The next few days flew by, mother tried to incorporate some of Isabella and her mother’s ideas into the feast, which included the flowers they would like and certain foods they wanted to eat. Mother tried to compromise but knew it probably wouldn’t be enough. She also didn’t care; it was her night. Anisah and I oversaw preparing their rooms. We changed the linen on the adjourning rooms, put up new curtains on the windows and around the beds and we picked flowers from our gardens to decorate the rooms. Isabella had painted a couple of pictures and wanted them hung around the space. I thought they were hideous, horrible little landscapes of her own estate. As I hung the second painting, I realised that she was turning these rooms into her and Ethan’s rooms for when they married. There was a large bedroom and one of the rooms had been turned into a room where they could sit and read or sew.

            I brought Ethan into the rooms before they arrived to show him where he would be living once, he was married.

            ‘You have got to be kidding me. What is with the red and green? Its hideous, it looks like a yule celebration.’ He said this in the middle of the bedroom with his hands on his hips. I laughed.  

            ‘It is truly awful. Perhaps you can make changes once you are married.’ He looked at me and rolled his eyes, knowing full well that would never happen. ‘Yes, you are probably right. That’s ok, I’m sure we can make it work somehow.’ I looked around the room with no idea how to change it. ‘She wanted to have red flowers at the feast as well. Mother refused to add those flowers knowing they would clash with the colour scheme. I mean I know Isabella has blonde hair and she does look lovely in red, but it is not about her. It is about George and I.’

            Ethan sighed, ‘I know Katherine, but her mother will try to push her to the front and make her stand out. Of course, she will wear red, because it will clash with everything, and everyone will notice little Isabella instead of you. They are incredibly jealous of you sister. If only you weren’t so sweet and beautiful.’

            I rolled my eyes ‘Yes, perhaps. Come on I need to keep practising reading thoughts. Let’s find that little servant they sent.’ As I turned, I practically ran into the little servant. She was so quiet. ‘My goodness Mary, where did you come from?’

            ‘I came from the kitchen; I was bringing some more flowers into the room. Why are you looking for me and how will you read my thoughts?’ She gasped and dropped the vase she was carrying. ‘My mistress was right; you are a witch.’ At that she screamed and ran from the room. My mind went into a panic, Ethan was sound enough to chase her out of the room. What were we going to do, there was no way we could convince her to keep quiet? I had no idea if I had an ability to change memories or plant a memory, I knew it would be one of my powers, but I hadn’t tried it. I wondered if Abaddon could help us.

            I caught up with Ethan and Mary in the garden, not far from the stables. She was squirming trying to get away from his grip, but he was not letting her go. ‘Let me go, you can’t keep me. I need to write to my mistress and tell her she was right. She told me to watch you both and find out what was really happening here. I report back to her every day.’

            ‘What do you mean everyday Mary? What have you been telling Isabella about my sister?’

            ‘Is there something wrong my queen?’ Abaddon hearing the commotion came to see what was going on.

            ‘I’m not sure. This young woman has been reporting my business back to Ethan’s betrothed and just now she overheard Ethan and I talking about trying to read her thoughts. So now she says I am a witch as they suspected and needs to report back to her.’

            ‘Let me go.’

            ‘No.’

            ‘Why did that stable man call her queen?’

            ‘That is just my way child. She will be my queen one day and I live to serve her.’ Abaddon turned to me. ‘Would you like me to kill her?’ Mary whimpered at that, looking at me pleading.

            ‘No, we will not kill her, that will be too suspicious.’

            ‘Perhaps I can clear her memory of you instead.’

            ‘What, you can do that?’        

            ‘Yes, of course. I can clear her memory of whatever you choose?’

            ‘If that is the case then why do you always kill any threat to me?’

            ‘Other beings are different, its, harder to clear their minds. But a simple human child is easy enough. Their minds are much easier to see in to.’

            ‘Then why do I have so much trouble reading her mind.’

            ‘You have been denying your power, just trying to control it rather than embrace it. Your powers are tied completely to you, you must feel them to use them. Let me show you.’ I nodded. ‘Take a breath and clear your mind. Make eye contact, and use that connection to look into her mind, you may need to touch her as well. This will help to start. Soon you won’t have to make eye contact or physically touch them.’

