She was radiant with joy and quivering
with nerves. Her embrace was gentle
and warm, and I could feel her delight as
she released me.
Natasha hugged me next. She was a
little shy and awkward about it, but that
just made it feel more sincere.
“You are all right?” Natasha asked as
I followed her over to the corner to
examine my dress.
“My ears still hurt,” I admitted. I was
having some problems with my balance
as well. It wasn’t anything too serious, a
touch of vertigo. Dr. Shablinski had said
both problems would probably fade in a
few days. The ear damage had been
extensive enough that a regular human
would have been permanently deaf. Of
course, I didn’t go into that with
Natasha. “Other than that, I’m okay.”
“You were fortunate.” She shuddered
visibly.
“A demon. You are very
fortunate.”
“You got that right.”
“Celia!” I whirled at the sound of
Gilda’s joyous shout. “You’re all right?
I wanted so badly to warn you, but I
could not move or speak. What a
hideous, terrible spell.” Gilda burst into
the room like a little tornado, with Isaac
following in her wake. The two of them
swept me into yet another hug.
Apparently this was the day for it. While
I’m not normally all that huggy, today it
felt good, reassuring.
Gilda drew me away from the others,
leading me behind the screens that had
been set up to give us a private dressing
area, and whispered, “Are you truly all
right? You look … strained.”
“It was rough, but I’ll be okay.”
She pursed her lips, giving me a
narrow-eyed look of pure skepticism. “If
you say so.”
“I do.”
As she was helping me out of my
shirt, she whispered near my ear, “We
haven’t told your grandmother about
what happened, darling. It wouldn’t help
her heal. But she’s doing much better.
She plans to watch you on television, so
we’ll make you look extra special.” I
thanked her for visiting my gran and
wondered what the three of them—I
assumed Isaac had gone, too; the Levys
were rarely parted—had talked about.
It took a few minutes to slip out of my
clothes. I was sort of sore. Sue me. Then
I donned my best frilly underthings and
armed myself. Next came the dress and
jacket. I smoothed my hands along the
fabric of the dress as I stepped out from
behind the screen to give Isaac and
Gilda a chance to examine their work.
The two of them circled me like
sharks, examining me from every angle
for
long
moments
before
finally
expressing their satisfaction. I was
happy with the result. The dress and
jacket fit like a dream, and, thanks to
Isaac’s magic, I could be well armed
without looking like it. I had all my usual
gear and then some—Isaac had tucked
things I wasn’t sure even how to use into
hidden pockets, murmuring, “If all else
fails, throw them.”
Released, I sat on the edge of a chair
and pulled on my thigh-high hose. Gone
were the days when my legs would tan
enough for me not to need stockings.
These were black silk and as sheer as
cobwebs. They perfectly matched my
brand-new black lace bra and panties,
so I felt very sexy pulling them on. I
didn’t put on the shoes yet. The heels
were high and because of the ear injury I
figured I wouldn’t be entirely steady on
them. I’d have switched shoes, but there
was no time to rehem the dress. So I just
said a quick prayer that I wouldn’t fall
on my ass and make a fool of myself in
front of the entire world.
Now that I was dressed, it was time to
accessorize. I opened the jewel case
sitting on the table beside me. Diamonds
and amethysts sparkled in the bright
overhead lights. I felt tears welling in
my eyes as I looked at them. Isaac and
Gilda
were
wonderful,
wonderful
friends. I loved them. But at this moment,
I wished very much that I had family
here. I missed my gran so much; missed
Ivy’s ghost. I wanted to hear Gran say I
looked pretty, have Ivy draw a heart in
ice crystals on the mirror like she used
to. I slipped on the earrings, controlling
my expression, trying hard not to show
anyone what I was feeling.
As if in response to my wish the
temperature in the room dropped like a
stone. The lights flickered overhead as
Gilda fastened the necklace around my
neck.
“Ivy?” I whispered. The lights flashed
once in response. Our old code had been
once for yes, twice for no. “I’m so glad
you’re here.” I felt myself smiling. “I’ve
missed you.”
As I watched, ice crystals formed on
the full-length mirror in front of me,
taking the shape of a heart.
Is that my cousin Ivy? Adriana came
over to stand beside me, her voice
perfectly clear inside my mind.
Yep. I think she knew I missed my
family today.
