Page 63 of King of Ashes

Lucy blows out a breath. “Whatever your reason, I hope it’s worth it.”

“The good news is that you now have three sisters,” Jenna says.

“My father and brother tried to hurt you, did hurt your husbands. Why?—”

Hannah takes my hand. "You're not your father, Keira. And we're not ours either. We get to decide who we are."

For the first time in days, I feel something crack inside me. Not hope, necessarily, but a fissure through which a little light can shine through.

We reach the little boutique and browse through the delicate silks and sparkling accessories. The women's kindness feels genuine, even if I remain cautious of their sudden appearance.

"What about these for the bridesmaids?" Hannah suggests, holding up a sample in a rich burgundy that complements my ivory gown.

"That's actually perfect," I admit, running my fingers over the fabric. "It matches the roses I've ordered."

Jenna smiles. "See? We can be helpful."

For a moment, I allow myself to imagine what this might have been like under different circumstances. Planning a wedding I actually wanted, surrounded by friends rather than allies of my captor.

"Have you thought about your something borrowed?" Lucy asks, inspecting a display of hair accessories.

"I hadn't gotten that far," I confess. "There's been so much to coordinate." What is the point, really? I suppose I could raid my mother’s jewelry box if necessary.

"I have a beautiful ruby bracelet," Hannah offers.

Their kindness is disarming. After days of isolation and Phoenix's hot-and-cold behavior, just being treated like a person feels revolutionary.

We find a style that has a size for each of them and pay a fortune to make sure they’re ready in three days. Lucy then suggests that we go for coffee.

We settle into a corner of a café. The conversation flows more easily now, and I find myself laughing at Lucy's story about how she and Flint met.

“The whole time I was falling for him, I thought his name was Flynn.”

“How’d you find out the truth?” I ask, thinking as deceptions go, that one isn’t so bad.

Her smile falters slightly. “Marshall, the former police superintendent, was threatening me and Flint intervened. He exposed who he was to protect me. He killed to save me.”

I frown. “My brother was suspected of killing Marshall.”

All three sets of eyes round as if they’re worried about my response to learning Flint was the one who actually killed Marshall.

“It’s my understanding that your father and Ronan were okay with that as it hid the fact that the Ifrinns were back,” Lucy says.

I nod. “Sounds like something they’d do.” I study them. “Are you involved in the business?”

“I’m a writer,” Lucy says. For a moment, I want to share with her my secret writing, but while I’m enjoying these women, I’m not ready to share my secrets. I may never share them with anyone.

“I helped Ash… ah… with the families…” Hannah looks nervous.

“The ones who worked with Phoenix to overthrow my father.”

She swallows and nods.

“I garden and take care of my mother. Soon, I’ll have a new little one,” Jenna blurts out like she’s wanting to change the subject. “Hannah is expecting too. And Lucy, well, they have little Flynn.”

I turn to her. “Flynn. Full circle, then.”

She nods. “We’ve all been fortunate to find love with an Ifrinn.”