The Raven and the Witch Hunter Omnibus

THE WEDDING CHAPTER 3-1

THE WEDDING CHAPTER 3

Emma Jane had never ridden in a limo before. Now that she had, she wasn't sure what the fuss was all about. To someone without the ability to tell the difference between objects that weren’t alive, it felt exactly the same as any other vehicle she'd ever been in. Maybe if she could see the way everyone else could, she’d have been more impressed, but the only thing the limo had going for it, in her opinion, was the fact Vanessa was able to sit beside her for change. Normally when they went anywhere, Vanessa was driving and both of her hands were busy.

For the first time, Emma Jane was able to appreciate Vanessa's soft and silky presence sitting close beside her in a vehicle. They didn’t speak much on the way over, as Vanessa was visibly nervous, but they did hold hands. Emma Jane thought it was cute to see her outgoing and talkative wife so nervous about the ceremony. At the same time, she couldn't fault her for it, given her own niggling worry that she wore silently, like a backpack.

Emma Jane had chalked her own nerves up to the simple fact that she’d never been fond of crowds, but she wasn't sure why Vanessa was so wound up. She hoped it wasn't a sign anything was about to go wrong, but Emma Jane thought it was important to prepare for the worst, just in case. Which was why, unbeknownst to Vanessa, Emma Jane had hidden her trusty silver knife in a concealed pocket on her leggings. While not visible to anyone else, her kokum’s wedding dress had a slit on the right side, conveniently located in such a way that she was able to carry a small weapon without anyone being the wiser. She patted it lightly, grateful for the reassuring weight on her leg. Silver could kill almost anything, even if the actual knife was small.

Of course, she didn't say anything to Vanessa, knowing she would've been horrified at the idea Emma Jane was going to their wedding armed. Emma Jane figured what Vanessa didn't know couldn't hurt her, and in the case of impending doom, she wanted to be able to protect both herself and her wife. After all, that was her job as a witch hunter.

The car rolled to a stop and Emma Jane leapt to open the door, holding it for Vanessa. She waited as Vanessa arranged her voluminous white dress to avoid stepping on it as she got out.

"I’ve got it, thanks." Vanessa beamed, holding her skirt out of the way as she stepped delicately out of the limo, raising Emma Jane's suspicion that her wife may be using a touch of air magic to keep her shoes clean from the grit of the road.

Emma Jane raised an eyebrow then took Vanessa's arm as they walked the short distance from the curb to the restaurant. Emma Jane held open the ornate, red door with engraved gold handles and allowed Vanessa to enter, then took a deep breath and followed her wife inside.

They were greeted by the sight of several people already milling around, talking while holding glasses of a ruby-red punch. One of Vanessa's major pet peeves about sitting through wedding services was the fact that if you got thirsty, there was no relief until the service was over. Given that it was her day, she'd insisted on the punch bowl remaining at the back of the room and Emma Jane gave Vanessa an amused smile as she remembered how insistent Vanessa had been that her guests wouldn't suffer from dehydration.

To her relief, Emma Jane spotted Cat and Evelyn already in the thick of things. Vanessa always joked that Evelyn would've made a great CEO, and based on the way Evelyn seemed to be directing several people at once, Emma Jane now understood why. Cat noticed them enter and hurried over, rubbing her hands together.

"I think everything's ready. Vanessa, Emma Jane, would you guys like to go sit in the back room? Everyone should be here shortly. And don't worry, Evelyn's already taking care of everything." Cat smirked, adding, "you know how she is. That girl could direct traffic on the moon."

Emma Jane smiled, looking at Vanessa with a raised eyebrow. "Vanessa? Do you want to hide? I mean, I'm always okay with that plan."

Vanessa's eyes darted around the room, appearing to be unusually tense and uncertain to Emma Jane’s concerned eyes. But once her bride's eyes fell on Evelyn, busy speaking with one of the wait staff, Emma Jane saw her wife's shoulders soften.

Vanessa nodded, giving Cat a grateful smile. "Thanks, that sounds good. Where are we supposed to wait until the ceremony begins?"

Cat pointed to the back corner, where Emma Jane could barely see a hallway, half-hidden behind a potted plant. "They’re letting us use one of the private function rooms. I've already got it set up with drinks and a lounger. There's even snacks, if you think you can handle eating anything right now."

Vanessa shook her head and Cat reached over to touch her sister’s shoulder without saying a word. Emma Jane recognized Cat had given Vanessa a quick pulse of healing when Vanessa's pale and nervous expression became smooth and her aura glowed brighter.

"Thanks, Cat. I don't think I can handle food right now, even with your much appreciated pick-me-up." Vanessa looked around again, narrowing her eyes. "Have you seen Samuel yet?"

Emma Jane surveyed the room as well, but when she didn't see him either, she looked at Cat questioningly.

Cat shook her head. "Not yet, but I'm sure he’ll be here."

Emma Jane tilted her head, unfazed. "Samuel has impeccable timing. He won’t be early, but I’m not worried about him being late, either. He’ll be here when it is the correct time to begin."

Cat nodded, then gestured for them to go in front of her as she walked them to the room.

"All right, you guys try to relax. Evelyn's been here for an hour already, so I think she's got everything as perfect as possible. You can take a load off for a half hour and I'll call you when it's time." Cat bit her lip, then wrinkled her nose as she first looked at Vanessa, then Emma Jane. "How are you guys going to do this? I mean, am I getting you both at the same time to walk down the aisle, or..." Cat trailed off.

