The Cost of Betrayal

Chapter Thirty-four

Brigid opened the gilded envelope and smiled. She knew what this was. It was the beginning of the end. She had been waiting for this day for quite some time. She couldn't wait to go to her father about this. He would be so pleased. She turned to Rhiannon, Cassius, and Hyptu, "My friends, it looks like we will need to gather Aislinn." She lifted the envelope, "We have a wedding to attend."

Hyptu looked up from the sword he was cleaning, "A wedding?"

Cassius's eyebrows arched, "And who would be the lucky couple?" The vampire asked casually. Only high-ranking officials invited them. Most mythics were terrified when they appeared. It usually meant something important was happening.

Rhiannon looked at the invitation and her heart sank. She flipped the card for the other members of the council to see.

Hyptu shook his head, he had hoped this wouldn't happen. Cassius tapped his fingers on the tabletop, thinking, "Is there any way to stop it?"

Brigid knew they would say this. She didn't understand why they were so opposed to this event. She had to think quickly, "If they are getting married, then they must have already bound themselves to each other."

Rhiannon pursed her lips, she had a feeling Brigid was up to something. She would need Aislinn's help to figure this out. As they were all speaking about this turn of events, none of them noticed the young girl at the door watching them all sadly.

Rhiannon noticed her as she left the room, "Well, Chusi, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were here. Did you need something?"

The teenager shook her head, she knew they were busy and the questions she had could wait. She just wasn't sure how long she could hold out. The voice in her head was getting stronger every day, and the dreams were getting stronger.

*************six months later*********

Bella took in the sight of her daughter dressed in her wedding gown. Maura had chosen a pale peach dress embellished with delicate beading. The scooped neckline exposed her delicate, freckled skin, her gold charm hanging from her neck. Her black hair was tied up in a loose twist, tendrils framing her face delicately. "You look stunning, sweetie."

Maura blushed at her mother's compliment. "Thank you, momma." Her eyes welled slightly with tears, "I just wish Gamma was here."

Bella pulled her daughter in a tight hug, "I know, baby." Bella had a surprise for her daughter, and now was the perfect time for it. She pulled herself away from Maura, looking her up and down, "I think you're missing something."

Maura looked down at herself and her hand went to her throat automatically, checking for her necklace. "I don't think so, momma."

Bella smiled and turned from her daughter, "This is for you." She handed Maura the box and waited as she opened it.

Maura gasped, she remembered this tiara! She had seen the photos of her grandmother wearing it. "But, I couldn't!"

Bella kissed her daughter on the cheek, "You should. She would want you to." Bella lifted the delicate silver tiara out of the box and placed it on Maura's head, fastening it to her hair. "You look beautiful."

Maura smiled, for as beautiful as she felt, she could help the feeling of foreboding that was filling her body. "I'm getting married."

Bella nodded, wishing that she could stop this, but knowing that she couldn't. "I love you, my sweet, beautiful, daughter. Remember, that no matter what, be true to yourself and that I will always be here for you."

Maura's eyes welled with tears, she loved her mother so much. "Let's go."

Bella stopped before they left the room, "Oh dear, who's going to give you away?" She bit her lip anxiously, as a knock came on their door.

Bella and Maura exchanged curious looks, "Who could that be?"

Bella opened the door and smiled as she laid her eyes on her family, "Jakob!" She cried. She certainly didn't expect to see them here.

He put a finger to his lips, "Circe is here too, Amelia sends her love. She's sorry she couldn't make it."

Bella shook her head, she knew why Amelia wasn't here. "Thank you. Why would you risk everything to come here?"

Jakob smiled, "Because family will still help. Always." He looked at Maura, "You look beautiful."

Maura smiled at Jakob, she vaguely remembered him from her childhood and knew he was related somehow. "Thank you."

Jakob tilted his head to the side, "I know I'm not a near good enough replacement for your father, may he rest in peace. But I would be honored if you'd let me walk you down the aisle."

Bella waited for Maura to answer. Letting out a soft sigh of relief as Maura nodded in agreement. "I would like that."

Jakob looked at Bella. He used one of his gifts to speak with her without Maura's knowledge.

"Bella, I have a plan to protect Maura. Please trust me."

Bella looked at him and remained silent. She knew that she could trust him. "How? Are you going to stop this wedding?"

Jakob gave her a subtle shake of his head, "No, this, unfortunately, must happen. But I will help her. Trust me."

He turned to Maura, "Before we go out, I want to place a blessing on you."

Maura nodded and allowed her uncle to place the blessing on her. She closed her eyes as she listened to his words, allowing the feeling of safety to bathe her body like warm spring rain. She could feel herself calming and feeling as if she could handle anything that was going to come her way.

Once he was finished, he crooked his elbow, "Ready?"

Maura took a deep breath and smiled, "Yes."

*************

The coven leader looked over Birsha and Maura. She didn't approve of this union. To be honest, she didn't approve of Birsha. Period. She knew that Maura was much better than that, she didn't deserve to be tied to someone like that.

She lifted the rope lying on Birsha's side and took his left hand, carefully wrapping the brightly colored strands around his wrist, once, twice, three times. She recited the words in their hand-fastening as she lifted Maura's left hand and watched as Birsha's hand covered hers. She repeated the words and actions to Maura's hand, binding the two together until fate would step in again.

Once the binding was done, she lifted the chalice that held the wine to the sun and asked for it to bless and to bless the union with joy and comfort. The coven leader could feel the chalice shaking as she murmured the words, it was as if it even knew that something was amiss. She handed the chalice to Birsha, first to sip, and then Maura. Lastly, she lifted the athame and took Birsha's left hand, exposing the palm. She sliced it neatly, drawing blood almost instantly, tilting his hand to allow the blood to drip onto the table. Birsha watched in fascination as the coven leader repeated the process on Maura, his excitement growing at the sight of her blood mixing with his on the alter. As the blood pooled on the alter the coven leader uttered the final words of their joining. Birsha could feel an itch in his left palm as if he were to hold Maura's hand.

Maura could feel a tingling, she knew that the coven leader had done something different. She thought that once the blood was drawn they should join hands, not let it pool on the table.

Birsha was about to grasp Maura's hand when the coven leader took both of their hands and held them, casting the spell to heal the wounds. She looked at them both, "Remember, this bond is not just by the choice of your free will gifted to us by the goddess, Hecate. But a bond given by the fates. Treat each other with respect and love and this union will be a joyous one." She waited for them both to nod in agreement. "You may kiss your bride," she nodded to Birsha. Birsha kissed Maura gently and could feel a sudden surge flow through him. She was powerful, that was certain. He's made the right choice.

She looked up at the families, smiling broadly as she introduced Birsha and Maura as the newest couple in the coven. They went on to celebrate for the rest of the evening, with the food and festivities interrupted by the clinking of silverware on glasses, causing the couple to kiss.

With each kiss, Birsha could feel more power filling him, and he loved it. He could only imagine what was going to happen once they consummated their union.