            I stood staring at Mary, I took a deep breath and looked into her eyes, I saw her mind, I saw her fear. I reached out with my hand as if to push past the fear, touched her arm and was able to see further. I was able to see me. I watched a conversation between Mary and Isabella’s mother. They wanted Ethan; they could see his power. They needed to find a way to keep him away from me. She accused me of being a witch. Mary was to watch my every move and if she saw anything to report back and they would take it to the bishop. I stepped back.

            ‘Oh my God. They are going to throw me to the church to keep us apart. They are so sure there would be some sign I was a witch; they have invited the bishop to the feast. Wipe her memory Abaddon. Not everything, just anything relating to my powers and this moment now and you.’

            ‘Don’t worry Katherine, I will look after it. Don’t worry about the bishop. He won’t take you, oh and I am a demon the bishop will never take me.’ He said the last with a wink and turned to face Mary.

            ‘Look at me child. That’s it, look at me. Ahh yes, I see those terrible memories. Let me take them from you.’ He touched her forehead and wiped his thumb across her forehead. She stopped squirming and stood still. Ethan let her go.

            ‘Mary, are you ok?’

            ‘Yes, my lady I am quite fine, I um, can’t remember why I came out here.’

            ‘You came to pick some more flowers for your mistresses’ rooms. We have so many lovely ones to choose from.’

            ‘Yes, I love your gardens, they are so much nicer than back at Herrington Hall.’

            ‘Oh, thank you Mary. My mother and I have spent a long time building these gardens to what they are now.’ Mary smiled and went on her way. I turned to Abaddon. He nodded his head and returned to the stables.

            I looked back at Ethan, he shook his head, ‘maybe it is good to have the demon around.’

            ‘Maybe.’ I turned and went back inside the house to look for George. Isabella would arrive tomorrow, and I wanted to have a good night’s rest before she got here. As soon as I walked in the door George appeared in front of me, and I gave a start.

            ‘Sorry my love, I didn’t mean to frighten you.’

            ‘Ha ha you didn’t frighten me, you just surprised me. Are you ready to go home? I wish to leave.’

            ‘Of course, let me tell your father.’ He took my hand and led me to my father’s study. George knocked and entered.

            ‘Hello George, oh Katherine you are here too, wonderful. What can I do for you? What is that?’ Father turned to the window, we moved to see as well. It was two large carriages. ‘That is strange, who would be arriving today?’

            ‘It’s Isabella and her mother. They are a day early.’

            ‘What, they are not due till tomorrow. Why would they arrive today?’

            ‘To put us out father. Thankfully most of their items have arrived and there are a couple of small things to be delivered in the morning. I will go find mother and let her and the kitchen know.’

            ‘Yes, thank you Katherine. George, go find Ethan and get him on that step to greet his betrothed.’

            ‘Yes sir.’ We both went our separate ways. I went to the kitchen and found mother and the cook planning various meals.

            ‘Isabella and her mother have arrived.’

            ‘Ha, I knew it. I have already planned a lovely meal for tonight with plenty for any potential guests. I had a feeling they would try something like this.’ Mother turned to the servants to have the table made up. Thankfully their rooms were already to go, and a fire had been started earlier that day. ‘Did Grandmother have a vision of them arriving early?’

            ‘Yes, she did. Hmm you look grim, what’s wrong?’

            ‘Nothing we need to talk about now, we need to go out and greet them.’ As we left the kitchen, George was returning with Ethan who looked very angry. ‘Come brother, settle. Be pleased she has arrived. It will make things more difficult for everyone if you are angry. Greet her with a kiss and smile at her mother.’

            Ethan just grumbled at me. We followed him out to the front of the house with father and a couple of servants including Mary. We were surprisingly ready for them as they pulled up, yes grandmother obviously had quite the vision.

            Ethan opened the door and assisted Lady Herrington. He then took Isabella’s hand and assisted her as well. He then leaned down to kiss her cheek.

            ‘Welcome, it is a pleasure to have you both here.’

            ‘Thank you, Ethan, for that lovely welcome, I realise we are a day early, but we were so eager to see the plans for the feast and help in any way we could.’

