Shâhzâdeh (The Consortium #8)

Vanya

VANYA

THIS HAD TO be the most extravagant gathering I’d ever seen.

Which wasn’t saying much since the only nice function I’d ever been a part of was Francesca’s wedding last year. And even that was something out of a fairy tale to me.

But this was jaw dropping.

Maybe because it was ours. When we’d gotten together with the wedding planner, who was aided by Jada to ensure things happened the way they needed to with such short notice, I hadn’t envisioned all of this. Our safety and the security that being with Xerxes provided was enough. If the ceremony was like a dream, this was heaven. The large ballroom had been transformed into a golden palace. The elements of Persian and Creole cultures blended beautifully to create a warm but extravagant atmosphere. You could smell Babette’s influence in the air with the gooey cake and made to order beignet station Jada suggested instead of a traditional sweets table. Food from both cultures would be served family style for the guests, but the bridal party and family were being served by servers. With almost six hundred people here, there weren’t enough staff in the entire state that was trained enough to handle a serving event this size.

Jada’s words, not mine.

As it was, each family table was going to have one attendant for every two people. I had no clue who many of these people were, but I’d met many of the extended members of the Consortium and their elders. I’d spent time with Ori’s fiancée at the rehearsal dinner because I understood that she might feel like an outsider. Because she was good friends with Nevaeh, she wasn’t as uncomfortable as I probably would’ve been. It was easy to see why her sister was a model. Asha Avery was absolutely stunning. Despite how little she and Ori spoke to one another, I could see the attraction between them. I prayed they could work on their relationship because I genuinely liked both of them.

I glanced around at the ballroom not believing the details that had been on paper just a few weeks ago were now the gorgeous vision in front of me. The walls and ceiling were draped in the same rich 24kt gold colored fabric mixed with the French blue elements from the wedding. The light mauve added depth and femininity to an already elegant palate. The backgrounds of both cultures were luxury and excess so the styles blended together beautifully.

And I was walking around with a crown on my head like it was regular and a giant yellow diamond flower on my finger.

The set up at the altar had been a complete surprise. There were elements of today I didn’t want to micromanage. I considered myself something of a bougie hippie. I might have moved up in the world and liked nice things, but I didn’t need to be uptight about any of it. I still remembered the good parts of my roots, even if they were sown by evil people. I missed doing some things, and Xerxes gave me the confidence to feel secure enough to indulge in things without feeling like he was going to trap me.

“This is surreal.”

“I have to admit zhis is more zhan I could’ve imagined and I’ve seen extravagant weddings before. Even ozer royal weddings.” The grin on his face was reassurance that he really was impressed by everything but his words struck me.

My eyes bugged slightly because what he was saying was kinda true. He was royalty and if this crown on my head meant anything; I was too because of him. That started to make me jump but he immediately but an end to it.

“Azizam, nafs bakesh (My love, just breathe). Zhere is no reason for you to worry about zhis. We are just Xerxes and Vanya. Zhat is all. Zhe labels zhe world puts on us have no bearing on how we see ourselves or zhe moves we make in zhe world. Remember?” His arm was around my waist and I tried to believe him, but again, crown on my head.

Instead of faltering, I stood taller and rolled my shoulder back. His eyes darted to my barely revealed cleavage, forcing me to smile. “I remember. It was just a momentary lapse in confidence.”

“I have zhose too.”

I laughed because he was clearly full of shit. “I don’t believe you at all.”

“I do.”

“And what do you do when you have this momentary lapse?”

He smirked before pecking me quickly on the lips. “I remember zhat I am married to someone like you and suddenly my confidence is restored.”

“Xerxes.”

He squeezed me closer to him as though he didn’t want even a millimeter of space between the two of us.

“No, zibā. No requests of me to diminish my eloquence. Not on our wedding day. Today I will be even more effusive wiz zhe praise I provide because zhere is no better day for me to be.”

“So, like the jewelry and the tiara and the finery, I just need to accept it.”

