Princess of Faerl

*Elentari*

“So much stuff to think about! I always thought if I got married, I would elope… This is CRAZY!” I laughed as my mom put swatches of white over parts of my body to see what colour would work the best for me. If my eyes rolled any harder they would fall out of my head. “You know my dress is going to be black, yes?”

Hand on her hip she glared at me profusely, “I haven’t asked for one thing in this wedding. Black can be the accent color, but your dress will be white. Your reception dress can be black and gothic and everything that embodies you, but your wedding dress is gonna be white!” Her nose was even getting red. I had to laugh.

“Mama!!” I yelled over my shoulder.

Belle looked at me and shrugged her shoulders, “I agree with Alisee on this one, love. Good luck!” I sighed dramatically and looked to Stacie.

“My amazing, beautiful, wonderful, kind, caring, and did I mention amazing yet, sister. Please convince our mother to stop trying to make me a vision of a white wedding? It’s so not me…” I pouted. I really did not want to wear white.

“So, hear me out…” Stacie started with her wide eyed excited stare. “You do white… BUT! Only for the ceremony and we do an awesome dress change that you don’t actually have to change dresses at all for the reception. I saw it in a magazine.” She pulled out a piece of paper and started furiously scribbling showing me her design idea. “And that way, you could have a bow of matching black fabric around your waist that drops down into the train, giving it a nice accent, and once the dress is transformed, you can even make the skirt trainless and more of an after party cocktail dress…” Her pencil started flying again. I liked her concept, I just really didn’t want to wear white.

“Do we really have to broadcast that I’m a virgin? Should it even matter if I am or not? And if I’m wearing a white dress because I am, will you be wearing a white dress for your wedding, mom? Cuz we ALL know you’re not a virgin, even if you were when you met dad.” I raised my eyebrow at her, waiting for a response.

“She won’t be wearing white.” Belle spoke up. “She’s going to be a dutchess and she’s a wolf. She’s going to be wearing silver and blue for the wolf clan and dutchy position. Your dad will be wearing silver and red.” This made me roll my eyes even harder.

“So why am I not wearing silver? And whatever color goes for gods, dragons, wolves, fae, and vampires?” I was not letting this rest.

Lily snickered in the corner. “Well, actually… you are… Have you not been told that black is the absence of color but white is all colors together?” Her eyes twinkled at me. I sighed.

“You realized you’re probably the ONLY one that could get away with telling me that right now, yea?” I really didn’t want the white! “Fine, lets do whatever with the transforming colors and bullshit. But my makeup is mine to chose and it’s going to be done to match the black!” I pouted fully. I didn’t like not getting my way.

“As you wish, Princess…” Alisee giggled at me and continued to torture me with fabric. “But as much fun as I’m having torturing you, my belly is being kicked so hard that I think they are playing soccer and I need to go sit down.” I could see the little foot kick the side of her tummy. I was so happy for them and having more children. I know dad always wanted a housefull and Alisee hadn’t had any, so twins for them was a huge blessing.

My currently youngest sibling was in momma’s arms, cooing and drooling. “Is it time for the tiny terror’s nap?” I asked her. Belle nodded. “Let me take it. I’ll get it to sleep.” Momma smiled at me and handed the little one month old bundle over. I looked down at the tiny lips and eyes, little button for a nose, “Alright my little love, time to let momma rest and you get some big sister time. Maybe your big brother will come and say hello again.” I hoped Hep was able to come by today.

“Stacie, I think we should go look through some magazines at some bridesmaid dresses, see what would match that color concept you came up with.” Lily was adorable. She was coming out of her shell since she found Scottie. It was a couple weeks until their birthday and Lily and Aran were feeling the pull to their mates hardcore. Like, beyond hardcore. If anyone had doubts before, they didn’t now.

“Well, since we’ve got my dress figured out, why do you you two also see what dresses you like. Lets not pretend that my wedding and mom’s are the only ones that will happen this summer/spring. The twin’s birthday is coming up and Y’all probably won’t see the rest of us for like… two weeks… once that bond fully kicks in. And I suspect some rings might be in order too, soon.” I loved teasing them over all this. I knew Hep had been asked to make rings and obliged quite some time ago, but the girls had no idea. The one for Lily was a lovely pink cushion cut diamond and the setting was a fairy tale castle. For Stacie, hers looked a little more like mine, but it was a platinum band with little suns holding up a pale yellow marquis cut diamond surrounded by smaller yellow diamond accents. The rings were brilliantly stunning.

Neither one knew that I made their bridal shower dresses already as well. Pink for Lily and yellow for Stacie. I was almost more excited to surprise them than I was for my own upcoming wedding. I left the room with my little sibling in my arms, heading to my own room. I had a bassinet in there as I wanted to give momma and daddy some time to themselves every once in a while after the bundle was born. I was learning exactly how important physical contact was for a bonded couple and I wanted to make sure since I could support them, I would. I waved to a couple of the pixie ladies that were flying about decording the castle. One stopped me before I could get to the stairs.

“Uhm, princess, there’s a man here who says he needs to see you. Its, slightly unsettling. He looks like Hep, but his name is Khalith. Do you know anyone by that name, or did Hep have any children previously?” Tourmaline’s wings fluttered a little faster than normal.

“I do not know of any children of Hep’s, but honestly, that doesn’t matter much. Who knows, someone might have hidden a child from him, for all we know. Does the man feel threatening?” I asked and Tourmaline shook her head no. “Well if he’s not threatening, have Aranelda meet with him first and bring him up to my quarters. I need to get the little one down for a nap.” I wasn’t thinking much of it. I’d have to ask Hep later though if it turned out he had a child. I would think he would have told me, so this was going to be interesting. I ascended the stairs and made way to my room. The little bundled started to coo at me.

“Well, you don’t seem ready for a nap now are you?” I giggled back, starting up a conversation with the tiny one. “Into your swing you go!” I laughed a little seeing the tiny smile and hearing the little giggles. A knock came at my door. “Who is it?”

“It’s me Nin Guwaning.” The sound of my twin made me smile and made my little brother smile. “I have additional company.”

“Come on in.” I straightened my shirt and sat on the floor infront of the swing. “Who’s a cute boy? Who’s going to be the smartest boy ever?” I asked my little brother all the questions until I felt an imposing aura around me. I turned and looked at a man that made me thing of what it would look like if Hep and I had a child. My mouth hung open for a moment as he looked back at me. He had some of Hep’s nervous ticks, like looking at the ground and holding his hands behind his back or in his pockets. His hair was down to his mid back and was black with a streak of silvery white at the front. “You must be Khalith.” I let myself breath finally.

“That I am. You must be Elentari.” He bit his lip. “My mom told me some day I’d get to meet you. She also said you wouldn’t know who I am, but that you’d know I’m telling the truth.” He looked nervous as all get out.

“Uhm, okay, so who are you?” My nerves were starting to rise as I pushed the baby swing.

“In a weird sort of way, I’m your son. Yours and Hephaestus’ son.” At the words my world went black and I fainted on the spot.