What family does

The matching ceremony

I'm running.

The field stretches endlessly before me bathed in golden light. It's a magical looking place, the kind that only exists in fairytales and perfect dreams.

I know this place.

“Calla”

I spin around.

My breath hitches at the sight before me.

He's here.

Tall, hair graying at the temples, his favorite slippers on his feet and that perfect smile on his face. The one that was only ever for me.

“Dad?!”

I start running towards him and he opens his arms.

I'm almost there, almost—

Calla…

Calla?

CALLA!!

I hit the floor. Suddenly I'm back in my room, no more golden field, no more Dad. The transition has no grace whatsoever.

I groan “I'm up.”

“You have work to do,” Vivienne says through the door. “Ten minutes.”

Her heels click away down the hall.

I roll onto my back, staring at the ceiling, I press my hand flat against my chest.

For a second, I just let myself feel it. My heartbeat—his heart beating in my chest.

I close my eyes, take a deep breath and count to three.

Then I get up.

~

The drive to City Hall is rather uneventful. Vivienne is fussing over Celeste while I sit to the side, blissfully ignored.

By the time we pull up, the lot is already full. I smile faintly at the absurdity of it all.

Velmoor, home to some of the country’s greatest professionals in law, medicine and business, still adhering to a mundane matching ritual.

The irony isn't lost on me.

The door opens, and I move to step out of the car. Vivienne reaches her hand out, stopping me.

“This is an important event for this family. Do not speak unless spoken to, keep your head down and your back straight. Do not disgrace me.” She eyes my outfit, which she picked out, I might add. “If you're lucky, they'll match you to a decent bloke, and you can live the life you deserve. Just get it over quickly so they can move on to Celeste.”

I grip my dress tightly but don't say a word. She arches a brow before moving her hand.

“I and Celeste will go first, follow behind us.” She doesn't wait for a response before stepping out.

I let out a sigh, briefly meeting the eyes of the driver in the rearview mirror and hastily looking away. I resent the look he has in his eyes.

It's a look I know well.

I shoot him a small smile before stepping out after them. When I arrive at the gate, the security refuses to let me in.

“I'm the first daughter of the Voss family.”

“Mrs Voss and her daughter have already gone ahead. I don't know who you are, but she didn't mention another daughter.”

I open my mouth to speak but he cuts in.

“All you desperate women pretending to be daughters of noble families. Are you that desperate to be married off?”

People start looking our way and I shrink back.

Don't make a scene. Not today, please.

The whispers get louder

Isn't that the Voss girl?

—so sad

—must be tough since her dad's dead.

—something about his heart.

My hand goes to my chest instinctively, and I take a couple more steps back.

Deep breaths Calla.

“Let her through,” the crowd parts to reveal Vivienne, smirking. “She's with me."

The security guard bows slightly: “Of course, Mrs. Voss. Apologies for my behavior—”

She waves him, “It's fine,” then turns to me: “No harm done. Come along, Calla Lilly.

I trudge slowly behind, avoiding the scrupulous gazes of the public.

“I leave you alone for five seconds, and you manage to cause some kind of scuffle.” She snorts. “Then again, why am I surprised?”

When we enter the hall, my eyes immediately seek Dorian out. He's standing with his Dad, looking every bit the gentleman he is. He turns his head just then, meeting my eyes and his eyes immediately soften. I shoot him a quick smile before turning away to catch up with Vivienne.

—

“Oh, is that Ralph Crestwood headed this way?” Vivienne says and I stiffen.

Why is Dorian’s father coming here?

“Mrs. Voss, always a pleasure. Are you here to be matched as well? You do quite look the part.”

Vivienne flushes her hand over her mouth. “Ah, Mr.Crestwood, you flatter me, but no. My daughter Celeste is getting matched today… So is Dorian right?” she says suggestively.