Adriana opened her arms and let the
cool air flow around her. Welcome,
beloved cousin. I am most glad to have
you at my wedding.
The lights flickered on and off
joyfully. Few people ever spoke to Ivy
directly except me. I could tell she was
pleased by the way the air danced cool
and then warm. But Celia, you should
know that we are your family, too; my
mother and I, and now Dahlmar as
well. In fact, if you will come with me
for a moment, I have a special gift for you.
Natasha was being quiet as a mouse,
standing in the background, looking …
sad. It was an odd reaction, out of place.
Then again, she’d had a day like this not
too long ago and had lost her husband
shortly after. Maybe this brought back
painful memories.
“Natasha, are you all right?” I asked.
She smiled at me in response. “I’m
fine. Just remembering.”
Adriana spoke out loud for Natasha’s
sake. “Ladies, before things get started,
I’d like to give you each a thank-you
gift.”
Adriana picked up a jeweler’s box
from the top of her dressing table and
passed it to Natasha. Inside was a
necklace with an amethyst the size of my
thumb, set in gold with accents of
diamond. “I hope you like
it.”
Natasha
beamed
and
babbled
something in Ruslandic that I assumed
was thanks. Adriana answered her
slowly, also in Ruslandic, then turned to
me.
“My gift to you,” she said aloud as
well as in my mind as she slid a pearl
ring off of her finger and offered it to
me . It’s not as valuable as the many
gifts you’ve given to me, but it’s been
in our family for a very long time. I
hope you’ll wear it as a token of the
affection I have come to feel for you.
I slid the ring onto the middle finger
of my left hand. It fit perfectly. I felt a
gentle thrum of magic as it slid into
place and for an instant I could’ve sworn
I heard the rush of waves tumbling into
the sand. What in the world? I turned to
Adriana, my eyes wide with surprise
and pleasure. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you.” I am most grateful
for the help you’ve given me and mine.
I’m sorry for how I treated you when
we first met. I was jealous.
I felt cool air on my tongue as my jaw
dropped. Of me? Why? You had no
reason to be.
But I thought I did. You look so much
like the woman in my vision, the one
who will follow my mother on the
throne. It hurt. So, take this with my
apology. The ring is a family heirloom.
Its sole purpose is to strengthen and
focus the telepathic abilities of the
wearer. My mother gave it to me to
encourage my siren abilities.
Wow. I knew Adriana’s siren
abilities weren’t strong because her
talent as a clairvoyant kind of cancelled
them out. If she gave me this ring, would
she have any siren powers at all? Are
you sure you want to part with it?
Won’t you need it?
No. I will be ruling Rusland. It is a
land-locked country. Too, my abilities
tell me that you will need it more. Not
today, but someday. This is best.
It was such an unexpected gesture that
I found myself sniffling.
Don’t you dare cry. If you do, I’ll
start, and I don’t want red eyes and a
chapped nose at my wedding.
I’m not crying. Well, not much. I gave
her a bright smile and then spoke out
loud. “It’s beautiful. I don’t know how to
thank you.”
“Celia, you’ve saved my life how
many times now? I think that’s more than
thanks enough. I just wish there was
more I could do.” She reached forward
and held both of my hands in hers,
squeezing lightly but with warmth.
We were interrupted by a light tap on
the door.
Adriana glanced around, making sure
everybody was decent, withdrew her
hands, then called, “Come in.” The door
opened, revealing Queen Lopaka, a
vision of loveliness in a coral-colored
skirt suit with pearl buttons, her blond
hair swept into a perfect chignon. She
stepped into the room and closed the
door behind her. Crossing the room to
the privacy screen, she disappeared. In
less than a minute the queen’s suit was
hanging over the top of the screen. I felt
magic in the air, and a moment later, a
deep male voice asked, “Could someone
please pass me Princess Olga’s dress?”
I plucked it from the clothes rack and
brought it over, inadvertently catching a
glimpse of a hairy man with bushy
eyebrows wearing a pair of Wile E.
Coyote boxers. I managed to hide my
smirk. I hoped.
“Hi. I’m Celia Graves,” I said as I
passed him the hanger.
“Lars Balakan. It is an honor to serve
my king and his queen.” Despite his
appearance, Lars bowed with immense
dignity.
I turned, letting him do his thing in
private.
As he was changing, there was
another knock. This time it was the
hairdresser and makeup artist, who
hurried to their stations. I recognized
them both from the ceremony on
Serenity.
