Chapter Thirty-One

The day starts with a bang. The sound echoes from the kitchen, and screams follow. Marigold's lady's maid, Helena, bounds through her bedroom door and nearly shakes her awake. Her mind is cloudy, but a surge of adrenaline floods her body.

The grimoire is still open next to her, but she has no time to ponder everything she learned last night or continue more research this morning.

"Miss Claude! We must start dressing you at once!"

Marigold stretches her arms upward, and Helena seizes the opportunity to grab her wrists and pull her out of bed.

"Why the haste, Helena?"

"It is your sister's wedding day, for goodness' sake!"

She sits Marigold in a chair in front of her vanity and starts combing her hair. Another bang sounds from downstairs.

"What on earth is going on down there?"

"They are preparing a massive spread for after the ceremony, and there was a small incident at the crack of dawn that changed the schedule a bit."

Her blood runs cold. "What happened?" She did everything she could possibly do to keep her family safe, but unease still floods her body.

Helena leans in, whispering words of a scandal. "Let's just say that the cake was ready last night, and this morning, it was not. So now they are finishing a new one."

Marigold gasps. "Someone knocked over the cake? Who?"

"I heard from the butler that there were two giggling young boys riffling through the kitchen for a midnight snack. And things may have gotten physical."

"A fight?"

Helena blushes. "Not exactly."

She ponders until the information clicks in her mind—August and Frankie, of course. They must have been much more caught up in their budding relationship than they admitted last night when they took to their separate rooms. Marigold laughs, as she cannot entirely blame them. She is the one who brought them together, and if she were lucky enough to find her soulmate, she imagines that she would behave the same.

A sudden sharp pain makes her wince; a broken heart?

No, it is only Helena, violently combing tangles out of her hair with unyielding strength.

"I'd like you to leave at least some hair still attached to my head, Helena."

Helena makes a disapproving face. "Well, I'd like for you to have brushed your hair out of its style from last night. Wishes do not always come true."

"You are right about that," she says, shifting in her seat.

"Goodness, how did it become so tangled?"

She grits her teeth as she remembers the kiss from last night, when Lottie had her blond curls in her fist, when Marigold got to hold the bend of Lottie's waist—for the smallest moment, they were one, and it was as beautiful as it was dangerous.

Helena is finally able to twirl Marigold's hair into a fashionable updo adorned with small pearls. She stands to begin dressing in her elaborate gown that has been fitted perfectly to her form.

"Have you seen Aster this morning? How is she feeling?"

"Oh, she is nervous. But she is also thrilled, and she looks marvelous. An absolute jewel, that girl."

Smiling, she says, "She is. I cannot wait to see her."

"Well, stand still and let me dress you so we can get you out of here as soon as possible."

Marigold tries to hold her tongue to allow Helena her focus, but she cannot resist more questions. "Have you dressed Miss Burke yet?"

Helena pulls her corset tight so that it knocks the breath out of her. "She declined, miss."

She whirls around. "She did what?"

"When I woke her this morning, she politely stated that she was too ill to attend the event."

Is it the effect of the curse again, or is Lottie trying to avoid her after everything that happened last night?

"Let's hurry, Helena."

"What do you think I've been doing here, miss?"

Helena finishes dressing her as quickly as possible. She hurries to Lottie's door, pushing inside. Lottie sits in her chemise at her vanity, brushing out her hair. She gasps at Marigold's entry.

"You are meant to knock. You of all people should know that," she says, her tone cold and dry.

"And you are meant to be dressed by now," she says as she approaches. She stands behind Lottie, only able to see their faces in the reflection of the gold mirror on the vanity. There is a sadness in both of their eyes that they pretend not to notice.

"I need you with me today," Marigold says. Her hand cautiously sits on Lottie's shoulder, and Lottie stiffens beneath its weight.

"You do not need me for anything."

"That's not true and you know it," Marigold says as she squeezes Lottie's shoulder.

Lottie sighs and places her hand on top of Marigold's. "After last night, I feel as if I know nothing. Everything I thought was true has turned out to be wrong. Magic is real. Your curse is real. There is something between us, and I cannot hold on to it no matter how hard I try." Her lip quivers as if she is trying not to cry. "I wish I could fix it."

