Mistfall(Book One of the Mistfall Series)

17. Here Comes the Bride





The forest was decorated like a fairytale for the festivities. It was darker under the forest canopy, so the firefly ranchers positioned their herds accordingly to supply the area with a warm glow of light.

Hamadryads had decorated their trees with silk ribbons, bells, and jewels. When the wind blew or the trees spoke, the soft tinkling of the bells increased the enchantment of the Fae forest. Light from the sparse rays of sun and the lightening bugs reflected off the jewels and cast sparkling rainbows over everything.

Rory showed us to our seats. He was exempt from the ridiculous dress code since he was attending in a working capacity. Guest and dignitaries, in full costume were scattered throughout, mingling with other guests or finding their own seats.

I turned to Rory who was sitting next to me. “Are all Fae weddings this beautifully decorated?” I inquired.

“He shook his head in negation. “No, they aren’t. Not even for a village leader. It just so happens that this village’s leader is one of the queen’s daughters.”

“Did you say daughter?” I asked, puzzled by his information.

Rory’s brow furrowed as he looked at me sternly. “I did. Is there a problem with that?” he warned.

“Oh my gosh no!” I gasped, putting my hands in the air. “It’s just that Hailz never mentioned it. I’m just surprised, that’s all.”

Rory seemed placated by my answer. The Fae did not discriminate, regardless of species, sex, magical prowess, religion etc. Again, being the first children of the gods, they had outgrown the petty long, long ago.

I’ll be honest, I do discriminate. Against a*sholes. I don’t judge a person by anything other than their character. I received the short end of the stick when it comes to discrimination. It sucks and I was determined, even as a little girl, to treat others better than my kind treated me.

I was just surprised that Hailz was marrying a girl. She didn’t seem the type to tolerate another set of hormones other than her own.

The guests were finally settled in, awaiting the ceremony to begin. It was interesting to note that there wasn’t a single elf, other than John, attending the wedding.

“John, why aren’t there any elves here today?” I asked pointing out their lack of presence.

Melissa, sitting on John’s other side, listened in, interested in the conversation. John took my hand in his while he thought about how to answer my question. His hesitation, evidenced by his fidgeting with my fingers, led me to believe his answer would not be a cheerful one.

John cleared his throat. “It’s because of Abel,” he sighed. “He’s a hateful bastard, even worse than some of the humans. You either submit to his will or face punishment. His punishments usually involve torture, ending in death. The only reason he allows any inter-species marriages is to produce stronger elves in his family line.”

Melissa gasped. “That’s horrible!”

I agreed.

“I can’t even speak of some of the atrocities he’s committed, they’re so brutal,” he said shaking his head in abhorrence.

“Please don’t,” I begged, the voices of the children in Abel’s dungeon echoing in my head. I didn’t want to know how depraved Abel really was. To hear it was to make it real.

John continued on, skipping over Abel’s evildoings. “He’s instilled fear in all of his people. That’s why you won’t see any elves here today. If they had come and were found out, extreme torture and death would await them on their return.”

“Aren’t you afraid of getting caught?” I asked.

“Nope,” he smiled. “No other elves are here to tell on me.”

“The Powers That Be don’t want to be bothered with our celebration either,” Rory sniffed.

“Abel again,” replied John. “He wields power over them too. They may put on a farce of a democratized union  , but everything is decided by Abel’s will alone.”

“I knew he was an arse, but until a few weeks ago I didn’t think things were truly that bad,” I stated.

“History was rewritten by him,” John informed us. “Otherworlders have been brainwashed or are too scared to speak the truth. And you Violet,” he looked at me, “you were never supposed to be involved in his plots. Willa wanted you to live as quiet and peaceful life as possible,” he said, his voice filled with sadness.

“Oops, too late now,” I laughed. My comment had its desired effect and lightened everyone’s mood. I didn’t get the laughs I was expecting, but the smiles on Melissa, John, and Rory’s face told me we were past the sad stuff.

“There’s plenty of time to talk of tragedies later, I said. “We’re at a wedding, no unhappiness today!” I exclaimed.

