Luna tossed her dark brown hair up toward the headboard because she did not like how it tickled her arms whenever it was down. She rested her head on Krystof"s shoulder as she flipped through a magazine on wedding ideas that was released earlier in the month. The pages crinkled as she turned them. As she looked through the various articles, her eyes grew wide when she came across an article about dream destinations. Her pointer finger furiously tapped the paper.Her voice was high, like a kid in a toy store, "This, this, look! I want to do this one."
Krystof jerked slightly and his eyes flung open. He looked around for a moment, trying to make sense of what she was talking about. He had fallen asleep because this was the third magazine they were going through today. He was fine with anything she chose to do and only wanted her to be happy.
As he rubbed his lids, he muttered sleepily, "What is it, darling?"
"Let"s do a destination wedding. I want to go to Grimari and have the ceremony under the ocean." She held the paper up and imagined all the exciting things they could do.
The plan sounded interesting, but he doubted Hrod would approve. Even if Luna"s mother entertained the idea, it would be difficult getting his father to warm up to it.
Luna picked up on his hesitation. She tilted her head to the side, so she could see his doubtful face staring at the paper.
She made a small pout, "What"s wrong? Look at the picture! Doesn"t that look like a lot of fun?"
There was no doubt in his mind it would be entertaining. The problem was not the destination, but their parents. He scratched his head and tried to think of how to best explain the issue.
"Darling, I love you, but really don"t think Hrod"ll approve..."
Without even talking to Luna"s mother about the wedding plans, he already knew Hrod would want a traditional wedding in the city. That would be the easiest way for her to flaunt the two families coming together.
Luna patted the b.u.t.tons on his cotton nightshirt. She had bought them a matching pair and liked the small purple rabbits that adorned the soft fabric.
"You"ll see, my mother is so happy we are together. I bet she will be fine with the idea. I mean, destination weddings are expensive, so it would be the perfect way for her to show off. We can ask her tomorrow since she"s in town."
Krystof waited till Luna turned her attention back to the magazine. He rolled his eyes and thought to himself, "I wouldn"t be holdin" my breath on that one babe."
****
A palpable silence settled over the dining room. Luna had just asked her mother if she could have the destination wedding she dreamed about. Everyone except Krystof was staring at the elder Lady Valois, waiting to hear her reaction.
Krystof already had a good idea of what she would say. He took this time, moving the candelabra a finger"s width to the left. It was bothering him that the candle was blocking his future mother-in-law"s face.
Hrod wore a dark green velvet gown that had a square neckline. White pearls were embroidered around the collar, and a brooch with a purple and green bead, set in an adamantine brooch made to resemble ivy leaves.
The light tink of metal on porcelain sounded in the room. Hrod put her knife and fork down onto her plate and wiped the corners of her mouth. Her daughter had many fanciful ideas on what her wedding would be like.
"Luna, I really am afraid that will not suffice. Skadi"s... union was an embarra.s.sment. Unlike her, you are doing the right thing and I want all of Ma.r.s.eille to know how proud I am of you. You and Krystof may go to that..." she waved her hand dismissively in the air, "Grimari place for your honeymoon."
Luna glanced at Krystof for support, but he was now busy cutting a potato.
Krystof"s father cleared his throat. His wavy blonde hair framed his narrow face, drawing attention to his crystal blue eyes. "Yes, yes. I quite agree. I"m sorry Luna. Krystof is the heir to the Lichnowsky family and you are a Valois. It would not be proper if we did not hold the ceremony in Ma.r.s.eille."
Luna cared for Lord Lichnowsky very much because he had always been kind to her while growing up, but right now she hated his nasally voice. It made her want to throw a fit and leave the dinner table.
Bianca, Krystof"s mother, patted Luna"s hand gently. She did not mind the Grimari idea and thought it would have been enjoyable. Unfortunately, since Hrod and her husband, Antin, both disliked the idea, she would not voice her opinion on the matter.
"But mother..." Luna began, but she was quickly cut off.
Hrod gave her daughter a stern look. Her chin lifted as if daring her child to continue. Luna did not finish her sentence, so Hrod picked up her fork.
"You may go for your honeymoon. The people will expect us to host a parade and toss out presents and gifts. We cannot shirk our duties. Indulging in your whim would only make both houses appear cheap in the eyes of the populace."
****
Later that night Luna tossed her purple silk dress on the bed and flopped down face first onto the mattress. She kicked her long legs in a fit.
"Why didn"t you say anything?" her m.u.f.fled voice said accusingly.
Krystof eyed the garment that just lay on the duvet. Its misplaced presence annoyed him and seemed to taunt him. Unable to leave it alone, he picked up the dress, placed it on a hanger, and hung it on a rack for their dirty clothes. For his own sanity he hired a laundry service for them.
"Well? Why didn"t you say anything? You knew I wanted to have a destination wedding." Luna now sat up, waiting for him to answer.
Krystof leaned his arm against the closet"s doorframe. "What am I suppposta say? Even if Hrod agreed, which was highly unlikely, my father woulda thrown a fit."
He flopped down on the bed next to her and put his hands behind his head, "You know them... They wouldn"t wanna do something like that."
He could tell she was still upset, so he tried to sooth her mood.
"Tell ya what. We can go there for the honeymoon. Remember that book said they had a special type of dance from that country? Why don"t we take some lessons while we"re over there?"
He paused to sit up, "We can talk about it more tomorrow at the White Rabbit, but for now, can we wash up and get ready for bed? We got a heck of a lotta work in the mornin" cause Tyr"s gone."
Previously Luna thought Krystof was not paying attention when she was telling him about Grimari. He had been spot cleaning the sink and did not say a word.
She began undoing her bra, "Fine. But I don"t want to go to the White Rabbit tomorrow. I wanted to make a home-cooked meal."
Flashing him a broad smile, she added cheerfully, "I have to learn how to cook for my future family you know."
A cold chill ran down Krystof"s spine. His eyes grew wide, and he watched as she flung her lingerie onto the floor as she went to the bathroom. "Oh please no," he thought, "Anything but that."