Emma made a skeptical noise, which I ignored. She was perfectly content with allowing the wolvens to hate us if they so wanted, but I knew that wasn’t an option. We had enough enemies as it was. If there was infighting within our own villages, the whole movement against Gabby would crumble. One way or another, we had to earn the loyalty of the pack, and be accepted as their alphas.
Otherwise, the war was already lost.
Chapter Fourteen
Emma
“My queen, you simplymustsettle on your dress! Your wedding is inthree weeks. That’s hardly enough time to get your hemline done!”
Lady Wilmaette was my wedding planner, and she took Ethan and I’s nuptials as seriously as the war. Picking out the color scheme of napkins was like life-or-death to her. I stood on a stool in her office, covered in endless spools of white fabric as seamstresses took my measurements.
I had the thought Wilmaette would be an incredible general. The old woman ran her event planning staff tighter than the army ran their barracks. She was impeccable, with incredible stature, ironed clothes and perfectly coiffed hair.
Needless to say, I liked her, and Ithinkshe liked me, but we didn’t often get along. I was certain she believed I was a clueless American puppy she had to whip into shape to fit into high society.
“I don’t understand why we can’t go to a store and pick something out. I’ll even go couture, so it’ll be expensive,” I said.
Wilmaette gave a sniff so loud, it was nearly jarring. “A Malovian queen hasneverchosen a wedding dress off-the-rack. Do you wish to insult your people, your majesty?”
My wedding dress had been a huge point of contention between us. I was supposed to have chosen something for my gown months ago, so the seamstresses could work on it all year, and have it done in time for my final fitting. Which was supposed to be… now.
Unfortunately, I hadn’t been able to make up my mind on what I wanted to wear, and as there were far more important matters going on in the country, I hadn’t devoted any time to sitting around and thinking about it. I was about to get married in a little over twenty days, and I still didn’t have my dress.
“I can’t believe your wedding is on aWednesday,” Wilmaette scolded. “Why the king chose such a day, I’ll never know.”
The kingdom didn’t need to know that December first was the earliest day we could get married by Malovian tradition. My honeymoon provided an excuse to get me out of the kingdom by December fourth— the day the Black Claw had sworn to take my blood to raise Droga. We’d booked our honeymoon far out of the country after the wedding was over, to keep me safe from whatever the cult had planned.
“It’s not important what day they picked,” Delmare said pointedly. “We just have to get Emma a dress in time.”
Kiara, Odette, and Delmare were my bridesmaids. They were getting the last finishing touches put on their dresses, which were ice blue. They looked incredible, though the seamstresses kept having to take Delmare’s dress out, on account of her growing pregnancy. She would be five months along by the time the wedding happened. Wilmaette was still fretting on how she would manage to make Delmare’s dress tasteful. She didn’t want the baby to distract the gossiping press from the main event.
“It’s not that I don’t like any of the options, it’s that I like too many,” I protested. The designers had done an amazing job with all the different sketches of dresses they’d composed, but I loved them all, and there were just too many choices. I was worried about limiting it down to one, and then regretting what I picked out for my big day.
“If the queen does not choose, a choice will be made for her. As it is, the seamstresses will be up day and night to finish your gown in time,” Wilmaette replied.
“Can’t we just use magic to make a dress?” I asked.
Wilmaette physically staggered backward, like that was the most offensive thing she’d ever heard. “My queen, anillusioncannot make up for the real thing! There is no replacement for hand stitched beads or careful embroidery. In this area, magic provides no shortcuts. Your dress will be put on tour in museums all around Malovia once your wedding is complete. We can’t have the public looking at anillusion.You need something thatlasts.”
I scowled. At this rate, I’d be walking down the aisle in my underwear. I glanced at the collection of designs scattered all over the table, and only felt more overwhelmed.
“Let me!” Odette hopped off her stool and hobbled toward me. “I can design something Iknowthe queen will love!”
“My dear, we know you are talented with a needle, but this requires delicate work.” Wilmaette sighed.
“No, that’s not a bad idea,” I said. “Do you think you could choose for me, Odette?”
“Don’t you want to design yourowndress, my queen?” Wilmaette prodded.
“Not really,” I said bluntly. “It’s become obvious I can’t make up my mind.”
As queen, I had a lot of decisions I had to make on a daily basis. If I had to decideone more thing, I would scream. Even if it was about my wedding dress.
Wilmaette pursed out her lips. “Do you trust your lady-in-waiting to create something stunning?”
“Absolutely. I put my fate in her hands.”
I nodded, and Odette hurried to the desk. “Hmm.” Odette leaned over the table and examined the designs. Then she took a pair of scissors, and cut three designs in half, taping the pieces of paper together. “Here. These sleeves, this top, and this skirt. This is exactly what the queen needs.”
