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“No,” Abena whimpered, turning away from the light, kicking me in the side.
“Ah!” I rolled.
“Hathor, Devana, Abena, get up now!” My mother’s voice was like a crack of thunder. “I sent her to bed early so that she might be lively this morning, and you all were in here playing!”
“Mama, I am fine—”
“Hush, you!” She pointed to me and smacked Abena’s backside. “And you, get up, little miss.”
“Mama, I am tired—”
“Then go to your room.” She leaned over and spoke directly into her ear. “Now!”
Abena sat up, holding her ears. “Mama!”
“Go. Your sister has much to prepare. I will not let you lot distract me today of all days.”
Grumbling, Abena hopped off the bed. Now my mother’s eyes were on me.
I smiled at her. “Good morning.”
She shook her head. “You should have kicked them out. Look at you, you’re so tired.”
I rubbed my eyes. “Mama, it was our last time together. I am fine. I am…” I did not have the words for what I was at this moment, because it was morning. It was my wedding day, and I looked at the dress waiting for me.
“And the wedding day nerves have arrived,” she said. “See why you needed rest? Nerves have a way of taking even more of your energy, and today you need all of it. Come now. A fresh bath shall help.”
I trusted myself to her because today was my wedding, and though I had said I was fine, a small part was very much not fine. I turned to my mother.
“Everything will be as I wished today?” I asked her.
“Yes,” she replied without hesitation.
“How are you sure? Last—”
She held the sides of my face. “Because I willed it so. Today will be everything you dreamed of, and tonight…” She paused, dropping her hands from my face. “Tonight, you shall be a wife.”
“What does that mean exactly?” Would it be like the shrubbery? Would it hurt? “Mama—”
“I will explain before you leave with him tonight. Now come, let us make you a bride worthy of your name.”
Nerves. They came suddenly and engulfed my very being. All I wanted—all I needed—was for the day to go as it should.
Please.
Evander
When I awoke in the morning, I stayed in bed for another ten minutes. I had not slept more than three or four hours because I was too anxious. I even prayed. Truly, I did.
Entering the church early, I stood there and prayed again.
It was only my sister and me, and she said not a word, sitting in the pew quietly. Damon arrived with Silva half an hour later, which was still an hour earlier than when our wedding was scheduled. I looked at the anger on his face.
“Is everything all right?” I asked him, quickly rising.
“You are the most infuriating of men!” he snapped at me. His wife grabbed his arm, pulling him back.
“What—”
