* * *
“Is he still sleeping?” Willow’s voice pulled my gaze from my mate to the door, my fingers continuing their lazy crawl through his hair.
“Yes, though he should be up soon. You can come in…”
With a formal head bow that made me frown, she entered the room with my guardian at her heels, each of them carrying a large garment bag. That was the reason she was acting so formal. Right now, Willow was a woman on a mission.
My amused gaze connected with Imogen’s, who hadn’t dared leave Braxton’s side either. She sat on the corner of the bed, reading the Harbinger’s journal. Her right brow arched at the way Kingston moved in perfect sync with my best friend, placing the bag on the other side of the mattress like she did, careful not to disturb his prince.
I loved seeing them together, it was so natural for them that it seemed like they had been a pair forever.
“And what exactly do you have there, darling?” Imogen asked, safeguarding the Harbinger’s journal in the dresser, before returning to our side.
“Well,” Willow began in a hushed tone, glancing at my sleepy mate, who drank both of her restoring juices and still managed to fall fast asleep from his energy exertion. “I have a gift for the two of you. I decided you will have a formal pairing ceremony.”
The news brought a smile to my face, just seeing the excitement in her fed my soul. “I love that idea.”
“I’m not done.” She narrowed her eyes at me, making me chuckle.
“Sorry. What else have you planned?”
“It will be held four days from now. With your coronation. Two celebrations in one,” Willow declared. “First the wedding, then the coronation. Or first the coronation and then the wedding.” Her brow furrowed. “Not sure yet.”
“I like the sound of that,” Braxton yawned next to me, taking my hand from his hair, and placing a kiss on my knuckles.
“How are you feeling?” my guardian asked, instantly walking to his side, and carefully scrutinizing my mate while he sat up on the bed.
“Surprisingly well.” Braxton cracked his neck, reaching for the glass of water on the night table. “I guess it took a bit longer for the juices to work this time. But I feel as good as new. Thanks, Willow.”
“Just take care of yourself so I don’t have to make any more of that juice. I have no idea how many shahs are left in the pond, and they don’t reproduce as fast as we’ll need them to if you keep abusing your abilities…” she huffed the last part.
“The restoring juice is made out of the shah?!” A mix of horror and disgust captured his face, and he fake-gagged. “I didn’t want to know that.”
“I told you.” I chuckled when he glanced at me, shuddering from revulsion.
“I’m glad you feel better, darling, but it has almost been three hours since you fell asleep, and we need to get you ready for the next round.” Imogen gave him a pointed look, gesturing towards the far wall where his father’s armor hung.
“My turn first,” Willow interjected, opening one of the garment bags. “I know it might not be the perfect time for this, but I feel lately those are few and far between, so I just wanted to give you this.”
Amazement captured me whole when she pulled out a dress unlike anything I had ever seen. The fabric itself was so unusual, a pearlescent white color but with a soft, blue changing shimmer under the light.
“Gods!” I gasped the instant I realized what it was, and why it seemed so rare yet familiar. Slowly standing, I instinctively reached for the dress. The top side was almost leathery, yet silky smooth underneath. “Is this the sacred skin from the ocean guardian?”
Willow’s satisfied smile turned brilliant, clearly proud of my astonishment. “You told me I could keep it and create anything I wanted with it… So, I made your wedding dress.”
I blinked, emotion rushing to my eyes as I glanced at her. “My wedding dress?”
“Of course,” she assured, shrugging. “It took one look at you, drooling over the ‘new warrior’, to know I would end up planning your pairing ceremony sooner rather than later.”
Pulling Willow into my arms, I squeezed the breath out of her. The love I felt for my best friend and sister overflowed from my heart, truly grateful I had her in my life.
“Thank you,” I whispered against her ear and placed a huge kiss on her cheek.
“I’m always going to be there for you, silly,” she added, stepping back to smooth out the gown. “Besides, I know you better than you know yourself.”
I chuckled at that because she was right.
“And this one if for you,” Willow added, gesturing for Kingston to open the second bag, but we all turned around to find my mate with his eyes covered.
