Bridgeworlds: Deep Flux (31 page)

Duchess Butterfly chose Ischus and Queen Elizabeth to be in charge
of their clothing for the event. Omar teleported himself, Sasha, Ischus, and
Queen Elizabeth to Loefel Meren .Where Ischus and Queen Elizabeth took
them to the tailor. There a specialized suit was made for Omar it had a
ruffled top, vest, long sleeved long coat with upright collar, and short
pants in the traditional Loefel Meren renaissance style.

Sasha’s dress was made from light blue silk, rich gold satin, satin
with floral design and trimmed in a deep burgundy braid. It was also laced
in front with thin, light blue ribbon and in back with a sheer cream ribbon.
The outfit was topped with a floral wreath on her head made of various red
and blue flowers.

They finished showing Ischus and Queen Elizabeth in their wedding
garb. Then they returned to Caelsis.

They found that Duchess Butterfly was waiting for them in Omar’s
quarters. She was known to be the only Nepsah that was not a queen to
have as ornate wings as the Queen. There was rumor that she was
somehow linked to the royal lineage. Seux had been courting her for
several months. This was Omar’s first time meeting her and she seemed
very much in charge of the wedding which Omar didn’t mind. She had
beautiful butterfly wings that had purple and green markings with a black
trim to them. She wore a long purple flowing dress that was longer than her
legs trailing off as she floated about in the air.

She looked to Omar and smiled, “Good you are back. Come. Hurry.
There is much to do and little time!” She motioned for Omar and Sasha to
join her in another room. They followed and found Queen Elizabeth seated
with a large canvas in front of her. Queen Elizabeth turned and smiled as
they entered. “As your wedding gift I am going to paint a picture of you two
on the night of your wedding.”

Omar smiled, “Thank you so much.” He turned to Sasha to explain,
“Queen Elizabeth is one of the best artists on Soterion. Her art is priceless
here.”

Sasha smiled, “Thank you, your Grace. This is a wonderful gift.”

They stood still while Queen Elizabeth started the painting. In the
background Omar saw Prince Seux dashing in and out of the room bringing
equipment that would be needed. Seux had several Nepsah servants
trailing behind him carrying things too. As Seux darted to another room
Omar turned his head slightly so he could see what Seux was doing.

“Now, Omar, we only have a certain amount of time to get a lot
done. I need you to remain still,” said Duchess Butterfly who was hovering
over Queen Elizabeth’s shoulder.

As Queen Elizabeth painted them Duchess Butterfly pointed out a
few minor flaws which Queen Elizabeth thanked her for.

Duchess Butterfly continually had to tell Omar to stand still or
instructing him to get back to his original position. Queen Elizabeth had to
stifle a laugh almost every time. Then Queen Elizabeth said, “It is so hard to
find people in my Kingdom who will tell me where they see anything wrong
with my work. It makes it very hard to improve.”

Duchess Butterfly smiled, “I am so very glad to help now please
turn back around and stop looking at me while you talk.”

Queen Elizabeth stifled a laugh as she turned around and
continued her work. The duchess had to tell Omar to be still several more
times while the painting was finished. After an hour of standing still the
majority was done and Queen Elizabeth dismissed them.

Throughout the day the Duchess took them through Caelsis to buy
flower arrangements, decorations, and pick food. After much debate with
the Duchess, Omar convinced her to have the location of the wedding as
the Tower of the Magi. It would be the first and only time non-Magi were
allowed inside the tower. The ground floor was large enough to fit several
hundred people and tall enough to allow a Raphad to stand.

When they got back to the tower they were separated and sent to
different rooms while the Duchess gave the tower a complete overhaul.
Omar snuck out of his room to see that large chandeliers were being hung
from the ceilings and white lace was being strategically placed in various
places.

When Omar returned to his room he found Thanatos waiting for
him. He looked different… almost less powerful. Thanatos had a wicked grin
on his face.

Omar paused. Fear overcame him. Flashing memories of the crash
and the dream after of the beast raged through his mind. Omar backed
away as he had a stabbing pain in his chest and his neck felt tight. He
couldn’t swallow. “What… are you doing here?” asked Omar dryly.

