Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129912 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
“Simple,” I say, chewing. “We bring you back. The wedding is in three days.”
Faye sputters a breath. “I—what? That’s—um, didn’t you say it’s dangerous there?” she asks, flicking her gaze to Willow’s.
“It was,” Willow emphasizes, laughing. “But now that Caz has this new energy and the war is over, it’s a lot safer, I promise. Everyone wants peace now. We’re trying to make the world a better place.”
Faye’s throat bobs, and her eyes lower to Willow’s black gown. “How long would I need to stay?”
“However long you want,” my soon-to-be wife answers. “We’ll bring you back whenever you’re ready.”
“So I can go back and forth? Just like that?” she asks, stunned.
“I assume you can—as many times as you want as long as we take you there,” Willow laughs.
“Well in that case, of course I’ll be your maid of honor!” she squeals. I cringe, surprised her voice doesn’t shatter the glass around us. “I don’t care where in the universe the wedding is, I’d never miss my best friend’s wedding.”
“You should go pack then,” Willow insists.
“This is good timing, by the way. Abuelita Mariana went to a retreat with some of her lotería friends in Hilton Head. She won’t be back until the weekend. Oh my goodness, I can’t believe this is happening!” Faye exclaims, cupping her face.
“Still with the dramatics.” I finish off my quesadilla as she scowls my way.
“Just because you have powers now or whatever doesn’t mean I won’t beat your ass, Caz.”
I smirk. “I know you would. Now hurry up and pack. I’m ready to marry the love of my life.”
Willow blushes.
Yep. Still got it.
NINETY-EIGHT
WILLOW
Wedding preparations have been, dare I say, overwhelming.
Juniper and Maeve have been relentless with the planning, organizing, fittings, and all the other miscellaneous things.
Killian and Rowan took Caz for a bachelor’s night at Blackwater Tavern, where apparently, Caz got so drunk he burned a hole in the wall.
Now that Faye is here, we’re inseparable. I don’t know how I’ve gone so long without her, but she fits right in. Juniper and Maeve loved her as soon as they met her and immediately got her situated in a bridesmaid gown. Black, silver, and gold is the color scheme, and it’s more than fitting.
For my bachelorette party, I’m taken (more like forced) to Vanora, where Alora arranges nonalcoholic games for us to play. She even takes us to the pool in the lower passages of the palace where the walls are made of sea salt rocks and the columns are lined with gold. The pool is warm, and when we’re settled, her assistants apply gold face masks to our faces then give us mani-pedis.
It’s the most soothing experience ever.
Now, the big day is here.
I always thought that if I ever got married, it would be a sunny day. But in Blackwater, sunlight is rare.
The sun attempts to shine through gray clouds as I stand on the terrace, the hem of my black robe flowing with the wind.
Juniper, Maeve, and Faye have been running in and out of the room, making sure things are in order while checking in on me.
I’ve had my makeup done, my hair styled, and now I’m waiting for the moment I walk the aisle.
Only two more hours.
I raise a hand, focusing on the sky. With a sway, I erase some of the clouds, but not too many. Just enough to reveal wisps of sunlight. When a ray splashes my face, I smile and tilt my head, basking in it.
A knock raps on the door, and I peer over my shoulder. Caz steps in, and I turn all the way around, gasping.
“Caz, you’re not supposed to see me yet!”
“I know. I snuck my way up. Drifted through the walls to avoid Maeve and Jun. Have you tried that one?” He flashes a smug grin.
I laugh. “I haven’t, but I’ll make a note of it.”
He grips my chin in his warm fingers. “Just wanted to see you one more time before you become my wife.”
My wife? Sounds so naughty and sweet coming from him.
“Your heart is racing,” I say, pressing a palm to his black button-down shirt. “Are you nervous?”
“A bit.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Didn’t think I’d get married, and as an Imperial, no less. I was thinking about it all last night, going over ways to not fuck us up.”
“Aw, Caz.” I collect his face in my hands as he lowers one of his to my waist. “You won’t fuck us up. We’re going to be okay. This day is ours, don’t you see that? This is the happily-ever-after we’ve been looking for. Me being in Vakeeli with you forever. Us sharing a child that we can raise and watch grow over time. There is nothing I want more than this.”
“Are you sure?” His mouth inches closer to mine. “Because I’d understand if you got cold feet and didn’t show at the altar. I’m a lot to handle.”