Page 125 of The Hunter's Empire

"You absolutely do."

"You." She drags the word, holding that finger right in front of my face. "You volunteered to be my Maid of Honor."

"I was emotionally manipulated."

"You cried when I asked."

"I did not."

She beams, clearly pleased with herself. Before I can think of another excuse to stay in bed, she tosses a folded outfit onto the mattress.

"Twenty minutes."

I groan as she laughs her way out of the room.

By the time I leave my suite, Elysian Haven has fully come alive. Staff members hurry across the courtyards carrying flowers, linens, and decorative pieces while gardeners make final adjustments to the pathways overlooking the ocean.

Somewhere in the distance I can hear musicians rehearsing, their instruments drifting across the morning breeze, and every corner of the resort seems to buzz with the quiet excitement that only comes before a wedding.

It's strange. Only yesterday I was sleeping beneath a cliff with a knife tucked beside me. Now I'm surrounded by white roses, polished marble, and people debating floral arrangements.

"You've gone quiet." Aurelia says as we walk.

I glance around the resort before answering. "I'm still getting used to all of this. It feels strange going from fighting for my life to pretending everything's normal again."

She slips her arm through mine and gives it a reassuring squeeze.

"It doesn't have to feel normal today. Just let yourself breathe. The island is over, you're home, and the only thing you're allowed to worry about now is making it to my wedding without causing another international incident."

A laugh escapes me. "That's a very specific request."

"I know you."

"And if I refuse?"

She smiles. "Then I'll distract you with cake."

The private tasting room overlooks one of the resort's lagoons, sunlight pouring through floor-to-ceiling windows and reflecting off rows of beautifully arranged desserts. Long tables are covered with pastries, cakes, plated entrées, sparkling drinks, and enough food to feed a small country.

I stop in the doorway. "This is a tasting?"

Theo looks up dramatically from the table. "There she is! Babe, you abandoned us to make life-changing dessert decisions alone."

"I was asleep."

"You were unavailable. Emotionally. Spiritually."

"I was unconscious."

"Girl, excuses."

Vanya laughs, handing me a cup of coffee as she walks over. "I've been ignoring him for twenty minutes. You're welcome."

"I appreciate your sacrifice."

She smiles before nodding toward the endless display of desserts.

Aurelia is already standing beside the pastry chef with a notebook, listening with complete seriousness while he explains the first cake. She notices me, immediately cuts him off, and holds out a fork.