Illia awoke with the warm rays of the sun heating her face. Her eyes fluttered open as she accepted the warmth of the morning sun.
"Nope! No sleeping in on your wedding day!" Adeline announced as she walked into Illia's room and threw open the curtains. She was a little less grateful for the sun now. She groaned and pulled a sheet over her head.
"It's supposed to be a happy day. You're supposed to be happy to start it!" Adeline continued to ramble on as she threw the covers off Illia's head.
"I am happy," Illia said in protest, "but, I'm also very tired."
Adeline rolled her eyes and grabbed Illia's ankles. "Illia of Aesira, I am giving you ten seconds to get off this bed before I drag you down the aisle myself."
Illia sat up, bracing her hands beside her. "Fine. I'll get up."
Once Illia stood from her bed, Adeline's hand flew to her mouth as she gasped. Illia's eyes widened.
"What is it?"
"Your hair!" Adeline gasped as though Illia had a hole in her chest. "It's all frizzy and messy!"
Illia groaned as her hand slapped her forehead. "Adeline the next time you gasp like that, there better be a man with a knife behind me. We can fix my hair…well you can," Illia smiled as she plopped herself on her vanity stool.
Adeline clapped gleefully as she grabbed Illia's brush. She began undoing the long braid that snaked down Illia's shoulder and combed the curls out with her fingers.
Illia pinched her cheeks as they flushed a pinkish-red color. "Is there any way to keep them like this?" she asked, looking at Adeline now.
She smiled and laughed a little. "Rose petals," she said it so simply that it sounded like she expected Illia to know what she meant. She didn't.
Adeline noticed her confused expression and clarified. "You mix rose petals in with hot water and when you strain it, it turns into a beautiful red oil for your cheeks or lips."
Illia nodded slowly, still not completely sure what it was. "As long as I don't look like the dead body they pull from a river, that's fine."
Adeline snickered and began pinning Illia's hair. "Are you excited to be a married woman?" Adeline asked.
"Of course. Especially to Malaki. He is just the most perfect man."
"Yes, he is." Adeline smiled at Illia in the mirror. She noticed something strange about her smile. It was hiding something. Hiding what Adeline truly felt. But, Illia dismissed it.
"I only wish Selene could be here for this,"
Adeline tilted her head empathetically as her smile tightened. Illia noticed Adeline's emotion fade.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say something so sad and ruin the moment." Illia looked down at her hands.
Adeline shook her head and placed a hand on Illia's shoulder. "No, don't apologize. It's not strange to wish for something we can't have."
It was different this time. There wasn't something hiding in Adeline's smile, but her voice. Something lingered that Illia could not identify.
"This is a big day for Aesira," Adeline said as she placed the last couple of pins in Illia's hair.
She nodded, smiling slightly, still hearing that odd tone in Adeline's voice.
Just before Illia could ask Adeline what was wrong she began speaking. "Let me help you with your dress."
"Yes, let us get that together sooner than later," Illia said, putting her thoughts aside for now.
Adeline walked over to Illia's door where the white gown hung from a hook on the wood. She carried it to Illia, grunting as its fabric pulled her down.
"How are you to even walk in this?" Adeline said as Illia helped her with the gown.
"I am not so sure." Illia tilted her head and looked at the dress. It was beautiful, but Illia thought it was far too heavy for her to be able to walk in.
"You'll find a way. It shouldn't be too hard." Adeline grinned as she helped Illia put on the dress.
She stepped into it and it slipped over her corset and hoop skirt. Adeline laced up the back and stepped away, allowing Illia the chance to take in the entire dress.
Illia looked at herself in the mirror. She looked at the corset first. It was covered in gems and had a perfect neckline that made her collarbones more prominent. Although, her collarbone could barely be seen through the strings and webs of diamonds. They were connected to the breastplate and sparkled up to a thin choker. Her shoulders were bare with only small sleeves on each side of her arm that flowed into mesh curtains. The skirt was big and fluffy with a train that dragged four feet behind Illia.
She twirled once, letting the skirt flare out and sparkle in the sun of the morning.
Adeline looked at Illia with no smile on her face but simply watched Illia. She looked at Adeline in the mirror for a brief moment and saw something flicker in her eyes. Was that jealousy? Illia thought.
