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“Pfft. Don’t act like you weren’t thinking the same thing. She’s a waste of space.”

The clicking of Vivian’s heels on the stone terrace was as light and rhythmic as her seductive walk. Soleil found it easy to see why men would think her sister attractive. A small flame of jealousy flared to life inside her, but she snuffed it out. Viv and Damian were forever; Trevor had told her he believed she was beautiful. Her sisters held no attraction for him.

“Why the strange look?” Viv asked in her standard, gentle-probing way.

“I was thinking about how drop-dead gorgeous my sisters are and how many times I’ve felt like the ugly duckling in a room full of swans.”

Viv’s expression turned to one of dismay. “Soleil!”

She held up a hand. “It’s okay, sister. I don’t resent any of you.”

With a concerted frown, Viv clapped her hands together and spread them body-width apart. Between them, a full-length mirror formed, and she propped it up against one of the four-foot-high planters dotting the terrace.

“Come here, Lei, please.” The instant Soleil joined her, Viv entwined their fingers. Lifting their joined hands to the sky, she said, “Goddess, grant her the power of objectivity.”

An electrical surge ran throughout Soleil’s body, and she meeped in surprise. “What the hell?”

“Shh. Look.”

When she turned her attention to the two women in the mirror, she didn’t recognize the chestnut-haired bombshell at first. But the moment she did, she gasped and moved closer, touching the glass.

“That’s me?”

“It is,” Viv assured her. “This is how anyone with two eyes views you, sister.”

“But I’m not overweight or frumpy.”

“You never were. Full-figured doesn’t equate to not being sexy, Lei. It doesn’t equate to not being gorgeous.” Viv’s smile was luminous.“Yes, people’s preferences differ, and that’sagreatthing.It would be boringas hellif we all looked the same, wouldn’t it? But your differences don’t make you any less attractive than the rest of us. To some, I’m scrawny, and Josie dresses too slutty.There are those who wouldview Taryn as unattractive with her tattoos and piercings, but we all know she’s bewitchingly beautiful like Josie is beguiling and sex on a stick.”

“I don’t know what to say.” And she didn’t. Vivian had given her a gift. Thegift of self-confidence she nevertrulyhad.

“I’m ashamed we all missed seeing how you viewed yourself. We could’ve boosted your confidence years ago.”

“Maybe it was a good thing you didn’t.” With a melancholy smile, Soleil met Viv’s loving blue gaze in the mirror. “My head might’ve grown to match my bust size.”

“You’d be well within your rights.” Viv’s focus dipped to the cleavage displayed above Soleil’s V-neck. “That bosom is fucking impressive as hell!”

They shared a laugh. Their love of historical novels was mutual.

“Remind me to loan you Kate Bateman’s latest release,” Soleil said.

“Too late. I already own it.” Viv waved a hand to disappearthemirror. “Get going, or you’ll miss the hearing. Oh, and take a few extra charmed vials of dirt with you. Damian texted before I came out here to check on you. He and Trevor believe the Villainous Vectors may have pulled a Manchurian Candidate, setting Trev up for failure.”

“I’m going to murder that bitch.”

“Bitch singular?” Viv asked with a laugh.

“Okay, thosebitches, but Deni gets it first,” Soleil promised.

CHAPTER31

Trevor’s link to Soleil sparked to life.

“Dalli.”

Shutting his eyes and thanking the Goddess for small favors, heexpelled a breathin relief.

She entered the hall and didn’t stop walking until she reached the front row of spectators. With a cajoling smile for the unknown man in the aisle seat, she asked, “Do you mind if I have this seat? That’s my boyfriend, and?—”