"I do, too," Marigold says. There is much more to be said and explained, but she does not want to disturb Lottie further. Now is the time to be strong and selfless, for Aster's sake.

"I know. And I do not want to make you feel worse on your sister's wedding day, so leave me here." She stands and faces Marigold, her eyes wide and glassy. "Let me do this for you."

"If you want to do anything for me, you will allow Helena to help you dress quickly and you will come with me. I want you there." She reaches to hold her hand again but stops herself.

It is not right. It is not fair.

Her hand hangs heavy and empty at her side. "Please."

Lottie chews her lip, but she nods. "Okay, Mari. For you."

The ceremony between Aster and Mr. Woodrake takes place in the gardens of the Claude estate. The greenery is tinged with autumn, providing a warm honey-colored glow throughout the venue. Some chairs have been set up to face an arch that has been decorated with peach flowers and burgundy ribbons. A violinist and harpist play soft, joyful tunes that float delicately through the light breeze.

Mr. Woodrake stands at the arch, his family and friends sitting in the seats closest to him. He is the son of a great novelist, so his family has talent and wealth that rival that of the Claudes. On paper, Aster Claude and Mr. Woodrake make an excellent match. But as Aster rounds the corner, holding on to the arm of her father, it is clear that there is much more between her and her betrothed than titles or wealth.

There is true, undying love.

From her position at the arch, next to Frankie and across from Mr. Woodrake, Marigold can see the love in his eyes as he watches his bride approach. He mouths something to Aster that Marigold cannot quite read, but Aster smiles in response. Perhaps it was a compliment, or an inside joke, or some other joyful phrase that one can share with the person they love.

The officiant begins the ceremony as Aster and Mr. Woodrake stand hand in hand in front of the arch. Aster recites her vows through her happy tears.

As the two exchange vows, Marigold's eyes drift over the onlookers. She sees Mr. Woodrake's family, her own parents, and many famed Bardshire residents. But her gaze stops on the beautiful Lottie Burke. Their eyes meet, both welling with tears, until Lottie looks away. She would give anything to hold Lottie right now, to kiss her without causing her any pain, to give her the love that she deserves.

The ceremony commences as Aster places a golden ring on his finger, and he does the same for her. The two seal their vows with a kiss and are met with roaring applause. The newlyweds must immediately follow the officiant to write their marriage lines, but Aster hugs her sister first.

"I love you, sister. Thank you for being here with me."

"I love you, too, Lady Woodrake."

Aster squeals at the use of her new title, and she runs back to her new husband's side as they follow the officiant. The rest of the guests are ushered inside the manor and seated at a comically large dining table that is covered with the largest breakfast spread that the world has ever seen. August and Frankie sit directly across from Lottie and Marigold as they all begin eating.

"That was a beautiful ceremony," Lottie says. It comes as a bit of a shock; Lottie usually relies on August to make small talk and pleasantries.

"It truly was," August says in response, happy to run with the conversation that his best friend started.

Frankie leans over to August. "It makes me wonder what our wedding will look like one day."

August cannot help but smile, while Lottie and Marigold look completely stunned.

"You proposed?" Marigold asks her brother.

"You're engaged?" Lottie asks.

Frankie shakes his head. "Not officially, no." He sips his orange juice and looks at August, who is anxiously touching his collar.

August clears his throat. "Well, we are soulmates. What else could one expect?"

"But being engaged would mean you are already starting a whole new life together. Don't you have much more to figure out before you start wedding planning?" Lottie asks him, and he nods.

"Exactly. Which is why we are not officially engaged yet," August says.

There is a pregnant pause between them all. Marigold is happy, of course, as are Frankie and August.

But Lottie looks terrified. She puts down her cutlery and sips her water until the glass is empty. The moment it is refilled by a server, she drinks it down again.

"Do you have anything stronger?" Lottie asks the server.

"Lots…" August warns.

"What?" she snaps.

"This is a happy time."

She takes a deep breath. "You are right. You are very right, and I am happy you both have found each other."

