Til Death Do Us Part - Red Queen Fan Fiction

Chapter 89 - Tomorrow I say, I Do

THE NIGHT BEFORE THE WEDDING

The last two weeks have been a blur. From dress fittings, pre-wedding dinners, hair trials, makeup, crown fittings, measuring and more. I am physically exhausted and mentally, but I know that tomorrow it will be worth it. I will finally have Cal forever...and that is all I want. I don't need the things that come along with being royalty, I just need him.

This morning I had my final dress fitting, but I was not allowed to look at it. I felt the heavy material, saw the pure white. I know that my dress falls off my shoulders, and hugs my body. I know the train is long, and royal. I know that the veil is like a shield, and I will no doubt need it with all the nobles staring at me. But only one pair of eyes tomorrow will soothe me, Cal's.

"Mare, stop daydreaming and tell me if this looks ok?" I am suddenly pulled out of my daydream by Farley's voice. I stare at Clara, and smile wide to myself. Farley has put her in a white dress with little ballet slippers. I am not the only one who had my dress specially made. Farley, my mother, Gisa, Maria and Cameron have had the same, but by a different dressmaker. Everyone is in my room, trying on their final outfits and discussing their hair and makeup options. I never knew them all to be so girly, but they are very excited about the fact that they get to be royalty for the day too.

I haven't seen Cal since yesterday, as my mother said there is this tradition where the bride doesn't see the groom before the wedding. That is not the best thing for me, because right now I just need Cal.

We haven't been intimate for a while, because we have been busy and just because Cal was on edge about his experience the day he was late to training. Apparently, the soldiers would not let him live it down. Why? Because he said he put his shirt backwards and didn't realise until one of his Generals pointed it out. That and his hair was a mess, which showed that he had been rolling around the night prior. Although everyone made fun of it, and so did Cal, it took him a while to realise it was ok to laugh at himself. Since then the soldiers have been giving him endless attempts at humour. He just gives it back now.

"It looks so cute. I love it" I almost vomit at what I just said. Since when did I think things were cute.

"Are you nervous, love?" my mom asks, in the voice she uses when she is treading lightly. I smile at her, and nod my head. I don't have to tell anyone what I am feeling, because they can see it. I daydream more than I ever have, I have trouble sleeping unless Cal is with me, and worst of all I keep having guilty feelings. Because of Maven. Ever since this wedding has been approaching, I keep thinking about Maven and the fact that he would and should have been Cal's best man tomorrow. They should have had a better relationship than the one that they had. I haven't told Cal that I keep imagining my dress covered in blood. Maven's blood. The guilt has finally hit me full force, and settled at the worst time.

"Don't worry Mare" Cameron starts. "The threats are empty. They won't do anything" I realise suddenly why they think I am nervous, and I won't correct them. Last week, Cal received a severed head in a box. It was marked as an early wedding present, but when we sat to open it, which he regrets letting me be there, we found one of our men's heads. There was a note lodged in his mouth, reading: On the day you most treasure, we will kill the person you most treasure.

Cal immediately upped security, and has stopped me from going on runs outside the castle. The day he most treasures is our wedding day, and the person is me. Cal is taking no chances.

"Who do you think it is?" I asked Cal that day.

"King of Irinia, of course. That man has been plotting against my father, and his father before him, to take Norta. He will never stop" I nodded, and didn't say anything because of the look Cal had in his eyes. Between gritted teeth he said. "After all of this is done, and you are Queen, we need to attack" that scared me. Because of the way he said it, and because he wants to lead the army. I know by the way he said when I am Queen, which is because I will be here if anything goes wrong. I will lead without him. That resulted in an argument, and I told him he will do no such thing. He agreed, but I knew he was not listening. I would deal with it, when the time came.

"Mare" again, Farley calls my name. Everyone shares looks, and I smile.

"Sorry" I say, because that is all I can say. "Sorry that I have been a little out of it. I have just been stressed with everything" They again share looks.

"Its ok Mare. Just try and relax and enjoy this" my mom says again.

I don't think Queen's ever relax.

...

Cal POV

Tomorrow, the day I have been waiting for arrives. I finally get to make Mare my wife. Granted, we have to wait one week until the coronation, but just the fact that it is finally here is crazy. My father would be rolling around in his grave right now if he knew I was marrying a red. But I never saw Mare by blood. I fell for her, knowing full well it would change my reign and my world.

A knock at the door takes me from my thoughts. "Come in" I yell, hoping it is Mare. I know it won't be, because she is not allowed in my room. Her brothers roughed me up about it earlier. I am surprised by the person that enters. "Evangeline" I say, shocked.

She walks in and I only see the changes now. Her hair is shorter, just below her shoulders. It suits her, more than her long hair. She looks thinner, but I know that is because of what happened. She smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Hi Cal" she says. We hug, and it feels familiar. I never thought we would come this far. From engaged, to enemies, to friends... I never knew it would be possible, but it just is. We are alike in so many ways. Her parents dictated her life, she had a path that she had to follow no matter what, she had to keep up a façade. But deep down we were the same. Lost, in need of someone to guide. That is Mare to me and Elane to Evangeline.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, genuinely wanting to know why she came back.

"Did you think I would miss this? I had to see if Mare would trip and fall" she teases and I laugh. No matter what she says, I know she has grown to care for Mare. Even me. Even if I did kill her father.

"I'm sorr...." She holds up a hand.

"Please don't. I have dealt with it. I just want to move on with my life and be happy. Even if my brother wants nothing to do with me ever again" I frown, because I know Ptolemus would not be happy. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to kill me. Maybe one day I will find out. "Anyways, Elane and I are having drinks on the balcony, care to join?" she smiles. I think about it for a second, before answering.

"Definitely" I say, needing company right now. Maybe Evangeline has some ideas about how to deal with the King of Irinia.

"Sooo.. she says. What's this rumour going around about you wearing your clothes backwards" I can see her smirking. Kill me now.