Page 56 of Bitten By Chaos

Grinning ear to ear, I thanked her for her help and left with my friends and my wedding dress. I may have cheated slightly with my magic, but we had a time crunch, and I wanted Julian to never forget what I looked like when walking down the aisle.

We all marched into the nearest Manhatten alley and through Zoe’s open portal back to the cottage, where Daphne waited to meet us.

“I’m off to prepare for the bachelor party,” Binx announced, before disappearing.

“Then it’s time for the bachelorette one,” Daphne said, hugging me, and carefully taking the dress to hang up for later.

“Do I get to come?” Em asked.

“No,” we all said in unison, making her pout.

“You get to go into my soundproof bedroom and watch cartoons,” Hazel said, guiding her away and closing the door.

“Come on, we all got you sexy gifts,” Daphne called from the spot she’d taken on the floor.

I hurried over, already blushing hard as the others moved furniture out of the way so we could sit in a circle. Hazel dropped down to join us beside her girlfriend, handing out glasses and passing a bottle of wine.

“Open mine first,” said Zoe, handing me a square package tied with a big red bow.

“I’m a little scared,” I admitted, tugging at the corner to slip off the ribbon.

The walls of the box dropped open, and inside I found a bundle of satiny black and red material. Gingerly, I lifted it, and not one, but two honest to goodness black capes lined in scarlet unfurled. They even had the standing collars of traditional Dracula attire.

I glared at my sister as everyone practically rolled laughing.

Wiping her eyes, Zoe crawled over to me. “Look in the pocket.”

Digging in, I felt something that crinkled as I tugged it out. A clear bag of what looked like iridescent marbles sat in my palm when I’d finished.

“They’re special charms,” Zoe said, turning slightly red. “Several types that I, um, kind of mixed up on purpose since I thought it might be fun to be surprised.”

I missed being a full vampire when my face flooded with heat. Certain my skin matched my hair, I thanked her and accepted the rest of my gifts one at a time.

When Daphne said her goodbyes, I sat down to fully confide in Zoe what had happened with our father. I left her in her lover’s arms as I returned to seek the comfort of my own, wishing somehow, someway, our father could change and love us the way he should have. But his narcissism made that hope impossible. He’d never been able to put his family before his ambitions, and he never would. I only hoped he didn’t try to make matters worse by confiding in Elsa what I’d become. No, I shook my head to clear it. He hated Elsa. He’d claimed to be running from her for years. I was acting like I was scared of monsters in the shadows when I knew better than to let my imagination get the better of me. I’d let my father take up too much of my headspace already, and I was determined to put a stop to it.

Besides, I was now more powerful than Elsa would ever be since both fae rulers were dead.

Chapter 19

Til Death Do Us Part

Zoe fiddled with the veil for the millionth time as I chewed on my cheek, grateful all I’d had that morning was coffee, so I didn’t throw up all over my pristine gown. Lydia walked in, knocking on the door as she entered Hazel’s bedroom where I’d stayed overnight to prepare and avoid Julian accidentally seeing me in the dress. I’d set up a semi-permanent portal to the beach where the ceremony was taking place. Daphne had arranged an arch of twisting vines covered in red roses under which we would take our vows.

“What’s up?” I asked, noting Lydia’s face.

“We have an uninvited guest,” she answered, closing the door behind her.

“What? Who?” I batted away Zoe’s hands and took a step toward Lydia.

“Your father,” she answered, tugging at the hem of her black leather mini dress. “Sam tried to escort him out quietly, but he decided to make a scene and insisted he had a right to see his daughter’s wedding. We finally got him to leave, but Julian insisted I let you know and to tell you if you want to postpone, he understands.”

Zoe’s touch grounded me as we silently communicated our concern with a look. I worried at the petals on one of the many roses clustered in my bouquet as I thought. Julian worried that my father had dampened the joy of the moment. He wanted everything to be perfect, and that made me love him even more. I’d have been lying if I denied the wound my father’s brief presence opened.

“No one will think less of you,” Lydia offered.

“It’s your call, Char,” Zoe said. “I will support you, no matter what you decide. This is your wedding, not mine. As far as I’m concerned, I wouldn’t waste another second letting him sour our lives.”

“I wish I knew what Mama would want,” I admitted, shoulders slumping.

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