            ‘We appreciate it. Your rooms are ready, and dinner will be in the hall when you are ready to eat. Let me show you to your rooms.’

            I stayed well back behind George to be as least noticeable as possible. If their stay was going to be a success I needed to be around as little as possible.

            ‘Oh, look daughter, here is Katherine. What are you doing hiding back here? We are very much looking forward to spending lots of time together.’

            ‘Of course, my lady, it will be a great honour.’ I nodded my head and took George’s hand in mine. It was surprisingly warm to touch and quite soothing. I calmed and leaned into his shoulder purposely avoiding eye contact with Ethan.

            My brother and mother led the women to their rooms. I didn’t care if they liked them or not, I led George to the dining hall and poured myself a glass of wine before the servants arrived. Anisah walked in and shook her head.

            ‘I don’t think wine will help you, Katherine.’

            ‘No probably not, but I need something to relax, or I might just do something strange.’ I didn’t usually like to drink as it made me feel out of control and that would bring my powers too close to the surface, but I was feeling very tense and was worried that would make things worse. The concern knowing that I would be separated from Ethan for two weeks was not helping. That I would not be able to practise my magic during these two weeks, and I was pregnant with no idea how that would affect me. I took a deep breath to settle myself when Ethan arrived in the hall.

            ‘They shall be a few minutes and then come in for dinner.’ He walked down the end and poured himself a glass of wine.

            ‘Sir, let me do that.’    

            ‘No James, its fine, I can pour my own glass for now. Once Isabella and Lady Herrington arrive then you can pour the drinks.’

            ‘Very well sir.’

            The ladies arrived in the hall, and we all sat down to dinner. The cook had outdone herself. No idea how she was going to keep this up for two weeks as well as the feast. Isabella came in dressed in red, her mother in a sedate olive green. I had to admit Isabella did look quite beautiful. I watched as she entered the room after her mother. She looked up at me as she did, I looked into her eyes and saw her thoughts. She hated me, although she smiled quite sweetly and called me sister. She hated how beautiful I was, she hated how everyone revolved around me. She hated how easy I had it. She hated I was married before her. But worst of all I saw what her and her mother was planning. They had invited the bishop and planned on exposing me as a witch at the ball in front of the whole village. I blinked my eyes and looked away. I stood quickly and made some excuses of not feeling well and left the table for father’s study. Thankfully it was George who followed me.

            ‘Are you alright wife?’

            ‘No George, I feel quite unwell. Can we go home?’

            ‘Yes of course I will get a carriage and make my excuses to your father.’

            ‘Thank you.’ He kissed my head and left.

            George returned quickly with my shawl, and we went home. Anisah was at home already when we got there. ‘Are you okay Katherine, you do not look well at all.’

            ‘I am fine, thank you. Could I have some tea please and maybe some food, we did not get to eat dinner at the house and George will be hungry.’

            ‘Yes, I will bring it to your room.’

            George walked me up to our bedroom and helped me remove my clothes down to my slip. I climbed into bed and started shivering. George added to the fire and soon the room felt quite warm. Anisah brought in my tea with some food and left. George hovered over me, quite unsure what to do.

            ‘Sit here with me husband. I am quite okay, just a slight chill. I will be fine after a good night’s rest.’ George did not seem convinced and did not leave my side. Even while we slept, he did not let me go. I tried to relax into his body to sleep. But it took some time before I was able to truly relax and sleep.

            While I slept, I dreamt of Lucifer again. I was following him through hell as he wandered amongst his subjects. Most screaming in agony and crying with despair. I hated it here. Lucifer returned to his throne, and I watched him as he climbed the stairs. I studied him for the first time. He was tall and broad; he wore what looked like black trousers but no shirt and no shoes. I could see every muscle in his back. He had long thick black hair like mine. He turned and sat to survey the realm. He turned and looked at me. I started to say something then shook my head. I could not talk to him, no matter how much I wished to. Some reassurance maybe, some guidance. He looked back to his realm to watch over, he gestured for me to turn and look. I turned and looked up. The blood red sky melting into the blackened landscape below as though crying for the humans being tortured below. The landscape looked like mountains, hundreds of them, full of caves. They looked so familiar, but I couldn’t quite figure out how. I started to walk towards them when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked to see Lucifer standing next to me. I had never been so close to him in my dreams. His eyes were my eyes. I looked back towards the mountains and saw why he stopped me; I was standing on a cliffs edge. One more step and I would fall. What would I fall into? Did I want to take that step into the unknown? Argh questions I was always asking myself. I jumped anyway and woke with a start in my bed. George was fast asleep beside me still. I got up to get some water and returned to bed. Climbing back in and held on to George, as though I was holding on to my life with all I had.

