5. Chapter 5
Julia
My heels click against the polished marble floor of Windfall Manor's grand ballroom, each step echoing in the cavernous space like a tiny thunderclap.
The room gleams with afternoon sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the dramatic cliffside and churning ocean beyond.
Crystal chandeliers hang from the vaulted ceiling, catching light and scattering it across the room in fractured rainbows.
I clutch my color-coded binder tighter against my chest, its familiar weight offering what little comfort it can. The scent of lemon furniture polish mingles with the ever-present ash smell that permeates the entire manor. The smell of dragons.
Here we go.
I spot them immediately. Seraphina stands rigidly beside the oversize seating chart, the tips of her wings fluttering in obvious agitation.
Beside her, lounging in a high-backed velvet chair that might as well be a throne, sits Silverine Draak.
The matriarch’s pale-purple scales shimmer with a faint iridescence that makes even Seraphina's pearlescent complexion seem dull by comparison.
The matriarch is everything I expected and more.
Her silver-white hair is elaborately braided and adorned with gems that catch the light with every slight movement of her head.
Her violet eyes, the same shade as Seraphina's, turn to me as I approach.
My stomach clenches with mortification as our gazes meet, since the last time those violet eyes lay on me, I was sprawled atop the sheriff in the rose garden, looking every bit the unprofessional mess. So much for first impressions.
I’m barely five minutes late due to another mishap in the delivery of Seraphina’s custom embroidered table linen, but by the expression on the Draak matriarch’s face, I might as well have left her to wait an hour in the pouring rain.
"Ms. Schroeder," Silverine acknowledges me with the barest incline of her head. "How fortunate you could join us."
I offer my most professional smile despite my stomach already twisting in painful knots.
"Mrs. Draak, it's an honor to meet you." I extend my hand, then quickly withdraw it when she makes no move to reciprocate. "I was just catching up with the delivery company for the custom linen. I’m so sorry to make you wait, but I’m here now and hopefully, we can finalize the seating chart.
From what I understand, Seraphina has a good idea of what she wants. "
Silverine's gaze flicks over me once, thoroughly and dismissively, before returning to Seraphina.
"As I was saying, darling, there is simply not enough space at the honor table. Percy and Elvira Ashbane are the only ones truly needed there, anyway. The Ashbanes will understand."
Her voice is honey-sweet, but her eyes remain sharp and cold. I immediately sense I've walked into the middle of a tense negotiation. Or more precisely, a power struggle between the current matriarch and the next.
Seraphina's tail twitches against the marble floor.
"This marriage is a union between Percy and me. The seating should reflect our partnership, not some imagined hierarchy. I can’t offend my new in-laws at my own wedding reception."
I watch Seraphina's scales ripple with emotion, their pearlescent surface catching the light differently as they subtly rise and fall. She's maintaining a controlled voice, but her body betrays her agitation.
“Seraphina!” Silverine objects, her features painted with shock that her granddaughter dared to stand up to her like that.
"I've already explained my plan," Seraphina continues. "Great-Aunt Cordelia and Great-Aunt Venetia, along with Uncle Thorne, will be at the table directly adjacent to the honor table. This allows room for Percy's immediate family at the head table in the same number as our family."
“Your great-aunts have held Council positions for decades.” Silverine scoffs audibly, her claws scraping lightly against the velvet armrest. “Relegating them to a secondary table is simply unacceptable. ”
Seraphina's shoulders stiffen, and her tail curls tightly around one leg, dragon body language I've quickly learned indicates significant stress. Steadying myself, I get ready to jump into the literal line of dragon fire.
I step forward, my mind racing through potential compromises.
"If I may offer a suggestion?"
Both dragons turn to me, Seraphina with barely concealed relief, Silverine with the kind of cold gaze that causes freezer burns.
"Perhaps we could design special honorific place cards for the relatives at a special secondary table," I say, my voice steady despite the weight of their attention.
"We could use platinum leaf instead of gold, with the ancient Draak sigil rather than the modern intertwined clan crests.
This would signal to everyone that these placements are special marks of honor for the esteemed Draak clan members. "
Silverine's eyes narrow to slits, her clawlike fingers tapping a slow rhythm on the table.
