Summoner 20, p.8
Summoner 20, page 8
The shopkeeper was an older woman with sterling-colored tresses and a kind smile.
“Good afternoon,” she greeted us warmly when we entered the shop. “How may I help you?”
“We need to get him measured for a new suit, please,” Nia answered for the group in a professional voice. “Something in a deep black, preferably. The darkest you have.”
“Oh, wonderful,” the woman replied, and she turned to me with an even wider smile. “What’s the occasion?”
“I’m getting married in a couple of weeks,” I explained, and the woman’s brown eyes widened with excitement.
“Oh, how lovely!” she exclaimed. “Well, let’s go ahead and get you measured, young man! Step over in the back room while I go fetch my measuring tape and pins!”
“Thank you,” I said, and after an encouraging look from my women, I walked forward and made my way to the back room of the boutique.
The shopkeeper reemerged a few minutes later, and I felt like a human pincushion as I was poked, prodded, and measured for a new suit.
“I feel like a stuffed animal,” I grumbled to myself.
“Stop bitching, Gryffie,” Layla giggled, much to the irritation of the seamstress. The gray-haired woman shot the petite summoner a glare at her use of profanity, but Layla was unbothered. “You’re going to look super handsome in your new suit.”
“I still don’t see what was wrong with the other suits I already own,” I commented. “But if it makes Cyra happy, that’s all that matters.”
“Speaking of Cyra, did she settle on gold or bronze for the second wedding color?” Erin called out as she examined swatches of fabric.
“Gold,” Nia answered the mimic as she studied the seamstress intently. “And then white as an accent.”
“So, a gold tie, perhaps?” the seamstress clarified. “That would look quite sharp on you, young man.”
“That sounds perfect.” I nodded at her as she measured under my arms, and then I turned to the rest of my women to make sure that was the right call.
Nia gave me a thumbs-up and a brief smile.
“If I may be so bold to note it, sir, you’re surprisingly calm for a groom,” the shopkeeper observed with a raised eyebrow as she stared closely at her measuring tape. “Especially for one so young. How long have you been with your lass?”
“A couple of years now,” I answered her. “Wedding planning is stressful, but the actual act of marrying her isn’t. She’s the mother of my son, and I care for her so deeply. My only regret is not marrying her sooner.”
“That’s what I like to hear,” the older woman said as she lowered her measuring tape. “Keep up that level of love, and you will have quite a happy marriage.”
“That’s what I’m hoping for,” I replied as I lowered my arms at my side.
The seamstress offered me a smile and then quickly crossed to the back of the shop.
“You’re going to die when you see Cyra’s dress, Gryff,” Erin mused over her shoulder. “She looks so lovely--”
“Hey, don’t go giving away all of our secrets, Erin,” Nia laughed at the orange-haired pilot. “I want Gryff to be surprised on the actual day.”
“Right, sorry,” Erin giggled, and then she set the fabric swatches down and turned to face us. “She just looks so pretty in it, it’s hard to keep it all quiet.”
“She’s going to be so lovely,” Layla sighed dreamily from her place on the boutique’s wooden floor. The auburn-haired mage had grown bored with pacing, so she’d chosen to camp out on the ground while she waited for me.
“Cyra’s always gorgeous,” I reminded the petite summoner. “Wedding gown or not, she’s always beautiful.”
“True,” Layla agreed.
The seamstress reappeared and told me she’d have a suit ready for me to try on in a few days, so I gave her my contact information and told her I’d be back when the garment was ready.
The carriage ride back to the mansion was filled with excited conversations about the guest list, the flowers, and the music, and as we continued to discuss the big day, the more thrilled I got. I was ready to make Cyra my wife, and I was definitely ready for another celebration.
The weeks passed by like seconds, and before I knew it, the day of mine and Cyra’s wedding arrived.
We’d spent countless hours preparing both the mansion and the yard for the affair, and even I had to admit the place had never looked better. Every surface had been dusted and polished to perfection, almost to the point where I was afraid of breathing wrong and smudging something.