Vanessa and Emma Jane looked at each other, then smiled.

"You can get us at the same time. We’ve already decided that we're going to do this together. After all, we're partners and equals, so I see no reason why we shouldn't," said Vanessa, answering for both of them.

Emma Jane watched as Cat’s eyes became shiny, then she blinked and nodded as though nothing had happened.

"That sounds perfect. Okay guys, enjoy the quiet. I'll be back as soon as everything is ready."

"Thanks, Cat," said Emma Jane.

Cat smiled in response, briefly resting her hand on Emma Jane's shoulder before she left the room. The moment the door closed, Emma Jane let out a sigh of relief and looked at Vanessa. Although Cat’s touch had temporarily relieved her anxiety, Vanessa was beginning to look tense once more.

Emma Jane raised her eyebrows. "Vanessa, are you sure you're okay? I’ve never seen you look this nervous about anything."

Vanessa sat on the lounger, leaning forward on her knees as her dress spread out around her in a puddle of white satin. She looked every inch the beautiful bride, but she didn't shine as brightly as usual, and Emma Jane knew she was having a hard time.

"I don't understand it, Emma Jane. I mean, this isn't me. I feel like I'm going to be sick. Maybe this is how everyone feels when they get married?"

Emma Jane shrugged. Sitting beside the strangely skittish version of her wife, she wrapped an arm around Vanessa and pulled her in close.

"Maybe," Emma Jane began, "but we’re already married. Usually people are nervous before they say ‘I do’ because of what the promises mean. Which makes me think your excessive anxiety has more to do with just the wedding service today."

As Emma Jane watched the preparations over the previous few days, seeing what an amazing support system Vanessa truly had, an idea had slowly taken root. She glanced at Vanessa's neck, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw the green stone that still hung safely around her love's neck on its slender rawhide cord. Emma Jane looked down at her dress, surprised to realize the cord on Vanessa's necklace matched the rawhide on it perfectly. Symmetry in the strangest of places. She focused on the stone again. With Vanessa safely protected by the stone, Emma Jane knew that Vanessa wasn’t having a hard time because Emma Jane was siphoning her energy. The necklace ensured that her powers were safe. But she couldn't help wonder if other forces were at work, which was the main reason why her wedding dress included a silver weapon.

Vanessa looked at Emma Jane, moving her head so that it still rested on her shoulder but so she could also look into Emma Jane's eyes. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean. Although if you know why I'm doing this, it would be awesome if you could share the reason with me. I don't feel at all like myself today."

Emma Jane rubbed her chin as she gave Vanessa a thoughtful look. "Something about today feels a little... off." When Vanessa raised her eyebrows, Emma Jane shook her head. "It isn't just the crowd. I had a feeling when we were here yesterday. It's the same today, except watching you being almost overwhelmed by your anxiety only intensifies my worry. That makes me wonder if there’s something going on."

Vanessa narrowed her eyes. "Something? Like what?"

Emma Jane shrugged. "I don't know yet. I haven't seen anyone here who worries me, at least not yet. The only people we’re expecting are people that you know well, and Samuel, who’s been the only constant in my life since I was twelve. So, I'm not concerned about the guest list. Still, I can't help feeling like maybe we should be expecting something big, or someone unexpected, to attend the celebration today."

Vanessa sat back abruptly, regarding Emma Jane with dawning understanding.

"You mean, like a bad guy?"

Emma Jane inclined her head in agreement. "Perhaps. I'm wondering if some of the anxiety we’re experiencing is external, placed on us by an outside force. Sometimes wandering spirits can attach themselves to a person and make them feel like this. Maybe it's something like that."

Vanessa wrinkled her nose. "A ghost? Like a ghost attached to us?" She rubbed both of her bare arms, then smoothed her dress down, as though she was trying to feel if there was a presence on her. She looked up at Emma Jane with a sheepish expression. "You don't mean on me right now, right?"

Emma Jane laughed, feeling her mood lift at Vanessa's literal interpretation of her words. "No, Vanessa. I don't mean actually attached to you. I’m wondering if the anxiety is a portent though."

Emma Jane glanced at the side of her thigh, biting the inside of her cheek as she considered sharing knowledge of her arsenal with Vanessa, but before she could say anything, Vanessa raised an eyebrow, her gaze following Emma Jane’s to her thigh.

"You brought your knife, didn't you?"

Emma Jane opened her eyes as wide as she could, trying to look innocent, but relaxed when she saw Vanessa wasn't angry. "Yeah, I did. I just..."

"Felt naked?" said Vanessa.

Emma Jane was relieved to see a look of understanding instead of the irritation or anger she’d feared. She nodded, and Vanessa smiled.

"I understand." Vanessa dropped her hand to her necklace. Emma Jane watched as she fingered the green stone at the end of the cord. "I feel the same about this stone."

She held it up, allowing Emma Jane to get a better look before letting it drop to her chest. "If it makes you feel better to have your knife on you, I'm not going to stop you. Plus," she added, raising her eyebrows. "We may need it. It's not like evil takes a holiday. I’m never shocked when one of our outings ends up in a fight to the death with one creature or another."