Wearing the white dress, with my hair curled and my makeup perfect, I glared at my fiancé. My two friends stood at my sides, tense and nervous.
“I said, get over here. Right now.” Emphasizing the last words with a jabbing finger, I waited for him to comply.
He didn’t move. A line between his eyebrows deepened and his mouth turned down. He met my eyes for the first time today, narrowing them at me.
“Now!” I hissed.
A tiny shake of his head. He was fighting me hard, twisting and slipping out of my grasp.
I gritted my teeth and focused. The breeze through the open window was warm, the air sweet with the honeysuckle blossoms that rampaged up the walls of the community center. This was our wedding, a romantic evening, one we both longed for. Steven was anxious to please me, uncomfortable in his suit. I was the new girl in town, madly in love. Everyone would believe it.
He would believe it.
I held my breath, my eyes locked with his, and after five long seconds his face smoothed. He walked to my side without a word.
“Finally.” My shoulders sagged. This wasn’t even fun anymore, but at least he hadn’t sneered. I didn’t allow that expression.
“We should start,” Gita said, straightening my veil. “Everyone’s waiting.”
“I know.” I licked my dry lips and glanced in the full-length mirror. The white-clad woman reflected there put shivers up my back.
“Waiting? No. No!” Steven’s brow creased. He stepped backward.
“This keeps happening.” I turned to my friends. “Can we do a quick strengthener before we send him in?”
Gita took my left hand, Allie my right, and with Steven in the center of our little circle, we closed our eyes. Silently I repeated my mantra: Hands are gentle, words are soft. Bone is true, strong, unbreaking. Thoughts are binding, bright as light.
The others were thinking their own versions of the spell. It built between our clasped hands, strengthening and reinforcing the invisible bonds that wrapped Steven from the inside out, muffling his protests, forcing our will on top of his. With my little silver folding knife, I nicked the tip of my pointer finger. Gita and Allie did too, and we spread our blood on the inside of Steven’s wrists. Our intentions soaked into him like honey, warm and thick and smooth. The battery of his will lightened, then stopped.
I took a deep breath, filling my lungs, and let it out slowly. “That’s better.” I stood taller, my heartbeat slowing down. “It won’t last long, but we only need an hour or so.”
Allie shook their head. “It’s making me so tired. He’s too hard to manage.”
“Maybe we should postpone.” Gita glanced from me to Steven, her brow furrowed. The setting sun shone gold-red on her black hair. “I’m worried, what if he——”
“——He’s fine.” I put a finger to my lips, flicking my eyes toward the door. Steven’s family were avid gossipers. If they overheard something odd, the rumors would fly and it would make this even more difficult.
“In he goes.” Sweat stood out on Allie’s forehead, but they smiled when I met their eyes.
Allie held the door open and I gave Steven a little shove. He walked inside, and Allie closed it behind him.
“Will he behave?” Gita asked.
“He will.” I believed it as hard as I could. Strands of that belief flew beneath the door to latch onto Steven’s feet as he headed to the front of the church.
“Our turn, then.” Gita went inside first, gripping her blue and orange bouquet.
“Let’s get this done.” With one last smile at me, Allie followed Gita.
Then it was my turn.
No matter how many times we’d done this, I always got nervous at the wedding. If I lost my grip for even a moment, it would all fall apart.
At least it wasn’t a long, religious ceremony, but Steven’s friends and family would be watching, and most of them didn’t believe we were in love. They probably wanted us to fail. I could feel their hope like slime around my toes, dragging on me, and it made my job that much harder.
I opened the door. At my appearance, the music changed to the light classical tune I’d selected.
Heads turned. I smiled left and right, letting everyone see Steven’s happy new bride.
They’d be thinking of his last one. They didn’t know was the last bride he’d ever have.
I raised my chin, exuding joy. We were getting married. Steven was overjoyed. He’d changed when he met me. He believed it. They all did.
Gritting my teeth, I reinforced the belief.
