Prologue

    "You look like your mother on our wedding day... a vision of beauty."
    Aria smiled sadly. "Of course you think I'm beautiful, Father."
    He kissed her on the cheek and gave her a long hug- not easy with all the layers of white fabric engulfing her.  "Ready?"
    "Almost. I want a few minutes alone first. I've been surrounded all day."
    With an understanding nod, he left the room, closing the door behind him. There were a few hushed words, and then the sound of fading foot falls.
    Aria picked up her bouquet and crossed to the window facing the garden at the back of the house. The bouquet held a dozen Gaia flowers, deep blue, like her own eyes, with black tipped petals. She had only been standing there a moment when she heard the door open. She turned, thinking it would be her father coming to get her, but instead she saw a tall girl, with short, curly blonde hair and golden skin.
    "Hello, Raya," Aria greeted her friend quietly.
    "Oh, Aria..." Raya stared at her face, then at the long white dress she wore. "You're so beautiful. It's a shame..."
    "Don't," Aria said quickly. Her best friend was the last person she wanted trying to change her mind. She turned around and glared at the mirror. Even though she knew it would only last about an hour, she was still annoyed that she was so dressed up for a man she despised. She had to admit, though, she was beautiful. Her long, shiny black hair was arranged on top of her head, a complicated and elegant mass of curls. White Jaxonbird feathers and more Gaia flowers were woven in her hair. Her eyelids were colored a shimmery blue-gray, her cheeks blushed pale pink. A silver-and-diamond tiara sat on her head.
    The dress was no less extravagant. It was strapless, white, and the bodice was covered with floral embroidery. The skirt was long and full and beautiful. Aria resented it. It was made by the mother of her soon-to-be husband, Wyatt, at her own mother's request, and though she denied it, Aria knew she'd shown it to her son before the wedding.
    . She detested the gown. It was beautiful, yes, but had been forced upon her.
    Just like Wyatt.
    "Darling?"
    She hadn't heard the door open this time, and turned around to see her father standing in the doorway. "It's time."
    Raya smiled encouragingly at her, and Aria followed her father to the door that led out to the garden. Her father left and sat in his seat, and Raya followed and took her own seat. Aria hoped no one noticed that her friends, Ava and Cali were missing.
    The ceremony began. Aria's younger sisters appeared out of nowhere and took her hands to lead her down the aisle, as a symbol that, even in marriage, Aria would still be connected to her own family. The guests nearest to the aisle, her closest friends and family, threw more Gaia petals on the pathway, though these were wilted and brown. The petals symbolized stepping over her old life and into the brilliance of her new one as a married woman.
    Everything in the wedding had a symbol. The white carpet, and her white dress, meant she had walked a path of purity in her life. There were twelve flowers in her bouquet, telling everyone that she was a member of a royal family, as opposed to a non-royal girl, who would carry only six flowers, which would likely be something less expensive than Gaias. And her hair was arranged on top of her head, rather than left flowing, symbolizing that her parents had selected a partner for her.
    Aria stepped up onto the stage, and her sisters left her. She hadn't looked at Wyatt as she walked toward him, instead keeping her eyes straight ahead on Jazz, the man who would marry them. But now she faced Wyatt, and studied his face carefully. His big brown eyes, his full lips. His face showed that he was surprised by her appearance. Perhaps he hadn't seen the dress early after all.
    Jazz began speaking, and Aria only half-listened. Wyatt said his vows, and just as Aria opened her mouth to say her own, Raya spoke up.
    "Stop!"
    Aria, Wyatt, and every other person present turned to look at her. Some, with looks that dared her to stand. Aria, however, looked at her gratefully.
    It was traditional, if an audience member objected to the marriage, for the bride or groom to step away from the ceremony to speak with the one who objected.
    Aria stepped off the stage and toward Raya, and then the two girls stepped inside the house.
    "Thank you!" Aria exclaimed. For a moment, she had not been sure that Raya would help her. Raya was always saying Aria didn't appreciate the life she had. But of course she would help. Raya was her best friend.
    "Hurry!" Raya pushed her toward the back of the house, where Ava and Cali were waiting. Ava took her bouquet and her tiara and began to unzip her dress. Cali handed her a change of clothes, a casual light blue dress and blue slippers.
    Aria took off her dress and her shoes, and pulled on the clothes Cali had given her.
    "I want to talk to you," Ava said, and grabbed Aria's hand to lead her into the next room.
    "You are sure you want to do this?" Ava asked.
    "You think I should not?" Aria asked, surprised. Ava's own parents had forced her into a marriage two years ago, when she was fourteen. Ava eventually got to know the boy her parents chose, and was happy enough with him. Aria had thought she, at least, would know how she felt.
    "Not at all. I would never try to talk you out of this. I... Isaak is mine. I love him as much as I could ever love him. But you need to do what you feel you should do. It is your choice. I'm simply making sure you know exactly what you want," Ava turned toward the window. "Where are you going?"
    "I'm not sure. I'll tell you when I get there," Aria said.
    Ava kissed her cheek. "We'll miss you. Now go."
    Aria gave them a sad smile, and walked out the door.

Reviews

[Nox]

It was a very good begining I can't wait to see what happens next. It flowed very well when reading it. Excellent job. I will keep reading if you keep writing.