Raynestorm

The Wedding

Adam

Eleven months and twenty-six days later, 2 hours before the ceremony…

I stand in front of the mirror in a tent that has been set up in the newly reconstructed courtyard at Three Cities, I watch in the mirror as I turn around, examining my tux.

“Very dapper.” I’m surprised by my best friend’s voice from behind me and turn around quickly, my hand automatically moving to where the hilt of my sword is at rest against my side. Mike holds up his hands before I can get it fully drawn, “Whoa! Calm down there your highness. You don’t want to permanently damage your right hand man.” I move my hand away from my sword and try for a smile.

“Sorry Mike, I’m just nervous. The big face off is in two days and I’m all kinds of terrified to be getting married.” I tell him, in a sudden fit of truth.

“You’ll do awesome man. And get excited dude! Tonight is your wedding night!”

I shake my head at my friend, but smile anyways, “You never fail to amuse me. Thank you.”

“What else is your best man for? Besides the bridesmaids.”

I give him a look, “You and I both know that you won’t be hitting on bridesmaids.” He rolls his eyes at me.

“Fine, the other grooms m--” he gets cut off by a knock at the door. I move to open it, but Mike gets there first. He opens the door and immediately gets pulled out the tent flaps by someone I can’t see. I decide not to follow him out and return to watching myself turn circles in the mirror. Three and a half revolutions later Mike walks back in with a falsified calm look on his face.

“Mike, I know that look,” his false face if failing him, “what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he says, a little too quickly, “Emma gets worried about the smallest things.”

“Emma should be with my fiancé.” I am slowly beginning to worry, “What happened to Rayne?”

“Rayne is fine.” His voice gets high as he finishes his sentence and he can’t seem to meet my eyes.

“Michael. What happened to Rayne?” I give him my scary-charming smile.

“Christ, Adam, that’s all kinds of cheating! But I was telling the truth. Ray’s fine.” He is shaking his head and his smile is surprisingly convincing. “She’s just missing is all,” he finishes under his breath.

“What?!” I can feel my eyes get wide at this and I am almost positive my jaw has fallen open. “How in hell did you last so long? I am impressed!” I start heading towards the door as I talk, hoping that my yelling will distract Mike and I can go to find my wife-to-be. It doesn’t work.

“Oh no you don’t.” he steps in between the door and me, blocking my way out. “We do no need to have you seeing Rayne in her dress before the wedding. That’s bad luck you know.”

“So?! I don’t care. I know where she is.” I am lying through my teeth, but I am pretty sure he can’t tell because he gives me a stunned look.

“How!?”

“Mike, she’s my fiancé. It’s my job to know her that well.”

“Okay, so tell me where she is and I will go find her.” He is not going to let me leave the room.

“Damn. Okay, so maybe I don’t know where she is. But I need to find her.” I’ve started pacing the floor.

“I am not letting you leave this room.” He confirms my suspicions.