At the front, an older woman welcomed everyone, spoke briefly about love and commitment, then asked Steven for his promise.
I didn’t let myself worry. Couldn’t risk it. I beamed at him.
“I do,” he said.
“I do,” I parroted.
“I pronounce you married. You may kiss.”
Tipping my head up, I waited for Steven to lift my veil. He was only a couple of seconds late. He stared down at me, his mouth a flat line. His eyes screamed panic.
I gave him the smile of a new bride on the happiest day of her life. “Kiss me, my love.”
He bent at the waist and planted a kiss on my lips. His friends stomped their feet, his mother sobbed. Now their beliefs changed, swirling around us, thick and confident: We were the happy couple, the perfect match.
Grinning, I took Steven’s hand and we walked back down the aisle through a cascade of flower petals and hands patting us on the back. The cheering didn’t stop until we were outside.
As the door closed, Steven jerked his hand from mine.
“What’s——” he tried. “What’s——“
“Shh.” I patted his shoulder, resplendent in a dove grey tux. It suited the new self he was presenting to the world.
“I’m—” He shook his head hard, fisted his eyes. “I’m not——what’s——”
“Quiet.” I put both hands on his cheeks and lifted his face up until he met my eyes. “We’re married. You’re in love. You’ve never been so happy.” He frowned.
“You’ve never been so happy.” I repeated.
His frown faded. His eyes softened. He smiled.
Allie came out behind us. “Dinner, then you’re done. Gita’s moving them into the main room.” They turned to Steven. “You’re a married man now, no more late nights out for you. Are you glad? I’m glad.”
Steven cocked his head. “I’m glad.”
“That’s right, we’re all glad.” I gripped his hand. It was large enough to wrap around my neck. “You’re so happy now.”
“I’m so happy,” he repeated.
“Nice job. Holding up okay?” Allie smoothed the collar of my dress.
I nodded as we walked to the other side of the building. Steven followed. His face was clear, his eyes blank.
As if sensing our arrival, Gita opened the door to the reception room. Allie moved back to give Steven and me the spotlight.
The three of us had been like this since college, a tight team, each doing whatever was needed for the group to succeed.
The spotlight hit us. I lifted my chin and let my smile shine across the room. Beside me, Steven did the same, two matching grins as if we’d bought them together.
Eat your hearts out, assholes.
My gaze drifted over the assembled faces. Steven’s mother, her smile looking forced. His father, his aunt and uncle, all of them slightly confused.
I didn’t let it worry me. In less than an hour I’d finish the job, they’d believe, and he’d be safely off the market.
You’re welcome, world.
The place stank like lily, sweet and sickly. Steven’s mom had insisted on doing the flowers and I hadn’t stopped her. I didn’t care what plant adorned this shithole. I had a job to do and I was halfway done.
“Ah, there you are, dear. I want to be the first to congratulate you.” Steven’s mother opened her bony arms as if to give me a hug, but instead she reached up and adjusted my hair over my shoulders. “You’re so pale. You should have gotten some sun before the big day. Steven likes tan girls.”
“Thank you,” I said with the sweetest smile I could manage.
She pulled Steven into her embrace. “My boy. I hope you’ll be very happy.”
I watched them, trying to keep the happy bride expression on my face. Most parents denied their sons’ faults, hiding from the horrors, but the first time I met Steven’s mom, she’d detailed them for me as if she were proud.
We never thought he’d settle down, our Steven. He loves the girls, a real ladies man. Some of them get so jealous, they make up stories about him. You should hear the girls blaming their black eyes on Steven when we all know they got them from some lowlife.
People had warned us about him, that night at the bar. As usual, warnings were as far as they’d gone. Nobody had tried to help me when he hauled me outside that night.
This was typical, I’d realized over the years. People whispered cautions when they thought you were safe, but once you weren’t, they acted like you were the idiot. Like you were in the wrong when you showed up bruised.
