Among Demons : A Siren's Voice

Ch. 23 : Flowery, Feathery Fairy

It was finally the big day, and I, along with Devin and Sammy, had been up and running around since four in the morning.

The three of us had gone to check on the wedding arch and mini stage that was being set up for the ceremony on the second floor ballroom of the community center, right above the reception hall. Then we spent the following three hours arranging, setting and double-checking the tables and centerpieces at each table. We also helped set up the connections to the light up dance floor and made sure that the bartender and caterers were set to arrive on time.

We then rushed back to Nyla’s place, where our dresses had been stored, and helped each other get ready.

Nyla was taking her time relaxing with a long aromatherapy bath while we changed. And when she finally stepped out, dried off and joined us in the living room, she was absolutely glowing with happiness and excitement.

Soon after, two of her older cousins arrived and gleefully began helping us with our hair and make-up. It made the whole process that much more fun as we listened to music, talked and joked around while sipping on white wine. Having someone else expertly tend to my hair and make-up was also something I hadn’t experienced before. Not when my mother forbade me from wearing any make-up and insisted on cutting my hair throughout my life. I had only gone out twice to a salon to get my hair trimmed since her death, and those times had been quick and impersonal.

But with everyone here, smiling and talking and joking, and the person behind me treating my hair so gently and with clear experience, it was amazing and fun. Relaxing even. And when she finished with my hair and moved on to my face, teaching me a few things that I didn’t know, with my limited online knowledge, I was feeling so blissfully calm that I wanted to sing. The urge rising in my chest and bubbling just within my throat. But I swallowed it down, reminding myself that I couldn’t fully use my power just yet.

Once I was all done, I looked at my reflection and was stunned by what I saw.

My ringed eyes were framed by a dark gray eyeliner that brought out the amber in my eyes and increased the glow to the tiny, misty flakes I didn’t even know I had. A light smokey eyeshadow somehow made my lashes look longer and fuller too. Very little concealer was used, which surprised me, since I didn’t think my bare skin was totally without blemishes, but I somehow looked prettier with the very little that had been used. My lips were painted a deep red color, bringing out the faint flush in my cheeks. And my hair, crimped softly with a tool I’d never seen before, was gathered with a long black comb vine that Nyla was lending her. It kept my hair off my right shoulder, showing off the black star drop earrings I had bought.

I turned as Devin stepped off her seat, having finished getting ready herself and smiled at me.

She looked incredible, with make-up that brought out her sultry, devilish beauty perfectly. Her hair, just a bit longer than mine, was knotted elegantly against the base of her neck, small braids criss-crossing over the knott while a few wavy locks hung loosely around her face. Her dress, a deep purple color, made those ringed eyes of hers glow hypnotically, the fabric hugging every curve on her body that made me a tiny bit envious.

Sammy wore a soft pink dress with pale accented touches to her make-up that looked beautiful on her. Her blonde hair, a few shades darker than mine, was curled around her sweet face, with a few glittering pink flower pins tucked into a few curls around her head, appearing almost like a small crown. She smiled when she saw me looking at her, moving to look at her own reflection as she explained that her little girl Mari had picked the color and all the accessories for her.

Then there was Nyla, who had disappeared into her room with her cousin Arima to put on her dress. She smiled so very brightly when she walked towards us, stopping and sighing blissfully into the large mirror someone had pulled out.

Her wedding dress was something I had never seen before, blending seamlessly through layers of soft chiffon, silk and bright white feathers. The corset bodice fit her perfectly, hugging her torso and accentuating her slim waist and perky breasts. The skirt wasn’t as wide and bulky as a ballgown-style dress, but still had volume to it that swished and swayed when she walked. The feathers brought out a uniqueness to the gown that looked both breathtaking and otherworldly, as if the very style and appearance of those feathers came from another world. Which could very well be the truth, since Nyla herself had told me that her family had a history that went past the disappearance of the Portals. Adding on to the fact that the strapless dress came with short open bell sleeves that Nyla pulled on like gloves, and she looked like a mystical character straight out of a fantasy.

Her auburn hair was left down in a loosely plaited braid lying over her left shoulder with tiny little white feathers tucked into the plaits. A little lace ribbon was tied at the end of the braid, someone having successfully created a little box with that lace without ruining her hair. Her bangs were ironed smoothly, curling over her eyebrows. Light make-up brought out her slim and gentle features, with simple gold and diamond jewelry hanging from her ears and around her neck.

“One final touch.” Devin said softly, stepping up to her friend with a big smile while Arima held a white box out to her.