I press on. "If we make clear those tables are special, then this would free enough space for both the bride and groom's immediate family, while acknowledging the Draak's status."
The diplomatic solution hangs in the air between us. Seraphina's eyes dart between her grandmother and me.
Before Silverine can respond, the ballroom doors swing open, and Courtney bustles in carrying ribbon swatches and her laptop. Her ponytail bounces with each step, and her cheeks flush pink from exertion.
"Sorry I'm late!" she calls, then freezes momentarily when she notices Silverine. "Oh! Matriarch Draak, I didn't realize you were… I mean, it's an honor to meet you."
"Not at all, you’re perfectly on time," I call to her smoothly, saving Courtney from her stumbling apology. “Show us the wedding favors.”
Grateful, she nods and unlocks her laptop, pulling up images of the finalized orb design with platinum accents. "The glassblower sent these over for final approval."
I smile. The orbs are perfect, refined and stately. As Seraphina bends over to examine the final images, the tension lowers slightly when Silverine makes a small nodding gesture of approval.
“Approve those,” Seraphina says with a final tone. “And order a few extras just in case.”
At last, we have a reprieve. But it doesn’t last long.
"Speaking of approval, where is your intended this afternoon, Seraphina?" Silverine’s tone is softer, but as she cast a wide glance around, there’s ice underneath the surface.
"One would expect a devoted husband-to-be to participate in these crucial decisions. Does he not value the Draak future matriarch’s time? "
I watch a flash of genuine emotion cross Seraphina's face, not anger but something closer to protectiveness. She straightens and faces her grandmother with a fierce expression.
"Percy is meeting with the harbormaster and handling clan security logistics," Seraphina replies, her voice even but carrying an undercurrent of steel. "The safety of our guests is equally important to table arrangements and a mate’s responsibility, wouldn't you agree, Grandmother?"
I blink in surprise. This is the first time I've seen Seraphina directly challenge her grandmother, standing her ground without yielding.
The moment crystallizes something in my understanding: beneath all Seraphina's perfectionist demands and clan politics lies genuine love for Percy, not just political alliance.
She’s still a Bridezilla, but she’s a Bridezilla in love.
“Very well. The honorific place cards are… acceptable.” Silverine yields with a glacial tone. “See that they're properly executed.”
Her gaze slides to me. "I trust you can manage that without making it a gaudy display, Ms. Schroeder?"
"Of course, Mrs. Draak." I nod respectfully. "Would you like to review the design before production?"
"That won't be necessary." Silverine rises with fluid grace, her movements so elegant they seem choreographed. "Seraphina knows what's appropriate for our family." She pauses, then adds pointedly, "And what isn't."
With a rustle of silk, she sweeps from the room, pausing just before exiting the room.
"Remember, child, every decision you make reflects on the Draak legacy."
Then the Draak matriarch is gone and the temperature in the room goes back to its springtime warmth.
After her grandmother's departure, Seraphina's posture relaxes visibly. She turns to give me the faintest smile, barely a twitch of her lips but genuine nonetheless.
"Thank you for your intervention," she says quietly, then follows in her grandmother's footsteps, though with decidedly less dramatic flair.
When they're both gone, Courtney exhales loudly. "Holy crap, that was intense. "
"Welcome to dragon politics," I mutter, flipping open my binder to make notes about the place card design. "How's the RSVP count looking? Any changes?"
"Four more acceptances came in this morning, but they’re friends of the family and business partners, so it won’t change the main seating chart," Courtney reports as we walk toward the ballroom exit. "And the delivery company for the linen called. The shipment will arrive tomorrow."
"Thank God," I breathe, feeling one knot of tension in my chest loosen slightly. "What about the champagne?"
We continue our professional discussion as we walk through Windfall Manor's corridors in the direction of Silverine’s office, the late afternoon sun slanting through arched windows and casting long shadows across the wood-paneled halls.
The manor is quiet and I soak in the peace as much as I can, because I know the next nine days will give me precious little downtime.
As we round a corner just before reaching my suite, we nearly collide with a tall golden-colored dragon male.
I frown, backing up a few steps as I look up to see Kraxon Ashbane blinking at me.