He nods, obviously catching her meaning: “Indeed. It wouldn't be terrible if our families were matched, our kids would look quite the pair. I mean just look at Celeste, they'd be the talk of Velmoor.”

“Mr Crestwood, please,” Celeste says, batting her eyes bashfully.

I feel like I'm going to be sick.

I glance at Dorian, but he's just smiling, not saying a word.

It's fine, I'm the one who asked him not to bring me up with his dad.

“What about Calla?”

My head snaps up “Pardon?”

He nods. “Any prospects in mind?”

I glance to Dorian again, “Well I—”

“Ladies and gentlemen, we will now begin the ceremony!!” A court official's voice booms through the speakers, cutting me off.

My shoulders tense instinctively.

“Well then, ladies,” Mr Crestwood says, bowing slightly before walking off.

Dorian follows behind him, brushing his fingers slightly against mine as he walks past, instantly calming me.

~

A few matches are rattled off the list before it's our turn.

“Can the daughters of the Voss Family step forward!”

Celeste and I glance at each other, then step forward.

The official stretches his hand to help us onto the platform. Celeste reaches for it first and he frowns, grabbing my hand instead.

I mount the platform and face the crowd, my heart thumping, searching for the one person who can calm me till I find him and lock eyes with him.

Ok Calla. It's just you and Dorian.

The hall is very quiet. I lower my head slightly, breathing deeply.

My hands are folded. My back is straight. I am acceptable.

“Presenting the first daughter of the Voss Family, Calla Lily Voss!”

I curtsy deeply, then straighten, drawing a polite applause from the audience.

“The council hereby matches you with…” He flips over the card in his hand. “Dorian of the Crestwood family.”

A hushed silence falls over the crowd, a sharp contrast to the ullelations the other matches received, but I have no complaints, because right now I'm looking at Dorian, and he's looking at me and everything is perfect.

I've found my happy ever after. My perfect match.

I'm helped off the podium to make room for Celeste. She's matched to someone in Ashford. I don't hear all the details, but by the look on Vivienne's face, she's not pleased.

“There must be some mistake. You can't possibly send Celeste so far… and to… such a match?”

“No mistake, the late Mr. Voss made a request. The council took it into consideration while deliberating her match,so be rest assured.”

Celeste turns to me with a sneer.

“I guess even in death he's still picking favorites.”

Vivienne’s face stiffens, grabbing Celeste’s arm, she walks off, not even stopping to accept congratulations on my match or to speak to Dorian.

My heart thumps loudly.

Why would Dad make a request about her match?

Pushing the thought down, I head towards Dorian who's talking to his Dad, he shoots me a cold glare before storming off leaving us alone.

“D—”

“Let's get out of here.”

I nod slightly.

He drives to a field on the outskirts of town. I smile faintly to myself.

We have lots of memories here. He kills the engine and turns to me.

“What's the deal with Celeste?” he asks.

“I dunno, I'm as shocked as you are. Why would my dad make a request about her match?”

I place my hand over my heart “I thought parents weren't allowed to interfere in the matching process.”

“They aren't. But… hey, it doesn't matter. What matters is us, here, now. You're my perfect match, and I'm so glad everyone got to witness it. I love you, Calla Lily Voss.

“And I love you Dorian Crestwood.”

We lean forward till our foreheads touch. I close my eyes, relishing the warmth of his presence and how it makes everything else fade away.

I open my eyes to find him staring at me. He leans in and pecks me, I smile, pulling him into a deeper kiss. His breath is hot against mine. My hands find their way into his hair, his snake around my waist pressing me firmly against him. His hand moves lower and a small moan escapes my lips.

Bringggg

My ringtone shrills, shattering the silence, and we break apart heaving. I run a

Hand through my hair, grabbing my phone.

“It's Vivienne,” I mouth to him, he rolls his eyes.

I clear my throat. “Hello.”

“—Calla come home at once. It's Aunt Rosie”

“What! What about Aunt Rosie?”

“She's dying.”