Crystal (Silver Hills #2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

did she- "  A rapping on the door interrupted my next question.  Opi j umped to answer it.  She shot me once last worried look.
    "It's time," she whispered.
     
    *           *           *
     
    The train on my gown swayed on the stone floor as I followed a huddle of decorated soldiers down a silent hallway.  The butterflies in my stomach made me feel queasy.  I kept my head down, only slightly eyeing the blue and purple designs on the soldier's uniforms.  My fingers latched tightly aro und the rigid handle of my pocket knife .  It was partially tucked up the sleeve of my gown - the side that actually had a sleeve.  The knife was the only real thing I had a t the moment , besides my grandmother's ring .  It was a piece of my true home.
    I put one foot in front of the other, keeping my eyes locked on a purple rug leading to a blazing arch.  I glanced at the colorful flowers th at curled around the wooden frame .  They matched the giant vases along the hall.  A swirling fire rose up and down beneath the plants where a heap of dirt should have been.  The flowers on the wooden marriage arch had a bright fire surrounding them too.  And beneath the structure was a guy with hair that looked like bronze.
    My chest pounded as I got closer to the groom.  Zircon was le an and not as tall or bulky as Brett but the shimmer of his bronzy hair was entrancing.  I could see a slight grin on his face as he watched me walk closer.  My face felt warm as a clump of curls covered my damp forehead.   His eyes moved from my sheer veil to the dark stone on my finger.
    The sides of my fingers rubbed against the silver of Grandma Nettie's ring.  I took a few more steps, taking a huge brea th as the soldiers parted in front of me .  I approached the arch with a nauseous gut and a knife tucked into the sleeve of my wedding gown.  I could feel Zircon stare at me as I slowly lifted my head just enough to see his white pupils. 
    His wide face and neatly defined jaw made my blood pump.  I was hardly bothered by the black bits in his eyes and gray iris that surround his pearly pupils.  His warm fingers brushed against mine.  The turmoil in my stomach felt more realistic than I'd expected.  I was anxious for this dream to end.
    "Remove the veil," the P riest instructed.  I glanced over at the elderly man beside him.  The glow of his silvery hair looked faint next to Zircon's beaming bro nze.  I could feel my heart race rapidly as Zircon's gallant fingers reached for my veil.  He lifted the sheer fabric from my face and quickly caressed a strand of my blond hair.
    I kept my head down like Opi had suggested.  The entire room was calm (minus the gurgling in my stomach) and I wanted it to stay that way.   A warm hand touched my chin.  I bit the side of my cheek as Zircon's rough hand forced me to lift my chin and look into his eyes.  I panicked, rubbing a moist palm against the silk of my gown.   I could see the curl of my long eyelashes as I kept my eyes pointed down.  The silence in the room enveloped my entire torso.  I could hear my heartbeat drum in my ears.
    "Dotti."  Zircon's deep whisper startled me enough to glance up.   For a moment our eyes locked and a wave of tingling heat rushed down my spine.  The tingle numbed my fingers and toes as Zircon clenched his jaw.  I heard sudden gasps around me and hushed chatter.  
    "What trickery is this?"  A large man sitting behind Zircon stood up.  He wore orange and ruby robes - the same colors on Zircon's suit.
    "I assure you," the Priest said, bowing in the man's direction.   "There must be an explanation."  The elderly man looked in my direction with a hopeful expression.  "Madam Peridot, what is your ailment?"   I gulped.  What did he just ask me?
    "Um . . ."  My breathing got heavier as all eyes fell to me.  My fingers hugged the end of the pocket knife in my sleeve.  "Um . . ."
    "This is all she has to say for herself?" the large man