“Here here,” John agreed, now out of his funk.

Rory nodded his head in silent assent.

Melissa, who had a sly grin on her face commented, “How can we not have fun in these outfits?”

Music began to play, prompting our conversation to end and for us to stand. We turned to the back of the aisle as both brides made their appearance. Hailz and her bride Fiona (Rory told me her name), were dressed in the same fashion as their guests. Hailz was in a sunshine orange number with fuchsia petticoats. Fiona was dressed just the opposite, in a fuchsia dress with orange petticoats. As they walked down the aisle and drew closer you could see their beauty, even under the ridiculous costumery.

They were the perfect complement to each other. Where Hailz was all hard edges and prickles, Fiona was soft curves and velvet. I amused myself by thinking about how they managed a relationship.

Otherworlders never wear white to their wedding or when attending one. White was the color of mourning to us. Wearing the colors of things that grew, such as flowers and fruits, was how we attired ourselves for celebrations. Weddings were the celebration of paired lives on a new path, so we wear the colors of life.

Hailz and Fiona were preceded by two young Fae girls. The girls were tossing fairy dust into the air. FYI, fairy dust is really just ground up rainbow corn.

Rainbow corn used to be only found on the Otherworld side of the Mistfall, specifically in Fae villages. A handful of seeds managed to find their way into the human world. Rainbow corn is strictly a magical plant, which means amongst the humans, it acts unexpectedly.

Have you ever heard the warning to never eat or drink anything the Fae give you? Well, there is a bit of truth to it. The warning really should apply to any and all magical plants. Amongst us Otherworlders, there generally aren’t too many problems. Sure, the occasional Fae mickey will have you wake up a week to a year later, but almost always in the shape you started. In us though, it’s described easiest as a genetic mutation that allows us to consume magical food. Humans, on the other hand, are not built to digest or utilize magical food.


Back to the rainbow corn. Humans, not knowing what they had, would sometimes ingest the corn. Magical unpredictability and havoc would rain down on the human until their body was able to pass the material out of their systems. Hundreds of years ago the humans heeded the warning, but now… Now teenagers are eating it, thinking that it gets them high. I know they’re the youngest of the gods’ creatures, but how long is it going to take them to use their brains?

When used properly, as fairy dust, it creates a soft luminescence. The two young Fae girls were enjoying their duty, covering everything and everyone with the dust. Once the sun set, the darkness would not be a problem for the partygoers, especially once away from the firefly light on their drunken stumbles through town.

Hailz and Fiona stopped at the front of the aisle. Queen Aurora, Fiona’s mother, was seated in the front row to the left of the happy couple. I looked at the benches opposite the queen, expecting to see what kind of people breed psycho killers. There was no one sitting there to represent Hailz’s family or friends.

Hailz snuck a glance at the empty seats, her shoulders drooping ever so slightly. I didn’t let her see that I noticed her reaction. I felt bad for her. As much of a murderous hellion I thought she was, even I assumed she had some relations that loved her. No one deserved that on her wedding day, even Hailz.

“Someone should represent her,” I mumbled, staring down at my lap. It took me only seconds to make my mind up. I guess that someone was going to have to be me.

John leaned across Rory and whispered, “What did you say?”

Instead of answering, I got up from my seat, excused myself while stepping over the other guests’ feet, and walked over to a seat on Hailz’s side of the gathering. Rory, caught by surprise, hurried to catch up with me, causing even more of a commotion.

Thank Hades the ceremony hadn’t started yet. Heads turned in my direction, including Hailz and Fiona’s. Re-seated, I did the only thing I could think of and waved at them. Hailz scowled at me. I was surprised she didn’t give herself whiplash with the force she used whipping her head back to the front. Fiona, on the other hand, returned my gesture with a warm, genuine smile before silently mouthing a thank you.

Attention was diverted from me to the man who took his place in front of Hailz and Fiona. He was dressed more regally than most of the attendees. He wore a royal blue and gold silk brocade vest. His jacket was made of the same blue silk, but gold embroidery covered any and every free edge possible. Amethysts and rubies adorned the ribbons on his breeches, which I thought couldn’t be all that practical.

