“Honeymoon,” she corrected, though her voice was already getting breathless as I continued undressing.
“Honeymoon,” I repeated, savoring the strange Earth word as I finished stripping down and climbed naked onto the bed beside her.
Her gaze raked over my body as her breath quickened, and her pupils flared. As I began working at the fastenings of her dress, my hands gentle but insistent, I marveled at how differently things had ended than I’d ever expected. When I’d first agreed to help Sasha with her quest for revenge, I’d thought we wereembarking on a dangerous endeavor that could end badly for both of us. But I’d also thought that we would go our separate ways once we were done.
I’d never imagined that the fake engagement would become the most real thing in my life. I’d never guessed that the woman I’d rescued from a Kronock prison would end up rescuing me right back.
“Deklyn,” she whispered after I’d undressed her, and she lay on her back with her dark hair spilling around her face.
There was something in her voice that made me pause.
“What is it, sweetheart?” I asked, searching her face for any sign of hesitation or regret.
She reached up to cup my cheek with her palm. “It’s just that I love you. Really, truly love you. Not because you saved me, although that was really nice, but because you make me feel like the best version of myself, even when I’m being impossible.”
“Youareimpossible,” I agreed, my voice rough with emotion. “And I wouldn’t change a single stubborn, reckless, beautiful thing about you.”
When I kissed her, it was with all the hope I’d been carrying since that first moment in the Kronock prison when she’d snapped at me, and I’d known I wanted to know everything there was to know about the headstrong woman. This wasn’t about revenge anymore or even the heat that always seemed to spark between us.
This was about forever.
Chapter
Fifty-Two
Sasha
My hands trembled as I smoothed the delicate lace overlay of my mermaid wedding dress, the intricate beadwork catching the soft light filtering through the corridor windows. The dress hugged my curves perfectly, its long train pooling behind me.
“Stop fidgeting,” Ariana whispered beside me, though her own hands were busy adjusting the flowing skirt of her midnight blue gown. “You look absolutely stunning.”
I caught my reflection in the polished metal of the corridor wall and barely recognized myself. Gone was the hollow-cheeked, bruised woman who’d been rescued from that hellish prison. In her place stood someone who actually looked like a bride. I only wish I’d paid more attention to the wedding details when I’d had a chance.
“You’re sure this isn’t too sexy?” I whispered to my sister. “I didn’t think I’d actually be wearing it.”
Ariana laughed. “Serves you right.” Then she touched my hand. “You look perfect.”
“Flowers!” Reina rushed toward us, taking tiny steps in the tight column gown that was a surprisingly subdued swirl of only shades of blue to match the theme. Even her swirl of hair was adorned with tiny silver stars. She held a bouquet of white orchids in one hand and a smaller arrangement of purple ones in the other. “I almost forgot the flowers! Can you imagine? A wedding without flowers would be like?—”
“Like a cake without frosting,” Serge finished, appearing behind her in a pale blue suit complete with a ruffled shirt. His platform boots were dark blue, but they were also decorated with glittering silver stars.
“You don’t have any more surprises planned, do you?” he asked me for what had to be the fifth time in the last hour. “No last-minute reveals? No more secrets?”
I couldn’t help noticing the puffy knot on his forehead that resulted from one of his fainting spells. “Serge, I promise you. No more surprises.”
He pressed a hand to his chest and released a dramatic sigh of relief. “Good. Because I simply cannot handle any more drama. My poor nerves are already frayed to shreds.” But then his expression shifted to one of barely contained glee. “Although I must say, the ratings for the live stream of the rehearsal broke all previous records. The production company is already talking about a reality show featuring me and the tribute brides!”
Reina leaned closer to me, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “It’s like pouring gasoline onto a flame. He’s been insufferable all morning.”
“I heard that,” Serge said primly, though he didn’t seem offended. “And for your information, fame becomes me. I’ve already received seventeen requests for interviews and three offers to write wedding planning books.”
Ariana stepped closer to me, her hand finding mine and squeezing gently. “Are you okay? After everything that happened, are you really okay walking down that aisle by yourself?”
I probably should have been more upset that my father had turned out to be such a villain, but after rotting away in an alien jail and thinking I might never see my sister again, I was now surrounded by people who cared about me. Plus, I was about to marry the man who’d risked everything to save me.
“I’m really okay. I know now who my genuine family is.” I squeezed Ariana’s hand and looked into her eyes. “And I’m not walking down the aisle alone. You’re walking me down.”
Ariana’s chin wobbled, her free hand flying to her mouth to contain the sob that escaped. “Sasha...”
