Chapter 345: At the altar
The doors to the ballroom looked oh, so grand. Much larger than before, were they not?
Or was it just a trick of the mind?
The last time she’d encountered them was on the spring equinox night. That night was quite full of... Agitation, and that was the tamest way to describe it.
On that night, Arabella had bolted through those doors without a second thought, but right then and there, time was hers to admire those neatly carved patterns on that so, pristine wood.
Did those patterns always look like that?
The oddest questions busied her mind as she stood on those pearl white lace wedding shoes.
Their design was simple which mattered very little since the hem of her dress touched the floor around her, producing a halo that followed the shape of the metal hoop beneath the fabric.
As the gown wasn’t part of her body, the fairies made sure to avoid her skin while sprinkling fairy dust only on its outer layer in order to give it the same shine as her hair.
And oh, it worked! Right behind the candles in line, Arabella had unarguably become a source of light.
That was it. That was the moment. Everyone was inside, waiting for no one but her to start the ceremony.
Her heart heaved in its cage when the horns blared again to announce the entrance of the bride. Her entrance.
First came the creaking of the doors that split right down the middle for her, shortly thereafter followed by a wave of amalgamated sounds that grasped her ears at once, just as the many aromas snatched her nostrils without notice.
The trumpets resonated a second time for good measure or anyone that might have missed the first announcement.
By then the guests had simmered, only murmurs slipped through the bodies. The music kept tame, only playing gently to harmonize with the whispers filling the hall, but of course, the drumming of her heart had its word to say too, its thumping transmitted across every fiber of her being.
The light came blinding at first and fragmented into little shards upon colliding against her veil.
Through those sheer patterns, Arabella made sure her foot landed where it was supposed to on that scarlet red carpet lining her path.
The mat had been niched between multiple rows of stands that did not go straight but round, making just enough space among them for the pillars holding the roof over their heads in some parts.
The wood they’d been fashioned out of was dark which very well complemented the white garlands strung along and around them.
The fairies floated over the guests, their eyes strictly on her. Not that she could see them, but the weight that had fallen on her all of the sudden could only mean all eyes were, in fact, on her.
As she walked ahead, warmth graced her back. That of someone moving behind her, but there was no way for her to turn. Not to mention, no reason to as their identities were no secret for her.
Katherine and Ada had promised to shadow her and trail her every step until her feet touched the altar.
In Lustris, tradition wanted that every bride be escorted down the aisle to be given away by none other than her father, but as her luck wanted however, that was not going to happen.
the perfume wafting from the hundreds of roses that garnished the hall transcended the air, appeasing the rigid parts of her muscles, but there was nothing in its power for the red around her cheeks as well as the deafening screaming of her heart.
Unlike at the auction ceremony, there was no golden ornament. Only silver threaded the chandeliers, framed the paintings and adorned the vases posted all around.
With every step she took, more heads turned, more eyebrows rose, and hushed chatter began to spread through the stands.
Guests whispered among themselves, their heads snapping between each other and her.
When Arabella reached the fourth row from the altar, one guest stood up at once, rupturing the present harmony that flowed within those walls.
That prompted her to halt in place. She did not throw her eyes their way, but judging by the shape and color of their attire, her peripheral vision told her it was a man.
Her heart, on the other hand, told her who it was without any dallying.
Reubon Sterling gripped the back of the row ahead of him so tightly, it’d have shattered had he been a creature blessed with more strength than a human was ever bestowed.
No words left his mouth, but his chest kept on rising and falling.
His action had commanded utter muteness in the hall for a few seconds before the whispers arose again.
Arabella remained in place for a moment before lifting her chin higher and tightening her grasp around the flower bouquet she held.
Her feet resumed walking after one more deep breath that encouraged her to look up ahead for the first time since her entrance.
And there he stood tall, waiting for her to arrive. With his sword at the hip, Silas had the bearing of a soldier.
There was someone behind him, but to her eyes, only he mattered. Only he was posted under the light beam.
In all white and silver, the vampire too sparkled like a constellation of dazzling stars.
His demeanor shut as per his usual, he left it for his eyes alone to speak on his behalf. To communicate everything he wished to express but reeled in due to the audience gawking at them.
When only a few feet separated them from each other, Silas extended a hand which she took without a hint of hesitation.
He didn’t tug or rush her as it was clear the dress covering her was a tad cumbersome, sweeping the carpet so far behind her to the point that Ada and Katherine had to make sure not to step on that white, royal train following her.
Arabella ascended the three steps of the altar with much grace and went to stand in front of Silas as it was meant to be.