Weregirl

Prologue

Prologue

The smell of roses filled my nostrils and I thought for the briefest moment I was going to pass out. My dress was far too tight, the full boned corset bodice was squeezing my ribs together tighter than I thought was ever possible.

A strong, steady hand gripped my arm, anchoring me to the world, calming the nerves I didn’t realise where there.

“Don’t worry so much Illea – everything will be fine” My best friend smiled shaking his head as he looked me over head to toe.

I hurriedly brushed a stray curl of blonde hair behind my ear and he tapped my hand in warning gesture – as though to say, don’t be nervous.

He fiddled lightly with one of my lace shoulders that had fallen down slightly against the top of my arm, I quickly checked my other side thankful that it hadn’t fallen down also.  I also brushed down the front of my dress, little pieces of lint flying off in strange directions.

The music started playing in the next room and I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest. I know I still had about a minutes wait while my bridesmaids walked down the aisle, but my heart didn’t know that.

David looped my arm through his and patted it lightly, I counted my heartbeats slowing them in the way I was practised and David smiled, knowing exactly what I was doing as I was doing it.

I opened my eyes when the minute passed and I stepped into the aisle. His eyes automatically found mine – green meeting blue. I could read shock, awe and love written all through his features. I felt myself smile in return and my heart quieted significantly.

It felt like forever before I actually reached him, but I knew the aisle was pretty much as short as I could make it and fit all of the people that had to be here. I finally stood before him and my heart caught. In his lapel was an exact replica of the jewelled rose I gave him on our first month’s anniversary – it had cost me almost that whole month’s pay, but once I found it, I knew it was destined for him.

“Ladies and gentleman, we are gathered here today” The priest started blabbing on and I completely zoned out, sneaking a look around the room.

Our parents sat in the front row, mine on one side and his at the other, I wondered vaguely how they would get along having to sit at the same table at the reception later. It’s not that they hated each other or anything that dramatic, it’s more that they didn’t approve of their boy marrying me, and in turn my parents disapproved of him.

But it was too late for any of that now – we were here, speaking the words that would bind us for the rest of our lives.

“I do” I wasn’t sure if anyone heard me except for him, and I only knew he heard because of the smile he gave me.

My face was wet and I assumed I was crying, though I didn’t actually remember shedding tears.

His hands closed around my back, bringing me close to him, his face inching closer to mine before his sweet lips pressed against mine and the deal was sealed in a matter of speaking.

“Let’s go” He almost growled in my ear, and I had to resist the urge to giggle like a small girl, I knew he couldn’t wait for tonight, and honestly neither could I.

It was going to be the best night of my life.