The dressing room door closed behind me with a soft click, leaving me alone with my thoughts and a mountain of tulle, silk, and lace that probably cost more than most people on Earth made in a year. I draped the gowns carefully over the velvet-upholstered bench and stared at my reflection in the three-way mirror that dominated the space.
The woman looking back at me appeared calm and composed, but I could see the guilt and uncertainty in my own eyes. The sound of Serge's return interrupted my brooding. I could hear him chattering to someone about color schemes and floral arrangements, his enthusiasm impressive considering how many brides he’d probably taken gown shopping.
I needed to be convincing if this plan was going to work, I told myself with a fierce stare. I needed to throw myself into therole of blushing bride-to-be and make everyone believe I was genuinely excited about marrying Deklyn. The thought of him sent an unwelcome flutter through my chest, and I stifled a giggle at the memory of his horrified expression at tasting coffee. There were worse fake fiancés.
I picked up the top gown, which was all ivory silk and pearl-encrusted embroidery, and I ran my fingers across the textured bodice. Trying on dresses wasn’t so bad. I could do this. I'd survived months in a Kronock prison. I could survive a few days of wedding planning.
“Show and tell time, sweetie,” Serge called from outside the dressing room. “Let’s see if you’re a ballgown bride or a mermaid girlie.”
I fought back a groan. Then again, this might be the most sophisticated torture ever.
Chapter
Twenty-Five
Deklyn
The officers' lounge was a world apart from the holographic wonders of the fantasy suites or the cheery shops on the Promenade. There were no glossy white walls or pulsing colored light, no Earth music piped in, no artificial environments. The dimly lit lounge with black furniture and an equally dark matching floor and ceiling seemed to be made for Drexians.
The centerpiece was a long ebony bar that stretched along one wall, its surface polished to a mirror finish that reflected the bottles lined up behind it. The mirrored wall displayed shelves upon shelves of liquor from across the galaxy filled with liquids that ranged from crystal clear to deep amber to electric blue. Some glowed faintly with their own light; others seemed to shift and swirl as I watched.
The far wall was entirely transparent, offering an unobstructed view of the stars beyond. Ships moved in the distance likefireflies, their running lights tracing patterns against the infinite black.
I settled onto one of the tall stools at the bar, studying the exotic bottles behind the purple-jowled bartender.
"Quite a collection, isn't it?"
I turned to see Captain Kalex approaching, followed by a tall Drexian with dark hair pulled high into a topknot.
"Impressive," I agreed, gesturing toward the display. "I don't recognize half of these."
"Vekron," Kalex said, indicating his companion as they settled onto stools beside me. "He's Nina's husband and handles all the holotechnology for the station. Vekron, this is Lieutenant Deklyn, our newly engaged hero."
Vekron tipped his head with a warm smile. "Congratulations on your engagement. Nina was impressed by your fiancée.”
"I'm a lucky man,” I said, trying to inject the right amount of pride and affection into my voice.
"I've gotten word about the television crew arriving from Earth," Kalex said, signaling the bartender. "And several dignitaries have already signaled their intention to attend. This is going to be quite the event."
The words sent a chill through me even as I recognized that this was exactly what Sasha wanted. The plan was working, drawing the attention of exactly the people she hoped to confront. But it felt like being on a runaway spaceship, hurtling toward a destination I couldn't see clearly.
"Three Noovian whiskeys," Kalex told the bartender, then raised his glass when the drinks arrived. "To your future bride."
"To Sasha," I echoed, the lie tasting bitter on my tongue despite the smoothness of the whiskey.
“I spoke to the Academy Master. He said your Earth pilot is quite strong-willed,” Kalex said, swirling his whiskey in the bottom of his faceted glass.
I chuckled. That was an understatement. “That is true, but I know few pilots who aren’t.”
"My wife, Zoey is the same way.” Kalex took another drink. "I highly recommend human women with spirit. They keep life interesting."
Another vast understatement about Sasha.
Things were never dull around her, but I wondered if we would truly be good for each other if this were real. We argued constantly, challenged each other at every turn, and seemed to bring out both the best and worst in each other. Yet there was no one who had ever captivated me the way she did, no one who made me feel so alive even when she was driving me completely insane.
I was lost in these thoughts when the captain’s expression suddenly shifted, his eyes widening as he looked toward the entrance.
"Well," he murmured, "this should be interesting."