“Thank you, Mother. I am so happy.” Steven’s response was monotone, but that was no different than before. Not really.
Gita stepped between us, asking his mother how she’d sourced such amazing blooms, and we slipped away.
I patted Steven’s arm. “Good boy. I’ll give you a bone later.”
Muffling a laugh, Allie appeared beside us. “Seriously, you’re so obvious.”
I grinned. “Can we eat? I’m starving.”
“I’ll tell the DJ to announce the buffet.”
“Steven, my boy, looking sharp!” Steven’s dad gave him a hearty clap on the back, almost severing my grip on his elbow.
“Hi, Dad.” He kept moving and after a moment, his dad stopped following us.
From the corner of my eye, I watched my father-in-law sit down beside Steven’s mother, but he didn’t speak to her. Even this couldn’t bridge their enmity.
Just as well.
After doing a quick circuit of the room, I led us to the high table. Gita had set down four plates laden with chicken and pasta and rolls. My stomach growled.
I settled Steven beside me. “Eat.”
He crammed an entire roll into his mouth.
“Not like that,” I corrected. “Cut it into bites and chew with your mouth closed.”
He slowed, fork in mid-air, then did as I ordered. He didn’t roll his eyes or sigh.
“Such beautiful manners.” Allie grinned. “It’s almost like he’s a different person.”
Gita laughed, covering her mouth with one hand.
“You can’t wait for our honeymoon, can you, my love?” I crooned. “Soon we’ll be far away from all this and you can’t wait.”
“Can’t wait,” he echoed, cutting a ravioli into four and eating a quarter with his lips closed. Lovely.
Gita tapped my arm. “Need anything?”
“Just food.” I took a huge bite. “I’ll rest when it’s over.”
“Soon now.” She met Allie’s eyes from across my and Steven’s plates. “Once the dancing starts. But…”
“What?” I asked.
“People are noticing that he’s different,” Allie finished for her. “They’re muttering about it. If they aren’t convinced, it won’t stick.”
I scanned the room. A number of eyes watched us, which wasn’t unexpected, but they weren’t smiling the way I’d like.
“I’ll start the toasts.” Gita stood up, tapped her glass, and shared a silly story from when she’d first met Steven.
It was a lie, of course. She met him the same night I had, when he’d grabbed my ass hard enough to leave a bruise.
If we hadn’t already picked him as our prey, I would have after that.
He’d stood next to me and put something in my drink, watching as I knocked it back, then he’d towed me out the door toward his apartment, detailing exactly what was about to happen. I’d heard it all before. I should be used to it, but it still made me want to vomit.
When he saw Allie and Gita behind us, he laughed.
He stopped laughing pretty quickly, once we got started. Hasn’t laughed since.
I smiled, remembering how his sneer had faded.
Applause brought me back to the moment. Gita was done, sitting down.
“Steven’s turn,” she said.
He blinked, a chicken bone in his meaty fist.
I leaned in as if whispering romantic nothings. “Stand up, tap your glass, and tell them you’re madly in love.”
He put the bone down and picked up his wine glass without even wiping his hand. Disgusting man. When he stood up, the room went quiet.
“Um.” He cleared his throat, frowning.
I concentrated, smiling up at him with my teeth gritted. I could feel Allie and Gita doing the same.
“Hi everyone.” His face smoothed out. “I wanted to say thank you for coming and tell you how much I love this woman. I’m so in love. I’m so happy. I could talk about it forever.”
Someone laughed. A few people clapped.
“I’ve wanted this since the minute I met her,” he continued. ”She’s the only woman for me.”
“She wanted it the night you met her too,” one of his bros shouted.
Steven’s smile cracked through our veneer. “She begged for it.”
His friends laughed. Steven’s mother beamed at him, supremely unaware of the subtext.
“She wanted you to push her up against the bar,” another of Steven’s friends called out.
“She was such a slut.” Steven grated the words, abruptly free of our control and completely himself. He looked down at his suit, around at the room, and his mouth opened——
Standing behind my chair, Allie took my hand. Gita took my other.
