Ariana and I exchanged a glance, and I could tell she was working just as diligently as I was to suppress the giggles.
Serge bustled toward the back of the salon, waving for the cameras to follow him as he launched into a detailed explanation of the attendant dress options that would complement our rescue among the stars theme.
Ariana hung back as the film crew moved away, and I stayed with her. “I have to admit this isn’t how I ever imagined your wedding.”
I tipped my head back and forth. “You mean you didn’t picture a purple-haired alien dressed like a circus ringmaster planning my wedding?”
She put a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing. “What’s with the rescued among the stars theme?”
I shrugged. “Serge’s idea.”
Ariana’s laugh faded, and she studied my face. “Are you sure about all of this, Sash? It doesn’t seem like you. The spectacle, the cameras, the frills. None of it feels like you.”
This sobered me. She was right, of course. The sister she’d known her entire life would never have chosen this kind of spectacle. The old Sasha would have wanted something small and private, something that didn’t put her personal life on display for the entertainment of strangers. If she’d had a wedding at all. I was the girl who’d sneak down to the courthouse, not have an ethereal, five-tiered wedding cake.
I mentally debated telling her the truth and explaining that this was all an elaborate trap, that the publicity was the point, that I needed every important Earth official to attend so I could figure out who was the one responsible for giving the order to leave me. But too many people knew our secret already, and each additional person increased the risk of discovery.
Plus, I wanted to keep my sister out of this if everything went wrong, which it very well might.
“I’m sure about Deklyn,” I said finally, which was truer every day. “The wedding itself might have gotten bigger than I expected, but that’s just Serge’s enthusiasm. You know how he is.”
Her eyes narrowed, and she flicked them to the surrounding dresses. “If you’re having doubts about any of this?—”
“One thing I’m completely sure about is having you as my maid of honor,” I interrupted. Whatever else was wrong about this situation, having my sister stand beside me wasn’t one of them. “I want you there with me.”
Ariana’s expression softened, and she pulled me into a fierce hug that made guilt twist in my chest. She thought she was supporting me through the happiest day of my life, whenin reality she was being manipulated into participating in an elaborate deception.
“Sasha! Ariana!” Serge rushed toward us, holding up a black dress with a full tulle skirt that was dotted with silver stars. “I found the perfect option!”
Ariana took one look at the gown and shook her head immediately. “No way.”
I couldn’t help laughing as Serge’s bright smile deflated. “Maybe something a little less on-the-nose regarding the theme.”
Serge looked genuinely confused, his head tilting as he examined the dress. “There are no noses on here.”
“It’s an expression,” I explained, trying to keep the amusement out of my voice. “It means too obvious.”
“Oh!” Serge’s face lit up. “I love Earth expressions! They’re so colorful!”
“He’s still learning,” Reina whispered as she sidled up to me. “But he’s getting better.”
“Back to the drawling board!” Serge announced, heading toward the rear of the salon with renewed determination.
“Drawing board,” Ariana corrected automatically, then looked at Reina with raised eyebrows.
“I’d better follow him,” Reina said, taking quick steps to catch up to him.
“At least this is better than meeting our father’s ship,” Ariana said with a shake of her head.
My stomach clenched with sudden dread. In all the chaos of wedding planning, I’d pushed the reality of my father’s arrival to the back of my mind. “When does he arrive?”
“He should be here now,” Ariana said. “His transport was scheduled to dock about twenty minutes ago.”
The thought of seeing my father again, of having to perform the role of a happy bride under his scrutiny, made my chest tight with familiar anxiety. Some fears from childhood never vanished, and the fear of disappointing General Marcus Bowman had been carved into my bones.
As Serge’s voice drifted from the back of the salon, full of fresh enthusiasm for the next attendant dress option, I tried to steel myself for what was coming.
Chapter
