I climbed out of the car carefully to get both heels under me before putting all my weight on them. I looked up at the front of the large coven house, smiling as the smell of summer greeted me. The front gardens were already full of flowers and I had noticed that the fountains had been turned on. I smiled at the staff that came down to greet us.

"Good evening, Lady Mezdor," the butler commented, his head bowing. "Welcome back."

"Thank you," I answered. I turned my head slightly to see Thaddeus come around the car hood to join me, standing beside me while simultaneously reminding me how tall he was.

"Lord Maldeas," the man greeted, bowing his head again. "Lady Elizabeth has made your rooms available on the second floor. Cocktail hour is in thirty-five minutes before the ceremony."

"Wonderful," I answered. "May I be taken to my brother first? I feel as though someone should be certain he's in good shape."

"Of course, Lady Mezdor," the man responded, bowing his head a third time. He was very poised and mannered for a chief of staff, which made me consider that he had been in the position since the Winslows ran the American coven house. He turned and headed up the few stairs, gesturing me after him.

I made my way up the steps, already beginning to feel the damp, thick air of summer as it blew over me in a gentle breeze. I followed him through the grand foyer and front room where people stood about dressed in their best clothing. As we passed by the back doors, I caught a glimpse of the large courtyard and garden organized for the event. Large purple hydrangeas decorated the coven house, mixed with white roses and baby's breath. I hung a shallow left down the wing of the lower floor, following my escort.

"Eris, I'll be waiting for you down here," Thaddeus called.

I glanced over my shoulder and nodded. I trailed behind the staff member, excited. I hadn't seen my brother, in-person, in nearly a year. I straightened the skirt of my black lace dress around my knees. I made certain my hair was still in its loose bun and then took another quick breath. I hadn't seen either Avalon or my father in nearly a year. And suddenly, I felt nervous.

"Here we are, my lady," the man said as he paused at a closed door. He rapped on it gently with knuckles. "Lord Mezdor, your sister has arrived."

I took another breath, preparing myself. I wondered if they looked differently, if I looked different to them. We couldn't have changed that much...

"Send her in," came the familiar voice.

The man reached forward and pushed the door open. I tipped my head to see inside. My eyes glanced to either direction, noticing a desk to the left and an upholstered couch to the right. In the middle was a tall stand-alone mirror and a silhouette in between its reflection and me. I smiled immediately, seeing it was my brother, one hand holding his progress on his neck tie.

"Hey, Baby Sister," he greeted, also smiling. He turned around from facing the mirror.

"Hi," I answered, stepping inside as the man behind me shut the door. I glanced over my shoulder to be sure it was closed before I looked at him again. He walked towards me, holding out a free hand and I fell into his hug, careful not to knock the tie from his hand.

"I'm so happy you could make it," he said from above my head. He waited for me to pull back before he began to finish his knot. "Did Mum come with you?"

I felt some of the happiness drain from my smile. "No, I'm sorry," I said softly. "She didn't think it would be safe for her to fly this far. But she sends all her love. She's so happy for you."

He sighed, trying not to let his grin completely disappear like mine had. "Yeah, I thought about that, wish it'd been possible. I'll call her tomorrow."

"You should," I agreed. "She misses you. Here, let me."

I took over knotting his tie for him, slightly on tip-toe in my heels to reach parallel vision with it.

"Does she miss Dad?"

I tried not to flinch at the question. "She won't say so... But I know she does."

"I've been trying to make him leave, to go home. He's been too worried about me being here alone. There are still people who don't exactly like having a hybrid around after what happened."

I shook my head slightly. "I think you're coming out ahead, Brother. Have you been okay?"

"Better than," he responded, his tone enthusiastic. I glanced up at his face to see if he was lying. But his expression was calm and content. Either his poker face had become exceptional, or he really was better.

"Good," I responded, smiling. I looked back down at the knot as I finished straightening it. "There. Perfect. I can't have you going out there with a crooked tie."

Avalon turned around to look at it in the mirror, nodding in agreement. "Thanks." He finished straightening his collar and slipped the rest of the blue tie down into his dark grey vest. His suit was a corresponding grey and complemented his white button-down. He ran his hand through his hair, and I could tell his fingers trembled.