            I felt better the next day. I wrote a note to mother with what I had seen with Mary and Isabella and sent it with Anisah to the house early and she made sure everything was locked in the locus sacer and spelled shut so no one could enter. We also had many more people in the house than usual. All trusted servants and family of the servants. Anisah was especially vigilant around Isabella and her mother. However, Ethan saved the day and pretty much escorted them both everywhere around the property never leaving them for a moment except when with my mother. I was still worried about the bishop and hoped that I could keep myself under control for the night. Neither Lady Herrington nor her daughter mentioned the bishop, but we would be ready when he arrived. The demon was an issue. I needed him to stay well clear of everyone, but he worked in the stables, he had to be out the front to tend the horses as people arrived. It would be an awkward meeting between him and the bishop. One I hoped I could witness I thought with a smile.

            Of course, Lady Herrington wanted to change many things to suit her own daughter, but my mother was steadfast saying that everything had been ordered and would be arriving in the next couple of days and could not be changed.  

            A couple of days after they arrived I ‘felt’ better, so I went to the house to make my apologises and catch up with what was happening. It was only a couple of days until the feast, and I had to say I was intrigued as to what it would be like. Our hall and entrance way had been transformed into a very grand looking hall. There were chairs at one end for people to sit and watch, there was a long table for drinks and food. The curtains had been changed to a dark blue, perhaps a similar shade to my dress. There were pedestals next to each window that were cream with gold flecks, wrapped in gold trim that looked almost like lace. The flowers would be brought in the day of the feast to finish decorating. It was almost magical. It felt a little like the night I was born. I turned to see my mother watching me.

            ‘This is almost how I remember the day you were born. It was a spectacular day.’

            I took her arm in mine, ‘thank you mother. When do I get to see my dress?’

            Mother started to respond when Lady Herrington called out ‘oh no, this will not do at all. It is too simple and dark; Isabella will not shine at all under this darkness.’

            ‘I’m sorry you feel that way, but this is to celebrate my wedding to George, so the evening will be about us.’

            ‘Oh, I had not noticed you here dear. My daughter is betrothed to your brother, you should be able to share the occasion with her.’

            ‘Perhaps not this time, she will have her wedding soon enough and she can shine as much as you would like her too. Excuse me mother, my lady.’ Mother tried to call after me but realised it was no use. Ethan came following in as I left. I only briefly glanced at him and kept walking. I needed to be outside away from the Herrington’s. It was too much. As soon as I was outside, I could breathe again. I went to go to the forest and remembered that I could not. Not while they were here. I would have to find solace in the flower garden.

            ‘My queen.’

            ‘Oh, please do not call me that while they are here. They are suspicious enough without adding that to it.’

            ‘Yes, sorry I did not think.’

            ‘It’s okay, she just turns my insides.’

            ‘Yes, I agree, there is something about her that I can’t figure out. She is not a being that I can tell but there is something not completely human about her. You must be careful.’

            ‘I need to read her mind if I can. But if she is some kind of, being she may be able to sense what I am doing.’

            ‘I will keep an eye on her, my hearing is much better than yours, I see and hear more than a human does.’

            ‘Thank you, Abaddon.’

            ‘Your most welcome.’ He bowed as he returned to the stables.

            I collected some lavender to calm me and went back inside. I found the women and Ethan in the dining hall waiting for breakfast and I went to join them. Clearly my father and George had escaped as soon as they could. Even as humans they could feel the strain.

            ‘Ahh Katherine you are back wonderful, we are sitting down to break our fast, hopefully there will be enough for you too.’