He nodded with mock sadness before giving me a look of pity. “Yes. I’m afraid zhere is no other way you will ever be treated.”

I folded my lips to hide my smile while I playfully sighed. “A girl could get used to this.”

“Zhat’s the plan. Would you like to look around at what zhey created?” He waved around the room that we had only taken in the first few feet of as though he wanted me to pick a spot for us to explore.

“I thought we had to greet our guests.” I glanced at the closed doors behind me where Sho and Quentin were standing guard.

“They can wait. I want to marvel at this display. Look around at what has been created for us to celebrate our union. No one is going to rush this moment.”

And he was right. We entwined our fingers and went looking through all the design elements for the day. Poppyseeds were culturally an item that would protect someone from witchcraft so there was a basket of poppyseed rolls at almost every table. The few that weren’t placed there were the tables meant for his father’s people and I didn’t bother to ask questions about that. Each table held the custom dyed tablecloth that had been coined as Cannon Blue . It was a dusty light blue color that felt luxurious and serene. Linens for the house had already been ordered in the color because I loved it so much. The draping that was mounted over our headboard was being switched out for this fabric as well.

The gold chivari chairs balanced with the gold and cream dishes and gold rimmed crystal water glasses. Even the flatware was gold and I was terrified to ask if it was real. Even if it was only plated gold it had to cost a fortune. Apparently the expense was one that would be written off as business because the items were going to be used for Consortium gatherings in the future. The centerpieces were low to the table, blush, cream and mauve flowers with sprays of pastel greenery filled each of the long, golden, rectangular vases that were in the center of the table. The head table was enormous, each side of the table being used so that we were surrounded by everyone we loved. The large mirror that stood at the altar had been moved to the wall near our seats so we could see almost everyone in the room.

“It is a dream.”

“It is royayi ke be haghighat peyvast : a dream come true. Many dreams have become reality today, zibā.”

I stopped walking and turned so he could see my eyes. The affection between us was only going to increase from now on. “Not just today. All year it seems. Since I met you. You are a magician.”

“I’m a simple man who longed for a woman who is now my wife. Zhe magic is in your agreement. I have to remind you zhat I will never stop. Flattering you. Showing you how much I adore you. My heart beats only for you, Vanya Mahdavi Cannon.”

I happily pulled him closer to me the intimacy between us natural and no longer needing to be held back. His arms wrapped lazily around my back as I pressed my body close to him on purpose. The feel of his hardness was so enticing and had me thinking about what was to come.

“My loves, I hate to interrupt, but trouble has decided it wanted to come out and play.” We turned and saw the apologetic but pleased look on Ms. Babette’s face. We both looked behind her and saw Mr. Bijan and the rest of the Mahdavis gathered at the entrance of the ballroom.

Xerxes moved me so that I was to his right side before wrapping my arm around his.

“I will be less eager to attack if I know I risk hurting you in doing so.” He’d answered my unspoken question but I knew it had to be something along those lines. My eyes traveled over Mr. Bijan’s face, which was thoroughly irritated by his proximity to his birth family.

I giggled and squeezed his arm lovingly. “Not even going to give me a chance to wonder?”

“It is pointless, zhis must be done and zhe less time I have to spend around zhem zhe better.”

He extended his bent elbow toward his mother who took it with a smile. “Come, my loves. Before Bijan commits patricide and dinner is delayed because we have to clean the floors.”

We strolled over as casually as we could be while also trying to ensure that all hell didn’t break loose. When we were within arm’s reach of Mr. Bijan he held out his right elbow without looking at his wife and she wrapped her arm around him. The gentle nuzzle she gave the side of his neck relaxed his posture, but by the way one man in the king’s entourage was watching Maman Babette, Mr. Bijan was gonna get active shortly.

“Zibā, my grandfather, Shah Mohammed of zhe house of Mahdavi.”

I did exactly as maman told me to do and only lowered myself a fraction. I’d noticed that Xerxes hadn’t bowed to him at all and I could see the angry tension-filled looks on the faces of the people with him. Knowing that they didn’t get along made me feel as though my lack of respect wasn’t disrespectful, but it was clear the king expected me to give him his due.

