Under the Roses

128 - Don't Beat Your Lover Dead

VANESSA

"This is still going to work," Andrina said softly into Vanessa's ear. "She's still going to get engaged. She'll still get the Artifact."

"Yeah," Vanessa breathed. "Yeah, I know. And I'll get the Staff of Liberty from Red."

Hans squeezed her hand by their side. He was holding on so tightly Vanessa's fingers were numb, but she didn't mind. She was holding him just as tightly.

"I still don't know how you're planning to get the Ring from that girl," Rika said on Hans's other side. "She freaked out enough when Princess Snow showed up."

"I know," Vanessa said, frowning. "I think—Alice!"

Alice had appeared then, thin and trembling. Her nose and cheeks were rosy. "Vanessa! Have you seen Whit? He left during the coronation, and I think he opened the portal for Princess Snow to show up."

Vanessa sat bolt upright. "What? But Red—"

Alice nodded frantically. "I haven't seen her either! What if—"

"The ceremony is about to begin," said Andrina.

"We'll look for them after, okay?" Vanessa said, hastily dragging Alice down into the seat. Andrina moved over one chair, and Alice took her spot beside Vanessa.

Ivan was standing up at the altar, in front of the officiant. He seemed to have recovered from whatever shock or stupor that had overtaken him earlier, and now he was smiling and nervously fidgeting in his suit.

The music began.

Everyone turned to look as Rapunzel stepped into the room and began to walk down the aisle. She was...well, it was frustrating to say, but she was beautiful. Even more infuriatingly so than usual.

Rapunzel was dressed in gold, red roses peppering the skirt like droplets of blood. Behind her, the train of her elegant gown was being held up by pages.

She was being led to the altar by Cecilia, whose red lips and pale pink gown matched the rest of the room, which had been redecorated in pale pink and rose gold. All blood had been cleaned off the floors, and the throne was pushed back on the dais.

Rapunzel reached the altar just as Vanessa heard a slight sound behind her. She turned to see Red sliding into a seat, alone. No sign of Whit anywhere. Red gave Vanessa a smile, and Vanessa had to turn around. She couldn't look at her grandmother.

Ivan smiled at Rapunzel.

Rapunzel smiled back at him.

Everything felt wrong.

They reached for the knives to perform the ritual, the blood binding that would keep them promised to one another until the day of their marriage.

Queen Snow of Ailthe stood up.

Everyone turned to look at her, the new queen, blood-stained diadem still in her raven hair and the same dark dress she'd worn to her coronation. She looked like a wash of darkness in the middle of the room.

Rapunzel turned, and Vanessa could see her furious expression behind the veil.

"Before you complete the binding," said Snow. "I would love to congratulate you both."

"Your Majesty," said the officiant, "if you would like to give Princess Rose your blessing, you may do so now. And quickly."

Snow smiled. "Of course I would give my dear little sister my blessing for betrothal. She deserves everything to make her happy. It's just a shame, though, that Rose doesn't remember her time in Ailthe. It's cruel, isn't it, to be deprived of your memories?"