Sinjin

You don’t belong here! I argued back. You are an Elemental, Bryn. You aren’t one of them. And the sooner you push thoughts like that out of your head, the better.

  Well, regardless of who or what I am, I can at least allow myself this moment.

  I settled my gaze on my sister and a smile curled my lips. I couldn’t help noticing how beautiful she was. Her white dress was so long, it reached the ground, hiding her shoes beneath it. It was form fitted and the skirt was both straight and narrow, but allowed for her baby bump which, really, was now more of a baby mountain. The dress might have been considered plain if not for the white lace that covered it, and the pretty white satin sash that tied around her middle. The top of the dress was also lace with long sleeves that ended in a scalloped border.

  Jolie faced herself in the mirror again, just as her lips were stained in a rosy blush and her cheeks echoed the same color. She smacked her lips together a few times, as a sheen of gloss appeared on top of the lipstick. Then, taking a deep breath, she smiled broadly as she stood up and faced us. “I think I’m ready.”

  You look astonishingly beautiful, I whispered to her in thought as the girls offered their own compliments. You’re going to take Rand’s breath away.

  Thank you, Jolie answered as she smiled at me, an expression of true happiness evident on her face.

  I nodded as Christa clapped her hands together and faced us all expectantly. “So, are we ready to get this show on the road or what?”

  “I think so!” Jolie responded in an excited tone as she reached for our bouquets of yellow daffodils. They were sitting on the fireplace mantel and she handed one to each of us. I accepted mine and watched as Jolie reached for her bouquet of white roses, pink Casablanca lilies and sprays of baby’s breath.

  A dart of apprehension flowed through me as I thought about the festivities that awaited us. There was no use in denying I was nervous—I’d never seen a wedding before, so I had no idea what to expect. That and I knew this night was so incredibly important to my sister that I wanted everything to be perfect. And I also had to admit that I was fearful about somehow screwing it up. What if I did trip? Or what if someone took offense to my being in the wedding party? What if I didn’t say or do the right thing?

  Stop worrying, Bryn, I heard my sister’s voice inside my head. Surprised, I glanced over to where she stood behind Christa, who was headed out the door.

  You picked up on my nervousness? I asked with a slight laugh.

  It’s impossible not to! she responded as she smiled at me. You’ve been broadcasting it without realizing you were since this morning. Just relax! Everything is going to be fine.

  I just don’t want to screw anything up, I replied honestly as Jolie walked out of her bedroom and I followed her, Klaasje behind me. I know how much this evening means to you. I just want to make sure it’s as perfect as it can be.

  Having my sister alongside me as I marry the man of my dreams will make it perfect, she thought with warm conviction as she paused at the top of the staircase and faced me.

  I felt tears burning my eyes and I couldn’t respond except to nod my head.

  ###

  Even though the wedding was to take place outside, neither the incessant wind nor the pelting rain could ruin the atmosphere. Instead, there was magic in place that superseded the elements, magic that forbade the rain from soaking our spirits, or the wind from howling its presence through the ceremony.

  I watched Klaasje, who was standing in front of Sinjin and me, take Odran’s arm as the fae king led her down the flower-strewn pathway that ended in the courtyard of Kinlock Kirk. There, one hundred wooden white chairs were set up in rows, all facing a pergola bedecked with white fabric that covered its top and sides. Strapped to its legs were ornately tied ribbons and multitudes of flowers.

  “You are nervous, Bête Noire,” Sinjin whispered, his cold breath causing goose bumps to break out along my collarbone.

  “Yes,” I answered, seeing no point in denying it. I was nervous. In fact, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been so apprehensive about something. And I wasn’t exactly sure why—I’d been in plenty of situations that warranted my fear, much more so than my sister’s wedding should have. Even as I reminded myself, there was still something deep within me that wouldn’t be sated, something which kept warning me that something was amiss.

