Page 59 of Best Hex Ever
Dina tried to stifle the feeling of dread biting at the heels of her joy. She should have known he’d be trouble for her, and she desperately didn’t want anything to happen to him. She thought of Alex, the chef she’d dated and the burns he’d received, and Eliza and her head injury. What would the hex do to Scott if she didn’t push him away now?
There was still no denying how she felt around him. Scott made her feel more whole, more complete. He made her want to be a better version of herself.
Tears pricked at her eyes, and she wanted Scott to come and kiss them away and tell her it would be all right. Maybe she could find a way to break the hex this time? Maybe Scott would reveal himself to be some kind of womanizing asshole, making it easier to walk away, but Dina knew that wasn’t the case.
She pushed back against the feeling that wanted to name itself, held the door closed as it prodded every chamber of her heart.
Anyone looking would just think that Dina’s tears were from happiness for her friend.
She caught a glimpse of her mum in the corner of her eye, and the knowing smile on her face as she took in Dina’s expression. Her mother knew she barely ever cried, and Dina bet that sly witch knew exactly what she was crying about now.
They reached the end of the aisle and Eric was smiling at Dina as he took Immy’s arm from hers and helped his bride onto the dais.
Dina moved numbly to stand at the side, her fingers gripping the bouquet. She wished there was more air in this room. And she wished for a future with Scott where they could be together and the hex would never hurt him.
Dina took her hope and pressed it down into a kernel in her heart. A small but heavy weight that sank into her stomach, viscous and bitter.
The ballroom was cavernous yet stuffy, and she trained her attention on a patch of dust motes visible in the rays of sunlight streaming in through the window. Dina quietly forced one deep breath and then another, as the harpist plucked the last few notes of the song.
At least now all she had to do was stand here, and smile. She could do that. Dina pasted a smile onto her face and kept her eyes firmly on Immy’s tear-streaked cheeks.
God, how selfish do you have to be to be crying about your own love life at your best friend’s wedding?
The beginning of the ceremony went by in a blur. Eric had the whole room laughing during his vows, although Immy’s reaction was more like laughter intermixed with sobs. Then Immy almost whispered her vows to Eric, as if her words were for him and him alone.
The officiant then led them through the more formal parts of the ceremony, and the exchange of rings. Now Dina was up. She snapped out of her haze.
Striding over to stand between the bride and groom, Dina began her handfasting.
She held in her hand three ribbons plaited together, all of them different colors. Red for passion, yellow for joy, and green for loyalty. Dina couldn’t imagine a couple better suited to eachother and had beamed when they’d suggested she do a handfasting.
“If you could place your hands together, palm to palm,” she announced, her voice trembling a little. She didn’t usually mind speaking in front of people, but the emotions of the day were clearly taking their toll. She risked a glance at Scott, and as his warm smile enveloped her, she found it a little easier to breathe. Her voice steadied.
Dina took the plaited ribbons and began to wrap them ceremonially around Immy and Eric’s joined hands.
“These are the hands of your best friend, your lover, your partner, through all the trials and tribulations of your life, who on this day you have promised to love and support forever. These are the hands that will wipe tears from your eyes, and give you strength when you need it. These are the hands that will still be reaching for yours, even when you are old and gray and dreaming of sleep.”
Someone sniffed away tears in the audience, and Dina relaxed slightly. Crying aunt, check.
As she spoke, Dina let a small flurry of magic escape her fingertips, delicate and silk-like.
The magic wouldn’t change anything about Eric and Immy’s relationship; it would just help strengthen the bonds they’d already made. Dina liked to think of it this way: If Immy and Eric ever got into an argument over some trifling, unimportant thing, they would find themselves remembering this day, this moment. They would feel a tug on their wrist, urging them closer to each other, toward the familiar comfort of each other’s arms. Passion, joy, loyalty.
To Dina’s eyes, the magical bond glowed a deep gold. No one else would be able to see her magic, apart from her mum. Immy smiled up at Dina.
She stepped back and watched as the officiant pronouncedthem husband and wife. Eric folded Immy into his arms and Dina couldn’t help but feel the surge of joy in her heart.
After that, the ceremony was over. The harpist began playing again, this time a more upbeat romantic tune. Immy pulled Dina in for a bear hug with surprising strength given her smaller stature.
“It was perfect, thank you,” Immy cried into her hair.
“You don’t need to thank me for that, Imms, that’s all on you two.” Dina leaned back and took her friend’s cheeks in her hands. Immy was incandescent with joy, and it had rubbed off on Dina. Today wasn’t a day to wallow; there were plenty more days for that if she needed them.
As Dina stepped back, Immy and Eric were swarmed at the edge of the altar by their friends and family. She glanced around the room, her eyes instinctively searching for Scott. God, one night of hot, heavy nearly-sex and already she was lost to this man.
Suddenly, there was a large warm hand around hers. A growling, low voice in her ear. Warm breath sending tingles down the nape of her neck.
“Come with me,” Scott said, and he pulled Dina out of the crowded room. His hand enveloped hers entirely, tugging her gently down the hallway. He didn’t speak, didn’t even glance at her, but a small smile quirked the corners of his lips upward. Where was he taking her?
