Consumed (22 page)

Greg smiled sadly. “I’ve never been able to talk myself into opening this until now.” He pulled out her long, off-white dress and brought it to his nose. “There’s still the slight scent of lilacs. Your mother’s favorite scent. That was the best day of my life.”

He handed the dress to Keegan and pulled out a photo album. Rourk walked over and stood behind his father to look at the photographs. His parents made a striking couple: his father with his chiseled good looks and his mother with her natural beauty.

Keegan stood beside Rourk. “Your mother was breathtaking.”

“That she was,” Greg said softly. He shut the book and handed it to Rourk. “You two can look through the rest of this stuff. I need to check on dinner. This is harder than I expected.” Moister glistened in his eyes as he stood and walked to the kitchen.

Keegan placed her hand on Rourk’s shoulder, not sure what to say.

“Why don’t you look at what else is in there?” Rourk’s voice sounded strained.

“Ok.” Keegan knelt in front of the box and pulled out the most beautiful broom she had ever seen. It was handmade from dark brown twigs and wrapped in white ribbon that had shamrocks embroidered on it. Ivy climbed up the handle. Keegan ran her hands over the broom, her palms tingling, and she wondered how many generations it had been passed down. She closed her eyes and pictured Rourk’s parents on their day and with smiles on their face as they jumped the broom.

“This is amazing.” Keegan handed the broom to Rourk and looked back in the box. A green velvet box lay on the bottom. Keegan reached down and pulled the box out; she was curious to see what was inside.

She snapped the box open. A pair of blue sapphire and diamond antique earrings sparkled back at her.

Greg walked in the room and noticed the box. He gingerly took it from Keegan’s hand, stared silently at them for a moment, and then handed the box back to Keegan. “These are yours. They were my mother’s, and her mother’s before that. I’m not sure how many daughters these have been passed down to. Hopefully, someday you will give me a granddaughter, and you can pass them on to her.”

Keegan jumped up and threw her arms around Greg. “I’ll be honored to wear them. Thank you.”

Greg smiled. “You’re welcome. Let’s eat before it gets cold.”

Rourk draped his arm over Keegan’s shoulder as they walked to the dining room. She laid her head against him.

“Do you need any help?” Rourk asked.

“Sure. You can grab the drinks.” Greg set the plate of roast in the center of the table, and went back for the rolls.

Keegan’s stomach growled as Greg walked back into the room. He laughed. “Dig in! We don’t want you wasting away on us.”

She piled her plate with roast, potatoes, and vegetables. Rourk set a glass of water in front of her and then passed her a roll and the butter.

“Thank you.” She smiled sweetly as she buttered the roll and took a bite.

“Dad, thanks for bringing out your wedding box to share with us. I know that wasn’t easy for you,” Rourk said quietly after some time had passed.

“It’s what she would have wanted. Let’s talk about your wedding. Where are you going for your honeymoon?”

Keegan looked up sharply at Rourk. “He won’t tell me. He says it’s a surprise.”

“Surprises are good. Did you have any trouble taking time off?” Greg asked.

“No, I was due for time off. With the holidays, it worked out well.” Rourk could tell his father wanted to change the subject, so he went into details about his training and upcoming schedule. Keegan told him about switching schools and their new home.

After they ate, Rourk made coffee and they sat around the fire place chatting. It was a nice evening, and Keegan was glad she got to know Rourk’s father a little better. The rest of the weekend flew by and once again it was time to say goodbye.

They next time they would meet, it would be their wedding day.

Chapter 22

K
eegan took a deep breath and tried to steady her nerves. Her heart was beating at such an accelerated pace she could feel it in her throat. She couldn’t believe today was the day she had been waiting for since she was little girl.

The household had woken to the sound of pouring rain. In her pre-wedding panic attack, Keegan got hysterical over the weather, and her mother had to remind her that the weather manipulators in the family would take care of it.

“Besides,” Emerald had said, brushing Keegan’s hair behind her ears. She cupped her face in one hand. “Rain on your wedding day is good luck.”

But the weather manipulators didn’t need to do anything. Within an hour, the rain had let up and the sun was shining brightly.

Keegan really hoped she didn’t trip or do something completely embarrassing. She was so nervous that she didn’t know how she was going to make it to the ceremony spot. Thankfully, with elfin weddings she didn’t have to walk there by herself. Rourk would be waiting downstairs for her and they would walk together. She loved that they stuck so close to their ancestors’ traditions.

Her mother was expertly braiding white ribbon into a section of Keegan’s auburn hair with her petite fingers. She glanced up in the mirror, catching her daughter’s eye. “You look stunning.”

Keegan flushed as there was a knock at the door.

“Is everyone decent?” Thaddeus called out.

“Yes,” they said in unison.

Thaddeus walked through the door looking dashing in his military dress uniform. His hair had been slicked down so that it didn’t stick up like usual, and his uniform was perfectly pressed. He looked like a young man instead of a boy, and it brought tears to Keegan’s eyes.

“I can’t believe you are making me dress up,” Thaddeus complained. He had a small white box in his hands with a green bow tied around it.

“It’s tradition.” Emerald said simply.

Thaddeus walked across the room and offered Keegan the box. “Dad said I had to give this to you before you left. For luck.”

Curious, Keegan reached for the box. She shook it—whatever was inside shifted with a thump. Tentatively, she unwrapped the bow and slowly lifted the lid. A huge grin spread across her full lips. She pulled out the horseshoe and stared at it. Her brother had obviously put a lot of time into it. It was painted green and had three shamrocks on each side with Keegan and Rourk written in calligraphy. “You did this?”

Thaddeus shrugged. “I came across it on one of my runs. I figured it was meant for you guys. Rourk could use all the luck he can get marrying you.”

