For the worst day of Mordwen’s life, the weather was clear and bright and beautiful.

The sky was free of clouds, the sun was blazing warmly, and the misty sea breeze was blowing in cool and gentle. From his spot, Mordwen had the perfect view of the ocean and was dazzled by the way the sunlight capped each wave in glittering gold and made the gulls gliding over them seem intensely bright.

Shutting his eyes against the brilliance, Mordwen tipped his head back, thumping it lightly against the post behind him. The constant shrieks from the gulls sounded like cruel laughter, mercifully drowned out each time the waves crashed against his little cliff, though his feet and the wedding dress’s hemline became soaked.