The grass in the back had been trimmed down, and the trees were strung with garlands of lights and white flowers. The flowers were woven so artfully they appeared as if they’d grown that way naturally. The canopy of blooms lit up the entire space and made it feel like the setting of a fairytale, and I half-expected a herd of unicorns to peek their heads out from the woods.
The first floor of the house had been decorated to match the outdoor aesthetic, and the fragrance of the white roses laden on every surface wafted all the way up to the third-floor bathroom where I readied myself for the day.
I took my time to bathe and comb my hair back properly, but even that didn’t occupy as many minutes as I hoped it would. I tried to be as meticulous as possible and make sure every strand of hair was laid down in place, but I soon realized I was just stalling. My reflection looked polished and proper enough for a groom, and I needed to stop obsessing.
After I applied a few dabs of cologne, I headed back down to my bedroom to dress. I could hear commotion upstairs, and part of me wanted to run up and hang out with my women, but I needed to give them time to get ready together. Seeing the bride before the wedding being bad luck was a bit of a dated tradition, but one I didn’t want to break nonetheless.
It didn’t take me long to dress in my midnight-black tuxedo and deep gold tie, so once I finished buttoning up my jacket and checked my appearance in the mirror one last time, I decided to go camp out in the empty living room.
I was too restless to stay in one place, and so I found myself pacing back and forth and peering out the window. I knew everything was already set up and handled, but I couldn’t help studying every inch of the yard anyway.
My trance-like stare was disrupted when I heard footsteps approaching, and I was happy to see a familiar face enter the room.
Layla was a vision. The petite summoner wore a simple black dress with a heart-shaped neckline and a short-flared skirt that was befitting of a fairy princess. A golden-beaded shawl hung off her tanned shoulder, and the color of it made the gold flecks in her mascaraed hazel eyes stand out.
“Layla, you look great,” I breathed as the auburn-haired mage approached. “Wow.”
“Thanks, Gryffie,” Layla said in a grateful tone. “I like this dress well enough, but I regret not picking something a little warmer. It seems like it’s going to be a little chilly outside.”
“You look amazing, though,” I complimented her. The summoner’s auburn hair was pinned back by a few golden barrettes, and the overall effect made her look even more pixie-like than usual. “And besides, we’re going to be indoors for the reception, so you only have to outlive the ceremony.”
“I might have to bribe Nia with a few coins to get her to speed it up,” Layla joked as she placed her hands in the pockets of her skirt. “How many do you think it would take?”
“Probably quite a few,” I chuckled. “Nia’s a tough one to persuade.”
“That’s true,” Layla agreed.
“So, are you all wearing the same thing again?” I asked as I admired her dress a little more. “Like you did for Mati’s?”
“Cyra had originally suggested that but then decided to go with what Nia did for her wedding,” Layla replied. “As long as we chose the same colors, she didn’t mind the style.”
“That should make for some variety,” I said. “I’m sure you’re all going to look gorgeous.”
“Just wait until you see Cyra.” The auburn-haired mage shook her head back and forth. “Seriously, Gryffie, you’re going to melt. She looks like an exotic princess.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” I replied to her, and after I offered the summoner a soft smile, I turned to look out the window. Our guests had started to arrive, and though I knew everything was under control, and all of our tasks had been accomplished for the day, my heart rate sped up.
“Hey, don’t be nervous,” Layla insisted when I turned back toward her, and she placed her hand gently on my arm. “Everything’s going to go fine, and besides, it’s not like this is your first wedding or anything.”
“You’d think that would make it easier, but it doesn’t,” I sighed. “I just want to make sure Cyra has the most amazing day possible. I would be happy with a simple signing of papers, but I want to give her the best wedding imaginable.”
“We will,” Layla assured me, and the petite mage’s doll-like hazel eyes were sincere as they bored into mine. “Trust me, Gryffie, she’s so excited and happy. Nothing is going to ruin that. I promise you.”