Keegan stood up, straightening her dress around her legs before she flung her arms around her brother. “I love it! Thank you so much. I can’t wait to put it up in our house.”

“Don’t ever let it tip upside down or your luck will run out.” Emerald’s eyes twinkled. “You know you have to carry that with your bouquet.”

“Really? Let me guess—tradition? Well, I will proudly carry it.”

“Now, get out of here so Keegan can finish getting ready.” Her mother shooed Thaddeus out the door.

Her mother pulled her hair into a loose bun, leaving a braid coiled on each side. She slipped some baby’s breath in the back. Emerald grabbed the blush and swiped it across Keegan’s cheekbones.

Keegan watched wide-eyed as her mother pulled the veil out of a box. It was beautiful—long and flowing with Celtic symbols embroidered on the bottom. She secured it on Keegan’s bun and then pulled a layer over her face. “Perfect. Stand up so I can get some pictures. Remember don’t remove the veil until the kiss.”

Keegan set the horseshoe on her vanity table careful to make sure it didn’t fall down. She stood up and stared at herself in the full-length mirror. She lightly touched Rourk’s mother’s earrings and hoped she was watching. Today, she would become Mrs. Kavanagh. She felt like a different person. She could feel the magic flowing through her veins. “Thank you, Mom.”

“Give us a ten minute head start before you go downstairs to meet Rourk.” Emerald cupped Keegan’s cheeks and smiled, tears in her eyes. “I love you. You are simply radiant.” Her mother hurried out of the room.

Keegan looked at the clock—ten minutes was going to feel like a lifetime. She sat on her chair and took deep, cleansing breaths.
You can do this
. Next thing she knew, she looked at the clock and exactly ten minutes had passed.

She stood up and slipped into her heels. She made it to the door before she realized her feet felt too constricted and kicked the shoes off. Barefoot felt right. Her hands shook as she reached for the doorknob. One last deep breath, and she pushed the door open.

Holding her dress at the sides so it wouldn’t drag, she headed for the stairs, feeling like she was floating. She looked down the stairwell and met Rourk’s eyes—the intensity of his stare was overpowering. She could feel his quiet confidence from where she stood, frozen to the spot. He looked so striking in his military uniform.

“You take my breath away. I’ve never seen a creature look more lovely,” he said softly, holding out a hand for her.

Keegan slowly descended the stairs, clutching the flowers and the horseshoe. Each step brought her closer to her new life with her chosen. When she reached the final step, she grasped his hand and could have sworn sparks flew when their skin met.

“Are you ready?”

“Definitely.” Keegan nodded her head and laced her arm through her chosen’s.

She wondered if Rourk could hear her heart pounding. It seemed to vibrate in her ears.

They stepped outside and the warmth of the sun greeted them. Birds were chirping all around, and there wasn’t a single cloud in the sky. It wasn’t cold, but just right—she knew that was a gift from the weather manipulators. Celtic music could be heard in the distance. Keegan squeezed Rourk’s arm, and he smiled down at her.

Once they reached the clearing, Keegan inhaled sharply. She felt like she was in a fairy-tale. How had they managed to pull this together in such a short amount of time? Magic, of course. She smiled to herself. Her special oasis had turned into a botanical garden. Brightly colored flowers and lush greens replaced the bare winter grounds. Rows of white chairs flanked the spot where they would be wed; each chair was hung with purple lilacs.

As they approached, the Wedding March flowed through the air and everyone turned in their seats. Rows and rows of elfin families smiled back at them. Her heart felt full with love.

Anna gave her a small wave, and Lauren grinned. Thaddeus and Tommy were standing to the left and the girls to the right. The priestess, Sarah, stood in the middle with the cords draped on her arm. She had married Keegan’s parents and most of the elves there.

Keegan felt like everything was moving in slow motion. She could feel the magic flowing through the air and the joy radiating off everyone around them. It smelled like a beautiful spring day with flowers in bloom. The stream trickled soothingly. Keegan tried to take it all in, to save the memory.

Sarah smiled warmly when they reached her. She was a lovely woman with a tall, willowy body and clear, pale skin. Her face was long, her eyes clear green, and her hair was crisp white and in a braid down the side of her chest. She cleared her throat.

“Today, Rourk and Keegan will be joined in a handfasting. Their hands will be tied together with a knot that binds them in such a way that they choose to be bound. This ritual symbolizes their oneness not only with each other but with all creation and thus their union is blessed, it's sacredness recognized by all creation.

“The elfin soul shares characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief which assigned virtues to the cardinal directions: East, South, West and North. It is in this tradition that a blessing is offered in support of this ceremony.” She paused.

Keegan felt the crowd behind them hold their breath

Raising both hands to the air, Sarah went on. “Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East. Communication of the heart, mind, and body. Fresh beginnings with the rising of each sun. The knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences.

“Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South. Warmth of hearth and home. The heat of the heart's passion. The light created by both for the lightest, the darkest of times.

“Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West. The deep commitments of the lake. The swift excitement of the river. The refreshing cleansing of the rain. The all encompassing passion of the sea.

“Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North. Firm foundation on which to build. Fertility of the fields to enrich your lives. A stable home to which you may always return.”

Sarah smiled on Keegan and Rourk as she lowered her arms. “Each of these blessings from the four cardinal directions emphasizes those things which will help you build a happy and successful union. Yet, they are only tools. Tools which you must use together to create what you seek in this union.

“Know that before you go further, since your spirits have crossed in this life, you have formed ties between each other. As you seek to enter into this state of matrimony, you should strive to make real the ideals which give meaning to both this ceremony and the institution of marriage.