ee: Candles

was draped in

garlands of marigolds and thyme from one crooked tree to another. Somewhere near the abb

king sleep from her eyes, half-lost in the dre

r chest. A name not hers, but famil

t away and tucked it d

in," Nora teased, tossing a braid over her shou

resting

ere dro

focus on tying bows around the lantern stems, but her hands kept

ust maybe, the way the chapel bell had rung once last nig

-

lies. Dresses were aired, beads were sewn, hair was curled or cursed

grounds - to wander the cliff paths, to dance beneath the moon, to

e much for dancing. B

ng. But she still chose her white lace dress with care. She pressed a dried violet i

something

. Just...

-

phina,

of candles and a face flushed

s inside the chapel before dusk. No one does it

hina n

ered to them. When she traced her finger along their wax an

-

pped below the cliffs,

stood near the altar, cloaked in midnight blue. A flute sang somewhere beyon

near the edge of

.. wat

d t

bli

ne move

olors

rped into som

behind her

tur

they'd been locked for the night. Just a crack. Jus

ld've tol

did

wal

-

chapel was

lanterns. All

roze. Her fi

dn't li

ne els

y flickered lik

er shoes clicked softly against the sto

ngle candle

er licke

early thought s

So

sped an

e was

. Music. Laughter. Fireworks e

led. Something old. Somethin

ooked down a

ed in wax and in

her palm, in ash-gray script

follow th