XIV
496 Words
She swears under her breath as she looks at the time. Hastily, Hope shoves her combat boots on knowing that Oriana is going to kill her for turning up like this.
Hope teleports to her dad's location in a side room of the room of the ritual. 'I'm so sorry. I got caught up in a book. Lost track of time-'
'Because you were reading to calm your nerves, I know,' Death whispers, interrupting Hope and pulling her into a hug. He looks at her outfit with a smirk. 'You got anything on under that jumper?'
'Yes. But it's a crop top and shorts.'
'Good luck.'
'I know Oriana is going to kill me, you don't have to remind me.' Death chuckles as Hope pads into the main room to see Love's smirk. 'Don't bother.'
Love's eyes go to Oriana who enters and raises an eyebrow.
'Where's the dress?' Oriana teases as she joins Hope.
'Wardrobe,' Hope mumbles.
'You're lucky I love you.'
Oriana links her hand with Hope's making the other personifications form a circle around them. Her brown eyes go round the circle to see others she doesn't recognise. A squeeze of her hand brings her eyes back to Hope before Hope steps away slightly to pull off her jumper. A couple of laughs come from the circle as well as a booming laugh that makes a couple of the others laugh.
Hope rolls her eyes before facing Oriana wrapping a ribbon around their wrists.
He watches as Hope presses a kiss to Oriana's hand, fingers playing with the ribbon on Oriana's wrist.
'I promise to love you through life and death, with kindness, zeal and joy and without jealousy. Free you of fear, hate, karma and sorrow. Give you humour. Upkeep your faith and hope. Fulfil your dream and destiny. Help with reflection. Stop you succumbing to fate and be with you for all of time,' Hope says softly, her eyes sparkling as she keeps them locked with Oriana's.
'I'm going to cry,' Sorrow whispers.
'Seriously?' Joy hisses.
'Happy tears.'
'How many times do I have to say shut up?' Fate says quietly.
'Sorry, dad,' the pair mumble.
Oriana smiles as she repeats the verse while Hope's eyes glow in happiness. Oriana's eyes briefly flick to Death to see him smiling, watching proudly. Hope steadies her as her knees buckle slightly from a force cascading her body. She grips onto Hope as their bodies mould together.
The immortals step back, the energy seeping from the room.
Oriana laughs quietly as Hope holds her making Hope smile.
Death joins Salix who grins at him. 'You want to do this in a few weeks?' Death whispers.
Salix eyes the group. 'Who is who?' Salix asks.
'Female couple, Faith and Time have Humour, Promise and Reflection. Then Fate and Dream have Sorrow, Joy and Zeal. Hatred and Destiny have Jealousy and Kindness.'
'A few weeks.' Salix tugs Death's hair as Death smiles and pulls him closer.
- Writer