“Thanks for the reassurance, Layla.” I smiled at my girlfriend, and then I gently wrapped my arms around her so I wouldn’t mess up her hair or dress. Once we parted, Layla stood on her tiptoes and gave me a soft kiss on the cheek.
“That’s what I’m here for,” she replied. Then the petite summoner glanced over at the clock, and her eyes widened. “Oh, it looks like we’ll be starting soon!”
“Shit,” I cursed, and Layla tugged on my jacket.
“Remember what I said,” she said in a serious tone. “Everything is going to be fine.”
“Bethel’s right, you know.”
Braden crossed into the room, and just as I had at his wedding, I found myself surprised at how well the ox-like summoner cleaned himself up. His large frame was clad in a midnight-black suit with a dark gold tie and a pair of shiny black shoes. His hair had been brushed away from his wide forehead, and his gray eyes glowed with excitement.
“Wow, Flint, way to show me up at my own wedding,” I complimented my former roommate as my eyes trailed over him.
“Thanks, Gryff, but let’s not forget you’re the one who’s captured the hearts of not one, but six women,” he reminded me with a huge smile. “I might look good, but you look fantastic.”
“Thanks, man,” I replied, and I straightened my suit jacket for good measure.
“Both of you might look good, but I look even better,” Varleth announced as he entered the room with Gawain. The pair wore similar suits to Braden and me, and I had to admit that we were a well-dressed crew.
“I’ll just leave you boys to it,” Layla giggled as she peered around the room. “There’s a little too much testosterone in here.”
“Oh, c’mon, Bethel, it’s not as if you’re some sort of girly girl.” Gawain playfully rolled his emerald eyes. The haughty fire mage always carried a regal air about him, and the well-tailored suit only added to his aura of prestige.
“I’m plenty girly, thank you very much,” Layla insisted with narrowed eyes. “Not as girly as you, Maddox…”
Layla took the opportunity to rush out of the room before Gawain could retort, and we all cracked up as the fire mage’s face turned red.
“Oooooh, she got you there, Gawain,” Orenn chuckled as he meandered into the room with Mur in tow. The metallogue and moose shapeshifter matched the rest of us and wore similar grins on their faces, though I was certain Mur was only mirroring Orenn.
“Shut it, Vascarti,” Gawain grumbled at the adept mage, but his smirk was unmistakable.
“I think everyone looks great,” Mur said in slow, heavily-accented Mistral. The shapeshifter had clearly been putting a lot of effort into his studies, and his words sounded less garbled than usual. “Everyone looks very handsome.”
“You do, too, Mur,” I complimented my friend. “Did you polish your antlers?”
“I did!” the moose boy exclaimed, and his dark eyes grew wide as he reached up and touched his antlers. The ivory horns were brighter than usual and had a light shine about them that Mur was clearly proud of. “Thank you, Gryff, for noticing.”
“There seems to be a lotta compliments’ goin’ on in here. Ye sound like a buncha girls.”
A huge grin spread across my face as Maelor Corroso suddenly appeared in the doorway.
Maelor was my adoptive father for all intents and purposes. He’d been the one who’d found me as a child and raised me in the Wilds, and though he was cranky and brash, I loved the old man dearly.
I hadn’t seen him since I’d first returned from Carth’s palace in the Shadowscape, and in the time that had passed, he looked like a completely different man, at least in the weight department. He’d slimmed down, but not in an unhealthy way, and a healthy blush colored his cheeks. Even his long gray beard had been trimmed up nicely, and the remainder of his hair was smoothed back and neat.
On his arm was Meriden, a healer mage who worked in the infirmary at the Academy. The auburn-haired woman had been personally responsible for stitching me back together on multiple occasions and had helped each of my women deliver our children. She and Maelor had met one day when I’d wound up in the infirmary, and judging by the way the healer mage rested her hand on the older summoner’s arm, it was clear to me the pair were closer than ever. It did my heart good to see my adoptive father so happy, and I was grateful he had such a kind woman to care for him.
