I expect something to happen. Call me ungrateful, but upon burning the leaf I'd imagined the Spring Court just opening its doors in my room and room service waiting on the other end. The return of the prodigal daughter, they would weep. And I'd pretend to be overjoyed, fake cry, learn all their secret plans...

None of that happens.

I wait five minutes before burning the leaf has had no effect and I huff. Hadrian is still asleep, so I cross to the door and leave the room, shutting the door quietly as I leave.

I'm expecting Quill outside the door, ominously chanting a spell to take me to Spring. But nothing but the spiral staircase greets me, so I clomp down it.

'If I'd have known it took three days to take effect, I'd have burned the bloody thing sooner,' I mutter furiously. Really, when I got ahold of Quill—

I walk into Jefferson.

'Oh! My Queen! I was just coming to get you,' he says, cheerfully. 'Please don't look so grave. It's your dress fitting, after all.'

'Dress fitting?' I ignore the terrible pun. 'I never picked a dress.'

'My lady, your friend Sybella has been making all the wedding arrangements for you as you've been quite...buried under.'

I blink. Sybella has been organising my wedding? I feel...an odd tingle of excitement. My wedding is going to be...

...a happy event? Could I dare to dream it? After all, I would get all the fun without the hassle of choosing table linens and what bows to put on tables. Surely karma would ensure I had a miserable wedding day.

I couldn't help being a little intrigued as to what Sybella had picked for me.

'Will you be going to try it on now, my lady?' Jefferson rocks on his heels, looking up at me from where he's stood on the steps below. He looks even more like a frail elderly man.

'Of course,' I'm feeling particularly nice. 'But if you see Quill...could you let him know I need to speak to him?'

Speak to him: code for question why he's making me burn leaves like a fool.

Jefferson agrees, hastening to show me to the fitting rooms. We continue through the castle, into a set of rooms on the second floor that appear to be sitting rooms. When we step inside, the world turns to chaos.

Sybella is in the middle of the room, shouting. She's pulled her golden curls into a topknot, and she's opted for her usual cheek and nose piercings. She's dressed head to toe in leather and purple lipstick, and she's standing on a chair, hands on her hips, pointing every so often.

'I need those groomsmen's waistcoats by this evening! I want those table plans sorted as soon as possible! We only have two more nights, gang!'

Around her, there's proof of projects half-finished, all in disarray. A group appear to be working sewing silver-and-grey suits for the men, whilst another is hammering and chopping to form what looked like furniture. Others scribbled away on desks, whilst one woman was constructing the artwork that was a table plan. I'm amazed at the number of tables.

Sybella spots us, waves us over. 'Nerissa! You finally stop drilling Hadrian and come view your wedding preparations.'

She hops down from the chair with a flourish, before looking up and meeting my very red face.

'Still a virgin,' she grins. 'It was worth a try...'

Jefferson is still hovering when I spot a woman frantically sewing lace onto a strange-looking garment. It's red and saucy and oddly see-through...

My heart and mouth both drop. I turn to hiss at Sybella, aware of Jefferson being only a few metres away.

'Are. Those. Lingerie?'

She smirks and mutters, 'You. Can. Thank. Me. Later.'

If I was red before, I turn beetroot.

She whispers, 'You can't wear man panties to your wedding night! Trust me, Hadrian will practically or—'

'...I swear, I'll be silent as the grave!' Jefferson is saying as he makes his way back towards us. I elbow Sybella with force, and she shuts up, stifling laughter.

'Dress fitting?' I ask her promptly, and Jefferson nods. All trace of laughter runs from Sybella's face; she looks nervous. Suddenly, I'm worried about the dress she's going to make me wear. I have images of me walking down an aisle with my breasts popping out, and a skirt as long as my butt cheeks. And to justify it, I can hear her saying, 'You can't marry Hadrian in a yawn fest,' and winking.

Or, worse. That thing the woman is constructing is my dress, and it's customary to show nipples and...everything...in the Underworld. As she leads me to an adjoining room, I almost close my eyes in fear. I look at the smooth carpet floors, and only look up when I hear the door click closed. Even Jefferson offers to stay outside. It must be bad. It must be indecent.

I turn.

And my breath whooshes out.

It's not the racy red outfit. It's beautiful.

But I can see why Sybella might have worried, because it's not a traditional wedding dress.

It starts high, a proud line that ties around the neck and plunges around the cleavage. It starts white, pure as the first snowfall before the mud soaks through. And it starts plain, silk curving and wrapping around the waist.

