Misunderstood Love

Chapter 12 - The big day

It was time. The day she had been dreading. It was the day she got married.

"Head up," Skink commanded. "You're getting married! You should look happy. And take off all those spikes, they're not very wedding-like."

"Since when did you become the wedding expert?" Meltwater shot back with a sly grin, taking the three spiky purple earrings and two purple studs out of each ear.

"Since I was born. Now, be careful with these. It took quite the skill and luck to steal these," he placed a circle of silver and white gems on her head. it wasn't quite a crown, but it was pretty non-the-less, and handed her dangly earrings that matched the crown with its gemstones.

"Its almost time!" Jujube poked his head into the small tent. The two boys were the only guests Meltwater invited. It was a really small wedding.

Skink held out a talon, and Meltwater dropped her four spiky armbands into it, as well as her two nose rings. Skink looked her up and down, before forcing her in front of the mirror. Meltwater had to admit, she was prettier then normal, with her scales scrubbed clean and the only jewelry being the stuff Skink gave her.

"Don't worry, this is only the biggest day of your life" Skink said, leaving the tent. Meltwater remained, looking at her own reflection. In just a few minutes, this dragon before her would be married to Spittlebug. Married. She never thought she would see the day, though she pictured it being with someone she at least liked. At least she would have access to hoards of wealth the HiveWing owned.

A talon suddenly materialized out of thin air at that moment, poking though the tent. Jujube pointed to her, then out of the tent, before disappearing fully again. It was time. The blue dragon slowly made her way down the isle, which was scattered with blue and white flower petals. Then, she waited. Jujube materialized back in his spot, giving a nod to the HiveWing poking his head out of the other tent. Spittlebug's father, along with Spittlebug herself, began their decent down the isle. Usually, both dragons getting married would be on the arm of one of their parents, but Meltwater didn't have either, which left only herself.

"You look nice," the HiveWing whispered to her as she got to the end and stood beside Meltwater. She noticed she had also polished her scales, and her bee earrings had been replaced with small hoops that had three red beads.

"You too," Meltwater told her, watching her father stand beside Cavern and Earthshaker. As he did so, their hired officiant cleared his throat. He began a speech about finding happiness with your partner, which, as Meltwater listened, realized nothing in that speech applied to their relationship. Finally, it got to the time. The part where the dragons said "I do," to each other, before they kissed and lived happily ever after. Except they weren't going to live happily ever after, or at least Meltwater wasn't.

"Do you, Spittlebug, take Meltwater's talon in marriage? To be by her side through whatever circumstances lay ahead?" The officiant asked. everyone looked at the the small HiveWing. She hesitated, before shaking her head a tiny bit.

"No, I don't," she finally spoke, looking down. "I'm sorry, Meltwater, but I don't actually love you."

Well, that was unexpected. Everyone gasped, and it felt like a weight was lifted off Meltwater's chest. She sighed loudly, relief washing her panicking mind clear. She didn't have to marry Spittlebug after all. The spotted Hive dragon looked up at her after the sigh, a confused look on her face.

"Oh my moons, that's a relief," The IceWing blurted. "I don't love you, either. I only stuck around because I thought you liked me, and because of the free housing and everything."

"I only stuck around because I thought YOU liked ME," Spittlebug replied. "I didn't want to break your heart, or pry you away from the boys. I actually find you quite annoying, and an awful roommate."

Meltwater was too relieved to react to the last bit. She was free. "Why didn't you tell me about your true feelings?" She asked.

"Why didn't you?" Spittlebug shot back. "I wasted the last... what, three years with you, and you couldn't tell me your true feelings?"

"Touché," Meltwater sighed. "Well, I don't really care to see you again, so I'm going to go home, or your house, rather, and pack up my stuff and leave immediately. Thank- Thank you for everything," She gave the HiveWing a small hug, which she returned. She then cast off her crown thing and earrings, and tossed them back to Skink, who looked stunned. She then gave Cavern and Earthshaker a hug goodbye, and promised to keep in touch via writing to them.

And finally, Meltwater lifted off. She glanced back at the dragons, and at Spittlebug, who was giving her dad a hug. She was just glad this chapter of her life was over.