Free A Witch in Time by Nora Lee

in the storeroom. He’d seemed so happy. Happier than she’d ever seen in all the time she’d known him. Then he’d seen…her. Enid’s ancestor, Emilia Ash. Gooseflesh raised on her arms again. The two of them could never be a couple. Too much stood in their way. If only…
    “Enid?”
    She shook her head to clear away the sad thoughts. “Maybe we should have dinner while we discuss how to handle the ceremony. We can’t very well practice without the officiant.”
    A movement across the room caught the corner of her vision. Turning, Enid saw Hephaestus gliding toward her. He no longer wore the clothes he’d had on before. Now he wore clothing a suit more typical of the century in which he’d been born that looked brand-new to her. The cut of the jacket emphasized the broadness of his shoulders, the waist tapered to fit his mid-section, and his slacks showed his legs to great advantage. She thought again that he presented a fine figure of a man and couldn’t look away.
    Gemma laughed. “Close your fly trap.”
    Enid’s jaw snapped shut.
    Hephaestus sketched a bow. “Good evening, young Misses Ash.”
    “Hi,” said Gemma. “You look nice today.”
    “Thank you. And you as well.”
    Looking over at her sister, Enid thought Gemma seemed to be wearing tattered rags of some unknown color and worn boots with missing heels. Her normally curly hair lay flat and matted as though she hadn’t showered in days. Even her hat drooped in a shapeless mass across her shoulder.
    “You’re too kind, Hephaestus.” Gemma caught Enid’s startled look and glanced down at her blouse. “Did I spill something, Sis?”
    Enid shook off her impression. She needed to keep remembering things here didn’t look the way they did on the other side. The others didn’t need to know how dismal everything seemed through the veil. “Not at all. I was only trying to figure out if you’re wearing a new outfit.”
    Gemma fluffed a torn strip of skirt. “Fox and I went shopping. You like?” She gave a little twirl. “This isn’t my normal style, but she insisted I get some new clothes for the wedding.”
    “Fox has good taste.”
    Nana called for everyone’s attention. “Now that we’re all gathered, I think we should get started. Please take your seats.”
    The chattering group moved to find the place cards set out by Gemma and Fox earlier that afternoon. They’d tried to put people who didn’t often see each other together so they could spend some time in pleasant conversation.
    The bridal couples and their children sat at the head table overlooking everyone, of course, while Enid stood between the dais and the nearest table.
    Hephaestus moved to stand behind the altar beneath an arch of vines where he discussed the solemnity of the wedding ceremony and how everyone should celebrate their own relationships as they supported the couples entering into matrimony. He then directed the bridal couples to their places.
    The two grooms stood on either side of Hephaestus looking nervous as the brides went to stand in the doorway beneath the stairs. Fern performed her duty tossing imaginary flower petals on the floor as she made her way to join Caedmon. Then the gnome band struck up a bridal march, accompanied by the pipe organ against the back wall, and the brides made their way to their respective mates. The two couples faced Hephaestus and he recited the vows.
    When they finished, Hephaestus returned to Enid’s side.
    “You were wonderful,” she said shyly. “This will be a blessed event.”
    “Let’s eat,” said Nana. “Everyone help yourselves.”
    People lined up at the table and took turns loading their plates.
    Enid’s mouth watered at the thought of food. She’d had nothing in days. Of course, she couldn’t bring herself to look at the buffet, fearing what she’d see. She didn’t want to ruin her appetite forever.
    Hephaestus took her hand in his. “Take heart, Enid. You will be able to partake again