Free The Witch's Dream - A Love Letter to Paranormal Romance (Black Swan 2) by Victoria Danann

excitement. In mid afternoon she said, "I'm goin' to go check on the groom."
    A chorus of voices sounded all at once, the gist of it being, "Don't tell him a thing you've seen or heard!"
    Song found her brother in his suite and offered to braid his hair behind his ears. He sat quietly in front of the mirror and enjoyed reminiscences with his favorite sibling, who was quick to assure him that she found Elora Laiken a treasure beyond compare. He tried to pump her for information about what Elora was doing, but Aelsong resolutely kept her pledge of silence. When she was sure that Ram knew exactly how to put on his own costume along with where and when he should report for the ceremony, she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and returned to the bride's ready room.
    Tepring and Aelsong had spared no expense on the bride's gown. She had chosen white for no reason other than that Ram loved to see her wear white. The dress was raw silk with decolletage that showed the right amount of bosom - not too scandalous, not too prude - and a tight fitting bodice beaded all over with real pearls. There was so much fabric in the skirt that a weaker woman might grow tired carrying it around.
    Tepring arrived in late afternoon holding a box wrapped in forest green satin sheen paper with white and gold ribbons woven together then formed into a bow. Elora sat down on the settee to open it saying how much she hated to disturb the perfection of the wrapping. The gift inside was the perfect complement to her dress - a four strand pearl choker necklace - all the more precious because it was a family heirloom, having belonged to Ram's great-grandmother. When Elora started to tear up, there was a sudden rush of group admonition insisting that no tears were allowed once make-up had been applied.
    Aelsong then handed Elora a smaller gift in identical wrapping.
    "For you from the king. 'Tis somethin' new," Song said quietly.
    It was a pair of stud earrings with pearls identical to those in the choker. Each pearl sat on a foundation of emeralds. Song then handed her a bracelet of four strands of pearls. "This one is mine, but it matches the necklace so I insist you wear them together today."
    "It's beautiful, Song. Are you sure?"
    "Oh, aye." Aelsong's tinkling laugh made the space joyful. Elora gave her a hug. The pearls for the dress, though smaller, had been chosen to match the exact same tone and luster. The result was stunning.
    As oldest, Urz took the leadership role. "Trinnie's got one more thing from us." She gestured to indicate the other four women.
    Katrina handed her yet another forest green box with gold and white ribbon. Elora looked from one to another with delight and anticipation. She tore off the wrapping with more abandon each time she opened a gift. This box contained a wide blue, raw silk garter with a luxurious excess of ruching, accented with a single pearl centered on a white satin bow.
    "Something blue," said Katrina.
    Elora had no idea why Katrina thought it important to point out that the garter was blue, but over the past half year, she had gotten pretty good at covering when she didn't understand a cultural reference. Elora thanked each one of them individually, then pulled the garter on and up to the top of her white, thigh high hose while being modestly careful not to reveal that she was getting married without underwear.
    Last they placed the traditional partial wreath of holly, tree fern, and fine, diaphanous white silk feathers on her head.
    When she was fully dressed and ready to go down, she was such a vision that the other women just stood and stared until she became self-conscious, wondering if the plan had not come together. With her unusual hair and the natural high coloring in her cheeks, they could certainly understand why the groom liked seeing her in white.
    "What's wrong?"
    Song took her by the hand and smiled. "'Tis so no' wrong. If my brother did no' already believe himself to be a very lucky elf, he will be