“My mother’s mad at me for being late.” Now it was my turn to glare at him. “It’s not a big deal.”
“We’ll talk later,” she promised.
Unaffected by my sour mood, Valek greeted me with a smile. He nodded at Kade, who entertained a gaggle of kids with a tiny dust devil he had created. “And you were worried he wouldn’t come.”
“He almost didn’t.”
Yelena pursed her lips. “I believe I haven’t been told the whole story.”
“No time, love. I wasn’t going to waste my first night with you in seasons on talk.”
She blushed, but his comment hit me like a physical force, knocking me off my snit. He had spent so much time training and helping me—time away from Yelena. It drove me crazy how he flipped from kind to killer and back again without batting an eye.
They both watched me.
I returned Valek’s smile and changed the subject. “Were you serious about your napkin-folding skills?”
“Yes.”
“Could you teach me? My mother would be thrilled.”
“When are the tables being set up?” he asked. “Tonight.”
“Swans or flowers?”
“Swans.”
“Consider it done.”
“But—”
“You have enough to do, Opal,” Yelena said. “We’ll talk after the wedding.”
It sounded like an order. “Yes, sir.”
Hand in hand they went in search of my mother. She squealed in delight and hugged them both. I wondered if she would be as happy to see Valek if she connected him to Ulrick’s death. A few of the local guests had mentioned his murder. Everyone assumed another prisoner had done the deed.
When the sun rose on Mara and Leif’s wedding day, it illuminated a brilliant blue and cloudless sky. No breeze stirred the tablecloths. According to Kade the morning chill would burn off in a matter of hours. The ceremony was scheduled to start in the early afternoon, followed by a meal and dancing.
Our houseguests ohhed and ahhed over the swan-shaped napkins sitting on every plate. Speculation over the midnight artist buzzed during breakfast. I kept quiet—it was more fun to hear their inventive guesses.
Last-minute preparations were completed and the wedding guests arrived. I retreated to my room to help Mara with her gown. By the time I wove through all the people in the living room and joined her, she already had the garment on.
She turned when I shut the door. I gasped.
“What’s wrong? Is there a stain?” Mara spun to the mirror.
“Nothing’s wrong. You are perfect.”
She pished at me. “You need to zip me up, and I still have to fix my hair.”
Mara continued with her list, but her actual words failed to reach me. I had meant what I said, and I hadn’t been referring to her big beautiful eyes or heart-shaped face or gorgeous cream-colored silk gown.
She had captured joy in her heart and it shone from every pore on her skin. A passion burned within her. I hoped it never died.
I zipped, primped, fluffed, pinned and brushed, fulfilling my Maid of Honor duties.
When I finished, I examined my handiwork. “No one is going to notice your dress. They’ll be captivated by your eyes.”
Which she rolled. “Get dressed, Opal. Leif’s Man of Honor will be here to escort you soon.”
And then the mystery will be solved. Traditionally, the people chosen as the Maid and Man of Honor were kept secret. I didn’t know why, and half the time everyone could guess. Mara’s choice would not be a surprise to anyone sitting in the courtyard below. Leif’s though was harder to determine.
I hurried into my own gown. Mara fussed with my hair. She tsked over the short length, but managed to sweep it up into an elegant twist which she secured with a set of combs. Sparks of green flashed from the jewels in the combs. I leaned toward the mirror to see them better.
“They’re magnificent,” I said. “Are they—”
“Emeralds. Of course. Nothing but the best for my little sis.” She kissed my cheek.
I gestured to my dress. “How did you know I’d wear green?”
She gave me a don’t-be-stupid look. “Sisters, remember? Besides it’s Tula’s favorite color.”
I had forgotten! How could I? I swallowed the knot in my throat. “Thank you for the gift. I’m sorry I didn’t have time to get you anything special.”
“You paid for the wedding. And by the stack of bills Mother has collected, you might regret your generosity.”
“I won’t.” I had plenty of diamonds. More than enough, even after I bought the factory.
“I’m not going to be able to get rid of you, am I?” I asked.
“I’m family, Opal. And a colleague,” Valek said.
Which reminded me. “Have you found—”
“No business talk today. I promised Yelena.” His gaze swept me. “Killer dress. I told you emerald was your color.”
“Yes. You were right.”
“Do you really think you need your switchblade?” Amusement sparked in his eyes.
“That obvious?”
“Only to me.” Valek extended his elbow, inviting me to link my arm in his.
I wasn’t too surprised Leif chose Valek as his Man of Honor. He wore his Ixian dress uniform with all his medals glinting from his chest. An impressive amount had been pinned to the black jacket.
Holding onto Valek’s arm for balance, I navigated the stairs without falling on my face. “New shoes,” I said. I used the word shoe loosely. Torture device would be a better term. The heels had to be at least four inches high. Sarrah’s doing, no doubt.
Arm in arm, Valek and I walked down the aisle. My attention switched from my feet to the assembled guests. So many happy faces beamed at us and we were just the honored couple. I grinned, thinking of how Mara and Leif would be received.
Kade caught my eye. He oozed dignity in his formal Stormdancer attire—a gray long tunic with black piping that reached to his midthigh and cinched around his waist with a black leather belt studded with silver. Black leggings and knee-high black boots completed his clothing. He had a silver lightning bolt pinned to his shirt. Best of all he smiled at me.
Past Kade, I spotted Ari and Janco, both fidgeting in their Ixian dress uniforms, making their medals flash in the sunlight. But they froze when they saw me. Janco’s lower jaw dropped open, and I glanced behind me to see if Mara had already started. Not yet.
Standing with my parents in the front row, Irys Jewelrose winked at me. The Second Magician had arrived late last night, looking exhausted. But today she wore an elegant copper dress and showed no signs of weariness.
Next to Irys, my brother looked debonair in his formal clothes. He had actually combed his hair away from his eyes. Who knew he could appear to be a handsome young man? Not me.
After we reached our designated places, Mara and Leif entered. The gasps and ohhs and ahhs thrilled me. Leif wore black pants, a cream shirt and a black vest all made of silk. Jungle vines had been embroidered on the vest and accented with pearls, matching the pearls on Mara’s gown.
The wedding ritual passed by in a blur. During the reception, I hardly tasted my food before the dancing started. All the work and preparation for just a few hours. I think I would prefer to have a simple ritual with a few guests. Perhaps on the beach. Or perhaps not. Yelena and Valek hadn’t made a for mal commitment, but they were devoted to each other—true heart mates. Could they say the same about Kade and me? Could I?
Before I could answer, another song started and Kade pulled me to my unsteady feet to dance. One good thing about four-inch heels, they brought me closer to his eye level. And being wobbly had its advantages. Kade held me tight.
“I’ll have to thank my mother,” he said.
“Why?”
“For helping you pick out that dress.”
“You like it?”
“Yes. In fact, I’d love to see it off you,” he whispered in my ear.
His lips brushed my neck, sending a sizzle along my skin. “So you can examine the stitchery up close?” I teased.
He bit my earlobe playfully before drawing back. “No. So I can get a good look at your shoes.”