The Third Wedding

Chapter 17: Let the Games Begin

"Sondra, it's been a week," Maisey said. "Don't you think it's time to start planning the wedding."

"We've already planned it all out, you think I'm going to get engaged not having an idea of what I'm doing?" Sonny was sitting at her desk making lists for future plans.

Maisey giggled, "I guess not." She fluffed Sondra's pillow. "I just...is it bad that I'm upset that both your siblings swooped in and stole your proposal?"

"I am too, but I keep telling myself, Rosalinas my best friend she deserves this, and if Leo can find someone who puts him in his place then I am not one to complain. But-"

"But what?"

"Leo and Victoria announcing they wanted to have their wedding before Ashton's and mine, it just..."

"Felt like they were trying to outshine you."

"I don't know if it's that or if it feels almost like it's becoming a competition. I just, don't like it either way." Sondra turned in her chair towards the window.

She saw Leonardo and Victoria walking along the grounds and yet again sneaking into the forest. She stood to try and get a better view.

There was a knock on the door that made Maisey and Sondra look at each other.

Maisey rushed to answer it, it was Rosa.

"You helped plan my proposal, that's the sweetest thing!" Rosalina smiled at her sister.

"Of course!" Sonny smiled.

"And since you're so good at planning, proposals, surprises, birthday parties, weddings~" Rosie took Sondra's hands, "I'm hoping you'll plan mine."

"I-yes absolutely, after mine I'll have all the time in the world-"

"Well actually Garth and I were speaking, and we have decided we're getting married mid-Summer, before Victoria and Leonardo." Rosa laughed a little fixing her braid, "don't tell Leo, we don't want him moving up their wedding date. Come, I have some ideas drawn up in my room." Rosa turned on her heels and exited.

Sonny in anxiety and a slight annoyance turned to look at Maisey.

"I see what you mean about it being a competition."

'Help me,' Sondra mouthed.

Maisey laughed and joined her, "let's get wedding planning."

They reluctantly went to Rosalina's room.

***

Sondra wondered outside, she knew she'd seen Leo and Victoria out side hours ago, but her mind kept telling her she needed to see this through. She also needed a break from the wedding planning.

She'd spent the afternoon designing their wedding invites, suggesting decorations locations.

She shook off the wedding thoughts, it bothered her that both of her siblings wanted to outshine her and be married first, but it didn't matter. Every couple had their own timeline, and she was grateful for hers.

She liked that she'd been friends with Ashton for so long, it made the waiting process easier, because they knew each other was worth waiting on.

She didn't realize she'd wandered so far into the forest when she stumbled upon a clearing. It was filled with ropes and animal skin tents. There were cut down trees and what looked like the beginning of a few small buildings. Who was building a village in the forest?

As she circled around it, making sure to stay out of the clearing, she spotted them, Leonardo and Victoria. There as a woman with them, she was short, deathly thin, her hair was white with her cheeks so sunken in that she looked like she may pass at any moment.

The way she moved was unnerving but mesmerizing at the same time. Leonardo was moving the same way as her and that's when Sondra saw it: the sparks flew from their hands, the wood lifted, animated by the magic.

Sondra scrambled backwards, terrified and enchanted by it, but something felt off, she wanted to understand but she also wanted to run.

She felt a hand on her shoulder turn her around, with her sword drawn she turned sharply to see Elora, she sighed and sheathed her sword. "Elora it's just you...wait...what are you doing here?"

"Sondra...I think somethings wrong..." The green haired girl, she had a fright in her eyes that Sondra had never seen before.

***

When Sondra got home she felt like she'd run a marathon.

Elora told her something was off with the magic, she told her that Dorthy tried to convince her to come live in this village in the woods, that she would train Elora and make her stronger. Elora had told her that something felt off with Dorthy, like she was unraveling. By the way Dorthy looked Sondra wasn't entirely surprised but that statement.

"Sondra, there you are!" Garth's happy goofy voice broke Sonny from her thoughts.

"Hi, is there something I can do for you?" Sonny asked looking around, she was surprised to not see Rosa with him.

He smiled, "well yes there is actually, Rosalina has been so stressed about all the wedding planning."

That kind of confused Sondra since she'd been executing all the work, but yes it was Rosalina's wedding she must be stressed.

"Absolutely," Sondra winced out a smile.

"I want to know what her hobbies are so I can help her relax."

"I mean she absolutely loves the gardens, there's this section that has an archway that's just covered in roses, she loves taking walks around it." Sondra smiled trying to be helpful, "I recommend taking her, it's cute to watch her expression!"

Garth smiled at the taller girl. "That's good to know thank you."

Sondra watched him go, she was glad her sister would marry someone who took her favorite things into account.