Then it gets interesting. The white melts like watercolour into a soft, warm grey, darkening as it reaches the bottom. And, in tiny stitches from the waist, are pink petals of delicate cherry blossoms. They descend around the dress, in a thin line, before becoming a crescendo around the hem. The skirt curves around the figure, accenting the bottom and thighs before exploding out into a mermaid tail of elegance, leaving a trail of dark grey behind.

And, over the top of the dress, to keep me warm before the ceremony— a cape. Not a pretty cape, but a warrior's cape, a cape of queens about to go to war. It curls up, covering the neck and descending to the arms with pauldrons on both sides. Delicate black gloves are actually leather gauntlets. I'm speechless: something practical, yet beautiful and symbolic. The whites and greys of winter, becoming the petals of spring.

I've been staring for a long time.

'Do you like it?' Sybella whispers.

My throat is constricted. 'I love it. Thank you, Sybella.'

She smiles. 'You know, you should really call me Bella. Otherwise people will think you're not closed with your chief bridesmaid.'

She winks, having elected herself as my favourite friend.

I laugh. I'd have picked her anyway.

Quillan finds us as the seamstress is putting pins into the dress, deep in concentration. She talks in between the pins in her mouth, a talent I find myself watching curiously. She continues gabbing with Sybella, who is telling her all about her ideas for the wedding.

'So, being cold and winter, we don't have much in the way of flowers, but we've had to make do,' Sybella is saying. 'I've had three people painting branches silver, and we're going to use those for decoration with lanterns.'

'Silver will go wonderfully with the dress,' the seamstress gushes. 'Maybe...I'll add some branches....'

She stares thoughtfully at the skirt. Sybella gives the work an appreciative look.

'You look stunning, Nessa. Your boobs look three times larger in that corset. Maybe I should get married instead.'

I chuckle, but shake my head. She gives me an openly shocked stare.

'Nerissa isn't denying she's getting married!' she hoots, and the seamstress gets involved, cooing and ahhhhhhh-ing. 'When I met you only a month ago you'd have denied it until they marched you to the altar.'

'A month ago, Hades was still trying to kick my ass out,' I said, shaking my head.

'Hades?' Sybella asks.

I blush. 'Hadrian.'

She fights laughter. 'You have a pet name for him? Since when?'

Since always. The look on my face is clear. She rolls her eyes. 'And you said you didn't love him.'

Quillan steps up behind us; we hear the door open, and he steps into the room. He's dressed head to toe in dark green and leather. His bright green eyes brighten as they see me.

'Nerissa!' he calls out. 'You look spectacular.'

He pauses for a moment, his eyes upon the dress, my arms, my cape, and then me. He lets out a low whistle.

'Hadrian is one lucky bastard,' he breathes. Then he shakes himself, and gives me a pointed look.

'I got your message,' he says. 'When will you be ready to go?'

I glance at the seamstress, and the lady smiles with a mouth full of pins. 'I'm nearly done. Five more minutes.'

'Wonderful,' Quill says, rubbing his hands. He paces up and down, looking distracted.

I make a quick decision. 'I'm bringing Sybella.'

The messenger halts, looks at me. 'My Queen didn't invite...'

Hands on my hips, I stare down at him. Upon a stool for the fitting, I'm at least a foot taller. 'I'm her daughter. Why would she not make my chief bridesmaid welcome?'

Quillan's mouth opens and closes, unsure.

'And besides,' I lean forward to whisper. 'You'll find her an excellent ally.'

Ten minutes later, and we leave the seamstress to her work, Sybella at my side. She's grinning, eager to escape planning and overseeing, leaving it in the not-so-capable hands of Jefferson. We follow Quill to a quiet room, and he shuts the door.

'What now?' I ask.

He gives me a look, before pulling out a necklace from underneath his green shirt. Inside, there's a vial of tiny emerald beads.

He takes three out, flicking them out onto the palm of his hand. They're less than half the size of my fingernail. He indicates to take one each, and we follow his lead.

Then he puts his in his mouth and gulps it down. Eyebrow raised, Sybella copies. After a brief hesitation, I do the same.

Whatever the bead is, it spreads like jelly through my body, sending a strange wave through my arms and legs. I look down, and I've become translucent: my ugly pink dress is now the only colourful thing on my body. The rest of me looks...veined, like a leaf.

Quill pulls out a match and Sybella lets out a scream. Quick as a flash, he clamps his hand over her mouth, strikes the match and sets her on fire.

