The Black Wings

Chapter 21

I stand in front of a towering mirror, fumbling with my traditional wedding garb.

It loops here, pull it through there, adjust this buckle.

"For fucks sake." I mumble to myself as I struggle with changing.

I know with regular weddings, I could've probably just worn a suit like I wore to the lavender bowl dance. But sadly, I must struggle with this outfit.

By the time I finish the adjustments, I appear as if I was going to lead an army into an old-timey battle on horseback.

I poke my hand outside of my changing tent to motion for Nadie to come inside, knapsack in hand.

"You're telling me that Lana just gets to slip into some dress?" I question her as she steps in.

"Her dress may be tied up with ribbons and adorned in lace, but it is no zipper party dress." She confirms. "But you can judge the difficultly of her dress later, let me make sure you're good to go."

Nadie steps around me in circles, inspecting each detail of my garb. Carefully, her fingers move to tighten certain spots or just to poke it.

"Now for the finishing touches." She claps her hands together in glee as she reaches inside her bag.

I watch at the items she pulls out. 2 black earrings and a crown of branches with light colored wild flowers weaved around them.

Wedding items?

"Ready for your pierced ears?" Nadie asks me as she checks my earlobes.

"Um, isn't my squad supposed to do this?" I inquire while backing away from her hand.

"Actually, they wanted me to do it because I've given piercings before. Now come one, these hoops are pretty."

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After an hour of doing my hair and some makeup, I stand next to a dressed up Junior under a canopy of leaves by the temple's entrance.

"So how's the earrings?" He tries to get the conversation going as we wait for final setup.

"At least they look nice." I mutter as I touch my throbbing lobes.

Sure, the 2 minuscule shale hoops hanging from my ears represent my eternal service to the black wings.

But I just wish we could have just dyed our hair or something and not stick needles through our skin.

We don't have much of a crowd at the wedding. The council is here, including Hern. Our tree neighbors. My squad. Resistance members with both Averys as bridesmaids for Lana along with the medical team for Junior.

There's some other people I don't recognize either but Nadie told me to expect that. Weddings are critical in black winged culture and are the highlights of entertainment.

"We're about ready! Everyone get in your spots." Nadie announces to the murmuring crowd. "Ace, go to the end of the aisle for Lana."

I follow her instructions. It's a custom for the groom to actually walk the bride down the aisle.

I take a few breaths in anticipation as I await Lana. I want to savor all these moments like I have with the rest.

The day we met and I thought she would kill me. The day I showed her my bird form. When she kissed me as I was under the red winged king's attack. When I kissed her.

Turning from one of the tunnels and crossing the bridge, a new cherished memory finds its way in my heart.

When my eyes first find her on our wedding day.

The dress she wears has off the shoulder straps and the fabric ends just pasts her ankles. Faded floral patterns of lace cover the barren pristine white background material. The netted matching veil reaches to the end of her hair which lies curled at the base of her slender neck.

Lana appears like a fallen angel. When those cerulean orbs drown my own, a blushing smile plasters itself across her face.

My fate escapes me as take a knee and extend my hand to her. She curtsies in acceptance and clasps our hands together as we begin to walk towards the temple.

In respect, every member of the audience bows to us as we pass them.

"You're so beautiful." The words leave my lips in a whisper.

"I rather be wearing a different dress but thank you. You look handsome yourself." Lana compliments me.

"I feel as if I'm going into battle. And let me just say, you could be wearing a potato sack and still be as beautiful as you are now."

"Don't give me any ideas."

We both chuckle but then stop because this is supposed to be serious.

Technically this is all supposed to be serious but everything just seems to melt away as I stroke circles around Lana's hand.

In silence we continue walking towards Nadie.