Chapter 24: Five

There were four hundred guests in the Ride family chapel, and not one of them was veiled.

Felix stood at the altar in the dark vow coat his tailor had let out twice.

His hands were cold.

He had stood at another altar a year and some months ago, in grey silk, hearing vows whispered by a stranger under a veil.

This time the doors opened, and he saw everything.

Casper came in at the end of the aisle.

He wore pale grey, cut close at the waist.

His brown hair had been combed by his mother with a wet brush.

His bite scar showed clear and proud above the collar.

On his left arm walked Mrs. Froster in a green dress.

On his right walked the oldest uncle, holding a squirming Noah in a christening gown.

Behind them came a cousin, carrying Tom, who was asleep and drooling on a lace collar.

A murmur ran through the pews, and then it turned into something softer.

Felix lost track of what he was meant to be doing.

Casper reached the altar and did not stop.

He walked up to the last step, and Felix, who had meant to wait, went down to meet him.

"You came," Felix said.

"You asked me properly."

"I did."

"I'd have come anyway."

They went up the step together.

The officiant opened the old pack book.

"The custom is the veil," he said. "A veil is optional now, by the family's decision. Do you wish to wear them?"

"No," said both men at once.

A ripple of laughter went through the chapel.

The officiant smiled.

"Then say what you came to say."

Felix turned to face him.

He had written something, and it was in his pocket, and it was all gone from his head.

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