“Oh, for the love of all that’s holy!” Serge exclaimed, rushing forward with a lace handkerchief. “Don’t ruin your makeup! We don’t have time for touch-ups!”
But Reina was already there, dabbing gently at Ariana’s eyes with her own handkerchief, tears streaming down her gray cheeks as well. “Don’t listen to him. Cry all you want, hon.”
I felt my throat tighten with emotion. “You know what’s funny? What started out as the worst thing that had ever happened to me turned out to be the best thing.”
Ariana sniffled. “Really?”
“It brought me to the love of my life,” I said, thinking of Deklyn’s cocky grin and the way his eyes softened when he looked at me. “Even if I thought he was an arrogant ass when I first met him.”
“Well,” Ariana said, dabbing at her eyes one more time, “if it brought us back together and gave you the chance to find your person, then I’m glad I spent so long harassing everyone about mounting a rescue mission.”
Serge suddenly straightened, pressing a finger to the small communication device tucked discreetly in his ear. His expression shifted in an instant. “It’s time.” He clapped his hands. “Places, everyone!”
Reina thrust the bouquets at us and hurried behind to fluff the skirts of our gowns.
“Other side!” Serge barked suddenly, pointing toward the double doors in front of us. “Reina, you need to open the other side or these two will have to process sideways, and I cannot abide any more disasters.”
Reina’s eyes went wide, and she rushed forward to the doors, her heels clicking rapidly against the floor. “Oops!”
“Ready?” Ariana asked, sliding her arm through mine.
I nodded, though my heart was hammering so hard I was sure everyone could hear it. “Ready.”
Reina and Serge each threw open their side of the massive double doors, and my breath caught in my throat. I’d been so distracted by my plan for the rehearsal that I hadn’t paid attention to the ceremony setup. I hadn’t even picked it, delegating that task, along with so many others, to Serge.
But as Ariana and I stepped into the room, I had to admit that the Gatazoid had picked well. Green grass stretched to the edge of a cliff’ and beyond that an ocean reached toward the horizon. The sky was drenched in brilliant shades of pink and orange as the sun began its descent, casting everything in a warm, golden glow.
Friends from the academy and instructors who had helped rescue me filled neat rows of white chairs. Admiral Zoran sat in the front row beside his wife, Noora, both of them beaming. Captain Vyk was there with Fiona, and I could see other couples scattered throughout the guests.
But I had eyes only for one person.
Deklyn stood at the front wearing his formal dark Drexian uniform. The military jacket fit his broad shoulders perfectly, and a ceremonial sash crossed his chest. His dark hair was neat, but his ever-present stubble was there, and even in the formal attire, he looked like the rule-breaking, authority-defying warrior I’d fallen in love with.
When his gaze found mine across the room, his entire expression transformed, and I couldn’t help the wide smile that spread across my face. This was real. This was right. This was exactly where I was supposed to be.
The soft strains of music began, and Ariana and I began our walk down the petal-strewn aisle. The lace of my dress rustled softly with each step, and I could feel the train trailing behind me, but all I could focus on was Deklyn’s face and the way he was looking at me.
“Is your processional music ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun?,” Ariana whispered without turning her head.
I’d forgotten that that was the song Reina had picked. “Yep.”
“At least you aren’t going fully traditional on me,” she said with a giggle.
The guests turned to watch us pass, and I caught sight of Morgan and Tivek sitting together and looking very cozy. Britta leaned into Kann as they both grinned at us, and Jess gave us a small wave with the hand that wasn’t holding Torq’s.
When we reached the front, Ariana turned to face me.
“I love you,” she whispered, pulling me into a fierce hug that was careful not to crush my flowers.”
I love you too," I whispered back, holding her tight. “Thank you for never giving up on me.”
When she finally released me, she stepped back and formally placed my hand in Deklyn’s. His fingers closed around mine, warm and sure, and I felt the last of my nerves melt away.
The kind-faced Drexian elder that Serge had procured for the occasion began speaking about love and commitment and the joining of two souls, but I barely heard a word of it. I was completely lost in Deklyn’s eyes, in how his thumb traced gentle circles on the back of my hand, and knowing that this incredible, brave, slightly insane Drexian had chosen me. Had fought for me again and again.
The love I felt for him was so overwhelming it almost scared me. I’d never imagined I could feel this way about anyone, never thought I’d be the type of woman who would want to pledge her life to someone else. But standing here with him, watching the way the sunset light played across his features, I couldn’t imagine wanting to be anywhere else or with anyone else.
“Will you, Sasha Bowman,” the officiant asked, “take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for better or worse, for as long as you both shall live?”
