21. Eliza

The day of the wedding was a Sunday and it honored its name. Not one cloud marred the beautiful blue sky above us.

Our guests began arriving on Friday. I was thrilled to meet Edward’s friends of whom he had told me many stories that had me laughing so hard I had to hold my sides.

His family arrived as well, with his dad on Saturday and his mom Sunday morning, a mere hour before the wedding was scheduled. Edward had warned me about it. His mom and dad couldn’t bear to be in the same room for more than a few hours and even that was pushing it.

Many times Edward had bemoaned the fact that the only people I had invited were the Pinkertons, he had no idea that my brothers were all here. But that would change today. Right after the ceremony I would tell him everything and my brothers would return to their true form. I was rife with excitement for that, more so than the actual ceremony.

“So, you are the one marrying my son today,” a feminine voice called out just as Daisy and Lucy added the veil to my head.

I turned to see a most stunning woman in her late forties enter. She was model perfect, beautiful and tall. Cold, crystal-blue eyes moved up and down my body assessingly.

“I can see why he would choose you. Picking beautiful women runs in their blood.” She laughed, holding up a glass of champagne that from all indications wasn’t her first.

Lucy helped me up so I could walk forward and meet Sophia Seymore. Holding out my hand I plastered a smile on my face, the one she reciprocated just as fake. “My dear daughter.”

She gave both of my cheeks air kisses, holding my hands. “Welcome to the family.”

With that she rushed out of the room, leaving Daisy, Lucy, and me standing there, arching our brows.

“Now, are you sure you want to marry into that?” Lucy asked. “You could freeze flames instantly between her ass cheeks.”

I did a double take, that didn’t sound like Lucy at all. She snickered and Daisy sucked in a loud, outraged breath.

“I don’t think that’s appropriate,” Daisy chided.

“Oh so what, don’t be such a priss,” Lucy said, picking up my flowers, and tossing them at me, all the while staring provocatively at me as if daring me to say something.

“Alright, it might be time for you to take a break,” Daisy suggested and I nodded, pointing at the door.

“Make me.” Lucy pushed her fists into her hips, staring at me challengingly. “Tell me to go and I’ll go!”

I blinked confused. What did she want from me? She knew I couldn’t speak.

“You are clearly out of line,” Daisy snarled and moved to the door to open it and call for someone.

Lucy blocked her way though. “Come on muty, dummy, tell me to leave,” Lucy taunted.

“That’s quite enough.” Daisy lifted her hands to push Lucy out the door, but suddenly seemed frozen.

“You know what’s on the dinner menu tonight?” Lucy glared at me. “Especially for you. Wild swan!”

No! Lay on the tip of my tongue, but thankfully it remained frozen. For some reason, Lucy was goading me to break my vow of silence during the last minutes of the curse.

It took all my willpower, but I remained where I was, just as frozen as poor Daisy, staring at Lucy.

“You’re not gonna say anything, are you? Fine. I have other options.”

With that, Lucy turned around, slammed the door to the bedroom, and I heard a lock engage. What the hell?

“Oh, I’m dizzy,” Daisy complained. “What happened?”

I jumped over to her and held her heavy body up before her knees buckled, guiding her to the ground to keep her from slamming into it.