  “I can hear the escalation in your breathing,” Sinjin continued as he stared down at me with his ice blue eyes. He was dressed in his customary black, this time a tuxedo, and I’d never seen him look more handsome. “And I can hear the racing of your heartbeat.”

  “It’s our turn soon,” I said, facing forward again. I could feel his gaze on me, but I couldn’t bring myself to face him. Instead, my attention centered on the people who sat in the rows of white chairs and watched the wedding party begin their walk down the lit pathway, leading to the pergola. Above us, an invisible shield blocked the rain. It was as if the entire wedding took place beneath an immense glass bubble, invisible to the naked eye, but just as effective all the same.

  “Yes, it is,” Sinjin breathed as I watched Christa take her fiancé’s hand before the two of them started down the aisle. I could just make out Rand standing on one side of the pergola. He was dressed smartly in a black tuxedo, a permanent smile frozen on his face. Beside him, Odran stood, dressed in an all-black kilt. Mathilda stood beside Rand and took turns smiling at everyone in the audience. On her right-hand side, Klaasje and Christa took their places. It was almost time for us to start walking.

  “So how did you manage to nab the spot of best man?” I asked Sinjin, trying to find a topic of conversation that might distract me from my anxiety. “I didn’t think Rand liked you very much?”

  “Quite so, my little assassin, quite so,” Sinjin started as he offered me his elbow. Taking it, we started down the pathway. I clung to Sinjin’s elbow like a life raft in the middle of the ocean. “Randall is not fond of me in the least, I daresay.”

  “Randall?” I repeated, clutching Sinjin’s arm even tighter when I felt my right foot begin to skid on the uneven pavers.

  “Randall is my pet name for the uptight warlock,” Sinjin explained with a little chuckle. I noticed he slowed his gait so I could safely keep up with him. “And to answer your previous question, little imp, I was not chosen to be best man, no,” he continued with a sigh, like it was a shame. “The truth is the queen requested that I assist you down the aisle.” Glancing down at me, he smirked at the same time I lost my footing, and he wrapped his arm around my waist so I could maintain my balance. “And good thing I did too, because you are quite like a newborn giraffe on those ridiculous stilts.”

  “I’ve never worn high-heeled shoes before,” I managed as we hit the halfway mark down the aisle. Just a few more steps and I would be able to stand still for a while. That thought was a relief in and of itself.

  “You do not say,” Sinjin replied sarcastically with another debonair smile.

  I didn’t answer because we’d reached the pergola. Now Sinjin would go one way while I went the other.

  “Are you all right to escort yourself now?” he whispered to me, offering me a smile that seemed … sweet.

  “I think so,” I managed as I took a deep breath and kept my balance when Sinjin finally released me. I was very careful to watch my step and move slowly as I inched along to my place at the front of the procession. When Klaasje reached out her hand to me, I eagerly grasped it.

  “I’ve never seen anyone under the age of forty walk so slowly before,” she whispered to me with a laugh. I, meanwhile, inwardly heaved a sigh of relief that I’d made it.

  “Well, walking slowly is better than tripping and my face coming up close and personal with the ground,” I whispered back. The ring bearer, who was a charming little boy with shiny blond hair, started down the aisle, clutching a small, white pillow and two platinum rings tied to the ribbons. He took his place in front of Rand while Odran struggled to release the two rings from the ribbo
ns, his beefy fingers not dexterous in the least. Two flower girls, one easily a head taller than the other, started down the walkway, both haphazardly tossing white rose petals from their baskets. Some landed on the ground while others adorned people’s laps.

  “All, please rise,” Mathilda announced in her singsong voice. Everyone in the audience stood and turned around to watch Jolie as she walked down the aisle, on the arm of Mercedes.

  As soon as I saw Jolie, I felt my breath catching and an irrepressible smile appeared on my mouth. My sister had never looked more radiant. She was beaming from ear-to-ear and even though she was the focus of everyone’s eyes, she reserved her gaze for Rand. Glancing over at her intended, I noticed the sheen of welling tears that sparkled in his eyes. He held her eyes, and at that moment, I realized in their minds, there was only the two of them. Everything and everyone else around them didn’t even matter.

