Page 150 of Savage Empire

A chuckle vibrates in my chest. “Let’s start with food.”

“Thank God,” Jade exclaims, clapping her hands together. “I’ve been dying to dive into the tacos for twenty minutes now!”

“You didn’t have to wait for me,” I tell her, almost feeling guilty for my nap. I couldn’t explain it, but I’d been getting tired more often in the late afternoon. I think sex with Apollo has been sucking up all my energy.

“Of course I did,” Jade disagrees in a happy cheer.

Shrugging, I follow the two of them into the kitchen, finding the counters bursting with delightful smelling food. My mouth drops open, taking in every inch. “Did you guys make all of this?”

“Fuck no,” Ana responds immediately, cracking up. “Trust me, you don’t want me to prepare food for you. Martha made some of it, and we ordered in the rest.”

“Make a plate, or two,” Jade instructs, passing me a pink plastic plate. “We’ll eat in the living room.”

All of us pick out a variety of food, and head back to the pretty pink party room they’ve created. We decide on a 90s Rom Com and dig in, all of us too ravenous to talk much. Everything tastes great, and in addition to the food warming my belly, a fuzzy feeling does too.

I feel spoiled and incredibly lucky. I wasn’t expecting this at all. With the wedding coming up in a week, Jade and Ana have been helping me plan, but a bachelorette party was never mentioned. Even when we went dress shopping this past weekend, we only discussed our typical topics, and the wedding.

Shopping for my dress was something like out of a fairytale, though. Armani arranged for a shop to shut down for us, and assured me that whatever I picked out would be tailored in time for our needs. He also arranged for all price tags to be hidden from me while we looked around, refusing to let me consider money as a factor.

I ended up finding a great gown, and Jade even shed tears when I had it on. She and Ana were becoming staples in my life, and though it was overwhelming, I was selfish enough to enjoyhow lovely they were to be around. The only thing that could have made the day better, would be if Sienna got to be there.

It would be nice if she could be here now, too.

Sadness seeps in before I can stop it.

Jade’s sincere voice pulls me out of my wandering mind. “What’s wrong? Your face just changed.”

“Oh, sorry.” I clear my throat, shaking my head. “I’m fine.”

“What is it?” she prods softly, setting down her empty plate.

“I was just thinking about Sienna. I wish she didn’t have to be locked up for all of this. She would love it. She’d love you both too, you’re closer in age and she’s into a lot of the same things you guys are.”

“We can’t wait to meet her,” Ana tells me, lips barely containing a smile. “But would you settle for a scheduled video call tonight instead?”

My heart swells and breaks all at once, feeling wholly undeserving. Voice cracking, I ask, “You planned a call with her?”

They share a concerned look, and Jade looks like she wants to reach out and take my hand before thinking twice about it. “Are you okay? You look devastated, Rayna. Will the video call make missing her worse?”

“No, no,” I croak, head shaking. “It was so thoughtful of you guys to think of her. This party was so kind of you. But I just suddenly feel like a horrible person who doesn’t deserve your friendship.”

“What?” Jade asks, crestfallen. “Why would you say that? You’re not a horrible person, and I love being your friend!”

“What she said,” Ana adds, looking at me with a curious frown.

“I’m not good like you.” I give Jade a watery smile. “You’re both so considerate and welcoming to me and I haven’t done anything to deserve it. I’ve done terrible things, Jade. I’m notworthy of—I’m sorry, this is such a lovely evening, we don’t need to talk about this.”

“Awww, Rayna,” Jade responds sadly. “You can talk to us, we have absolutely no room to judge.”

“It’s true,” Ana agrees, her soft voice coming out clear and confident. “We’ve both been through some shit.”

“Done some shit too,” Jade adds, smiling in encouragement.

“I’m not sure any of it will make me feel less like an awful person.” I swallow thickly. “I wouldn’t want you to think negatively about me. I’m going to be married to Apollo for…well, ever and family dinners should be the least awkward we can manage.”

“I’m sure you think that,” Ana says hesitantly. “But trust me, I’ve likely done worse. Jade is a bit of an angel, I won’t lie. But me? I have no room to judge. No room at all.”

“Hey, I’m not totally innocent,” Jade grumbles, nudging her best friend. “I started seeing Dmitri in secret and got knocked up with twins at eighteen.”