Vania opened her eyes. The bedroom at the temple greeted her. She groaned and pulled one of the pillows up over her face. Damnit, bitch. Why don't you pick one of your followers for this? She sat up and stripped out of the gaudy silk robes flashing with metallic lightning bolts. She dressed as she walked to the door.

"Madam Vania," the high priest bowed as she stomped past. He gestured and all the other priests came over, ringing her in. "We heard today is an important day for you. Please, accept this gift from us." The priest closest to the high priest stepped forward, holding an object hidden beneath a piece of dark fabric. "May it remind everyone of your dignity and power as avatar of our Lady Calliastra, Storm Maiden."

The priest whipped off the fabric with a flourish, revealing a crown resting upon a satin cushion. The silver tines of the crown were curved like waves, the lapis lazuli lining the crests flashing in the lantern light. Golden lightning bolts, set with topaz and diamonds, hung glittering from the base the entire length of the circlet.

Vania frowned as she pushed through the group. "I don't want anything from any of you. Just let me be. Tell your bitch mistress to leave me alone and possess one of you."

"Please, accept this simple token," the priest replied.

"I said no," Vania snapped. "Your bitch has already made me late. Get out of my way!" She pushed past the last of the priests and hurried out of the temple. As she ran down the stairs and up the street, she wished she could go faster.

The woman laughed in her mind. "Flying would be faster. When are you going to start using your wings and not just flexing them? They're strong enough by now."

"Never," Vania muttered as she ran.

"It's been ten years; the accident had nothing to do with your mother's death. You need to stop fearing what you crave." The woman laughed again. "You can't tell me you don't miss the feel of the air currents flowing around your wings and the wind in your hair—I'm in your mind. I know all your inner thoughts and desires."

"Just shut up, bitch," Vania snarled. "No one asked you."

A hawk shrieked overhead. Two horses galloped up, only one of them with a rider.

"Vania!" Bergin tossed her the reins to the other horse. "Eddin sent me. I was worried I'd need to abduct her out of her temple stronghold. I'm glad to see you."

As Vania pulled herself into the saddle, she asked, "What would you have done if you'd needed to deal with her instead?"

Bergin kneed his horse. "Tried to reason with her."

Vania snorted as she nudged her horse. "The bitch is anything but reasonable."

"Well, I had a back-up plan, as well." Bergin pulled a chain out of his pocket, the silver seals glinting in the golden light from the wizard orbs in the streetlamps. "Glad we didn't need it. No one fancied conducting the ceremony with you sealed and someone else speaking for you by proxy."

"Keep it handy," Vania replied grimly, nudging her horse to a trot. "That is why I pre-emptively officially named my proxy and formally signed the declaration with several witnesses. We might need it before the day is done. She likes to replace me at very inopportune times." She frowned, recalling all the moments from the last few weeks that had been abruptly cut off as the pest took control. What hurt was when the bitch started allowing her to still be conscious even while she wasn't in control of herself, and she witnessed how many people didn't realize it wasn't truly her.

"Come on. Derry and Licia are waiting for you at the house; the carriage is ready to bring you to the hall once you're ready. The Buccareths are all already there." Bergin kneed his horse to a canter, Vania's horse jumping forward to keep pace.

"Vania, you look beautiful," Licia said as Vania walked up to them. Licia examined the sleeves of the dress. "You did such a good job on this. You got the sleeves to sit perfectly! I can never get them to set quite right on the shoulder. And, wow." She stepped back and walked around Vania, noting the open upper back. "No more hiding! You're not even going to wear a cloak? And don't you think that collared neckline is a bit severe? You certainly shouldn't be baring yourself, but that looks a bit tight at the throat, dear. I don't want you fainting."

"Thank you, Licia," Vania replied, fingers tugging at the edges of her sleeves. "And I'll be fine. I've been around the city without hiding my Mark—trying to hide it now would feel like lying. Besides, Eddin knows what he's getting." She raised one hand to the messy mass of dark blue tendrils hopelessly piled on her head. "Can you help me with this? I... can't get it the way I want it."

"Of course! Tell me how I can help!" Licia stepped forward, waving a hand at Derry. "Go get us a mirror, dear."

"Of course," Derry replied. He stepped up beside Vania and placed a hand on her shoulder. "No matter what you do to your hair, you'll be lovely."

"Thank you," Vania whispered as he walked off.

After half an hour of work, Vania's hair coiled around her head in several braids, then joined together at the back of her head and hung down her back loose, the long tendrils curling. The tips of the spines on her scalp occasionally caught the light and glinted, almost looking like hidden gems in her hair, except to those who knew better.

As Derry, Licia, and Vania climbed into the waiting carriage, Vania asked, "Where are the kids?"

"Already at the hall." Derry smiled and patted her knee. "Along with your groom and the rest of your guests. I believe Eddin said his cousin had children around Cianna's age, and thought they'd be occupied together. T'kanna was kind enough to offer to watch Rantin and Grava until Licia and I arrive."

"Then I guess we'd better get there quickly. The kids might be driving the adults crazy as they get bored. And I'm sure it's a bad sign if I'm late to my own wedding!"

"It's impossible for you to be late," Derry reasoned. "You're the head of the household and the main participant of this event—it can't happen without you. Whenever you arrive will be when it starts. So, you will arrive exactly on time."

"You remember how T'kanna said this would go, right?" Licia asked. "Once we get there, Derry and I will find our kids and take our places. You'll go to the front, near the five candles. Eddin's mother will join you. After the two of you publicly proclaim the betrothal agreement, she will bring Eddin to you and the vows will begin..." Licia sighed. "And, once all the pomp and circumstance is done, you'll be married to Eddin." She dabbed at the corner of her eyes with a kerchief.

"Yes, I... remember," Vania replied vaguely, staring out the window. T'kanna had to go over it with me several times. Stupid bitch kept interrupting. The explanation of the ending of the ceremony, I only heard through her. But, Eddin should be able to help me...

"You won't need him to help you. I remember everything your soon-to-be sister told us," the woman said. "I can help you."

"Anything you'd do would be the opposite of help, bitch," Vania thought at the woman angrily. "Stop reading my thoughts. Get out of my head, and let me live my life in peace."

The woman just laughed.