“It’s about time you showed up, old man,” I greeted Maelor as I crossed over to him.
“I’m right on time,” the old summoner grumbled. “Meriden made sure of it.”
“Hello, Mister Gryff,” Meriden greeted me, and her warm green eyes were soft and almost maternal. “I have to say, it’s nice to see you without an injury for once.”
“Just give it time, I’m sure I’ll break something or another,” I chuckled. “It’s nice to see you as well, Meriden.”
The healer mage squeezed Maelor’s arm. “I’m going to go see if the girls need anything, and then go take my seat outside. Give you boys some bonding time.”
“Thanks, Mer,” Maelor whispered to her, and the pair shared a small but tender kiss before Meriden headed up the spiral staircase.
“You’re lookin’ good, old man,” I noted as my eyes trailed over Maelor once more. “Seriously.”
“Thanks, Gryff,” the summoner murmured gruffly, but he offered me a smile. “You clean up real good yerself. Which is good, cause ye got plenty of women to appease.”
“It seems like you’ve got yourself a woman to appease as well.” I smirked. “And apparently, it’s working, because you look ten years younger.”
“Oh, hush, ya little shit,” Maelor chuckled as he tucked his hands in his trouser pockets. “Yer flattery won’t get ya anywhere.”
“He’s right, Mister Corroso,” Braden chimed in. “You really do look good.”
“I owe it all to Meriden,” Maelor replied to my former roommate. “She’s been insistin’ on eating healthy. Less ale, more water, that kinda thing.”
“Good for her.” I grinned. “It’s about time someone made you take care of yourself.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he sighed. “I was resistant at first, but I wanna be around fer a while longer. I have grandkids to keep up with.”
“You certainly have plenty of those,” Varleth snorted as he casually jammed his hands in his pockets. “Two more on the way as well.”
“Two more?” Maelor’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “Gryff--”
“Ashla and Arwyn are pregnant,” I announced, and my adoptive father broke into an amused grin.
“You certainly don’t waste time,” he laughed as he shook his head. “Maker protect ye, Gryff, I thought yer hands were full enough.”
“We have plenty of hands to go around.” I shrugged.
“Well, if yer happy, that’s all that matters,” Maelor insisted. “Congratulations, son.”
“Thanks, Maelor,” I replied, and my adoptive father’s smile widened even further. Then our moment was interrupted by a knock against the wall.
“I think we’re ready to start.” Layla poked her head into the room. “Everyone ready to head outside?”
“Let’s do this,” I said, and my heart began to pound in my chest as my friends filed out of the room and out to the backyard.
A few chairs had been set up on either side of the aisle, but they were mostly a formality since most of our guests would be surrounding us at the front of the altar. The “aisle” itself was a bare stretch of grass that had been strewn with the same white roses that covered the rest of the space.
I walked slowly and took deep breaths as I approached the altar. Everything was going to go just fine, all I needed to do was remain calm. Luckily, I had a familiar face in front of me to ease my stress.
Since we wanted to keep the wedding small, we’d asked Nia to officiate the ceremony. She was incredibly well-spoken and concise, so she seemed to be a natural fit for the position. Normally, Nia’s change in position would’ve completely thrown off the wedding party, but our friend, the pilot and earth mage, Keith Almasy, had been unable to attend the wedding due to a family obligation. We’d offered to move the date, but Almasy insisted we keep our plans intact, and we’d meet up for dinner once he returned to Varle.
Nia stood at the front of the aisle, beneath an arch of dark flowers, and the gorgeous mage’s eyes glittered as I approached. My wife’s dress was just as refined and as elegant as she was.
The multi-elementalist’s high-necked gown was made of a silky black fabric that clung to every curve of her frame. The skirt fell straight to the ground and featured a high slit that showed off the elementalist’s impossibly long legs. Her silver-blonde hair had been piled on top of her head in an artfully messy updo, and a few strands fell into her deep-blue eyes.