Not if you’re over here making shit hard for my husband.

My husband sounded wild but also so perfect.

“Is zhat zhe most you’ve taught her about our culture?” His dislike at my slight was displayed in his furrowed brow and his attempts to intimidate. But I knew that look and had witnessed it plenty of times in temple. When men were supposed to look away but were too intrigued to really be put off. I had kept my dress as demure as I could stand and didn’t feel bad about not being completely covered up.

“According to you, I do not share culture with you. Isn’t zhat what you told me a few hours ago?” Xerxes hand was still pressed against his stomach with mine wrapped around his forearm, but I could feel the muscles tense the more he spoke with his grandfather. I didn’t want this man to linger, but I also wanted to have a wedding I actually enjoyed for once. Today had been so perfect, I wasn’t about to let these people ruin the memory.

With a smile on my face, I shifted slightly, allowing the embroidery to catch the light and garner everyone’s attention.

“He has taught me many things, Shah Mohammad. Az jnkeh ma ra ba hozur khod dar jashen arusi tajlil kardid moteshakram. ” I lowered my head again after thanking him for honoring us with his presence at our wedding

“Very pretty words, dear, but even a parrot can be taught to mimic. Was there no time for a conversion because she is already pregnant? I can only assume that this was the reason for the haste. It is not as though she is a virgin since she has already been married once.”

Well, so much for me trying to be cordial.

“You insult my daughter and my son vith zhis question. I do not care vho you are, but zhat is never something I vill tolerate.” Mr. Bijan had stepped forward but Maman Babette’s staying hand kept him from crossing the invisible line that had been drawn between our two groups. Despite not wanting to fight, these men would’ve been greatly outnumbered because I had no doubt that Midas, Sho, Quentin and everyone else were somewhere lurking and on standby.

“Vhy? Ve all know she’s not chaste, since she was anozer man’s wife before. Zhere vere no annulments on zhe grounds of impotence, just a simple divorce. It even said she ran away from her family so of course I question a bride such as zhis. Esurely she cannot be as innocent as she eseems.”

My hand tightened on Xerxes arm as I felt him flex to reach for something. I hadn’t even thought he would be armed on today but I thoroughly underestimated my husband.

“It is because of my vife’s presence zhat you can still speak zhose words no matter how vile. But it is alright. One zhing my father always taught me to do vas to ensure I fulfilled my promises.” Didn’t think my husband would be threatening a king, but Consortium weddings always had stuff going on. Nyima told me that a bomb had gone off at hers.

“And zhat is the promise that you made to your wife?”

“ Quiconque tente de la déshonorer, je lui couperai la tête.” I didn’t know a lick of French and Xerxes face was a mask of calm. But that was the problem. I knew he wouldn’t be calm in a situation like this and I wondered if we were about to set off an international incident. I didn’t know how many friends his extended family had with their surrounding countries, but I didn’t want to find out.

Babatte’s laugh didn’t help matters and many eyes were put on her with disdain. Which had Mr. Bijan standing taller.

She cleared her throat, but didn’t bother to return her face to one of solemnity. Instead, she continued to giggle in their faces until she got control of herself. “We have other guests to greet. We have ensured everything for the reception is halal so that you are free to enjoy. Please make your way to your table and find your seat since you have so rudely entered the room before it was time.”

“And how are ve to be sure?” That came from the man who’d been eyeing her like a tall drink of water in the desert. He’d clearly only spoken because he wanted maman’s attention but she refused to even look his way.

“Because you are not worth the mark on our souls to lie. But if you would rather starve…” Babette raised her delicate shoulders and I struggled to keep my face blank and my laughter inside. She looked stunning in the mauve pink pleated sweetheart neckline evening gown she wore.

“Still speaking vhen unnecessary, Babette?” He was trying to bait her but was instead drawing the glares of both Bijan and Xerxes. I really hated that all this food was going to go to waste and the reception was going to be canceled because this room would be a crime scene. I mean Frankie had family problems and a brawl at her wedding, so I really shouldn’t have expected anything less.

