Page 35 of Revenge (Warriors of the Drexian Academy #6)

Chapter

Thirty-Five

Sasha

I finally stepped out of the cake studio onto the cobblestone walkway, the artificial breeze carrying the mingled scents of coffee, pastries, and fresh flowers from the various shops lining the Promenade.

I hadn’t been thrilled that Deklyn had left me to finish the cake selection on my own, but I also knew that Tivek wouldn’t have tracked his brother down if it hadn’t been important. Besides, Tivek was on our side.

I’d done my best not to let my true emotions show when the cameras were rolling and recording my every expression for the viewers back on Earth, who thought they were watching a genuine love story unfold.

My jaw already quivered from the effort of smiling for so long.

How was I going to keep this up much longer?

“That was a tremendous success!” Serge practically bounced on his glossy purple platform boots as he gestured wildly with his arms. “I cannot wait to see the planning compilation the camera crew puts together to show before the wedding livestream.” He fluffed the fuchsia ascot billowing at his neck.

“You think this outfit popped on camera, don’t you? ”

I took in his wide-lapel, bright purple suit with bell-bottom pants that flared over his platform boots.

The suit was almost a perfect match to his spiky hair, and, from experience, I knew his ascot was the same shade his hair flushed when he was overly excited or irritated. “I think it’s absolutely ethereal.”

Serge preened at my comment, hooking his arm through mine. “You spoil me, Sasha.”

Before I could suggest taking a break or finding Deklyn, Serge was steering me down the walkway with surprising strength, considering he was half my size.

“Now, for the next crucial element, darling. We need to select your sister’s attendant dress.

Since she’s your only attendant, it needs to be perfect. ”

“Actually,” I said, trying to dig in my heels with little success in slowing him down, “I should probably find my darling fiancé first. Make sure he’s not getting into trouble without me.”

“Nonsense!” Serge waved a dismissive hand. “We don’t need him for this part. Men have no appreciation for attendant dresses. Trust me, it’s better to handle these decisions without their input.”

Before I could protest further, he was pushing through the glass doors of the bridal salon. The crystal chandeliers cast prisms of light across the displays of white silk and lace, but now there were also racks of dresses in various colors that presumably belonged to the attendant collection.

“She needs to pick out her maid of honor dress,” Serge announced to the salon at large, gesturing toward me with theatrical flair.

I spotted Ariana in front of a glass shelving display filled with glittering jewelry with Reina at her side. Ariana’s smile was quick and bright when she spotted the cameras following us.

“Well done, Reina.” Serge clapped his hands together. “You got the other pilot here right on time.”

Ariana and I exchanged a glance, and I could tell she was working just as diligently as I was to suppress the giggles.

Serge bustled toward the back of the salon, waving for the cameras to follow him as he launched into a detailed explanation of the attendant dress options that would complement our rescue among the stars theme.

Ariana hung back as the film crew moved away, and I stayed with her. “I have to admit this isn’t how I ever imagined your wedding.”

I tipped my head back and forth. “You mean you didn’t picture a purple-haired alien dressed like a circus ringmaster planning my wedding?”

She put a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing. “What’s with the rescued among the stars theme?”

I shrugged. “Serge’s idea.”

Ariana’s laugh faded, and she studied my face. “Are you sure about all of this, Sash? It doesn’t seem like you. The spectacle, the cameras, the frills. None of it feels like you.”

This sobered me. She was right, of course.

The sister she’d known her entire life would never have chosen this kind of spectacle.

The old Sasha would have wanted something small and private, something that didn’t put her personal life on display for the entertainment of strangers.

If she’d had a wedding at all. I was the girl who’d sneak down to the courthouse, not have an ethereal, five-tiered wedding cake.

I mentally debated telling her the truth and explaining that this was all an elaborate trap, that the publicity was the point, that I needed every important Earth official to attend so I could figure out who was the one responsible for giving the order to leave me.

But too many people knew our secret already, and each additional person increased the risk of discovery.

Plus, I wanted to keep my sister out of this if everything went wrong, which it very well might.

“I’m sure about Deklyn,” I said finally, which was truer every day. “The wedding itself might have gotten bigger than I expected, but that’s just Serge’s enthusiasm. You know how he is.”

Her eyes narrowed, and she flicked them to the surrounding dresses. “If you’re having doubts about any of this?—”

“One thing I’m completely sure about is having you as my maid of honor,” I interrupted. Whatever else was wrong about this situation, having my sister stand beside me wasn’t one of them. “I want you there with me.”

Ariana’s expression softened, and she pulled me into a fierce hug that made guilt twist in my chest. She thought she was supporting me through the happiest day of my life, when in reality she was being manipulated into participating in an elaborate deception.

“Sasha! Ariana!” Serge rushed toward us, holding up a black dress with a full tulle skirt that was dotted with silver stars. “I found the perfect option!”

Ariana took one look at the gown and shook her head immediately. “No way.”

I couldn’t help laughing as Serge’s bright smile deflated. “Maybe something a little less on-the-nose regarding the theme.”

Serge looked genuinely confused, his head tilting as he examined the dress. “There are no noses on here.”

“It’s an expression,” I explained, trying to keep the amusement out of my voice. “It means too obvious.”

“Oh!” Serge’s face lit up. “I love Earth expressions! They’re so colorful!”

“He’s still learning,” Reina whispered as she sidled up to me. “But he’s getting better.”

“Back to the drawling board!” Serge announced, heading toward the rear of the salon with renewed determination.

“Drawing board,” Ariana corrected automatically, then looked at Reina with raised eyebrows.

“I’d better follow him,” Reina said, taking quick steps to catch up to him.

“At least this is better than meeting our father’s ship,” Ariana said with a shake of her head.

My stomach clenched with sudden dread. In all the chaos of wedding planning, I’d pushed the reality of my father’s arrival to the back of my mind. “When does he arrive?”

“He should be here now,” Ariana said. “His transport was scheduled to dock about twenty minutes ago.”

The thought of seeing my father again, of having to perform the role of a happy bride under his scrutiny, made my chest tight with familiar anxiety. Some fears from childhood never vanished, and the fear of disappointing General Marcus Bowman had been carved into my bones.

As Serge’s voice drifted from the back of the salon, full of fresh enthusiasm for the next attendant dress option, I tried to steel myself for what was coming.