“Princess Celia,” Brenna called. “I’ll
start with you.”
As I walked across the room toward
her, I felt the surge of magic. Moments
later, Lars emerged from behind the
screen as Olga.
“You there. I’ll start with makeup,”
Lars called in Olga’s exact voice as he
swished his way over to us, wiggling his
hips. Wow. He even had her snarkiness
down pat.
That was just … disturbing.
Are either of you as bothered by that
as I am? I thought to Adriana and
Natasha, but apparently Ivy overheard,
too, since overhead, the lights blinked
once. Hmm. I hadn’t known she could
hear thoughts. Across the room, Natasha
shuddered and gave me a small nod.
Adriana didn’t respond. She was too
busy getting into her gown and veil.
I waited until Lars was finished
before taking my place at the makeup
station. The stylist began with a layer of
sunblock as I sat utterly still, watching
the clock on the television counting
relentlessly down to the moment when
we would leave. With each tick, I felt
the tension in the room ratchet up another
notch. Each of us tried to pretend we
weren’t nervous and failed miserably.
Once
again
I
over
the
arrangements in my mind. The men had
gone ahead and would be meeting us at
the church. Gunnar would escort
Adriana up the stairs to Dahlmar and the
priests. Yes, priests, plural. The king’s
confessor had been given a small part to
play in the ceremony as a courtesy,
while Adriana’s father, Feliks, would be
the primary officiant. As best man, Igor
would escort me. Prince Arkady was
next with “Olga,” and Sergei, a distant
cousin who was so reserved I’d barely
noticed him (and had yet to hear speak),
would follow with Natasha.
We’d pose at the top of the steps, then
go into the church’s vestibule for the
betrothal ceremony that would take
place before we entered the nave, where
the dignitaries of the world awaited.
Two minutes to go. Adriana slipped
the fine, lace-trimmed veil onto her
head, pinning it in place. In the
vestibule, a crown would be placed
over the veil and an elaborate ritual
would take place, including both
Dahlmar and Adriana being given
communion. I put on my heels and took a
couple of experimental steps, telling
myself that I would be fine. My
balance
still wasn’t good, but I could do heels. I
hoped.
The door opened. It was time.
Surrounded by a phalanx of Secret
Service, we made our way outside, to
the
waiting
pair
of
horse-drawn
carriages. Adriana rode alone in the first
carriage. Natasha, Lars, and I rode in the
second.
The procession only lasted a couple
of miles, but it seemed endless. The
crowd roared as the two coaches drove
past. I waved, the silly, little royal wave
it seemed I had figured out how to do. I
still felt ridiculous. But at the same time
it was a huge rush, seeing the crowds
waving and cheering, hearing them
scream our names. I could see how it
could get addictive.
Ahead, Adriana’s carriage pulled to a
stop at the foot of the long staircase that
led up to the cathedral. As planned, our
male escorts waited for us in a row near
the stairs. Dahlmar cut quite a figure at
the top, in his traditional Ruslandic
uniform, which was black with silver
buttons and a silver sash. Not that it was
easy to see the fabric of the sash,
because it was so heavily medaled and
beribboned. It must have weighed a ton.
He wore the charm that offered him
immunity from siren magic out in plain
sight for everyone—and the cameras—to
see. But his real, unenchanted joy in his
bride was obvious the minute he caught
sight of her.
It was as if the sun rose at her arrival,
and when she smiled back, you could
see the love between them. Next to
Dahlmar stood Anton, Dahlmar’s old
confessor, and beside him, Feliks. Both
clergymen wore full regalia, their robes
glittering with elaborate embroidery and
sparkling gold thread.
“Awwww,” Lars cooed in Olga’s
voice as our carriage pulled to a stop
behind Adriana’s. “Isn’t that sweet?”
Natasha looked at him, blinked, shook
her head, and looked away, obviously
disconcerted. I couldn’t say I blamed
her. It was more than a little disturbing
to me, and this wasn’t the first time I’d
worked with a spawn. I was worried
about whether or not he’d be able to go
into the church. Surely he’d have told
someone if that was a problem? On the
other hand, I really couldn’t imagine the
almighty being okay with a half-demon
entering the cathedral.
“Showtime,” Lars said as the footman
opened the carriage door.
I watched as Gunnar Thorsen stepped
up to Adriana’s carriage. Holding her