Emerald's Rogue (Part 4)

He swore this to himself before he joined the others.

The next few days were full of final preparations for the wedding. All the children from both families were there. It was going to be a double wedding as it had been a double betrothal. Michael insisted with the threat of war. He wanted his beloved Sarah to be well provided for if something should happen to him. Though he did not care for war, he was obligated to go with his father and brother’s and defend their home and families from the Shadow Knights.

Sarah’s dress was already done and she had chosen a pale shade of blue, Michael’s favorite color that just happened to match her eyes. There was a sheer, silvery veil with a tiny crown of baby’s breath. On the breast of the gown were tiny pink crystals shaped like a rose and lily with the stems intertwined. On the hem, collar and sleeves were more of the tiny crystals.

Emerald was working with her mother on her own gown. She was very glad her mother allowed her to choose her own gown. She would be upset if she knew that Rogue had suggested it. However Emerald was pleased with all the other things her mother had made, even the night rail for the wedding night.

Emerald had chosen a pale mint green for her gown. She used the same sheer silvery material for a veil and to hang from the back of her wedding gown. There was an extra three feet of both materials that would drag behind her as she walked down the aisle to Rogue. She did put a small ribbon under the dress so she could tie it to her wrist later while dancing and walking around and not worry about the gown getting ruined.

Around the heart shaped neckline, the pointed cuffs and the hem were tiny seed pearls. She decided that her hair would be braided and wrapped with tiny seed pearls and matching ribbons and wrapped around the top of her head like a tiny crown. He mother was going give her a few small tear drop pearls and gold pins to add to the front so that it would indeed look as if she was wearing a small crown.

The night before the wedding Rogue caught her by surprise up on the battlements. It was past midnight, but neither could obviously sleep.

"What are you doing out here?" He demanded.

She spun around and glared at him with daggers. "Can I not have a few moments of freedom before I am chained to you for the rest of my life?" She spat. "Or yours, since you are going to war soon." He was taken aback by her venom.

"Do you truly hate me that much that you wish me dead?" He asked softly suddenly needing to know she cared even a tiny bit about him.

She stared at him then turned away as the cool evening wind covered them both.

"Not dead, no, but I do not wish to be your wife either. I do this out of obligation to my family, as I have been reminded of every day of my life. I do this because I have no other choice. No Rogue I do not wish you dead, but what I want does not matter." She added softly and began to walk away.

"What do you want?" He asked. She stopped so startled by his question. She slowly turned and looked at him. He was so handsome there in the moonlight, with his black hair free in the wind and his loose open shirt.