Soul Bound (Moonstone Saga #2)(50)
Author: Courtney Cole

“I would like nothing more as well.  It appears that you will be here for a while, if not forever.  It would make things easier if we got along.”

“Agreed.” I stared at her, almost daring her to look away first.  She did not.  We stared into each other’s eyes for an uncomfortably long time, before I finally smiled.

“I hear that you are putting together a feast for me this evening. I greatly appreciate that and I hope that you haven’t gone to any trouble.”

“You are my husband’s daughter and a true princess of the Underworld,” Persephone sniffed.  “It is no trouble.”

She and my father had a very strange relationship.  She knew of his dalliances and she had her own, yet they were as loyal to each other as two people could possibly be in every other way but sexual.  And they loved each other fiercely.   I knew that if I proved worthy and true, her loyalty would eventually extend to me.

She smiled back at me and offered me a hand.  An olive branch, so to speak, a very tenuous olive branch.  I took it and stepped out of the tub, dripping scented water on the marble.  Persephone wrapped a soft towel around my shoulders.

“You have a wedding to ready for,” she said knowingly.   “And I have just the jewels for you to wear.  They will look stunning with your gray eyes.  Will you be wearing white?”

I hadn’t thought of it, to be honest.  But I did want to look beautiful for Brennan.   Theoretically, we would only be getting married once. I should wear white.  I nodded.

“Perfect,” Persephone nodded.  “You will be lovely.  Just let me bring you the jewels.  I’ll be back in a moment.”

She slipped out and I toweled my hair dry.  I briefly wondered where Brennan was, but didn’t worry too much.  We were in a strange new world now, one where everything was backward from the way it used to be.  We were safe in the Underworld. Hades was an alliance.  He was on our side and he needed me as much as we needed him.  Plus, he was my father.  That was a fact that I hadn’t allowed myself to think on just yet.  Not really.  But soon enough, I would have to sort out my feelings on that matter.

For now, I concentrated on making myself as beautiful as possible for my wedding.

I envisioned the most beautiful wedding gown I had ever seen, a long, flowing silken creation with thousands of pearls and iridescent beading and a simple train.  It was slightly off the shoulder with an open back that reached the very small of my own.  I pictured it clearly in my head and instantly I was wearing it.

The silk was butter soft against my skin and looked lovely against my dark hair.  The beading glittered in the light of the candles and I found myself twisting my arm to make them sparkle.

Simone returned and sat me in front of her, patiently twisting and curling my hair into an elaborate up-do piled on top of my head.  Wispy tendrils escaped from the front and framed my face and when she was finished, I gasped at the reflection in the mirror.  I honestly did look stunning.

And I didn’t care for myself.  In fact, I could scarcely care less. But I wanted to be beautiful for Brennan.  I wanted him to remember this night forever, no matter what we would have to face in the future.  He deserved that and so much more.

Persephone re-entered my bedchambers carrying a velvet box of jewels and a glass bottle with an ornate ruby stopper.

“I’ve brought jewelry and the most beautiful fragrance oil you’ve ever smelled,” she announced.   “It was a gift from Hera a long time ago.  The perfume oil conforms to the woman who is wearing it, creating an exquisite, unique scent for each who wears it.”

She dabbed some at my neck, cle**age and wrists and I had to admit that she was right.  I drew my wrists to my nose and inhaled.  I smelled…ethereal.  Beautiful.  I smelled like the loveliest of night-blooming flowers, which suited me completely.  I was a creature of the night.

Persephone dipped her head in and sniffed at me, nodding.  “See?  I told you.”

She opened her velvet box and withdrew a sparkling, chunky amethyst necklace and draped it around my neck.  It was elaborate, which perfectly offset the simplicity of my dress.  As I stared into the mirror, I found that the deep purple stones seemed to bring out small purplish flecks in my eyes.  I hadn’t even known those purple flecks were there, but Persephone had noticed.  She was very perceptive.

She fastened the matching bracelet on my left wrist and I left my moonstone on my right.  She didn’t question it so I assumed that she already knew what it was and the importance of it.  The earrings were the last touch and then she turned me to face the mirror.  I was a vision in white, I could honestly say that without any conceit.  While white usually washed out pale people, it went perfectly with my dark hair and gray eyes.  My cheeks were unusually flushed, my eyes sparkled. I would do.  I would make a fitting bride for Brennan.

“You’re beautiful, princess,” Simone whispered to me.  She seemed in awe and dropped in a low bow.  I smiled and grabbed her elbow, pulling her back upright.

“Thank you,” I told her.  Turning to Persephone, I asked, “What time is dinner?”

“Directly following the ceremony,” she answered, reaching around to tuck a stray piece of my hair into the updo.  Strange how an hour ago she was threatening to rip out my heart and now she was doing my hair.

“I still would do it,” she replied to my thought.  “If you ever hurt Hades.”

I shook my head at the absurdity of the situation and changed the subject.

“What time is the ceremony?”

Persephone looked at me like I was insane.  “When you get there, of course,” she answered.  “We cannot start without the bride.”

“Do you know where Brennan is?” I asked her uncertainly.  She laughed.

“Do you think that he ran away after all of this?”

I shook my head.  “No.  But I just haven’t seen him in a few hours.”

“He went to get your ring.  He should be back by now.”

“My ring?”  I was a goddess.  I didn’t need a ring.

Persephone read my thought.  “It was his mother’s, I believe, and it means a great deal to him.”

Warmth flooded my heart.  Of course.  Brennan was just that sweet that he would want to honor his mother on our wedding day. And honor me, too, by offering me his mother’s ring.  I was suddenly overcome with love for him and couldn’t wait to see him.