Hands are gentle, words are soft. Bone is true, strong, unbreaking. Thoughts are binding, bright as light.
I smiled up at Steven as we drenched him in our commands. Our three wills soaked him, seeking entry, but the blood tie from earlier had faded. We couldn’t find a way in.
“Dammit,” Allie hissed. Something hot, a searing pain; they’d cut their palm, then mine, gripping the injuries together.
With a burst of clarity, I saw the way. Our wills, formidable, determined, dug into Steven, clawing through his skin and into his mind.
“Sorry.” He cleared his throat. “That was rude.”
“It was just a joke,” I said through gritted teeth.
The room quieted. People smiled and nodded. Steven and his little jokes, they murmured. He was always like that.
Someone shouted, “Kiss the bride!”
I turned toward my husband and leaned in, my lips puckered for a chaste lover’s kiss. After the tiniest pause, Steven mirrored the movement. The room exploded into cheers.
Allie and Gita arrived a few minutes after Steven and I got home.
Allie collapsed on the couch, arms flung to either side. “God, I’m tired. Thank goodness that’s over.”
“He was so difficult,” Gita added, sitting beside them and patting the cushion for me.
I paced back and forth. “I haven’t let him go yet. He needs to send his mom the goodbye message.”
“Let’s do it and be done,” Allie said. “I’m tired of his face.”
“Steven!” I called.
He walked into the living room and stood there silently. I unlocked his phone, opened a new message to his mother, and started typing.
Mom, we’re leaving for our honeymoon. We won’t have service so you won’t hear from me for a few months. Thank you for coming to the wedding. I’ve never been so happy.
The others reviewed it and made some small tweaks, then I held it up in front of Steven’s face.
“Read this out loud,” I commanded, pressing record.
He read the text and I sent it as a voice memo. His mother immediately started typing back, but before her reply could land, I powered off the phone and removed the sim card, cracking it in half. “Done. Finally.”
“Let’s end it,” Allie said, getting to their feet with a gusty exhale.
We held hands in a circle around Steven. Gita counted to three and we all inhaled together. On the exhale, I released the clenched power that had cloaked his shitty personality and forced him through the ceremony. A mist formed between us. It wrapped his tall, carefully-muscled body, circling faster and faster. His gelled red hair went foggy, his heavy jaw and meaty fists blurred, until a thick smog hid everything that made him who he was.
I led the closing song, since I’d run this one. Gita and Allie took the harmonies, backing me up, solidifying my voice until it was the only real thing in the room. The air whirlpooled between us, electric and hissing, buffeting me forward. I almost lost my footing, but my voice didn’t waver. Allie and Gita gripped my hands tighter, pulling me upright as our song joined the storm in our center.
With a flash like lightning, we finished the spell and the room went still.
The air blinked back to normal, leaving only the slight scent of burning. Between us, Steven shrank, fizzing and popping, until with a gentle clatter, a single white bone fell to the wood floor.
I picked it up and tossed it into a bucket half filled with bones of all sizes. “You’d think it would be dirty, or bloody, after everything he’s done.”
“They never are,” Allie said.
“Oh no!” I put my hand to my mouth in faux shock. ”I forgot to label it. I had a bow picked out from our ceremony. How will we tell him apart from the others if we want to bring him back?”
My friends laughed.
“So, where are we going?” Gita drummed her fingers on her lips. “I need somewhere hot and dry, preferably with water. Or just wherever the opposite side of the country is from this asshole. Sound good?”
“Absolutely,” Allie and I said.
Sophia Krich-Brinton (she/they) lives in Colorado with her partner, kids, and cats. Their work has appeared in HAD, Farewell Transmission, Bull, and more. When not writing, she boxes, plays the banjo, and goes backpacking. Find them at sophiakbrinton.com or on Twitter/Instagram at @sophiakb_writes. One of their favorite revenge novels is Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao.