“Who is that?” I asked Rory while pointing to the man. “Is he some kind of priest?”

“Not exactly. He’s the queen’s consort, which gives him the authority to officiate wedding ceremonies, amongst other things.” Rory’s eyes rolled at the mention of “other things.” I guess he wasn’t a big fan of the foppishly dressed man.

The beginning of the wedding ceremony was pretty normal. Well, aside from everyone looking like they raided Madam Pompadour’s closet. The queen’s consort welcomed the guests on behalf of Hailz and Fiona. He then gave an impassioned speech on the joys and wonders of marriage. As he was speaking on the subject, he kept constant eye contact with the queen. It was obvious to all that he was dropping the queen a hint.

A few of the Fae, friends of Hailz and Fiona, gave readings from some obscure ancient text. Rory, who was becoming more of my Fae liaison than guard, explained the readings to me. The readings were from old Fae mythology. Romantic in nature, they spoke of overcoming hardships and how love triumphs over all. I guess when you live as long as the Fae, it’s important to remind a new couple that they won’t always get along.

The binding ritual followed the readings. Binding is more than just a hand fastening. The hearts, bodies, and souls of both people are magically entwined for the rest of their lives.

Spun gold was woven, like a net, around Hailz and Fiona in a symbol of the physical bond between the couple. Next, magical wisps of grey smoke formed a circle around the two brides. The smoke then drove through the two of them, piercing their hearts and connecting them through the middle of the circle. Finally a blue electric figure eight hovered over both of their heads like halos. The Fae see the mind as the soul’s home. The figure eight represented an everlasting binding of the souls.

The whole process, while harmless, could be a bit intense. Rory told me the feeling was akin to dying, but in a good way. Apparently your heart stops, you cannot breathe, and you cannot think. Then, as if being born anew, your heart begins to beat again, in time with your mate’s. Your breath is their breath and your minds become connected as one. It was all very romantic.

While binding was common amongst Otherworlders, not all could handle the process. Queen Aurora, for example, has never been married. Fear of the intensity of the ceremony, her position, or wandering heart led her to keep easily replaceable consorts instead.

The binding, sealed with a kiss, concluded the ceremony. The newlyweds were now married and the fun could begin. Guests filed towards the front to congratulate the couple and pay homage to the queen.

“Congratulations,” I greeted the brides.

Hailz face took on a sour expression and it was directed solely at me, much to Fiona’s dismay. “You aren’t my family,” she spat.

“Well, I had really crappy seats, thank you very much,” I shot back. “I wanted a better view to this train wreck and since those seats were empty, I helped myself.”

Fiona, noticing Hailz discomfort and mine intervened. “You must be Mags. It is a pleasure to finally meet you.”

What? A pleasure? I was in shock as my mind processed Fiona’s comment. The only information she could have gotten about me was from Hailz. Maybe she was just being nice…

“Thank you for letting us be a part of your celebration,” I told Fiona, eyeing her warily.

The line of well-wishers was backing up. Other guests were growing impatient with my monopoly on the brides’ time. I used that as an excuse to forgo anymore awkwardness with Fiona. Congratulating them one last time, I walked a distance away to wait on Melissa and John.

Rory, alerted to my new location, jumped out of line to join me.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I informed him. “You could have congratulated them before you jumped on my back again.” My patience with Rory’s constant vigilance was wearing thin.

“Perhaps, but I won’t be derelict in my duty. I will go wherever you go, I will sit wherever you sit, and I will sleep when you sleep.”

I thought Rory was being a bit dramatic, but his tone was stern and his expression hardened. Now, I didn’t mind being under guard and watched like a hawk because I carried Hofuo, but Rory was taking things just a little too far with his militancy.

I narrowed my eyes at him and snapped back. “Just so you know, I WILL be sleeping alone. Sleep on the floor outside of the door if you want, but you and I will not be sharing a bed.”