My eyes pop. She goes up like kindling. She turns like the leaf into ash.

Like the leaf...is that what we are?

Quill steps my way, holding the lit match. I glare at him. 'I was expecting a portal.'

'This is the quickest way,' he shrugs. 'No portals from the Underworld to Spring.'

'Bloody shame,' I say, realising I mean it.

Quill sets me on fire— literally. Drowned, jumped over a waterfall, burned.... how many times must I die?

The last thing I feel is my body turning to smoke.

I step forward, on my feet, smoke turning to corporeal. Gasping, my feet and legs come into view: they're no longer translucent, but I am stark naked.

A noise, like laughter, makes me spin to it. Sybella, wearing only her blonde curls, is sniggering at me as I try to hide myself.

'Can't be this shy for Hadrian in... two nights' time,' she estimates, grinning tauntingly. My hands are still trying to cover my pelvis and my breasts, and struggling. I resort to covering my breasts with my hair, and then my hands can cover my privates.

Sybella roars with laughter, hands on hips, unashamed. I avert my gaze, but not before I register that she does have a stunning body. No wonder she doesn't care who sees it.

'Where. Is. Quill.' I say through gritted teeth.

On cue, smoke becomes a man beside us. Quill straightens himself, also stark naked aside from his necklace (which must be magic), and finds himself staring at Sybella. She sidles up to him, noting his pink cheeks, as she leans hip against him, her arms wrapping around him. I'm about to look away— give them privacy, whatever they were playing— when I hear her snap, 'Why the fuck didn't you tell us we'd be naked?'

I hear him grunt in pain, and next thing I look, he's on his knees. Sybella's eyes flash.

'Don't suppose you saw that one coming?' I say, and she gives me a dry laugh in response.

'I don't normally See things that are too small,' she hisses, and her eyes follow his crotch.

'Well, you asked me to take you to Spring...' Quill groans. 'And here we are.'

'I don't want to meet my mother naked!'

Sybella looks sympathetic.

Quill stands up, still naked and distracting. I look up at the sky, noting how blue it is compared to the Underworld. Blue and sunny and... is that a bird? Flying?

'You don't have to!' he cries. 'You have power over Spring, Nerissa. And it will be easier here to control than anywhere in the world. Easy enough to wear, until we find you clothes.'

I blink. For the first time, I realise that we truly are here: in Spring. I can feel thundering power through the earth— warm and alive— beneath my feet. We are standing in a rich, thick forest, covered in fauna and— by the sounds of it— animals. I can hear them scurrying in the bushes, hear chirps of them calling to one another.

And, all around, are the most beautiful flowers I've ever seen. I don't know their names. There's ones that rise tall, with indigo petals, and others that lie close to the threes with white blooms. Pink unfurls in patches, happy and free, while I do spot daisies, larger than any I've ever seen. I step towards them, and they shift around me, stroking my bare legs, sprouting to curl around my toes.

The trees stretch down to greet me, their branches slowly twisting. I reach up, feeling their life, their energy, their...

...death.

'They're dying,' I say, feeling myself pale. 'They're all dying. How is that so?'

I turn to Quill, no longer caring that he's naked and I'm naked. I'm staring at him in horror and fury, because why hasn't anybody done anything?

'They're dying!' I yell. 'Why?'

Sybella looks shocked at my outburst. The plants continue to grow around my legs, twisting and curving over my hips, until vines have covered my body so that my hands don't have to. A chain of red roses blossom around my waist, and daffodils make a bracelet of yellow trumpets. The trees stroke my hair, leaves flourishing where they touch.

'Spring has been dying slowly since Hecate's curse,' Quill says. 'All our power comes from our Great Oak tree, in the centre of our court.'

Hecate. Hecate again.

I crouch amongst my friends, hearing their whispers.

Magic gone magic gone magic gone dying dying dying help us home home dying tree tree you

'But for the first time, the Great Oak's blossoms are falling,' Quill says. 'Spring has never left here. Winter has never arrived. Until now.'

-----------------------

A/N: So what do you think of Ness's dress and the introduction to Spring???

Are you excited for the wedding?

Also...you may have noticed I've been updating LSB. I'm not just doing this for more reads, I'm actually updating the older version to one I've proofread and adjusted! Feel free to check out the updated versions. They'll be very similar, save for a few spellchecks, grammar changes and any ideas you guys have commented. Plus I'm making sure that all of the loose ends from LSB will be tied up here in GSQ. 

lots of love

Larissa

xxxx