The door chime sounded again.
This time, it didn't wait for permission.The panel slid open with an aggressive hiss, and expensive perfume flooded the room like a chemical weapon.
Miranda.
Emily's mother swept in like she owned the entire station.Pale cream silk and blonde hair piled into a complicated updo that added three inches to her already willowy frame.Behind her, a harried-looking Latharian official trailed with a dataflex, dragged along in Miranda's wake like a dinghy behind a yacht.
"There she is!"she announced, teeth bared in something that resembled a smile."My beautiful girl.Or should I say, Her Grace?"
Emily's spine locked."Mother."
Miranda's gaze swept over Lucy and dismissed her before locking onto Emily with predatory focus.
"Don't look so sour, darling.I come bearing news."She snapped her fingers at the official."Tell her."
The male cleared his throat, clearly wishing he were anywhere else."Your Grace.The Emperor has finalized the schedule.Due to security concerns regarding the recent transport incident, the Council has advised accelerating the timeline."
Cold spread through her chest."Accelerating?"
"The bonding ceremony."He tapped his dataflex."It has been set for two days from now."
Two days.
The room tilted.Or maybe she did.
"That's impossible," she heard herself say."I haven't—I'm not prepared.I don't even know the vows properly."
"Oh, pish."Her mother waved a dismissive hand."You'll be fine.You've always been a quick study.Besides, the hard part is done.I've handled the guest list."
She began to pace, trailing her fingers along the velvet sofa like a predator marking territory.Her eyes were bright.Triumphant.
"It's going to be spectacular, Emily.The entire High Council.The clan leaders.Dignitaries from three sectors."Miranda laughed, a high, brittle sound."And everyone will know that I arranged it.Duke Kaarigan asked to dance with me at the reception.A Duke!Can you believe it?”
She turned, and her smile sharpened.
"Finally," she purred."Finally, you're doing something useful with your life.No more wasting time in those dreadful shelters with the unwashed masses.You will be an Empress.Mycrown jewel."
That was it, she was going to throw up again.
She looked at her mother.But Miranda didn’t care about that, did she?To her, Emily was just a ledger entry.An investment finally paying off.Money in during childhood, rank and money out when Emily was married off.To an alien.
"Mother."Emily's voice cracked."I need more time.Can't you speak to them?Ask for a delay?"
Miranda's face hardened.The smile vanished as if it had never existed.
"Don't be stupid."Her tone could have frozen oxygen."Delay?And risk insulting the Emperor?"She stepped forward, invading Emily's space.Her eyes glittered as she glared down.“Absolutely not.You will walk down that aisle in two days, youwillsmile, and you will secure our future."
She stepped forward again, backing Emily up against the edge of the table.
“You willnotruin this for me."Miranda's voice dropped to something soft and poisonous."I won't let you."
She wanted to push back.Wanted to scream.Do something… anything.But suddenly she was ten years old again, cowering over a spilled drink while Miranda shrieked about the new rug.
She nodded, unable to get a word past the thickness in her throat.
"Good."Miranda patted her cheek… a sharp, stinging tap that wasn't quite a slap."I knew you'd see reason.Now.I have to approve the floral arrangements.The Lathar have absolutelyterribletaste in centerpieces."
Whirling around, she swept out, clicking her fingers and barking orders at the official.The door hissed shut behind her.