  I couldn’t deny the ache growing inside me because I couldn’t imagine I would ever be in a situation where a man would look at me in such a way. The thought of love had never concerned me before, but it did now. I suddenly yearned for it. I wanted to find a man who would look at me with the same level of adoration that Rand had in his eyes for Jolie.

  What is wrong with you? I asked myself. You’ve never cared about love before. What happened to the cool and calculated warrior you used to be?

  But I couldn’t answer. I wasn’t sure why.

  “Who gives our queen to Rand Balfour in marriage?” Mathilda asked, her gaze resting on Mercedes.

  “I do,” the prophetess replied. She was dressed in a long, dark emerald velvet dress that matched her beautiful eyes. She smiled at Jolie, who turned and handed me her bouquet. Naturally, I accepted it. Jolie stepped forward at the same time Rand did, so both were now standing directly in front of Mathilda, their hands clasped tightly as they faced one another.

  “To all present,” Mathilda started as she cleared her throat. “We are gathered here, not to witness the beginning of what will be, but rather what already is and will continue to be!” The crowd erupted into applause as Mathilda quieted them with her raised hands. “We are all extremely excited to witness the union of our queen to her one true love and bonded mate.” There was another round of cheers and clapping. When the audience hushed, Mathilda continued. “Our queen and her beloved have chosen to share a passage with all of you.”

  Then Christa cleared her throat and stepped forward. She pulled a piece of paper from her purse before addressing the crowd. “This passage comes from Shakespeare’s Hamlet.” Then she cleared her throat again. “Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love.” She read the excerpt so quickly, she actually seemed nervous. Then she smiled shyly at the crowd before facing Jolie and inhaling deeply. She offered her best friend a quick hug before folding the sheet of paper and stepping back.

  “Our queen and her beloved have written their own vows to one another, which they shall now recite,” Mathilda continued.

  Rand tightened his hold on my sister’s hands and smiled down at her, his eyes glistening. Then he faced Odran, who handed him one of the rings. It was a wide, platinum band that was etched with all sorts of intricate designs. Rand slid the ring onto my sister’s finger with a beaming smile. “I promise to always be there for you, Jolie,” he started, in a voice so soft, it was difficult to hear him. “To shelter and hold your love as the most precious gift in my life. You'll never need to look further than me. I will forever trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may encounter.” He took a deep breath as a single tear streamed down his face. “Jolie, I give you my hand, my heart and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live."

  I glanced at my sister and noticed tears streaming down her cheeks, but the smile on her face said how extremely happy she was. She faced Odran, who handed her Rand’s ring, which she then slid onto his finger. “In the presence of our family and friends,” she started, pausing momentarily to get her emotions under control. Smiling at Rand, she closed her eyes for a few seconds before she opened them again and nodded, apparently regaining her composure to carry on. “I offer you my whole self, Rand, everything I am and everything I will ever be. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you, to honor you and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you throughout all the seasons of our life together."

  There was a collective hush from the crowd. As for me, I was finding it incredibly difficult to swallow the lump in my throat. Tears were already stinging the back of my eyes, which made me blink incessantly.

  “And now, by the power vested in me by the Goddess of all that we see around us,” Mathilda said, before grinning broadly at Jolie and Rand, “I hereby pronounce you husband and wife. Rand, you may kiss your bride.”

  Rand pulled Jolie into the haven of his arms, bending her head slightly before kissing her in such a way that I didn’t imagine she would ever forget it. The audience erupted into a raucous round of cheering, laughing and clapping, and I wasn’t sure why, but I suddenly looked over at Sinjin. The vampire just stood there, staring at the ground, not smiling or frowning. In fact, his expression was indecipherable, utterly blank. I thought about trying to read him, to invade the bulwark that he kept his emotions hidden behind, but then chose not to. The truth was: I didn’t want to know what he was thinking. As if aware I was watching him, he suddenly looked up, right into my eyes. I wanted to divert mine but I couldn’t. Instead, we both just held one another’s gaze, both of us expressionless.

