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Yes…it was good to be king.
Chapter Thirty
“This is damask,” Sheena announced one evening as she whipped out a large swatch of silver-colored, patterned material from her oversized bag and slapped it on the desk in front of Jade at the library. More samples followed in lightning-quick speed. “Jacquard. Lace, obviously. Silk, organza, sheer, satin and, of course, taffeta.”
Lisette eyed the fabric squares and said to Jade, “Taffeta was big in the 1980s. Many a bridesmaid cringed over cotton-candy pink dresses with puffy sleeves and bows that made their backsides deceptively appear as though they required their own ZIP codes.”
Jade’s brow jumped. “That’s horrifying! And, by the way, what’s cotton candy?”
“Doesn’t matter,” Sheena said between clenched teeth. “Taffeta’s out.” She flung the swatch over her shoulder.
To Lisette, Jade teasingly warned, “Easy there. She’s from the ‘80s.”
With exasperation in her tone, Sheena said, “Ladies, focus. We have less than a month to plan a wedding and create the dress of the century.”
Jade sighed. “I don’t want the dress of the century.” How many times had she explained this to the vampire? “All I want is one that fits properly, doesn’t have puffy sleeves or a bow that requires its own ZIP code—and, most importantly, doesn’t take away from the Star of Nathea.”
She wore the necklace only on special occasions at the castle and sometimes at the cottage. But she certainly intended to wear it at her wedding. The pendant was a statement piece and Jade didn’t need an over-the-top dress to go with it or to detract from its shimmering brilliance.
“Think simple, Sheena. I know that’s difficult for you, but please try.”
Lord knew the vampire was already deep in disapproval. Jade had mentioned a white gown from the onset. But Sheena abhorred such a mundane selection. If it were up to her, she’d have Jade walking down the aisle in a flashy red evening gown. They’d finally agreed on silver. It was Jade’s wedding, after all.
“Fine.” Sheena eyed the samples she’d laid out and said, “Damask and jacquard have more of an antiquated feel…from the king’s time.” She never called him Davian in front of anyone other than Jade.
“Hey, now,” Jade quipped. “You’re calling my fiancé antiquated.”
“Jade,” Lisette chimed in with the girl talk. “He is two hundred and thirty-five years old and doesn’t believe in electricity.”
Not exactly facts she could deny. Yet she grimaced, anyway. “Have you both forgotten that I’m the bride? Be nice to me and don’t grief on my groom.”
Lisette said, “I will concede that, for his age, he’s ridiculously handsome.”
“Ridiculously, you say?” Jade mused. “I like that. And, indeed, he is.”
“Please,” Sheena drawled, “you’re talking about my boss.”
Jade eyed her speculatively and said, “You know, maybe you’d be less uptight about my wedding if you had one of your own to plan.”
Sheena glared. “And who do you propose I marry?”
“Are you kidding?” Jade scoffed. “There’s an entire castle full of vampires—the majority of which are extremely good looking. And all of them drool a little when you walk by.” To Lisette, she said, “I’ve seen it.”
Appearing offended, Sheena assured them, “Vampires do not drool.”
“Perhaps you’re not paying close enough attention.” Jade wagged her brows at her friend.
Ignoring the comment, Sheena continued to bustle about, waving the swatches in Jade’s face. “Lace and satin can be too predictable when it comes to the simple dress patterns you have in mind. Organza tends to be stiff and not quite malleable enough. Sheer has possibilities, but you don’t want layers billowing in the breeze, since you insist on having your wedding outdoors. That leaves us with silk.”
All kidding aside, Jade shot her friend an exasperated look for putting her through wedding-planning hell. “Why didn’t you just say upfront that’s what you want my dress to be made of?”
“Because it should be your decision.”
“But is it, really?”
Sheena beamed. “No, not really.” She packed everything as quickly as she’d flung them forth. “Though I am doing everything within my power not to try to sway you into having the ceremony in the kingdom’s courtyard and the reception inside the castle.”
“Absolutely not.” Jade put her foot down. “I want the entire village present and none of them would be comfortable at the castle, not even in the gardens. Plus… It’s too formal a setting and not at all my style.”
