The Final Interruption

The Final Interruption

Lucinda gasped at the latest development and clutched Cyril’s arm in a death grip. “This is the most exciting thing to ever happen in my life,” she whispered. When her husband’s scowl drooped into a dejected frown, she amended, “Aside from our own wedding, of course.” After all, this wedding didn’t have any snakes, giant or otherwise. A real oversight, in her opinion, but a last-minute interruption at the altar was a fair alternative.

Especially because she recognized the evil mage causing such a fuss. It turned out not to be the Soul Stealer, Cyril’s most bitter rival and the wife of Lucinda’s best friend, but the Soul Stealer’s young apprentice. It was his first outing, his introduction to evil society.

And it was going horribly wrong, she realized, with a pang of sympathy.

All of the menace leaked out of Mattias as he gaped at Prince Frederick. “What are you doing?” he demanded. “Isn’t this supposed to be Franny’s wedding?”

Princess Francesca pointed to herself, still standing at the front of the room, eyebrows raised in surprise as she silently asked, ‘Who, me?’

No one could blame the boy for not knowing about the change. The royals hadn’t bothered to announce it, surprising all of the guests present. Lucinda had relished her own private knowledge of the program change and, instead of watching the grooms walking down the aisle together, had gazed at all of the confused faces in the crowd. Confusion was almost as delicious as fear.

“It was,” Frederick hedged. “But now it isn’t.”

Mattias looked back and forth between the two grooms several times.

The Good Wizard finally pulled a sword out of his sleeve. Even though the confrontation had fizzled away, Kit still took it and held it in a ready position.

“Never mind all that, what are you doing here? And why are you wearing that?” Frederick gestured to the black cloak.

Mattias lifted up a long black sleeve and examined it with a frown. “Part of the job.” Straightening to his full height, he explained, “I have come to stop this land’s vile tradition of forced marriages to protect its own interests.”

“That doesn’t sound very evil,” Frederick said.

“Evil mages can have a lot of motives,” Mattias muttered. “It isn’t all about world domination.”

Frederick pinched the bridge of his nose. “Mattias, it’s wonderful to see you again, even with the … circumstances, and I appreciate your non-traditional approach. However, Brendon and I have already worked things out to everyone’s benefit.” He gestured to his groom, standing at the altar, arms crossed as he glowered at the other man. “So, if you don’t mind, we would both really appreciate it if you let us continue the wedding.”

Mattias looked between them uncertainly. “You’re sure?”

“We are,” the grooms said in unison.

Mattias fidgeted, then nodded. He looked back toward the door, at all the people he would have to pass to reach it. The poor boy was so lost and alone, his very first evil scheme thwarted by true love.

Lucinda took pity on the boy and gestured for him to join them. The guest previously sitting in the chair next to her had vacated, freeing up a space for him.

“Aunty Lucy?” he asked, honey-colored eyes widening as he looked between Lucinda and Cyril. “What are you doing here?”

“We’re honored guests,” she replied proudly. People milled about the room, trying to set it to rights so they could re-start the wedding. A few of the guests eyed Mattias suspiciously, but no one approached. Since everyone was occupied for the next few minutes, Lucinda took the opportunity to chat and catch up with Mattias. “So, your first big scheme,” she said, beaming with pride.

He slumped in the chair. “Which failed miserably.”

She patted his shoulder and assured him, “Oh, don’t get too down about it, sweet pea. Honeybun failed quite a few schemes during his apprenticeship as well.”

Next to her, her sweetheart said through clenched teeth, “Dearheart, that isn’t the kind of thing one shares with rivals.”

“Oh hush,” Lucinda scolded. “You aren’t rivals right now. You are both guests, and you can act as friends.” Turning back to Mattias, she demanded, “How do you know Prince Frederick?”

A pink blush touched the boy’s cheeks, and he shifted nervously in his seat. “We were close, once. Before I left the Desolated Lands. He’s the reason I left, actually.”

Lucinda narrowed her eyes and asked, “He didn’t treat you poorly, did he?” She eyed the prince, whose groom was helping him straighten his tie.

“No! No, nothing like that. He gave me the courage to make my own decisions.”

“How romantic,” she murmured. Then her brow furrowed. If that was romantic, should she let the wedding continue? But her sweetums had gone through so much trouble to ensure it would be successful. Still, she lowered her voice and asked, “Should we try to stop it?” She finished the question by nodding meaningfully to the altar.

“No,” Mattias replied, squeezing Lucinda’s hand in appreciation. “No, he looks happy, and that’s all I want for him.”

Lucinda looked back up to the altar and had to admit that both grooms did glow with the light of new love. They would have a bright future.

The Good Wizard began his speech again and no one interrupted him.