Page 82 of Sold to the Devil
“Emerald green and gold.”
Mattheo and I decided on the theme when we knew the date. Well, the first one. Of course, he told his father so our wedding could go as we wanted. It may be an arranged marriage, but we still need to have a proper reception. The fact that we love each other adds to the desire to have a wedding that's as perfect as possible. Luckily, the Dark Mage accepted our request.
Paula nods, the three girls search for their dresses among the store's selection of green and gold tones. As for me, I go to the employee and ask if she can help me find my dress, as I'm starting to despair after looking at every white dress on display.
I explain what I want and she nods before heading to what I assume is the back room. She goes to get some undisplayed models while I go into a changing room and wait for her to return.
She gives me four dresses and tells me to let her know if I need help putting them on. I thank her and try on the first one.
After trying them all on, I sigh in defeat. None of them are to my liking. They're beautiful, but they're not really what I want. I step out of the fitting room, and the lady smiles softly.
“I might have a dress you'll like. I'll be right back.”
I nod and she leaves. The girls come out of their changing rooms and I smile at how beautiful they look in their dresses. They're very simple spaghetti strap dresses, but the shade of emerald green is perfect.
“What do you think?” Kiara asks, smiling shyly.
“You three are beautiful. If you like it, I can only say yes!” I laugh.
They nod and go back to change. The lady returns with a dress and hands it to me. I thank her and go into the dressing room, to put it on. I turn to look in the mirror and gasp softly, my hand going to my mouth in shock. This isexactlyhow I pictured my dress.
The dress is made of lily-like lace, strapless with puffed sleeves. The hem is slightly loose and also features some floral lace details. The back is open.
It's perfect.
I step out of the booth and the girls and the lady gasp before smiling brightly and clapping excitedly.
“Oh my God, Aelys you are so beautiful!” My cousin seems to beam as her green eyes scan my body.
“I agree!” Kiara nods eagerly, looking pleased.
“Please tell us it's this one!” Paula asks, a big, hopeful smile on her face.
I nod, the woman claps again, happy to have found what I asked for. I put my clothes back on, and we go to pay for our dresses. Since the wedding will be held at Leroi Manor, we ask her if she can send our dresses there, she agrees, simply asking for the address. Nancy gives it to her since I don't know it myself. We thank her again and leave the store.
We head towards the main square of the village, where the pub is located, and the boys are supposed to meet us, chatting happily along the way. The boys are already there, sipping beers in a corner. Mattheo smiles brightly when he notices me, I sit down next to him, placing a kiss on his cheek while the girls slide in next to Theodore and Enzo.
“Have you found your dress, angel?” Mattheo whispers in my ear, his hand automatically resting on my thigh.
“I found it, yes. Did you find your costume?” I smile.
He nods and kisses me gently. The bartender brings us beers, probably ordered by the boys, and we thank him. I take a sip and smile nostalgically as I look at my friends.
They seem joyful, carefree. As if the war tearing our world apart doesn’t exist and we were all just normal students. Unfortunately, the phantom pain left by the runes Darkvis carved into my skin the day before reminds me that our happiness is only a fleeting moment.
Soon we will have to satisfy the Master again so that he can win this war once and for all. We will shed the blood of our enemies, despite our young age.
My gaze falls on my fiancé, and my heart races, even more as the meaning of our union hits me. More influence and power for the Dark Mage.
Not to mention the latter's expectations for our marriage: an heir.
My grip on the beer mug unconsciously tightens as I realize one thing: no matter who wins this war between Darkvis or O'Connor, we will never be free.
CHAPTER 32
Aelys
Classes resume today, but most of the students still seem shaken by Jones's death. The professors are restless, O'Connor has dark circles under his eyes that betray his inability to sleep, as if he knows the Dark Mage's plans are taking a new turn.