  “Family and friends,” Mathilda continued, “may I present to you Jolie and Rand Balfour.”

  I pulled my attention away from Sinjin and watched Rand take Jolie’s hand. The two of them turned around to face the audience. Everyone started clapping. I started to clap, until I felt a throbbing pain right behind my eyes. I closed them immediately as I brought my hands to my forehead and rubbed my temples, trying to ward the sharp stabbing away. I could hear the roar of the audience as some people broke into a song, but I couldn’t open my eyes. The pain behind them was too severe.

  Bryn. It was Luce! Although I couldn’t see him in my mind’s eye, I knew his voice anywhere. It is time.

  Time for what? I inquired in thought, feeling the weight of the world suddenly descending on my shoulders. My stomach churned and I felt dizzy.

  We are coming for you and your sister, he answered nonchalantly.

  When? I asked, feeling sick to my stomach as my heartbeat began rampaging through me.

  Within the hour.

  No! I barked back immediately before I realized I needed to explain myself. It’s too soon. I … I haven’t been here long enough to learn everything you wanted me to learn. I thought of any argument just so I could buy myself some time. You have to wait, Luce. Now is not the right time!

  We have raided your subconscious, which stores all your memories, Bryn, he continued. And we know enough now to invade and successfully defeat our enemies. Our army is strong and we are ready. Now is the best time to take them by surprise. There was a pause before he added, You have been of immense service to your people, Bryn. I am proud of everything you’ve done in the name of your tribe. Without you, none of this would have been possible.

  But I could take no comfort in his words.

  To Be Continued…

  Also Available From HP Mallory:

  Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble, where Sinjin made his debut…

  Turn the page for chapter one!

  ONE

  It’s not every day you see a ghost.

  On this particular day, I’d been minding my own business, tidying up the shop for the night while listening to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (guilty as charged). It was late—maybe 9:00 p.m. A light bulb had burnt out in my tarot reading room a few days ago, and I still hadn’t changed it. I have a tendency to overlook the menial deta
ils of life. Now, a small red bulb fought against the otherwise pitch darkness of the room, lending it a certain macabre feel.

  In search of a replacement bulb, I attempted to sort through my “if it doesn’t have a home, put it in here” box when I heard the front door open. Odd—I could’ve sworn I’d locked it.

  “We’re closed,” I yelled.

  I didn’t hear the door closing, so I put Cyndi Lauper on mute and strolled out to inquire. The streetlamps reflected through the shop windows, the glare so intense, I had to remind myself they were just lights and not some alien spacecraft come to whisk me away.

  The room was empty.

  Considering the possibility that someone might be hiding, I swallowed the dread climbing up my throat. Glancing around, I searched for something to protect myself with in case said breaker-and-enterer decided to attack. My eyes rested on a solitary broom standing in the corner of the Spartan room. The broom was maybe two steps from me. That might not sound like much, but my fear had me by the ankles and wouldn’t let go.

  Jolie, get the damned broom.

  Thank God for that little internal voice of sensibility that always seems to visit at just the right time.

  Freeing my feet from the fear tar, I grabbed the broom and neared my desk. It was a good place for someone to hide—well, really, the only place to hide. When it comes to furnishings, I’m a minimalist.

  I jammed the broom under the desk and swept vigorously.

  Nothing. The hairs on my neck stood to attention as a shiver of unease coursed through me. I couldn’t shake the feeling and after deciding no one was in the room, I persuaded myself it must’ve been kids. But kids or not, I would’ve heard the door close.

  I didn’t discard the broom.

  Like a breath from the arctic, a chill crept up the back of my neck.

  I glanced up and there he was, floating a foot or so above me. Stunned, I took a step back, my heart beating like a frantic bird in a small cage.