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The third, however, was an off-white gown that had a lavender undertone, floor length, fitted to the hips, and the sheer sleeves had strings of florals working up from the wrist to the shoulder. The lace on the bottom swirled into blooming lilies. It was a softer gown, for the part of her that wasn’t a warrior out forvengeance. She wondered if he’d had this planned for some time and had snuck off to the dressmaker in town.

She pulled it off the hanger and turned to Piper, Katana, and Tif. Piper leaned up against the bedpost with her arms crossed. If it bothered her to help her pick a dress to marry Hel rather than Thane, she didn’t voice it. Just being here rather than staying with the boys downstairs showed improvement with their friendship and Valeen’s choice.

Aunt Evalyn was still bitter and drinking downstairs, probably on her fourth glass by now. If she was passed out by the time the ceremony ended it wouldn’t surprise Valeen. Even if she had her qualms with this arrangement, she did agree to close the bar to the public. “You’re going to do it either way, I may as well be there to see it happen,” she’d said.

Valeen held the soft buttery fabric against herself. “What do you think of this one?”

Tif sat on the armrest of the sofa, bouncing her brown boots with a hole in each toe. She clapped her chubby hands then turned to Katana with a squeal. By the growing redness of her cheeks, she looked like she was trying very hard not to speak first.

Smiling, Piper nodded. “I think it’s beautiful. Simple yet elegant. Although you always look great in ball gowns, I think this one suits you more.”

“Yes, it’s perfect,” Katana said, in the seat beside Tif. “It’s classy and understated, which is exactly what I’d expect you to wear. Especially since it’s not a large ceremony.”

“I love it!” Tif blurted out. She kicked her feet and pulled on her chocolate curls. “Try it on! We have to see it on you to decide for certain.”

Using the dressing shade for privacy, she quickly changed. It was a perfect fit, the waist was snug but didn’t affect her breathing, and the V-neck only hinted at cleavage. “I love thelily lace patterns. And the sleeves. It’s so different from my last dress.” She stepped out and turned in a slow circle. “I need help with the back.”

Katana was the first to jump up and assist. “You are glowing in it! But do you want it to be different or would you rather something similar? Maybe you do want something more extravagant like the magenta dress? Or something else entirely. I’m sure we could arrange a fitting and postpone this for another day.”

“I want it to be different, and I like that it’s not yards of tulle like a ball gown actually.”

“I’m just surprised you’re getting married tonight. Did you have this secretly planned?” Piper asked.

“No, well, yes, we planned to marry but not tonight. We didn’t have a date set.” She glanced over at Piper. If anyone knew what Thane was feeling right now, it would be her. He hadn’t looked at her quite the same since he’d returned from Ryvengaard. The pain behind his eyes seemed to have eased, like a dark storm cloud breaking away for sunlight to peek through. His smile toward her seemed genuine once again. Maybe he’d forgiven her for choosing Hel.

Through the mirror reflection she watched Katana work the buttons. Even if Katana thought Thane didn’t want love, it wouldn’t be surprising if she had everything to do with his mending heart. She pinched her lips together to keep from smiling.

“It’s a fun surprise. Although I wish I could have planned this for you,” Katana harrumphed with a pouty lip. Planning parties was one of Katana’s favorite things to do, weddings made the top of the list. “I’d have a full tunnel of full blooming purple and white wisteria for you to walk down, and decadent food, rich wine, music. Yes, beautiful string music, and of course I’d spend hours styling your hair. Valeen, you’re a goddess, anda queen, surely you want to have a big extravagant wedding? I’m sure Thane would let you have it at the castle. There’s beautiful gardens and the waterfall as the backdrop would be magnificent.”

“Oh, can I help plan?” Tif raised her hand. “I could help make the cake. Chocolate with a layer of strawberry filling or vanilla with chocolate cream drizzled with fudge.”

“It would be beautiful, and the cake would be delicious no doubt, but I would rather not be married at Thane’s castle,” Valeen murmured. It was enough that she was there with another male, she didn’t also need to marry there. “A small ceremony at my aunt’s is perfect.”

“Oh.” Katana flushed, eyes going wide. “Oh, that is—I should have considered that. It’s difficult enough with the servants gossiping behind his back, a wedding would be...” she trailed off with a grimace.

“Yeah. Besides, you know me, Katana, I’d much rather have a small gathering than something large, even if I am a queen and a goddess.”

“Yes, you have always liked to slip among the shadows.” She smiled. “I should not have even brought up marrying at Thane’s castle. It was inconsiderate of me given the past. I apologize.”

Lifting her shoulder, Piper said, “Well, if what I heard coming from one of the sitting rooms the other day was any indication, I think Thane will be just fine.”

“Piper!” Katana cried, cheeks staining a rosy pink.

“What? I didn’t stick around. I was walking by. She knows, doesn’t she?”

“If you mean me, I know,” Valeen said, trying to hide her smile. It was almost strange she felt no jealousy about it. Before Hel’s return, she would have lost her mind to it. But she was so in love with Hel that he was all she could see. She almost felt like a young girl again, giddy to meet the boy she fancied.

Flustered, Katana pulled Valeen’s hair out of the single braid and ran her fingers through it. “I told her. My sister was remarkably gracious about it.”

“Well, she’s getting laid by someone else.” Piper plopped down on the bed. “And don’t ever tell him this, or I will kill you, but I’d bet serious money Hel’s good in bed.”

Valeen whipped her head around in surprise. She rarely talked of Hel in a good light, let alone in a sexual manner. With her ankles crossed on the bed, Piper only smirked at her.

“I’d bet that too,” Tif added with a sly grin. “Not that I know anything about that. I’ve never even kissed anyone. There was this boy in my village who tried once but I threw mud in his face.”

Valeen burst out laughing. “Why would you do that?”

“I don’t know. I feel bad about it now. Aren’t we supposed to have dates for a wedding?”