“And they put the horsehair in?” he asks, tugging on my long braid.
“They did, and it’s synthetic, remember?”
“Right.” He nods. “What’s the plan for today?”
“She must bathe again,” Runa says. “And then the hairdresser will start on her hair. It will take a while to style, especially with the additions of pressed flowers.”
“Well, I’m here for it. I just need to shower and slip on my suit.”
There’s another knock on the door, and Lara steps into the room wearing a smile on her face. “Good morning, Lilly. How are you?”
“I’m doing great. Excited. Ready. What about you?”
“Ready.” She gestures to her black-on-black pant suit with a few medals across her chest and a sash that signifies her importance.
“Is that what you’re wearing?” I ask her.
She nods. “I might be attending in my heart as your friend, but in person, I’m your guard, so I have to dress the part.”
“Shame, I would love to see you roundhouse kick any trespassers in a solid pair of heels and an evening gown.”
“That would be hot,” Timmy says.
Another knock and this time, it’s Ottar.
“Good morning, Ottar,” I say. “Ooo, black on black as well. I like what I’m seeing with you and Lara.”
He barely acknowledges me with a smile and then whispers something to Lara. Her face scrunches up in confusion, and she holds up her finger to me. “Excuse me.”
They’re out the door of my room faster than Ottar entering.
“What was that about?” Timmy asks.
“No idea,” I say, staring at the door. “Probably something to do with security.”
“Does that scare you? Knowing someone is possibly out there trying to ruin the wedding?”
I shake my head. “No. We have the best team on the job. I know they’ll take care of everything. Plus, if I worry, it will take over the positive energy I have for today. And I don’t want that to happen. It’s been a hell of a month getting to this day, and I won’t let anything ruin that. Oh, which reminds me. I need to text Keller.”
I set my croissant on my leg and pick up my phone to shoot him a text.
Lilly:Good morning, my king. I hope you had a wonderful night’s rest full of naughty dreams of me. I can’t wait to see you later today in your handsome suit, waiting for me at the other end of the temple. I love you so much . . . you’re mine forever.
Happy with my text, I press send, just as Lara and Ottar come back into the room with blank looks on their faces.
Ding.
I glance at Lara’s hand where the sound came from, noticing she’s holding Keller’s phone. That’s weird. Why does she have it? When I look up at her and notice the frown on her face, the crinkle between her eyes, and the slump in her shoulders, I swallow a gasp.Something is wrong.
“What is it?” I ask, my heart rate starting to pick up, the pounding of my pulse thrumming in my ears.
Ottar clears his throat and steps farther into the room, holding a piece of paper in his hand. My eyes float between the two of them, dread inching up my spine.
“Why . . . why do you have Keller’s phone?” I ask.
Lara looks up at Ottar, who fidgets with the paper in his hand.
“Uh . . . Lilly,” he says, but his voice gets caught in his throat.