            ‘Thank you, Lady Herrington, I’m sure it will be fine.’ She nodded and went back to discussing her rooms with Ethan.

            ‘Once you two are married you will need much better accommodations. Why don’t George and Katherine move back in here and you and Isabella can move into the cottage? That makes much more sense, she is just a daughter after all, there isn’t anything special about her?’

            ‘The daughters in my family, Lady Herrington, are treated much better than many daughters. All our children are special.’

            ‘Yes, but she is second born. I don’t see why she should have a house when Ethan will inherit everything.’

            ‘We will take it into consideration Lady Herrington.’ I interrupted before mother could get too angry as I knew she would. Ethan nodded his head slightly in thanks. I risked a look at Isabella, and she was smirking. Thankfully the servants entered with our food. Anisah brought me water, tea, some bread and cheese, while the others were served.

            ‘Hello dear, what is your name?’ Lady Herrington asked.

            ‘My name is Anisah, my lady.’

            ‘What a strange name and what an attentive young girl you are? Much more so than that Mary we have for our Isabella. Would you consider a change my dear?’

            ‘Ahh,’ Anisah looked at me, and I smiled in sympathy. ‘No thank you my lady, I am quite happy where I am. I love Katherine and George and look to serve them for many more years.’

            ‘Hmm.’ Lady Herrington looked between us, I smiled politely, ‘thank you Anisah, you are excused.’ She curtsied and fled from the room faster than she had ever moved in her life.

            ‘She is very loyal to you Katherine.’

            ‘Yes, she has been with me since I was ten years old.’

            ‘Does she cook, clean, sew for you?’

            ‘Yes, but we also do all those things together as well. I enjoy cooking and cleaning and sewing. We were taught all these things together as children in this house among other things.’

            ‘Well, isn’t that lovely, perhaps a little too country for me, and beneath your station dear. You should be careful. You do not want your servants thinking they are better than they are.’

            ‘Anisah is more friend than servant, she always has been and always will be. Almost like family to me.’

            ‘Hmm, you people have very strange ways indeed.’ I looked at Lady Herrington and made eye contact. She was almost fractured. She was human, but there was something else. It made her bitter and angry. The more I watched her the more it made sense, she came from a line of witches. Not powerful ones, but they had rejected their powers so there was none in their family anymore. That was why she was bitter towards us. She knew who we were and wanted proof. She hated they had no power. She had hoped that Isabella would be lucky enough to be born with the gift, but she wasn’t. She learnt all she could about our family, though not the complete truth. I could not see that she knew we were of Lucifer’s line or the prophecy about me. I sat back in my seat. I understood now. She may not know exactly how powerful we are and for now she was harmless, but she could become quite dangerous if she learns the truth about who we really are.

            We finished eating in silence. When we finished the servants cleared the plates, Anisah did not return, and I didn’t blame her.

            ‘Excuse me for a moment Lady Herrington, Isabella, but I need to speak to my mother and grandmother about something. Perhaps Ethan will take you both for a lovely walk around the gardens. Perhaps you would like to see the horses. We have a new stable hand who is quite wonderful with them.’ Ethan glared at me as if I was crazy to take them to Abaddon. But I thought he would be able to get a better read on them than I could and how dangerous they could be.

            After they left, I took mother and grandmother to father’s study. I knew we would not be disturbed there.

            ‘They are descended from witches but no longer have their powers.’

            ‘What.’ Both my mother and grandmother said at the same time.

            ‘I was able to see into Lady Herrington’s mind.’ I shrugged, ‘I have been practising. They haven’t had powers for some time. She is jealous and bitter. She looked into possible witch families and discovered ours. She doesn’t know the truth about who we really are. But I think she is hoping that any children they have will have powers. Then she can live through the child.’

            ‘Good grief. What a stupid woman.’

            ‘Yes, but grandmother, she could be very dangerous. If we don’t give her what she wants she will expose me to the bishop and have me locked away. All so Isabella can have all of this with a witch for a child.’

            ‘I agree Katherine, she could be very dangerous indeed. Alright we will get through the feast and let them leave. Then we will get those two married whether Ethan likes it or not. Would you truly consider giving up the cottage Katherine?’