"Nervous?" I asked, noticing the glass with a blood-cocktail on the shelf beside the mirror.

"No, not really," he said, shrugging as he then checked his pocket-square. "All of the good outweighs any bad that's been done here... I'm so happy you came."

"I wouldn't miss this for the world," I said, smiling again. "Even though part of me is still holding her little-sister-grudge when you broke your promise," I added teasingly.

"I know, and I'm sorry. But when you know, you know," he chuckled. He grabbed his glass and turned to face me. Again, I noticed the quiver in his hand.

My smile relaxed from its exaggerated look. "You're right, but your track record hinted in the opposite direction. I'm glad you were right on about your instincts."

Avalon chuckled again and nodded. He stepped past me to walk further away on the opposite side of the room. He paced for a moment before sitting on the edge of the couch, making sure his shoes and socks were perfect. I could see the sudden twitches in his movements. His jaw clenched tightly, and I could tell he was in pain. He took a fast drink from his glass.

"Avalon, are you sure you're okay?" I asked, my voice tentative.

"Yeah, yeah," he answered weakly, his voice suddenly hoarse. He took another sip of his cocktail.

"What can I do?" I asked, glancing at the door.

"Can—can you go upstairs and get her? She's on the third floor. I need her."

"Elizabeth?" I clarified, already moving towards the hall.

He grunted and bowed his head down further, nodding shallowly.

"I'll be right back," I promised. I took a fast right towards the end of the corridor to the second stairwell. I hopped up the steps, hurrying to the third floor without ripping my skirt. I paused at the top of the stairs to listen down the corridor for sounds of the coven commander. Halfway down the hall, I caught the sound of her laughter, followed by Contessa's voice.

I rushed to the door in question and knocked. "Lady Elizabeth?" I called through the wood.

Contessa suddenly opened the door, grinning at me. Her blonde hair hung in soft curls around her shoulders, a halo of flowers around the crown of her head. "Mademoiselle, welcome back," she greeted.

"Thank you," I replied, my gaze going past her to Elizabeth as she paused from staring at her own reflection.

She turned to look at me, also smiling. She looked much happier than when I had first met her, her skin flawless against her white lace dress. "Eris. I'm happy you came," she said, grinning.

"I'd be an awful sister if I had missed it," I replied, smiling hesitantly. "I know you're still trying to get ready, but can I talk to you outside?" I added quickly.

Elizabeth frowned and glanced at Contessa. "Can you go check and see if the other boys are ready? I'll be good by the time cocktail hour is halfway done."

"Of course," Contessa replied, nodding. She winked at me as she passed by and we gave each other a quick hug. She disappeared out into the hallway. I watched her go before turning back to the room.

Elizabeth slipped out of her heels. "I can't stand in these all night if we're going to have to wait through drinks," she said with a gentle laugh. I watched as her statuesque frame only shrank by a couple inches, reminding me how tall she still was on flat feet. "What's wrong, Eris?" she asked as she gathered the skirt of her dress up above the ground so she could move more easily.

"It's Avalon," I said, already turning to gesture to the door. "I know it's bad luck, but he's asking for you."

She nodded quickly, pulling her dress up further as she moved to follow me. "That's okay, let's go."

We hurried down the steps as quickly as possible and I helped gather her train so she wouldn't trip on the stairwell. As we reached the ground floor, I passed her and got to the door first. I pushed it open again as she followed me in, closing it behind her. I paused, seeing Avalon standing back across the room again, his body leaning into the blank space of wall. His hands were in tight fists at his sides, his knees slightly bent. I saw him twitch again in his biceps and left leg.

Elizabeth pressed past me as she hurried to him. "Avalon," she called, as if he were several yards away. She immediately gripped his temples, her fingers threading up into his blonde hair. He jerked his neck at first before settling under her touch. "Avalon, you're okay. Listen to me," she soothed, her voice calm. She stroked his hair back gently.

