Shadow and Snow

Chapter Four | Here Comes the Bride

"Isla, today's the day So get up! You need to start getting ready!" Groaning loudly, Isla rolled over in her bed and pulled a pillow over her head.

"Isla! You can't sleep in today. You're getting married!" yelled Jade, yanking the sheets off of the bed. Isla slowly stood up, holding onto the bed frame for support.

Her heart began to pound, head spinning. "Isla, what's wrong?" her vision grew fuzzy, her legs melting like wax.

"Isla? Isla! Somebody help!" A high pitched noise pierced her ears, and the world went black.

"Am I going to lose her? Please, don't tell me she's gone. I can't believe I've screwed up so many times. She probably hates me. I'd do anything to know that she's going to be okay."

"Isla, can you hear me? The doctor said you probably can, so I'm just going to start talking, and hopefully, you won't remember anything I say."

"Have I ever told you that your eyelashes are beautiful? Skies, I've never seen anything so incredible. And your freckles, they make my heart melt. I've heard that they are supposed to be kissed by the gods, but I never believed it until I met you."

"I can't believe I'm crying, I never cry. I feel empty. My life finally had a purpose and then it vanished. How can something so beautiful be so fragile? Skies help me.

Also, you smell like a flower. Lots of flowers, actually. Like a field of lavender or something. Skies, I'm glad your friend left, she was giving me weird looks when I tried to braid your hair.

She's probably just upset because she'll have to detangle all the knots I made."

Isla's eyes fluttered open, slowly focusing on the tear-streaked face in leaning in front of her. Stirring slightly, she breathed in the scent of sandalwood. The fingers gently stroking her hair stilled.

"Isla?" Paxton breathed, eyes unsure. "Pax-" Isla was suddenly swept into a tight embrace, "I thought I had lost you." He whispered, his breath tickling her ear. "What happened?"

"Your friend said she was trying to help you start getting ready for the wedding when you collapsed. I was so scared." She looked up, seeing tears glisten in Paxton's eyes.

"I'm moving the wedding date. There's no reason to make you do it today." "No, " Isla said, shaking her head, "We don't have much time. Jade told me."

He looked away quickly, his face pale, "What did she tell you?" "That you had to find your mate and marry her before your birthday, which she said was less than a week away. I'll be fine, please, just let me have a minute to calm down."

"You're shaking, what are you afraid of? If it's about the marriage, I don't expect us to uh-" his face flushed with embarrassment. Taking a deep breath, he continued, "We have five years to produce an heir. We can take it slow." Rising to his feet, Paxton gave her a concerned frown, "You're sure you're up for the wedding?"

"Yes, so go! Isn't it bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the ceremony?" chuckling warmly, he jogged out of the room.

"Isla, are you okay? I thought you were dead! And the prince was crying! And everyone was going insane! And we're supposed to cancel the wedding and do it another day! And-" Isla held up her hands, stopping Jade's nervous ramble.

"I'm alright, and we're not canceling the wedding. It's still going to be today." "Today! Then we only have a few hours for you to get ready! But are you okay? Do you need to rest? Something to eat? You can't collapse again halfway down the aisle!"

"It will be fine, as long as I have on the dress that you worked so hard to create, everything will be okay." Isla said, patting Jade's hand reassuringly.