“I would not suppose to know you so well,” Rory responded, deadpan in his reply. “I have procured the room adjoining yours.” He looked to the sky as if he was tiring of my existence. “I doubt you’ll be much trouble in your sleep,” he added.

I folded my arms across my chest. “I wasn’t talking about sex!” I responded irritably to his assumption.


I guess I had been a little too loud because Phineas appeared from amidst the line of well-wishers who were more interested in my little tiff with Rory than getting to the front of the line. Phineas took Rory to the side. No doubt Phineas was telling him to keep me in line. I probably should’ve been embarrassed by my overheard outburst, but I was too irritated to care.

It looked as if Rory was getting a good dressing down. I strained to hear the conversation between the two. Oh, if I could be a bird in the tree above them. I was disappointed to find I couldn’t hear as much as I would’ve liked and settled for the visual. As it was, I don’t think I was missing out on much. Phineas’s face was red and he was fuming. Rory could only look sheepishly down at the ground while Phineas had his say.

Someone stepped in front of me, blocking my view. My attention now turned to whoever was ruining my entertainment. Abel’s visage scowled down at me. I had been so distracted by Rory getting ripped a new one that I hadn’t noticed Abel or the fact that I was now surrounded by his men.

“What the f-,” I began, but was cut off my Abel putting his index finger against my lips.

“Tut, tut. Do you have any manners at all?” he admonished. “While your filthy little mouth may go unnoticed by the ignorant masses, I assure you Queen Aurora and her court will not ignore such repulsive behavior.”

I wiped my mouth where he had touched me in disgust. I was repulsed by both him and the fact I had let my guard down to watch Rory and Phineas.

Enough people were aware of me that, should I go missing, it would be noticed. Abel too, was aware of the Fae’s no fighting rule. He was confronting me in public as a scare tactic. He was not-so-subtly telling me that he could find me anywhere. I relaxed a little knowing nothing could come of his ambush.

I shouted as loud as I could so that my voice would carry to all the wedding attendees. “So the mighty King Abel is finally accepting of inter-species gay marriage!” Doing this served two purposes. The first was to alert my friends. The second reason? Well, I did that just to embarrass him publicly. My inner self was making silly faces and sticking her tongue out at Abel.

“How dare you equate me with such abominations!” he growled, but only loud enough so I could hear.

I put both hands on my hips. “I dare quite easily,” I retorted.

Unable to be seen, he grabbed me by the waist and pulled me to him so forcibly I bounced off his chest. “Make no mistake,” he seethed, “I will break you as I have any unruly beast in my kingdom.”

Break me? Like a beast? Was this guy serious? I maintained my composure, bluffing my true feelings. My sword hand was getting twitchy but I staid it as I was in no mood to be incarcerated again so soon.

“Why so silent Magdalene? Don’t tell me you’ve finally learned to keep your mouth shut. I was looking forward to teaching you how and when to use your mouth properly.” He was leering at me, taunting me to attack him. I could only guess that he wanted me arrested so he could negotiate a trade for me from the Fae.

“Mags!” Melissa shouted from the outside of the circle. Abel’s eyes widened in surprise at the sound of Melissa’s voice. I wasn’t aware that he knew of her and was rather caught off guard by his reaction.

“Say nothing,” Abel ordered me.

“I’m right here Melissa, with A-bel.” I over enunciated his name on purpose. I looked at him and shrugged my shoulders. “I guess I haven’t learned to shut up, jerk wad.”

That did it. It was one thing not to address him properly. Throw in sarcasm, name calling, and a total lack of respect and you get one seriously po’d elf. He wanted something from me, so it was eating at him to not be able to kill me. Instead he lifted his hand to hit me. I braced myself for the punch. There was no way I was going to duck and I couldn’t fight back. I would however, keep my dignity.

Just before Abel brought his hand down, a rather large Hailz snake plowed her way through two of Abel’s men. She wrapped herself around Abel’s body, restraining him.

Abel’s men bristled in anger but made no move. They too were aware of the laws of the Fae awaited their king’s orders before attacking. Finding none, they returned to their statuesque stance.