"Where did you get it?" she said, still looking at the dress.
"The guards found it in a storage closet downstairs. It was Selene's. At her wedding." Adeline watched as Illia smiled and twirled.
"It suits her. And me. I love it," she turned to face Adeline, beaming. "I'm going to check in on the decorations for the afterparty. Send a messenger to the ballroom when it is time to go. Oh and tell Malaki to stay away from the ballroom so that he doesn't see my dress."
Adeline nodded once, her movements and even her words were clipped. Illia's eyes lingered on Adeline's face for a moment before leaving her. Something was going on with her, Illia just didn't know what it was.
***
Illia stepped down the white marble stairs that spilled onto the dance floor. Her eyes sparkled as the flames above her head danced.
She drifted away from the stairs and looked at the ceiling. The chandeliers were freshly lit and a new child with wings was painted. When a queen was married, a baby with wings was painted on the ballroom ceiling to represent the new queen or warrior.
There were only two babies on this ceiling. In other kingdoms, there were many more, but Veraxin had only had two queens.
Illia looked ahead at the tables in front of her. They all had white satin table clothes with blue lilies and golden chairs. The floors were freshly polished which made it difficult for Illia to keep herself stable.
Illia felt the tears rising in her eyes and gently dabbed them away. It almost pained her to see the palace without Selene. It felt so empty. So dark. But Illia promised Selene that she would help the new kingdom prosper. Even if that meant ruling without the love of parents.
Selene had died, but Theo lived. He was so distraught by her passing that he left Veraxin. He found a quaint cottage in the woods and isolated himself from everyone and everything. Illia missed him. She missed Selene. She wished that she could have spent her life with her parents. But that wouldn't have made any of this any easier.
"Majesty?" a man's voice called from atop the stairs.
Illia turned as she picked up her dress. "Yes?"
"The carriage is waiting. It's time for your wedding." the man smiled as he gestured to the exit of the ballroom.
Illia's smile glowed as she began walking up the stairs, her heels clicking on the marble. When Illia reached the foyer, Adeline was waiting for her.
She appeared to be proud of Illia. She held out a hand, offering it to Illia.
"You look stunning, Illia. Come, the carriage is waiting for us."
Illia takes her hand and Adeline begins leading her out the front door and into the carriage.
When they were both settled inside, Illia looked at Adeline. "Will you give me away?"
Adeline looked away from the window and met Illia's eyes. Illia waited for a response, but nothing came. They looked at each other, seemingly both waiting for one or the other to say something.
"Of course…I will." Adeline said, grabbing Illia's hand and holding it tightly.
There it is again, Illia thought. The flicker behind Adeline's eyes, the feathered muscle in her cheek, the pursing of her lips, and the swallow of bubbling spit.
Illia squeezed Adeline's hand back. She would find out what all these nerves were about when the wedding was over, but today was about her and Malaki.
The carriage slowed as they arrived at the church. A split was created in the waves of wedding guests as the carriage halted at the front of the church.
Adeline got out first and helped Illia get out with a hand. They both stood at the entrance and waited for the guests to take their seats.
Illia smoothed her dress as Adeline still held onto her hand. "It's alright, Illia. Deep breaths." Adeline breathed slowly and deeply, motioning with her hands. Illia copied her breaths as her heart rate slowed.
"This is your day, Illia. Now straighten up and get ready to make Malaki fall head over heels." Adeline smiled as she stood taller, trying to get Illia to do the same.
Illia continued her slow breathing and straightened her spine as she paid close attention to the guests. Their colors, their hair, their clothes. She wanted to know which kingdoms had come to celebrate this joyous day with Aesira. The majority of people were from Aesira, but some were from Enchantra. No Zariya or Nethermore, though Illia was okay with that.
Just as Illia began calming down, the piano from inside the church began playing. Her breath picked up as Adeline looked at her and squeezed her hand. She looped her arm through Illia's and took one step forward.
"It's time, Illia," she said as Illia stepped once beside her.
Illia smiled and nodded once. They began walking arm in arm into the church. People rose and gasped and children giggled and smiled.
