Lost but Loved

Chapter Twenty One: The Wedding Night

As soon as Lucy was dressed properly, she rushed into Jane's chambers. "Jane! You are beautiful."

Her dress was flattering. White with silk. Her skirts were puffy, her waist tiny in comparison. Her red curly hair was up in braid, with the sides braided around her temple. The sleeves went down to her wrists, her collar was tall, with silk. Pearls were around her neck. On her wrist was a circle of jade gems, a gift from her mother-in-law.

"Thank you, Lucy." She fixed her dress and sighed, obviously nervous.

"You remember the vows? Repeat after me." Lucy told her how to say the vows in the new tongue. "Good. Now, you won't understand most of the ceremony, since you are just a beginner." Lucy sat with Jane on the bed and took her friend's hand. "Just remember the words. Oh, the people are so happy! They have been looking forward to this for nineteen years! And you will definitely please them. You are gorgeous." Lucy stood and helped the almost princess up.

"Let's go. I bet the queen wishes to see you." They walked down to the royal chambers and Lucy had Jane stand outside while she peeked in. "No bridegroom. Come, Jade is here." The two girls walked in. Jade turned around from a book to see the two girls and gasp.

She set the book down on a table, picked up her skirts and went to the girls. She laughed as she hugged them one by one. "Jane! Dear, you are beautiful!" She took her hands and smiled while Lucy translated. "And Lucy! Never have you've been so beautiful. So much like Aphrodite! Marcus is correct. A goddess knows when and how to disguise herself. Don't tell Jane, but you might just outshine her." She grinned mischievously.

"Oh, I won't. The people have been waiting for a royal wedding for nineteen years! Jane will be the most beautiful bride they have ever seen."

"Yes, that is true. Now, come, come." She led Jane into a side door way, leaving Lucy alone in the chamber. She sat down, eyed the book for a while and finally reached for it. She stroked the cover, reading the Welsh title. The History of the Bravehearts. Lucy flipped back to the end, where she saw, joined to Jayce's name, Jane Pressin. Lucy smiled and flipped through the book, looking at all the names and the little paragraph about them.

Jayce peeked in, saw Lucy busy, and thought he would scare her. He quietly crept in, careful of his footing, and tapped her shoulder. She turned slowly around, marking her place with her finger. "Hello, Jayce. Shouldn't you be somewhere else?"

His face fell as he realized he hadn't scared her. "Weren't you scared at all?" She shook her head. "Are you sure? Could you hear me?"

Lucy laughed. "You were a blind man in a new house. Your breathing was too loud also. If you were hunting, your prey would have run off by now. Now, get going. Leave before Jane sees you. It's bad luck, you know to see the bride before the ceremony!" Lucy stood and pushed him out the door. She sighed and went back to the book.

"Jane, you look wonderful. Come, I'll take you to the hall." Jade entered with Jane and quickly exited. Lucy had stood, planning on accompanying them, but Jade had thrown her a glare. Lucy huffed and sat down.

"I hate all this waiting. I don't even know what's happening!" The door creaked open and Damon entered, looking puzzled and flustered also. "Hello, Damon. What are you doing here?"

"Jacob told me to come in here. No one's telling me anything! What are we supposed to do?" He sat down next to Lucy and now she noticed that his cheeks were a little red.

"I know how you feel. Jade just left me here. When is the ceremony to begin? I'd hate to be late."

"Lucy, is this your first wedding ceremony?"

"Yes. Can you tell?" Lucy wrung her hands and closed her eyes. "I just wish it would start. Oh, Damon!" She opened her eyes and gazed at Damon, noticing for the first time how he looked. Handsome, in clean and golden attire. He wore his crown, and royal necklace.