The Solstice

Chapter 2

"You ready to go," I ask Kristina the next afternoon.

"Almost," she smiles, "Come inside while I pack the last things." I follow her into their kitchen where her mother is on the phone."

"Oh, hi dear," she whispers, holding the phone away from her mouth, "That's right," she smiles into the phone, "Platters for two dozen people should be enough. Yes. Yes. See you then."

"Everything sorted," Katrina asks.

"Yes," her mother laughs, "I ordered the best caterers for the wedding. It's a bit short notice for them but lucky for the two of you, my charm has never failed me before."

"We'll be back in a bit," she says, stuffing two containers into the basket and whisks it and me out of the door.

"Your mother seems really excited about this wedding," I say as we round the corner of the street, "I haven't really discussed any of this with my parents. It still feels like it's all a big joke."

"My mother always makes a big deal out of everything. She's trying to live up to our family name, even though no one expects her to."

"I've heard the stories of you great-aunt Ella. Taking down all those powerful people couldn't have been easy. I'm actually looking forward to meeting her at our wedding."

She gives me s sideways smile, "Yeah she was an amazing witch, but ever since great-aunt Aimee died, she hasn't been the same. She's been bringing down one sup after the other regardless of the risks. I was actually hoping to convince her to stay."

"Do you think she'll go for it?"

"No," she laughs, "She's as stubborn as ever, but I can always hope."

We reach the parc and find a cool spot under one of the trees. I help Katrina spread the blanket and unpack the basket, revealing a large array of delicious food.

"Do you know what the worst part of all this is for me," she says after a few minutes of general chatter, "All my life I was told that I'm going to be the one to carry our name for the rest of my life. My mother would always say being the eldest comes with many responsivities, and just as many perks. Representing my family would have meant that I keep our name and my husband take it on as well. Now that privilege will fall onto my sister and I'll have to give the person I always thought I'd be up."

"Yeah," I say, putting my hand on her shoulder, "Randall will never allow us to change the age-old traditions. For what it's worth, I'm sorry you got dragged into this, Katrina."

"Please, call me Cate, we are going to be married after all."

"Okay, I'm sorry, Cate. All of this is happening because he saw me in the middle of everything. It's not fair that they ruin your dreams because of that."

"It's not your fault. Besides, I'm sure we'll make the best of it. We can both benefit from a little secret arrangement between the two of us."

"And what would that be," I laugh.

"First, swear to me you're not going to tell anyone what I'm about to say to you."

I sit up, suddenly intrigued, "I swear, what is said here will stay here."

"Okay," she takes a deep breath, "I've been seeing this guy..."

"Wait, you're in a relationship?"

"Yes, but that's not the point."

"This changes everything," I stand up, "They can't force you to marry me if you already found someone."

"That's the thing," she says, guiding a strand of hair behind her ear, "It doesn't. He won't exactly fit in at our bi-weekly ritual nights."