“Why are you trying to ruin my wedding day Abel?” Hailz asked lazily.

He spit in her face. “What you do goes against the gods and the very laws of nature. You should be put to death for your transgressions.”

“Enough!” boomed Queen Aurora as she strolled through the middle of the elf circle.

The woman was a vision in purple. Between the amethysts at her neck, the soft lavender silk that clothed her, and the heliotrope ribbons that were woven through her wig, she gave The Artist Formerly Known as Prince a run for his money over the love of the color.

She stopped short of Abel and turned to me. “I don’t believe we have been properly introduced.”

I curtseyed out of respect. “No my lady, we haven’t.”

Abel’s face turned three different shades of purple when he saw that my irreverence for royalty only extended to him. Then again, maybe Hailz was squeezing too hard. I’m pretty sure though that it was the former.

“I am familiar with the situation that has brought you to one of my villages,” Aurora informed me while staring Abel down. “I assure you Magdalene, that while you stay here, you will be safe from harm.”

“Thank you for the kindness. Your hospitality is quite generous,” I placated her.

“You’re welcome my dear,” she replied warmly. The warm and motherly face I had just been shown was quickly turned into that of a sour disciplinarian as she addressed Abel. “I am correct in believing you weren’t about to hit this young lady, aren’t I?”

Hailz loosened her grip on Abel to allow him to speak. “No Aurora, I was not,” he fumed.

Aurora clapped her hands together. “Wonderful,” she chimed. “Let’s break up this commotion and enjoy the festivities then.”

I curtseyed again to Aurora, out of respect. Flipping Abel the bird crossed my mind, but I didn’t want to overstay my welcome with the Fae. Aurora touched my arm as I turned to walk away. She wanted to speak to me and took me to the side as Abel and his men dispersed.

She dove into the subject head first. “I understand, from my new daughter-in-law, that Abel had you kidnapped.”

“Yes ma’am,” I replied.

She shook her head in distaste. “Nasty business. I apologize for Abel’s intrusion. Usually he does not step foot in my kingdom. There’s not much I can do to him unless he breaks the rules. Even then, as a sovereign of another people, the best I can do is have him escorted off my land. Anything else would be inciting war. As it is, he’s broken no rules.”

“My lady, you do not need to explain yourself to me,” I replied to her ramblings.

“Yes Magdalene, I do. I was hoping to have a long conversation with you at a later time, but now will have to do,” she said, speaking more to herself than me.

“Come, let us sit and talk.” Aurora pointed to two empty chairs at the back of the aisle where we had been sitting for the ceremony. Aurora had chosen the location for its privacy so the curious would not be able to eavesdrop.

I looked back to the other party goers trying to find Melissa and John. The queen, noticing my hesitation to follow, answered my unspoken question. “My daughter escorted your friends somewhere private.”


She continued to walk towards our seats, this time with me following behind. “I understand your one friend is an elf?”

“Yes ma’am, he is.”

“Then it would not bode well if Abel saw him then. They’ll be safe until Abel leaves, which I suspect will be soon.” She then took her seat with much more finesse than I could in a hoop skirt. “He is not a tolerant man,” she stated a matter-of-factly in regards to Abel.”

I laughed a little. “That is true your highness.”

“Please, you may call me Aurora,” she offered and I smiled in return.

“We should have met at my village in the Wildwood a few weeks ago,” she scolded in a joking tone.

“I apologize, I was held up indefinitely,” I joked back.

Aurora put me at ease with her mild manner. Unlike most royalty, she was warm and welcoming. The stress I was feeling from Abel’s ambush was gone, replaced with the feeling of being a loved family member. It was weird. Fae hospitality aside, they weren’t exactly welcoming of outsiders.

“What’s troubling you Magdalene?” Aurora asked, noticing my slight discomfort.

I felt my forehead wrinkling and realized I was wearing my thoughts on my face again. “I don’t understand why you treat me with such familiarity and kindness,” I admitted.