Thanatos sighed. “I had some trouble on my world. A few friends of
yours have caused me to be an outcast from my own world. I cannot return
there and because of your friend Kasey I can’t stay in Musterion. So here I
am, and you did say that I could stay here.”

Omar felt weak.
No, I can’t let this happen. He must die. I cannot be
weak.
Omar grabbed a knife from his desk and teleported behind Thanatos
but Thanatos teleported away. He pulled up the sleeve of his arm to reveal
a teleportation devise. “That was made especially for me by the Gauntmen.
Yes, they are allies of mine here.”

Thanatos paced back and forth as he spoke. Omar could not move
from his position. Something was stopping him from moving but he could
not tell what. “Is that really any way to treat the best man at your wedding?
Or have you not wondered why you have yet to declare one? With my
blood coursing through your veins I have complete control over you. You
are worse than one of those who has taken from the blood but once. They
are not conscious of themselves. But you… you are mine and you know that
you are mine. You are aware of everything when I take control of you.”

No. No! I need control. I must have control of myself. Get out. Go
away.

“I feel you resisting me. It’s such an insignificant effort. You are
very weak, like Tyree was when I took control of him. But Jack did too good
of a job resisting me. It was almost effortless for him. He didn’t even realize
that I was trying to take control of him. So, you will have to pay for what he
has done on my world. I have started by giving doses of my blood to various
and numerous members of the Magi,” he said and then laughed, “I have an
entire order of super-scientists at my disposal.”

I will kill you for this. I swear I will kill you for this.

 

“But look at me. How rude of me to keep you from your big day.
Let’s go down and join your bride,” he said.

THEY LEFT FOR THE WEDDING neither of them realizing that Queen
Elizabeth had been in the back room where she was putting the finishing
touches on her painting. She heard everything and poked her head out to
make sure they were gone once they shut the door behind them. But what
time would she have to do anything about all of this.

OMAR AND THANATOS WALKED out as the elevator doors opened.
There were at least five hundred people here including the Elder who was
the first Monarch of Soterion.

“Who is this?” asked Duchess Butterfly as she darted up to them.
“My best man,” said Omar. And though the words came out of his
mouth, they were Thanatos’ words.

“Oh,” said Duchess Butterfly. The music began to play so she
rushed them up toward the center of the crowd where Prince Seux stood.
Sasha had given Prince Seux the format for a traditional earthen marriage
so he began in the traditional style.

At the center of the room the acoustics were set up so that all
would hear even if a tiny Nepsah spoke. “We are gathered here today to
witness the union of a man and a woman in marriage. These two who once
worked with each other for years on end were separated worlds apart.
They have found each other and now they have decided to live their lives
together as husband and wife.”

Omar was listening to the words said. He wanted to remember this
moment but the dark creature just in his view was a distraction.
Why can’t
you leave me alone? Why can’t I live in peace for once in my life?

And in his mind he heard Thanatos’ voice.
Because, Omar, there is
no rest for the wicked.
Omar saw a smile creep across Thanatos’ face.

 

A deeper fear came over Omar as he realized that Thanatos could
read his thoughts.
He will never let me go.

Prince Seux continued, "To all present I say: We are gathered here,
not to witness the beginning of what will be, but rather what already is! We
do not create this marriage, because we cannot. We can and do, however,
celebrate with Omar and Sasha the wondrous and joyful occurrence that
has already taken place in their lives, and the commitment they make
today."

He had Omar and Sasha face each other and continued, "Omar and
Sasha, today you are surrounded by your friends, all of whom have
gathered here to witness your marriage and to share in the joy of this
special occasion. Today, as you join yourselves in marriage, there is a vast
and unknown future stretching out before you. The possibilities and
potentials of your married life are great; and now falls upon your shoulders
the task of choosing your values and making real your dreams. Through
your commitment to each other, may you grow and nurture a love that
makes both of you better people, a love that continues to give you great
joy, and also a passion for living that provides you with energy and patience
to face the responsibilities of marriage."

Sasha looked at him with such hope and admiration. A tear ran
down Omar’s cheek but those looking on only assumed it was a tear of joy.

