Chapter Twenty-Four
Anna
Six weeks later...
I stare at myself in the full-length mirror and barely recognize the woman looking back. My hair is a shiny black wave, the makeup is darker than usual and my skin is clear and hydrated, with a glassy sheen.
The dress is perfect. Creamy white silk, elegant and minimal, with clean lines that hug my curves in all the right places. It’s inspired by Caroline Bessette-Kennedy’s iconic wedding gown, a vision of simple and sophisticated elegance. I can’t see a single roll. Just beautiful fabric skimming over my body like it was made for me.
Which it was. Custom altered to fit every curve.
The neckline shows just a hint of cleavage. The back dips low enough to be interesting. And my ass looksfantastic, the silk drapes over it in a way that makes me want to spin around and admire the view again.
So I do.
“Stop admiring yourself and let me fix this last piece of hair,” Ellie laughs, tugging me back around.
“I can’t help it. I look good.”
“You lookincredible,” Drew corrects from where she’s perched on a settee, already dabbing at her eyes. “Keric is going to lose his mind.”
I hope so. That’s the plan.
The dressing room at the Great Lodge is spacious and warm, filled with afternoon light streaming through tall windows. Outside, I can hear the murmur of guests arriving, the distant sound of music being tested. Inside, it’s just me and my girls, getting ready for the biggest moment of my life.
Ellie fusses with a strand of my hair, pinning it into place so the veil won’t budge. She flew in from Truckee three days ago and hasn’t stopped crying since she arrived. Happy tears, she keeps insisting. The happiest tears.
Miranda adjusts my train, making sure it falls correctly. “The shapewear is working?”
“Like a dream.” I smooth my hands over my hips. “Doesn’t pinch, doesn’t squeeze. I could wear this all day.”
“Good. Because you might have to.”
I glance at her in the mirror. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
She just grins. “Orc receptions can go late. Very late.”
Drew snorts. “As if Keric will let her stay at the reception past sunset. Did you see his face at dinner last night? He’s barely holding it together.”
They’re not wrong. My orc has been vibrating with impatience for weeks. Every time he looks at me, I can see him counting down the hours until I’m officially his wife. He loves the idea of us becoming legally married according to human law.
“Speaking of which...” Ellie leans close, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Have you told him yet?”
Drew and Miranda step out for a moment to talk to Maggie. Meanwhile, my hand drifts unconsciously to my belly. Still soft, the way it’s always been, but now there’s a slight firmness underneath. A subtle roundness that only I would notice. “I took the test three days ago. Two pink lines, clear as day. No question, no ambiguity. I’m pregnant. About six weeks along, if my math is right. You’re the only one I’ve told so far. I’ll need to see the OB-GYN in town soon, apparently there’s a doctor there who’s experienced with humans carrying orc babies. That’s a sentence I never thought I’d think, but here we are.”
“Oh good, I’m happy you’ll have a Doctor you can trust. When are you going to tell Keric?”
“I’m going to tell him tonight, after the ceremony.”
Ellie’s eyes well up again. “God, Anna. You’re going to be amom.” Her hand moves to her own belly, which has a visible curve now beneath her dusty sage bridesmaid dress. She’s about three months along and got pregnant on her wedding night with Garlen, just like orc tradition promised. “Our sons are going to grow up together, as cousins.”
“I know.” I grin. “I keep thinking about that. They’ll be so close in age.”
“They’ll be best friends,” Ellie says firmly. “Just like us. Running around the commune together every summer vacation, getting into trouble, driving their fathers crazy.”
I laugh, blinking back tears. “Keric and Garlen will have their hands full.”
“They’ll love every second of it.” She squeezes my hand. “Have you had much morning sickness?”