Avalon's eyes opened and he looked at her, panic on his face. He made a noise at the back of his throat that sounded like he was in pain.

"Shh, you're okay. Avalon, listen to me, listen to my body," she said, sounding like a reminder. I could suddenly tell it wasn't the first time this had happened. "Listen to my control. You're okay, just breathe."

Avalon's eyes dipped downward to her torso, and I saw his eyes soften as he started to blink heavily. He gripped either side of her waist, staring at the fabric across her torso. His breathing became deeper and slower, his clarity returning. He stroked over her side and nodded.

"You're okay. There's nothing to worry about. I'm right here," Elizabeth went on, her voice gentle. "Calm down."

He nodded again, still looking at her body. When she stroked his hair, he finally looked up, his eyes meeting hers. I could tell he was back as the wheels turned in his mind. "I'm sorry," he said quietly.

"It's fine," she supplied. "You're okay."

"You look great," he said finally, starting to smile again.

She laughed. "Well, you better act surprised out there," she warned teasingly. She stroked his light-blonde hair back again behind one of his ears. She sighed and leaned her head into his chest for a short moment. She pulled back to look at him, and I noticed Avalon's eyes flicked downward again.

"Thank you," he said, still half-smiling.

"I know," she answered, touching his hair one more time.

He smiled at her before standing up all the way. "Should we get this show on the road, then?" he asked, his voice optimistic again.

"I still need to finish up upstairs. But if you give me fifteen minutes, you'll be much happier with your wife on our wedding night," she teased. "I'm sure you and Eris want to catch up before the rest of the night gets away from us."

"I'd be happy with you every night, so I don't know what your point is," he joked, squeezing her gently one more time.

"Very funny, then do this for me so I'm happy about it," she shot back sarcastically. She squeezed his chin in a similar way he had done to her hips. She looked over at me with a quick wink. "Eris, make sure he knows his vows so he doesn't ramble something out at the last minute."

I giggled and nodded, watching her go to the door. I caught the detail in the back of her dress, a plunging-V to just shy of the small of her back, the scalloped lace lying flat against her skin and detailed with tiny beading. Once she left with the door closed behind her, I looked at my brother again. "Why didn't you tell me?" I asked, picking up his glass. "You said you were fine," I added.

He took the cup from my hand and swallowed a quick drink of it. "It comes and goes," he replied as he moved over to the desk. He reached into the top drawer and produced a small medical tube filled with a blueish green liquid. He pulled the cap off of it and downed it like a shot of alcohol. "I just feel myself start to black-out and I need someone to pull me back to reality. Most of the time, this stuff keeps that from happening."

He shook the empty vial in the air as an indicator of what he meant before he tossed it into a trashcan. He then took another sip of his cocktail. "Elizabeth's the only one who can talk me back to calm. Even my other half seems to know that it can trust her actions."

"She loves you," I stated, smiling.

"I know," he said with a gentle grin. "Nothing about her is ever dishonest... We should go socialize before cocktail hour is over. I'm sure Dad will want to see you."

"Are you sure you're not trying to get out of practicing your vows?" I asked. "You do have those written down and figured out, right?"

He laughed again, taking another long gulp of alcohol and blood. "No, I've had those memorized for a long time," he answered. "Probably too long."

"I'm happy for you, Big Brother," I said following his lead out into the hallway. "I really am. I think you're both very well-suited for each other."

"Thank you," he said, tucking one hand into his pocket as the other finished off the last of his drink. As we met the middle area of the coven that opened up into the large social area, he placed the empty glass on a waiting cart of dirty dishes. Just when he pointed me to the right towards a bar and appetizer table, Contessa came from the opposite direction, catching his attention.

"Malcolm and Marc are ready for whenever you two are," she said.

"Good. Will you go help Elizabeth finish up? She said fifteen minutes."

"Yep. I'll see you out there," she agreed and nodded. She hurried up the main stairs for the third floor. The skirt of the dusty, lavender silk gown moved around her gracefully as she ascended.