            ‘Yes grandmother. I think it will be the only way to stop her doing anything worse to me. I get the feeling once Ethan and Isabella are married, and in the cottage, she will back off, thinking she will have everything then. Not realising that their children will not be witches.’

            ‘She may be more dangerous if that happens.’

            ‘I don’t think so. She will be a grandmother, a daughter to look after her and a house to live with if her husband dies with a very impressive son-in-law. She will have almost everything she desires.’

            ‘We will have to watch her carefully. Let’s add some touches of red to the ball for Isabella. A dark red may look nice in certain ways with the blue. Perhaps some red flowers. We have some beautiful blood red roses in the garden now that may just work with the other flowers we have already chosen.’ My grandmother suggested.

            ‘Yes, that may be enough to keep them happy for now. I have ordered some sweets that Isabella likes as well.’

            ‘Thank you, mother, grandmother. I know it is hard to give in to her, but it might be enough to keep us safe for now.’

            The feast was only two days away and the village was so excited. We had more deliveries each day. I was even able to practise some of my powers with everyone around. I was able to read some thoughts, I was able to plant other thoughts. I was starting to get better at changing people’s emotions and memories. The most fun was calling people to me. When I knew George was close, I would call him to me. I also practiced on Anisah and mother. Anisah loved it. She was relieved to be able to help me. I was happier than I had been in a while. I was excited for this feast, and I was excited about being pregnant and could not wait until I could tell people the news.

            I woke the next day feeling hopeful for the future. George slowly stirred beside me and turned to hold me closer to him. I snuggled into his body feeling the heat radiate from him. I heard footsteps outside, and George groaned knowing it meant it was time to get up. Anisah knocked on the door.

            ‘Come in.’

            She came in very excited. ‘Today is the day, are you not excited?’

            ‘Yes, we are very excited, however sleep would be better.’ George replied.

            ‘Sorry sir, I don’t mean to be so excited, it’s just, I’ve never been to a feast like this.’ I looked at her and saw the brightness in her eyes and it was hard to not get caught up in the moment with her.

            ‘Come, let’s get up and dressed and head to the house to help.’ I rolled to my side, kissed George and climbed out of bed. He groaned again, ‘get up now or you never will and if you are late you will have to deal with my mother.’

            ‘Yes wife.’ Reluctantly he got out of bed and headed off to wash and dress himself. I would wash later so Anisah dressed me for the day. When George and I were ready we headed to my parents’ house. I was yet to tell him about moving to the house, but he liked our house. He enjoyed the way it felt. When we first moved into the cottage, he had had his concerns.

            We slowly walked, just enjoying the sun and the last few moments we would have alone.

            ‘Have you seen your dress yet?’

            ‘No, mother has kept it from me. Anisah has an idea about it, I believe it will look like my wedding dress but made of dark blue velvet with gold embroidery.’

            ‘Hmm, sounds lovely.’ He smiled as he was remembered the way I looked in my wedding dress. Then he started picturing taking off my wedding dress. He moved his arm around my back, and I laughed, ‘not now George.’ He groaned knowing it would probably be tomorrow before he could take me back to bed.

            We arrived at the house all too quickly and there was a lot happening. Abaddon and the other stable hands were helping to decorate the front of the house, carts were arriving at the side entrance with the last of the food, wine and flowers. As we walked into the house there were servants running everywhere.

            ‘It looks wonderful.’ I couldn’t take it all in. There were flowers lining the staircases and candles everywhere that would be lit before the guests arrived. It was just as lovely in the hall. There was a fire started in the hearth at the end of the room, and it just tried everything together.

            ‘Katherine, you are finally here, wonderful. George, go to the study and stay with the men out of the way. Katherine you will come with me and look through the food and wine.’ She whispered in my ear ‘your grandmother is upstairs. She is finding a way to make it a wonderful, happy, uneventful evening and that the bishop leaves with no stories to tell. Perhaps she’ll even find a way to keep Lady Herrington’s mouth shut. She won’t stop telling everyone about Isabella and how beautiful she will look tonight.’ My mother rolled her eyes and dragged me to the kitchen.

