“The veil’s crooked,” I said.
Dad crossed the room and studied the veil situation. He adjusted something in the back, moved another part over my shoulder, and pulled out a bobby pin.
I watched him in the reflection, still unsure how to navigate this new chapter in our lives. After Brie had sorted throughenough details she’d obtained from the Fenix server in Mnemis, Dad had refused to withdraw his guilty plea. But after Martinelli and the rest of his cronies were in jail, he finally relented.
Mum only gave us the updates she deemed necessary, but it was clear at least a few favors were called in, because just three weeks ago, he’d received a full royal pardon. They’d set him free. Just like that.
Twenty years of visiting him through glass, and now he could just… fix my veil.
“There.” He stepped back. “Perfect.”
It looked the same as when I’d been adjusting it, but somehow, it also looked right. Finally.
“Nothing about today is perfect,” Mum said, her light British accent more prominent today. Maybe she was tired; maybe she no longer felt the need to hide it, since we all knew the truth about her background. “The east wing is still undergoing repairs after the hurricane, the flowers arrived late, and Will apparently spent the entire morning on his laptop reviewing satellite design.”
I bit back a laugh. He’d been so jealous of Pendragon’s toys that he thought he could compete—at least technologically—with the military contractor by putting up his own satellite. He swore he’d finish it before the wedding, but my little sister had made too many software changes, so they’d had to push back the launch date.
“How do you walk in these things?” said Brie as she stepped out of the dressing room. She ungracefully held out one foot, showing the white satin pumps I’d picked for her.
“Practice?”
She wore a simple white dress, like mine, befitting our double beach wedding. It fell to her knees, as mine did, but the neckline was a little higher, and hers had straps, where mine didn’t. “I’m going barefoot.”
“Me too.” Jenn, my maid of honor, trailed after her and kicked off her own shoes. “Scar, you’re crazy if you think heels are appropriate on a beach.”
Not having to hide my career from my best friend was another big adjustment. “Sweetie, I have ziplined into museums and evaded more than one henchman on foot while wearing stilettos. A little sand won’t slow me down.”
“She has a point, darling,” cooed Mum, erasing her accent in Jenn’s presence. Unlike me, she was not adjusting to Jenn being in the loop. In fact, Mum still glowered at Emmett from time to time for spilling so much.
I cocked an eyebrow at my mother.
She did the same back.
Dad laughed. “You still think eyebrows are an effective communication tool, Evie?”
Mum narrowed her eyes at him, almost imperceptibly. “You’d be surprised, dear.”
Were my parents teasing each other? Hell, were theyflirtingwith each other?
I’d been so young when he was taken away that I barely remembered how they were together. They’d been a solid team. Didn’t fight. That much I could pull up in my memory. But their daily interactions?
And how the hell were they picking up as though twenty years hadn’t passed?
Jenn’s phone buzzed, and she grabbed it from where it sat on the table. The smile that lit up her face told me it was my brother. “Emmett says Malcolm’s wearing a groove into the floor from pacing.”
My toes began to scrunch inside my shoes, releasing emotions no one could see. But then I caught myself. Today wasn’t about control. Today was about joy, love, and family. I could let people see me happy. Especially today.
“Are you okay?” Dad asked.
“Better than okay.” I smoothed my dress, letting myself actually feel the moment. “We’re all here. All safe. All happy.”
My mother’s expression softened—that rare, genuine warmth she usually kept hidden. She smiled at my father, who wrapped an arm around her waist. “We deserve that.”
Through the window, I watched the guests being seated on the beach. White chairs sat in neat rows, facing an arch draped with tropical flowers that had only actually arrived fifteen minutes late. The water stretched out beyond the beach, showing us all why the island had been named Blue Haven Cay.
My entire extended family was gathering. Not just blood, but the family I’d chosen over the years. My other besties from childhood were out there, everyone from the company, and friends we’d picked up along the way. Even Gideon Tremaine himself was in attendance.
A knock came at the door. “Flower delivery for Scarlett Reynolds.”