I looked forward again just in time to see Seren Winslow and Father turn to glance at us from the other side of the room. I felt my breath catch in my throat again as I saw my father's face for the first time in what felt like forever. Behind him, Nathaniel Bartholomeu and Kearran Silverstone were peering around his shoulders, drinks in their hands. They had left a few nights ahead of Thaddeus and I in order to help with proceedings.

"Ah, there's our groom and his gorgeous sister," Seren said in welcome as he outstretched a hand.

"Hello again, Grand Elder Seren," I greeted, shaking his hand. "Thank you for your hospitality once more."

"Our pleasure, youngin'," he chuckled, winking at me.

I smiled, looking back at my father to see he was still staring at me. "Hi, Dad," I said and moved towards him.

"Hello, poppet," he greeted, his voice quiet. He hugged me tightly, and I inhaled his natural smell of leather and pine. "So good to see you again."

"You, too," I answered against his charcoal-grey suit.

"How's your mother?" he asked, his voice unsure.

I looked up at him with a wistful smile. "She's been better. You need to come home," I told him honestly.

"I know," he answered, even quieter. I hugged him again for those words before I pulled back and nodded in agreement. Maybe I could talk him onto a plane before the end of the weekend.

Avalon returned with a glass of wine that he stretched out to me, a cup of water in his opposite hand. He took a long drink of it. "I bet you weren't this nervous," he commented to our father.

I smirked and rolled my eyes as I took a sniff of the Riesling wine in my hand.

"I was so nervous that not all the alcohol in the world could save us from the outside forces," Father responded with a smirk. "I knew what you two would grow up to do. And I was terrified I'd jinx it."

We both laughed lightly at the admission and I took a sip of the wine.

"Sorry about that," Avalon joked, and I giggled harder. I had missed his quick wit.

"Best decision I ever made," Father commented. "I'd never change it."

"That's how this feels," Avalon said, nodding. He inhaled slowly again before taking another long drink of his water. I saw his other hand tremor again.

"Did you take your—?" Dad began to ask.

"Yes," Avalon responded, cutting the question short. "I'm fine."

"Good to hear," Dad said, satisfied with that answer alone. I got another feeling that this wasn't an uncommon occurrence. "I'm proud of you."

"Thank you," Avalon said, smiling pensively. "I'm ready."

"Then don't be nervous," I teased, smiling.

"Hah, trying," my brother joked, glancing over his shoulder just in time to see Contessa appear at the top of the stairs from the third floor. She nodded to him and he gave her a thumb's up. "And that's my signal." He turned his head in the opposite direction to the same butler who had escorted me to his changing room. He nodded and discreetly pointed to the doors to the patio.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats outside in the back-courtyard garden," he announced, "and we will get the evening underway."

As he spoke, Avalon had turned to give me a gentle squeeze on the shoulder and then shook Dad's hand before he walked into the opposite wing towards the kitchen area. He was gone by the time the last words faded.

Dad offered his arm to me and I took it, smiling. It reminded me of when I was little, when we would practice my curtsies and waltzing. My fingers rested gently on the top of his forearm. I followed his lead out the doors just behind Kearran, Thaddeus, and Seren. Nathaniel had stayed inside to wait for his daughter. I looked around at the white benches and chairs were scattered in a half arc of seats around the entrance to the hedges, vines of flowers woven into their greenery for a perfect arch of color. Everything was lush and green from a good summer. The nearly-full moon painted the night as if it were day, making even the stars look dim.

Dad brought me to the first row and the first two seats on the right, symbolizing as Avalon's side of invitees. Thaddeus came to join us as Kearran sat across the aisle. Seren moved up to stand at the head of the altar, taking a book out of his suit's jacket pocket. As we settled, I pulled my cell phone from my clutch wallet and opened the camera.

My mother wasn't going to miss this.

Just as the majority of people had found their seats, the doors into the house closed and music began to play from somewhere behind us. I smiled, recognizing a song that Avalon liked. He walked out from the side door that led to the kitchen and pantry, Malcolm and Marcus in his shadow. He walked to his mark just a few yards away from us, his hands grasping one another behind his back. He didn't look at Dad or I, instead staring over our heads for the doors.