Devin lifted the lid and pulled out a gold crown from inside and turned to face the bride, causing Nyla to gasp and stare wide-eyed at the crown as Devin stepped closer. It was a beautiful piece with intricate twists and turns that turned into feathered wings, to my complete surprise. Nyla bowed a little, careful with her dress and clearly fought to calm her breathing as Devin lifted the crown. Carefully, gently, Devin placed the crown on her friend's head, fitting perfectly behind Nyla’s bangs. It wasn’t a big crown, nor was it adorned by so much glitz and glitter like most other brides would wear. But it looked absolutely flawless on Nyla, completing the entire ensemble and complimenting the earrings and necklace she wore.

“Thank you.” Nyla whimpered, her eyes glistening with happy tears as she reached out to her friend.

I felt a knot rise into my throat as a touch of emotion clung to me, and I did my best to calm down. I’d hate to ruin all the hard work that was put into making me THIS pretty.

Not long after we had all finished getting ready, taking loads of pictures and refilling our wine glasses, Devin took note of the time and called out to all of us.

“It’s time!”

We all followed Nyla out of her house, helping her lift the skirt of her dress and the small train, so it wouldn’t drag across the concrete or grass outside. She and her cousin Arima climbed into a sleek black limo, waving at all of us before it drove off. Then Devin urged us into her car, happily telling us about the traditions of the Fay.

Apparently, a long, long time ago, when our kind still lived in our home world of Aether, Fairies held the tradition and belief that adding feathers to their dresses and decor during important milestones brought them closer to the original Fairy. An ancestor and the first of their people that everyone believed had had large feathered wings instead of the translucent, glowing colors ones that current Fay had. It was also believed that said feathers, once gathered and stored safely away after a ceremony, were to bring luck, wealth, health and so much more. So if Nyla, after her wedding, was to give anyone she cared about a feather from her dress, then said person shared in all the love, luck and everything else that was attached to it. Though, according to tradition, most of those feathers would be saved and given to Nyla and Danny’s children, to pass down all the good and positive that clung to the fluffy white things on their big day.

Arriving at the venue, Devin somehow managed to find parking near the back of the community center, giving us just enough time to race up to the second floor where the ceremony was about to start.

Sammy and I snuck in and around the warm brown chairs wrapped in soft blue covers with white flowers pinned to their backs. Izaak and Nick had saved seats for us near the front, both smiling at us widely when we approached. Devin and Marcus, seated across the aisle from us, waved and smiled as the doors swung open, revealing a smiling and immaculately dressed Danny.

Music played as he strolled down the aisle calmly, waving and high-fiving people along the way before stopping under the wooden archway covered in yellow and blue flowers with dozens of white feathers hanging like curtains down the back of it. A Demon man I didn’t recognize stood in the middle of the arch, smiling at Danny when he stopped in front of him. Then, a few seconds later, the music changed and Nyla appeared, holding a small bouquet with more of the same yellow and blue flowers with brown feathers tucked in between them.

Her smile was so bright and filled with love as she slowly made her way down the aisle, her eyes glued to the man across from her. He, too, looked absolutely lost as he watched his soon-to-be wife step ever closer to him. My own eyes widened when Danny looked down at his polished shoes, chuckling weakly to himself before he wiped at his eyes. And when he looked back up, the clear signs of tears brimming in his eyes made that cloying emotion burn in my throat again, burning behind my eyes as I tried to breath through the urge to cry.

They faced each other with hearts in their eyes as the Demon man spoke. His deep and loud voice detailing an almost poetic history about love and romance. The purest forms of affections that held such power over the heart and mind. The anxious beginnings to that love that blossomed as grew as two souls continued to meet and learn about each other. The physical attractions, the playful and flirtatious games, and the sweetly whispered words that passed between the two. Time, ever present, fueling the love those two souls felt, strengthening it as it aged and matured.

Futures planned…

Days spent together…

Memories shared…

Intimate moments partaken…

Everyone cheered when Nyla and Danny finally sealed their union with a kiss, Danny causing some to cry out even louder when he dipped his new wife back in a much deeper kiss. Then, after hugging herself right into her new husband's side, Nyla turned and lightly tossed her bouquet to Devin, the next to marry. Devin stood and blushed as she held the bouquet to her chest, her smile turned up to look on lovingly at her fiance as he wrapped his arms around her.

I turned as Nick took hold of my hand, seeing him nod towards his sister, Marcus, Sammy and Izaak. They all stood up and followed after the happy couple who walked down the aisle hand-in-hand.

“We’re going to take pictures with everyone while the guests enjoy a cocktail hour.” Nick muttered to me, leaning in to speak softly into my ear.

I paused for a second and pointed to my chest, wondering if Nyla meant for me to really join them in the pictures too. I mean, being a guest and joining the bride in getting ready was one thing. But being a part of the pictures that would be kept as memories for years to come… that was a whole other thing entirely.

“Yes.” He chuckled, placing a hand lightly on my hip as I hesitantly followed the others out of the large room. “You too, Lora.”