My father, Henry Novak, visiting all the way from Dubai, steps into my bridal suite in his perfectly pressed dark suit. He looks me up and down. His mouth pulls down at the corners and his eyes shimmer and he does not pretend otherwise. “Oh, Haze.”
“Don’t, Dad. You’re going to set me off.”
“Already set off, kid.” He crosses the room slowly. “You look beautiful, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Your mother would have loved him.”
My eyes well up. “You think?”
“I know. Since I’ve been here, I’ve learned that even though the Dark Prince looks like he could snap my neck in a second, he’s actually the perfect husband for you. It’s obvious he loves you very much and wants only what’s best for you.”
“Thanks Dad, for understanding. I know my choice must be surprising to you, but I love him so much…
“A you okay being here? Really? I know the castle is — it’s a lot — “
“It’s true that the idea of attending a vampire wedding in a thousand-year-old castle — “ A small laugh. “It was almost too much.”
“I know.”
“But your brother called me from Cleveland and saidI’d regret it if I didn’t go and he was right, as he often is, which I’m not going to tell him.”
I am laughing through tears now.
“And I am here, Haze. I am proud of who you’ve become. I am proud that you trusted yourself enough to say yes to this man and this life. Your mother would be so proud. I am so proud.”
I can’t speak. I just step forward and he hugs me carefully. “Okay,” he says against my hair. “Let’s go, so you can marry this Krovenian.”
There’s another knock. Daniel pokes his head in with his wife Sarah behind him.
My brother takes one look at me and says, “Oh good lord.”
His wife elbows him. “Daniel.”
“You look gorgeous, Haze.”
“Thanks.”
“It’s still completely insane.”
“I know.”
“I love you anyway.”
“I love you too.”
Sarah, my sister-in-law, hugs me carefully. “You look beautiful. Henry, you ready to walk her down?”
“Ready.”
Daniel and Sarah leave to go take their seats. Madam Petrova does a final check of the veil. She hands me my bouquet of wildflowers with the small square of Claire’s blue silk tucked in among the stems.
My father offers me his arm. “Ready, sweetheart?”
“Ready, Dad.”
The gardens aregolden with the last of the late summer light. The Krovenian musicians at the side of the lawn begin to play something gentle and old. The crowd of a hundred or so guests stand and turn as my father and I begin the walk toward the center aisle.