            We spent an hour with the cook and servants explaining about laying out the food and serving the wine. We had never done anything of this size before, and they were a little overwhelmed. Finally, the last of the flowers were in and it was time to light the candles and lay out the food. Which meant it was time for me to get ready.

            Anisah, mother and I went up to my old room as my grandmother came down and nodded as she came alongside. The men had managed to avoid the work, but I could hear them in Ethan’s room getting ready. We had sent off Lady Herrington and Isabella to get ready as we headed up.

            My mother wanted me to have a bath but thank fully not wash my hair. Anisah tried different ways of tying my hair. She braided and twisted, pinning everything in place. There was a small tiara that my mother had got out of her collection that fit perfectly into my hair. My dress was beautiful. It was straight across the top of my chest and up over my shoulders in a square neckline and was trimmed in gold. The velvet hung down my arms and covered the top of my hands, just like my wedding dress. There was gold beading across the front of the dress in a V then surrounded by gold embroidered spots that looked like stars that got fewer the closer to the ground. My mother placed a beautiful pearl necklace around my neck and looped it a couple to times with a long piece to fall down the front. It was beautiful. I wore a few simple rings on my fingers, and I was ready to go. Mother wore a cream dress in a similar style as did my grandmother.

            The men all matched in dark grey. They were the backdrop for me. I almost felt like the queen that Abaddon always called me. George took my hand and led me down the stairs and the rest of our family followed. I knew that Isabella and her mother would not join us until everyone had arrived and they could make an entrance. We stood near the front door to greet our guests as they arrived.

            The people of the village were so excited and each greeted George and I as they entered.  I saw Abaddon out the front and he bowed as he couldn’t take his eyes off me. I clearly looked the part of queen this evening. I was beyond happy. The sun was starting to set in the most beautiful oranges and purples with just a few wispy clouds floating across the sky. The candles were lit, and I could smell the fragrances from the flowers in the hall. It was a little intoxicating and triggered a vision. I was in a huge palace. Not one I recognised. It was full of people, no not people, vampires. There was a long hall, and I stood at the front with a tall blond vampire at my side, and Abaddon was to the other side. Another vampire stood in front of us. He was marrying us. It was so strange. I was wearing a long dark black dress closely fitted to my body. I loved this vampire standing in front me more than anyone in my life before, he was the most beautiful looking man I had ever seen. He was glorious, it was the same vampire I saw in the vision I had with my grandmother. I shook my head to try and clear it. My mother took my hand and squeezed it. I looked at her and tried to say I would tell her later. Nothing would ruin this night. Well, until the bishop arrived. He arrived with a few other men. I took a breath to settle myself. They entered and we greeted them as a family. He did not stop to look at me but glanced over me. I breathed a sigh of relief; they were the final guests, and we ushered the last few people in to the hall as Lady Herrington and her daughter entered. Isabella looked stunning. Her hair had been left to hang down her back and she wore a long red and cream dress with gold trim. She looked quite beautiful and very anxious as well.

            I stepped up ‘you look quite lovely this evening.’ I squeezed her hand.

            ‘Thank you, Katherine, as do you.’ She was polite but couldn’t look me in the eye. I took her arm, and we walked into the hall together with our mothers on either side. As we entered the whole hall of people looked towards us and bowed and curtsied. I nodded to the musicians who started to play, I looked to the servants to start moving around with wine and food. The people started to dance, and George took my hand as we joined in.

            We danced and danced for hours. Everyone looked as though they were having a wonderful time. Lady Herrington never said a word to us; she only spoke to the bishop. Ethan danced with Isabella to keep her away from her mother. The people of the village kept exclaiming how lovely the evening was. Then slowly but surely people started to leave. Finally, all our guests were gone. I was exhausted and just wanted bed. George and I stayed the evening in the big house in my old room too tired to get home.

            The rest of Isabella and her mother’s stay was fine. No problems, no accusations. We talked some of the wedding and chose a date for early spring. I explained to George that we would move back into my parents’ house and then Ethan and Isabella would have our little house. George was more than happy with that; he loved being at the house amongst everyone and everything. We soon moved back into the main house, Anisah with us and I got around to changing the rooms to my liking.

For the rest of the book click on the link Her Fate