"Thank you, Lottie. I am so glad to hear you say that," Frankie says. The four of them resume their breakfasts quietly for a moment, but there is a question waiting on the tip of Marigold's tongue.

"So will you return with us to Innisfree, brother?"

Frankie looks up with only his eyes, which then glance over to August.

"You don't have to," Marigold says. "But I thought it would be nice to extend the invitation so that you two do not have to be apart."

Frankie says nothing. He allows August to handle the next part of the conversation.

"Frankie is not coming to Innisfree, but we are not going to be apart." He looks at Lottie, who is the first to realize what he is saying.

"You're staying here with him, aren't you?"

August's cheeks flush. "We're going on a trip. The trip, Lottie. The one I've always dreamed of. We're going to see the world, listen to the most beautiful music, eat the most delicious food, and dance with strangers."

Lottie says nothing, but Marigold can feel the panic radiating off her. Lottie has always acted tough, but that was because she had August. She did not need anyone else to like her as long as she had her best friend by her side, but now she is losing him. Yet Marigold knows that Lottie cannot resent him for it. It's likely that the woman would do the same thing if her own soulmate spell would actually work.

Lottie fakes a smile. "That's so wonderful, August."

"It is?" August asks, his voice filled with pure relief.

"We will return to Innisfree in a few months before we're off again!" Frankie adds.

Lottie keeps her gaze low. "Where will home be for you, though?"

"Well, I think it makes the most sense for us to reside in Bardshire"—Frankie looks at August—"right?"

"We'll figure that out when the time comes," August says, eyes locked on Lottie. "Nothing is for certain yet."

Lottie nods, but she says nothing else. If she tries to utter one more word, Marigold can tell that she will start crying, and she cannot have that. Not in front of him, not in front of all these people. She would grab Lottie's hand if she thought she could offer her comfort without causing her pain. Her mother stands in the doorway chatting with other ladies about the lovely ceremony. When Marigold sees their conversation grow quiet, she stands from the table.

"Pardon me, I'm going to congratulate my mother on orchestrating such a wonderful event," she says. She makes her way to Lady Claude's side and hugs her tightly.

"This was perfect. Aster is so happy."

"Oh, I am so glad," her mother says in her ear. "And I am so grateful that you came."

"I am, too. I would not have missed such an important day."

Her mother smiles and cups Marigold's cheek. "You look tired, darling. Did you get enough rest?"

Shaking her head, she says, "Apologies, Mother. Something happened last night. I spent hours adding more runes of protection about the estate to ease my anxieties."

Her mother's face contorts as she takes Marigold's hand and leads her out of the room to a small sunroom, closing the door behind them. "What happened?"

With a deep breath, she says, "Last night, something made my magic surge out of control. I started summoning a storm and flames erupted around us."

Her mother's eyes darken. "Do you know what caused it?"

Marigold keeps her gaze to the floor. "I read in the grimoire that it could mean that ash magic was close by, but now I think it's another symptom of the curse. There is something I didn't tell you before. When Lottie and I get too close, it's like the curse punishes her. And last night was the harshest punishment yet."

"Were you close to Lottie when it occurred?"

Marigold blushes. "Very close. Too close. In the maze garden."

Lady Claude gives her a knowing look. "That is so dangerous, Marigold. You should not risk your safety like that, or Lottie's for that matter!"

"I didn't mean to! That's never happened before."

Her mother closes her eyes tightly and places her hand on her own heart. "Please promise me you will not take a risk like that again. That woman could be your undoing if you are not careful."

She envisions Lottie in her mind. They have a long ride back to Innisfree in the morning, and now August will not be with them. When they're completely alone, will she be able to hold herself back?

"I promise," she says, hoping that she will be able to keep it.

The rest of the morning blurs in the background. The newlyweds cut their cake and try the smallest piece, and then they are off for a glorious honeymoon. Lottie and August take time for themselves, away from everyone and everything else. Their goodbye will not be easy. It might even be harder than Marigold's own goodbyes that she must make to her family. Her poor parents—everyone is leaving all at once. Aster is off on her honeymoon. Frankie will be adventuring with August. And Marigold will be back on Innisfree, fighting to keep her heart intact.