The Red Wing Mansion

The Pearl Wing Mansion : Chapter Twenty-Six

Alix's POV

A week later, back at the Pearl-Wing Mansion

"Do you like it?" Pearly and Isela show off the wedding dress they're making for me, so I can get married all over again in the 21st century.

I'm speechless as I see it on the mannequin in a corner dressing room that they sectioned off. I've never seen a wedding dress with red jewels stitched into the middle, down the centre line, and around the breast cups. The material is light and so shiny, silvery-white. It almost looks like a costume piece you'd see a princess wear while performing in a theatre. While the top half is so new and glamourous, the bottom is strips of old wedding dresses, all colours, off white to stark, cut like feathers and stitched together.

"You think it's too much?" Isela asks with a hint of reservedness, expecting distaste. I turn to see her crossing her arms, waiting for my assessment. Pearly is biting her lip, her hands clasped together like she's praying for my approval.

Fontaine and Spellman are here also in the room, just on the far side, sitting side by side on a velvet loveseat as Claudius very patiently teaches him to use a smart phone. Dagger is holding it way too close to his face. Looking back to see him look so disturbed is distracting, especially when Claudius catches me spying on them both and he shoots me a handsome knowing-look that shines with amusement for Dagger's struggle.

I almost laugh, but I don't want to give the wrong impression to Fontaine and his sisters.

"I couldn't have dreamed of something more perfect," at that Isela jumps forward to embrace me and Pearly fist pumps the air, "Thank you," I wheeze out as Isela squeezes the breath out of me, "I'll try it on," I suggest.

"After they leave," Isela keeps a curtain drawn across the mannequin's left so the men can't see it.

"I was going to ask you something," Pearly nervously tucks her bouncing curls behind her ears, "May I?"

"Of course," I grin at her nervousness, "What is it?"

"Can I refresh my vows the same day as you?" Pearly asks.

"Sure, I would love to do that," I nod.

"You really don't mind sharing your day with me?" Pearly grins. I shrug.

"I've already married that handsome brother of yours, it's no big deal," I chuckle when she suddenly grabs my hand and drags me to a second makeshift dressing room. She pulls me in, keeping the curtain shut. Isela also sneaks in, until we're crowding around a second mannequin with another wedding dress. It's completely black, in the same design as mine aside from the opposite colours. And the red jewels are blue instead.

I immediately think of Equiaux having blue skin and wonder if that's a part of the reason.

"I'm a witch and witches must get married in black," Pearly explains the contrast, "Do you like it, Alix?"

"It's phenomenal, but aren't I a witch now too?" I ask.

"Not the traditional kind, you're more a guide between realms," Isela explains, "You can't do spells, you can only communicate and see, you can travel elsewhere... but magic the way we can use it, is different."

"Good, I'm glad I can keep the one you designed already – also Pearly, is there any particular reason you want to share the same day?" I ask Pearly now, feeling my suspicions rise a little.

Over the week, Pearly had been inviting us over every night to visit and I noticed her trying her best to palm off Dagger with Claudius at every given opportunity.

Then she'd come up with problems that Claudius would help Dagger with, whether it be about the law, getting licences or using technology.

"Um," Pearly purses her lips and Isela dishes out the truth before Pearly can.