The dress.
I’ve been avoiding looking at it, hanging in the corner of the room like a promise I’m not sure I deserve. Mother produced it from her “emergency diplomatic supplies” without explanation, and when I first saw it, I had to sit down.
It isn’t Valorian. Valorian formal wear is all structured lines and rigid tradition—beautiful, but notme. And it isn’t human standard either, the plain practical cuts that Fringe stations favor for the rare ceremonies that happen out here.
It’s something in between. Soft flowing fabric in deep midnight blue that will move when I move, with subtle crystalline accents that catch the light like stars. The neckline will frame the mate mark on my throat without hiding it. And scattered throughout, like someone knew exactly who I was—
Pink accents. Delicate threads of rose gold woven through the fabric, catching light, impossible to miss.
“Mother.” My voice comes out rough. “Did you pack this in the emergency supplies?”
“I packed several options.” She doesn’t look at me, busy with something on her datapad. “This one seemed most you.”
“You’re terrifying.”
“Thank you.”
I want to ask how she knew. How she had a dress ready for a wedding I hadn’t even known was going to happen. But this is Mother—she probably calculated the probability right alongside Zip and decided to be prepared.
Suki helps me into it, and when I finally look in the mirror—
Oh.
Oh.
The woman staring back at me looks like someone who belongs in a fairy tale. Not the princess kind—the kind where the heroine has fought her way through hell and come out the other side with stars in her hair and fire in her eyes.
The mate mark glows soft gold against my throat, visible and proud.
I’m getting married. To an alien noble who makes my knees weak and my heart race and who looks at me like I’m the only star in his sky.
Holy shit.
“CAPTAIN, YOUR HEART RATE HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY. ARE YOU EXPERIENCING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY?”
“No, Zip. I’m just having a moment.”
“NOTED. MOMENT LOGGED. WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO PLAY CALMING MUSIC?”
“Absolutely not.”
“UNDERSTOOD. SAVING CALMING MUSIC FOR RECEPTION. RUSTY AND I HAVE PREPARED ALTERNATIVE ENTERTAINMENT.”
Something cold slithers down my spine. “Zip. What kind of entertainment?”
“IT’S A SURPRISE, CAPTAIN. RUSTY WAS VERY INSISTENT ON MAINTAINING SECRECY.”
I look at Suki. Suki looks at me.
“That can’t be good,” she says.
“That is definitely not good.”
Mother’s voice cuts through my rising panic. “It’s time. Everyone to positions.” Her eyes meet mine, and for just a moment, something softens in her expression. “You ready, kid?”
No. Yes. Maybe.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
