The rest of the time flew-beautifying me for my nuptials.
My stomach rolled. I'm going to be sick.
My lungs stuck together. I can't breathe.
My heart galloped. I'm getting married.
Music drifted across the island, dipping and lilting with the Seychelles breeze. I strained to hear more-to count how many guests would witness my union to Q-to envision the type of ceremony Suzette had put together.
Heading to a wedding that I hadn't planned or had any idea of what would happen twisted my stomach, but excitement existed, too.
I'm really doing this. I'm about to get married.
Sparrows, finches, and doves lived in my ribcage, trapped tightly beneath a corset etched with their fellow kin. Their wings made me float across the patio next to the seahorse pool all the while tickling me with nervous feathers.
I looked down at the white dress cocooning my body. Suzette had been elevated to goddess in my mind. She'd transformed me from lacklustre girl to flawless mannequin.
The dress was a mixture of lace and silk and taffeta-all in different shades of white. My right shoulder was bare. My left shoulder was adorned with a white rosette draping down the front of the bodice with exquisite lace.
My hips flared with a see-through organza train, the fabric whispering over the heaviness of silk. The elegance was perfect, the craftsmanship superb. And Suzette was right. Not one sign of the leather corset or lingerie I wore was visible.
The only thing ruining the virgin image was the black sprig of feathers in my hair, glittering with onyx gems.
Suzette beamed, holding my face in her hands. "You look incredible."
A staff member held a mirror for me to check any last minute issues. I took one last disbelieving glimpse. My eyes were globes of grey serenity, highlighted with silver eye-shadow. My lips were a blood-red, glistening as if I'd turned vampire and favoured the remnants of my last meal.
I'd never looked so pretty and for a moment sadness fell over me. My parents would never see me marry the man of my dreams-my friends would never witness my transformation from girl to woman.
It doesn't matter. None of this is for them. It's for him. For me.
Patting my hair one last time, I said, "Thank you so much, Suzette. I would never have been able to pull this together." Even the red lipstick, which I thought clashed to begin with, worked. Instead of cheapening the pureness of my attire it added a pop of dramatic-a flare of danger.
She stepped to my side, looping an arm through mine. "I'm so glad you're happy. That's all I wanted." Her body tensed. "Um … I haven't asked this yet-and feel free to say no-but … I want to walk you down the aisle." Her eyes flickered with reckless hope, tangled with already felt rejection. "If you'd prefer a man, Frederick is here, and he said he'd gladly give you away to his best friend." She looked away, hiding the pain in her face, fully expecting me to choose Fred over her.
My heart hurt to see such uncertainty in a friend who'd been nothing but a rock to me. It was time I took the role of supporter, guiding her to the emotion she wanted most of all-freedom from her past.
Grabbing her in a hug, I squeezed hard, cursing the boning of the corset. "I want you to do it. You'd be doing me an incredible honour, giving me away to the man we both love."
Her heart-shaped face shattered with happy moisture. She pulled away, dabbing at her makeup, practically pushing her tears back inside. She wore a powder grey dress, matching my style with one shoulder and organza train. Her beautiful brown hair was coiled into four thick curls down her back.
She was so pretty. Franco will notice. He has to notice.
I rolled my eyes, thinking of the clueless man. He needed a push in the right direction if he didn't get the memo today-but I had a feeling Suzette would tell him loud and clear. Weddings had a way of bringing people together-cutting through the unsaid mess, letting the truth blare.
Suzette once again looped her arm through mine. "Ready to get married?"
Lungs. Stomach. Heart.
I swallowed hard.
"Tu es à moi, esclave." You're mine. Q's voice whispered through my mind, granting me serenity.
Yes, I'm ready. Ready to change my world forever.
My nerves disappeared, leaving me with utmost confidence and love. "Yes."
Leaving the gorgeous chalet, we made our way around the seahorse pool, heading inland, following the musical map coming from the venue.
The white sand had been swept from the boardwalk and scattered frangipani petals led the way. Staff members stood like sentries in equal distance, smiling as we passed. We had no others in our procession. Just me and Suzette.