Illia felt the stone steps beneath her feet change to the soft carpet as they began walking down the aisle. The dark blue carpet was lined with white Illia felt its soft velvet beneath her.
As she continued walking, she noticed a little girl that was particularly enthusiastic. She looked at the girl and recognized her. It was the child that she danced with at the ball. Illia smiled and waved at the girl and she waved back, beaming.
Illia looked back at the aisle ahead and directed her gaze toward Malaki who stood at the end of the carpet.
"Doesn't he look beautiful?" she whispered to Adeline. She smiled and nodded but did not look at Illia.
Illia noticed something different in Adeline's eyes this time. Longing, Illia thought. She followed Adeline's gaze as her eyes landed on Malaki once more.
Malaki was smiling ear to ear, his eyes gleamed with happiness. But he wasn't looking at Illia. She followed his gaze and found Adeline's eyes. Why are they looking at each other? Illia thought as her eyes darted between them. Illia could no longer hear the piano's music because the sound of her heartbeat filled her ears.
The sound of her breath quickening and her fast heart took over any other sound in the room. The smile faded off her face as her eyebrows threaded together. She could feel Adeline's grip loosen as they began stepping up the first stairs to the dais where the priest stood with Malaki.
He tore his gaze from Adeline and looked at Illia. She noticed the look in his eyes. She noticed the effort it took for him to pull his eyes away from Adeline. She watched as Adeline took her place behind her. Just then, Illia realized what was unsaid, the meaning behind the look in Adeline's eyes, and the shared looks between Malaki and Adeline.
The priest's voice faded and muffled as Illia's ears felt as though they filled with water. Her breath left her mouth in gasps as she found it harder and harder to breathe. Malaki reached for her hands and held them both. Illia did not move, her face did not change, she simply let Malaki hold her hands in his.
Illia could barely make out the vows that left Malaki's mouth for the only thing she could think of was Adeline. How could she? How dare she? She told me she was better now. A better person. She did not mean it? Illia's hatred took over any love she had left for Malaki.
She stood still as a statue when she noticed Malaki had finished talking. Illia then saw the prying eyes of the priest. It was her turn.
She said her vows numbly and subconsciously. Malaki squeezed her hands and tilted his head in concern.
"Do you take this woman to be your wife and your queen?" the priest said, his voice quiet and suppressed.
"I do," Malaki said, his voice ringing through Illia's head.
"And do you take this man to be your husband?" the priest said, smiling as he looked at Illia.
Illia froze. Her muscles stiffened as her mouth was left dry and empty of words. Malaki pulled Illia's hands, wondering why she was not saying anything.
"I…" Illia tried to speak but she heard the sound of skin on string and turned her head. At the end of the aisle stood a man with a bow and arrow. Aimed at Illia.
Before she had time to react the arrow was already halfway to her. Illia's mouth fell open as the iron-tipped arrow darted through her dress and into her skin.
Gasps and screams came from the guests that sat in front of Illia. Another arrow was shot. Illia stood at the dais with two arrows in her chest as blood colored her white gown.
"Illia!" Malaki shouted and he caught Illia as she fell. Adeline rushed to Illia's side and kneeled beside her.
Her hand shook as it floated to her mouth. Adeline looked back, but the man with the arrow was gone, hidden within the stampeding guests that ran out of the church. She turned back to Illia and her hand hovered over the arrow.
Illia's eyes widened as she looked at her sister and husband.
"Help." she managed to croak as the arrow sank deeper into her skin. Adeline smoothed Illia's hair back and smiled.
"I'm sorry, Illia. It had to be done," she whispered as death glazed Illia's eyes. The blood spread throughout her dress, the fabric no longer its beautiful white color.
Malaki held Illia's face in his hand as he wiped the tear from her cheek. "You will miss Selene no longer, Illia," he said softly, trying to make death easier for Illia.
Adeline wrapped her hand around one of the arrows and pulled it out. Illia's chest shook forward as more of her dark, crimson blood spilled from her chest. Adeline pulled the other one from Illia's chest.
Adeline watched her sister bleed as she stood and walked out of the church with Malaki's hand in hers. Illia followed them with her eyes until her head fell on the stone of the dais. Her fingers relaxed as the life drained from her body, leaving nothing in the church but her bloodied corpse.