Unlike his twin brother Percy's sandy-blond coloring, Kraxon's dark-brown hair is neatly combed back from his forehead, emphasizing the sharp angles of his face.
His golden eyes seem to glow in the shadowed hallway, and his pale-gold skin has a metallic sheen that catches the dying light.
Tall and lean, he carries himself with the polished demeanor of someone accustomed to high society meetings.
"Ms. Schroeder, I trust the planning is going well?" he greets me with a slight inclination of his head, his tone formal but pleasant .
"As well as can be expected," I reply neutrally, my professional smile firmly in place. "I was actually hoping to catch you."
"How fortunate," he responds with practiced diplomacy.
His voice carries the measured cadence of a man who weighs his words carefully before speaking.
I recall reading about the scandal involving his law firm, Ashbane & Vexley, in the local paper, something about a conflict of interest with an elven royal client.
The headlines had been merciless for weeks.
Beside me, Courtney shifts her weight, leaning slightly forward.
"We haven't been properly introduced. I'm Courtney, Julia's assistant," she offers with a smile that's several degrees warmer than necessary for professional interaction.
Kraxon acknowledges her with a polite nod. "A pleasure, Courtney."
"It's about Percy's bachelor party tonight," I redirect, keeping us on topic. "I hope you've planned something that won't leave the groom incapacitated tomorrow. We have the rehearsal walk-through at eleven."
"I have everything in hand, Ms. Schroeder." Kraxon's mouth curves into a smile that's equal parts confidence and weariness.
Despite his assurances, I can't help but notice the tension around his eyes. The scandal has clearly taken its toll. Yet even under pressure, he maintains the demeanor of someone who's spent years negotiating delicate situations.
"Just ensuring our schedule stays on track."
"Of course." He sighs slightly. "Percy and I have a clear understanding. It won't get out of hand, I assure you. "
"Oh, I'm sure it will be amazing," Courtney interjects, her cheeks flushed red.
"I read about that case you won last year, the one with the mermaid property dispute?
So impressive how you untangled all those underwater boundary laws.
I've never believed anything else those journalists said about you and your firm. "
I glance at Courtney, surprised by her knowledge of Kraxon's career. She's practically beaming at him, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.
"You're very kind," Kraxon responds with professional courtesy, though his expression reveals a hint of discomfort at the mention of his recent troubles. "If you'll excuse me, I have final arrangements to make for tonight's festivities."
As he walks away, I catch Courtney staring after him, her expression dreamy.
"We're here to plan a wedding," I remind her and wince at the harsh tone of my voice, "not get caught up in a romance with the groom's family. Plus, Kraxon Ashbane has enough complications in his life without adding a workplace flirtation to the mix."
“You're right.” Courtney sighs, reluctantly tearing her gaze from his retreating figure. “Sorry. It's just… dragon guys are so…”
"Dangerous," I finish for her. "Focus, Courtney. We still have the gift registry to finalize. Just send the files to me as soon as you get to your room."
She nods, though her eyes dart once more down the hall where Kraxon disappeared around a corner. "Right. I'll get on that right away. Anything else?"
"That's all for today. Get some rest. Tomorrow will be busy with the rehearsal preparations. "
After Courtney leaves, I continue to Silverine’s office alone, exhausted from the day's nonstop challenges.
All I need is to drop the finalized seating chart notes, and then I can finally retreat to my guest suite and lay my head down for the night.
The evening light has faded, leaving the room in twilight shadows when I push the door.
The door is already unlatched.
Something feels off immediately. My gaze darts around, taking inventory. Nothing seems obviously out of place, but my heart is still heart in a frenzy and I can’t shake the feeling that the sky is about to fall on my head.
Then I see it. The secret door stands slightly ajar, revealing the hidden safe.
My heart begins to pound as I cross the room. With trembling fingers, I pull the door fully open, my breath coming in short, sharp gasps. The panel slides away easily, revealing the safe behind it.
The safe door is open.
"No," I whisper, a cold wave of dread washing over me. "No, no, no."
The velvet box lies inside, its lid askew. I drop to my knees, already knowing what I'll find. Or rather, what I won't find.
The priceless Draak matriarch tiara is gone.