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“The coral looks much healthier,” Lukas said. I glanced over to him, passively noting how good his hair looked today, pulled back to bring more attention to his beard. “I’m trying to convince him to share the wealth.”

“I’m sure we can figure out a way to get him a small tax exemption. Or commission from those who use it. Anything to incentivize him,” I said to Lukas. I didn’t mean to speak directly to him, it was just—

“That is a really good idea, Daphne,” my mother said, a wry smile on her lips. “Goodness.”

And there was that surprise again.

Lukas brought a hand up to stroke his beard and pass over his mouth a few times.

“Thank you.” I was just glad she didn’t know that my power was shredding to ribbons in my hands.

“So, your wedding dress. Have you tried it on?” Right back to business then.

“No. I haven’t had a chance.” The reality was I hated the frilly, cupcake like thing my mother chose for me. It wasn't my style at all nor did it flatter me. It was also almost a carbon copy of her own dress.

My mother huffed. “Well, you’ll want to make sure everything is perfect.”

“I’ve seen her in it,” Sophie said. “She looks beautiful.”

Because Sophie had seen me in the dress I was planning on wearing. I had my own, one I’d seen while out with Rose one day. I was going to deal with my mother’s horror after the fact.

“Oh, of course,” my mother said, shaking her head as she said it. “Daphne’s beauty hasn't been at issue for years.”

“Okay,” Lukas said, his voice raised. It barely landed on my ears. I was too busy recovering from the reminder of just another thing that bothered my mother. “Now that we have the dress sorted, can we move to the other details?”

To my mother’s credit, she didn’t look the least bit chastised.

I would thank Lukas vaguely after these dinners, not quite able to articulate why the way he handled my parents mattered so much. He didn’t defend me by slinging harsh words at my parents. He did it by changing the subject, through subtle misdirects. Which kept me from being embarrassed.

Even if it was practically second nature now, I was still thankful he’d done it.

The rest of the details we discussed had little to do with me and more to do with logistics. Dates, guests, ceremonies.

None of the decorations had changed. Well, to me they hadn’t. My mother would be surprised by the changes I’d made to her initial suggestions. But again, a problem for after my wedding day.

Though that day was now chalking up to be a painful reminder that it was all for show.

I realized I had spaced out when Lukas said my name.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?”

Lukas simply repeated himself. “I said we’ll be doing the power transfer at the ceremony, right?”

“Yes,” I said, smiling for the table even though Lukas was the only one seeing it. “It will make the weekend feel that much more special.”

And give us time to make sure whatever was happening with me wouldn’t affect Lukas, but that went unsaid.

“Don’t make yourself too busy, Daphne,” my father said. “Mistakes happen when schedules tighten, you should know that.”

“Right, because us Athenas know everything.” I sucked in a breath, while my hand curled into a fist on the table. I hadn’t meant to sound so sarcastic, but it landed heavy enough to crack glass.

My father blinked at me once. “You always did have a rather reactive temper.”

I actually didn’t really have a temper at all. I didn’t bite until I was cornered.

The only person who seemed to frustrate me without reason was Lukas. Lukas, who had placed his hand on mine, enveloping it in grounding warmth.

“Compared to mine, I barely notice it,” Lukas said, tightening his hold. My father was smart enough to get the message. Lukas was famously even-tempered.