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Chapter Forty-Four
“A wedding.” Meridiastood behind Zee and carefully lowered the crown of flowers onto Zee’s head, her vivid blue eyes glowing brighter than normal against the warm brown of her skin. Behind her right ear, she wore a sprig of lilacs, woven deftly into her curls. “I’m still kind of dazzled by the fact I’m here for a wedding.”
Zee’s lips twitched. “At your age, I’d think you’ve been to a wedding or two.”
“Oh, I have.” Meri waved a dismissive hand before going back to the task of adjusting the crown. “I mean, they were all the rage before the wars.”
Her hands stilled and came down to rest on Zee’s shoulders as a far-off look settled on Meridia’s face, a soft, lovely smile curving her lips. “My parents were married. Did I ever tell you?”
Understanding the bittersweet expression that was love, grief and pride all at once, Zee reached up and covered Meri’s hand. “No. You didn’t.”
“Well, my parents were old, baby. My dad still is.” Meri smiled, but it was a faint echo of her usual smile. “A lot of the older ones still cling to traditional ways. I’m just not used to seeing it from the younger people.”
“Like you’re so ancient.” Zee rolled her eyes.
“Brat.” Meri tugged a curl and met Zee’s gaze in the mirror. “I shouldn’t be surprised though. The Prime lives in a world where he must be the public face for his pack, much like my father is the public face for the Atlantic Atargarians.” She paused and winked at her friend in the mirror. “Neither of them enjoy being the public face of anything. But since he has to play that game, Niko is going to want everyone aware of the claim you’ve both made on each other.” Meri patted the little tucked fold in her dress where she’d stowed the ring Zee had requested to be made for Niko. “Many humans still use wedding ceremonies to mark their claim on one another. The human world understands the commitment represented by a wedding ring. And while we’re not exactly human, the public commitment to another, to share it in front of friends and family... it means something.”
Zee had pretty much come to that conclusion herself when Niko had asked her to marry him. It was why she hadn’t heaved a heavy sigh when Analise and Boone found her the day after Niko proposed and requested her input on their idea of having a large wedding on the outskirts of pack lands where they could invite the pack’s allies as well as friends of both the bride and groom.
Three weeks had passed since her agreement and she’d done little but nod and smile, except for when it came to the dress and the ring. The wedding ceremony, and even the reception, were for everybody else.
She and Niko recognized their bond and love for each other with every look, every kiss, every time they made love, and even every frenzied, hard claiming that left them bruised and panting and laughing like guilty kids who barely managed to avoid being caught by their parents.
A makeshift pavilion of dreamy white cloth and ribbons had been erected as her bridal bower where she could change into her wedding gown close to the site chosen for the wedding. Through the morning, Analise, Leana Shea and Meridia had come and gone.
Leana was already becoming a friend to Zee and under that elegant demeanor, Zee had discovered a wicked, sly sense of humor. She’d arrived to help Zee with her hair after making the request as a way of bestowing a gift upon the Prime’s new mate.
She’d also given Zee a necklace, a piece of rich, green malachite set in a filigree of gold. For protection and helping you as you discover your connection to the earth. And because it’s effin’ gorgeous. Since you’re not human, you don’t have to worry about the harmful effect of a large stone, or from wearing it all the time either.
Zee wore that necklace and the longer chain with the willow pendant as her only jewelry.
The Grecian-styled gown was held together at the shoulders with a clasp fashioned to resemble a stylized willow on the left and a stylized wolf on the right. The fabric draped lovingly over her curves, the soft ivory glowing against her skin.
The crown of flowers was the only other adornment.
Zee’s feet were bare, her nails painted a shimmery green that picked up on the darkest notes in the malachite gem she wore around her neck.
“Wow,” Meri whispered, her mouth curving in a smile. “You look utterly beautiful, Zennia Day. And powerful. Like the woman I always knew you’d become.”
Zee’s eyes burned.
“It’s time,” a voice called from outside the tent.
Zee nodded, although it wasn’t like Saint could hear that.
Blowing out a breath, she met Meri’s eyes in the mirror. “Let’s do this.”
As she rose, the heavy flap that covered the entry to her private pavilion was lifted and a familiar scent hit just as somebody was shoved through the door. Shoved hard, while a litany of curses fell from his lips.
Zee sucked in a breath and the man whipped his head around, immediately straightening as he saw her.
Meridia, one of the most powerful women in the world, stood partly between them. But the man didn’t even look at her as his gaze landed on Zee.
“Phoenix,” Zee whispered.
Cutting around the Therian, Meri slipped outside to give them privacy.
“Zee.” He tore his eyes from her and stared at the fabric wall beyond her. “I... Fuck.”
