Julie, Harmony, Reina, Jenny, Susan, Robin, Sarah, and everyone else who helped me with this story.
I’d also like to thank all of you, because without readers there would be no books. Your tweets, emails, and messages mean a lot to me. ~launches cupcake cannon~
Writing can be very solitary, and I’m quite grateful to Twitter, which not only cheered me on and gave me distractions when I needed it but has provided me with more crazy ideas than you will ever know. If you tweet it, it just might end up in a book. (Lauren is probably regretting inventing Missy Sassafras and her perfect scones right now.)
I also couldn’t have done this without my husband and my daughter, who cheer me on and are patient when I’m on deadline. Last but not least, I’d like to thank my parents for buying me books and encouraging me to stick with my dreams.
Photo by John Lazear
About the Author
Suzanne Lazear (Los Angeles, CA) hopes to bring hats back into fashion. She’s also fond of swords, cupcakes, and fairy tales. She’s a regular blogger at Steamed, a group steampunk blog. Fragile Destiny is her third novel.
To learn more about the world of the Aether Chronicles, please go to www.aetherchronicles.com or visit the author at www.suzannelazear.com.
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