She chuckled at my honesty before she enlightened me to the reason for her warm reception of me. “I’ve kept tabs on you for so long, I feel as if I know you well.”

“You’ve been spying on me?” I asked, shocked at her confession.

Aurora was amused by my assumption and laughed heartily. “Oh my dear no, not at all,” she said putting me at ease. “I’ve only known of you, as have many Otherworlders.”

“I thought I was supposed to be a big secret,” I lamented at the new information. I knew the trees had blabbed and some had taught their children I wasn’t the bad guy, but I really hadn’t known that I was the only one that believed no one knew about me.

“Ha!” Aurora blurted, so forcefully I thought I heard some of the seams in her corset tear. “The only secret is that we kept your existence from Iblis and Abel for so long.”

“Why has no one ever told me that?” I asked her.

“It was only my story to tell now that Willa’s gone,” Aurora explained. “Willa let you think that to keep you vigilant. Don’t hate her for it. Everything Willa did was for your benefit.”

Aurora didn’t give me too much time to get hung up on the minor details of Willa’s decision. “You were to meet the leader of the Fae village in the Wildwood,” she began. “What you didn’t know is that’s where I currently reside making me the village leader.” She smiled, pleased with what she thought was an intelligent ploy.

I toyed with the ribbons on the cuff of my sleeve. “Why was I supposed to meet you?”

“For the same reason we are sitting here now,” Aurora replied. “To talk.”

“Talk about what?” I asked.

“Your future Magdalene.” The warm and caring queen now grew serious. “There are things you need to know. Firstly, it’s important that you never-.”

“Your majesty, my apologies,” a man interrupted, bowing to her.

The fierce scowl Aurora gave the man made me think he was going to lose his head. “What is so important enough to interrupt me Flynn?” she demanded of the man, her icy cold queen demeanor rearing its head.

I would hate to be Flynn right now. Short of someone important dying, Aurora didn’t look like she was going to take his interruption lightly. They spoke in hushed tones, low enough that I couldn’t overhear them. I sat there, twiddling my thumbs, waiting for Aurora and Flynn to finish up.

Aurora broke away from her exchange to address me. “My apologies Magdalene. We won’t be able to continue our talk. I will find you before you return home tomorrow and we will pick up where we left off.”

I stood and curtseyed to Aurora as she took off with Flynn in a hurry. I guess someone important did die, I thought. Dismissed, I made my way to the large gathering of people. Safety in numbers. I was hoping to find Hailz or Fiona so they could show me to John and Melissa.

Rory, the bloodhound, found me first. “I apologize for my oversight. I shouldn’t have left your side.” His eyes darted around the area, scoping out potential new problems.

“Well, it’s not like you were given a choice in the matter, I consoled.

“Regardless, I assure you it will not happen again,” Rory promised.

What do you say to that? I didn’t blame him; I blamed myself for getting distracted. One thing was for sure, the Fae formality would NOT be missed by yours truly.

“I’m sure it won’t,” I responded, hoping I said the right thing.

Rory seemed to relax with my acceptance of his apology, even as reluctant as it was. Unfortunately, because of Abel’s intrusion, Rory planned on being my conjoined twin for the rest of my stay.

The line of people wishing to congratulate the newlyweds was nearing the end. Other guests were spread throughout the area. Some mulled around while others sat down in the now empty seats. I looked around the various groups for any sign of my friends.

Finding none, I thought to inquire of their whereabouts to Rory.

“They will join us shortly,” he informed me. “It seems that King Abel and his men have left the village. Your friends will be escorted back to the celebration.”

I hoped that was going to be soon. Rory wasn’t exactly the greatest company in the world.

Curious as to where we would be led next I asked, “Rory, where is the celebration?”

He grinned, amused by something I was missing.

“What?” I was perplexed by the lack of an answer and Rory’s amusement. I would’ve assumed I had something in my teeth, but we hadn’t eaten yet.

Instead of letting me stew, he lifted his hand and pointed past me. “Look behind you.”

I turned around, expecting to see empty chairs with a few people seated in them. I was wrong.