Prince Seux continued, “The institute of marriage is one that has
been around since the beginning. It was something given to us by the
Creator and it is glorified in the Shepherd. May the Shepherd guide you
both in your greatest hours of need.”

How dare you mention the Shepherd and a Creator? Where is your
Shepherd now? Where was he when I was dying in that wreckage?

Thanatos laughed in his mind and then he said something that
shocked Omar to his core.
You are a fool. This is your downfall. The
Shepherd and the Creator are real. They have many names but they are the
same as the Father and the Son mentioned in the Bible. I guess that was the
reason why I could not take control of Jack… he already belonged to
someone else. But I am an arch-demon and I have possessed you. You are
mine.

Is it true or another one of his lies? What did Kasey do to get rid of
him? If I followed the Shepherd could I get rid of him?
You are mine.
Said Thanatos’ voice in his mind.

 

I can’t. I just don’t believe it. It’s too impossible. It’s not logical.

“Before we continue I must ask if anyone can show just cause, why
they may not lawfully be joined together, please speak now or forever hold
your peace.”

There was silence for a moment.

 

Omar shook more. He wanted to object. He wanted to show his
just cause but Thanatos wouldn’t let him.

 

But then there came a familiar voice from the back of the crowd of
people. “I do.”

 

The crowd parted to show Myles with a female Yaarma beside him
dressed in white robes and wearing a crown.

 

Omar took a deeper look at her and he recognized her facial
features.
Who is that?

 

“I, the Empress, known to this man Omar as Misaki object that I am
not part of this ceremony,” she said.

Tears flooded Omar’s face. Thanatos allowed him control enough
to react. He ran down and hugged her twirling her in the air. He hugged her
tight with eyes closed. “I love you and have missed you so much my sister,”
he said.

She pulled herself away looking him in the eyes. “You are sweating,
Omar. And shaking. What is wrong?”

 

He shook his head. “No. Let us not discuss such things. I am getting
married.”

 

Thanatos showed a smile of approval at the fact that he did not try
to resist and tell Misaki.

 

She smiled, “Yes, please. Get back to your wedding.”

 

Myles was wearing the same hat and long coats as he was when
they met. He hugged Myles and ran back up to the altar.

 

This is all wrong. It’s tainted by the presence of that thing.
He
looked back to Thanatos who was grinning.

He turned toward Sasha. It was time to speak the vows. Omar
froze. He couldn’t speak. Thanatos was trying to make him speak but Omar
was fighting it. Omar started to sweat again. His entire body was shaking.
Omar didn’t know what to say and he would not allow Thanatos to say
these words for him.
I can’t do this now.

But the crowd took it as nerves and so did Sasha.

 

Seux laughed, “Omar seems to be caught in the moment.”

He turned to Omar and said, "Do you Omar Metzger, take Sasha
Romanov to be your lawfully wedded wife, promising to love and cherish,
through joy and sorrow, sickness and health, and whatever challenges you
may face, for as long as you both shall live?"

“I do,” stuttered Omar.
At least they are my words.

He turned to Sasha and said, "Do you Sasha Romanov, take Omar
Metzger to be your lawfully wedded husband, promising to love and
cherish, through joy and sorrow, sickness and health, and whatever
challenges you may face, for as long as you both shall live?"

“I do,” she said with a smile and adoring eyes.
If you only knew, you
would not adore me.

"Omar and Sasha - Today you enter as individuals, but you will
leave here as husband and wife, blending your lives, and embarking upon
the grandest adventure of companionship. The story of your life together is
still yours to write. All those present have come to witness and celebrate
your love and commitment this day - eager to be a part of the story not yet
told."

Prince Seux paused and looked to Sebastian, “Do you have the
rings?”

 

Sebastian handed the rings to Sasha and Omar. Then Prince Seux
said to Omar repeat after me, “With this ring, I thee wed."

Omar trembled as he put the ring on her finger. At this point he
was sweating all over from fighting so hard against Thanatos to speak to say
something other than what he had to say to get through the ceremony, but
the only words he could speak were those. Though Thanatos tried to force
him to say them Omar held back a millisecond long enough to be able to
make them his words. “With this ring, I thee wed,” said Omar. Sasha gave
him a concerned look.