“Still thinking I have to care about what you think of me, Ibriham? Tsk tsk tsk, I see it is you have not learned in all these years. But like my son said, you will.” This time she turned to him, smiling so sinisterly he took a step back.

“And to zhink he could have had Farah here vho vould’ve been a proper vife.” His grandfather nodded toward a girl who had been standing silently next to him and her purpose for being here clicked.

I turned to Xerxes whose jaw was tight and I gave his arm a squeeze. “Is that why she is dressed in all white? To upstage me? It is a shame she didn’t know your favorite color was gold, mon amour .”

“Since I have barely spoken three sentences to her, I am not surprised.” He was glaring at the woman who had the good sense to look embarrassed. Not enough for me to be appeased, but I would take it.

“Zhere vere promises made—” The man, Ibriham, angrily spoke up on the woman’s behalf.

“By you to your friend zhat held no weight wiz me. Again, we have ozer guests to greet. Zhose who have not overstepped zheir bounds nor zheir manners by inviting additional guests. Luckily, we assumed the vorst of you and you more zhan lived up to your reputation. Stay or go, it is of no interest to us.” Xerxes waved them off with the type of aggression that screamed he didn’t fuck with them. And that shit was sexy as hell.

The tension was high and despite it all, I could feel the woman that was supposed to be in my place according to the Mahdavis glaring at me.

“Oh, and Farah is it?”

She answered maman without looking away from me. “Yes?”

“You give my daughter the cheshm-e hasud on her wedding day and be careful. That bad luck that you wish on her through your jealousy will return to your one thousandfold.”

The girl’s eyes widened and she looked over at the king and Xerxes uncle like she expected them to speak up for her. When they stayed silent, showing who held the control in this room. She started to beg, “I didn’t—”

“And to lie? I guess she’s not the proper muslimah you expected, huh Ibriham? Your seats. Find them quickly.” Babette flickered her fingers as though she were shooing a fly and her husband and mine grinned in amusement.

It was funny how my attempts to keep the peace had only caused them to be ugly, but her threats had them silent. They really thought that being kind was something to look down on and manipulate. I wouldn’t make that mistake again.

The silence was loud despite the buzz of the rest of the guests trying to pay their respects to our family. Without a bow, the king turned around forcing everyone to jump back and scramble to make way for him to exit and still fake control.

Babette tittered at his tantrum before smiling at me.

“Do not fret, you have the most intricately embroidered amulet to ward off harm worked in the embroidery of your dress and in your bracelet. I protect those I love at all costs from every culture that might wish them harm.”

I hadn’t given any thought to harm, because what did she mean?

“What did she do?” I glanced after the woman who was covered in white from head to toe and wondered if I could fight her and still keep her hijab on so I wasn’t disrespectful to her culture.

“It’s called zhe evil eye. A very big deal in Persian culture. It’s when someone looks at you wiz jealousy and wishes bad on you. Maman wasn’t about to let zhat fly today. We’re all protected. You permanently, it seems.” He held up the delicate butterfly on my wrist before turning it until I could see the amulet. It was a stone set within a stone and vaguely resembled an eye. Maman Babette reached over and pressed at something that was embroidered near my heart and again on my stomach.

Her protection over us without me knowing was another demonstration of the love she had for me without having to say a word to us. “Thank you.”

She winked at me and smiled brightly before she wrapped her arm back around Mr. Bijan. “Always.”

The bridal party was trickling in and Sho and Quentin can in with their eyes assessing the situation. They didn’t bother to come near us, but kept their eyes trained on the area of the Mahdavi table.

“So they tried to get you away from me, huh? Is that what all the gunfire was about?” I had to wonder if they’d gotten word about him and who could’ve given them the information.

Xerxes’ face was still unmoved as his eyes watched where his paternal family had scurried off to. “Who knows? I’m sure it was more zhan zhat but zhey truly zhought I would be susceptible to zheir antics after so long. I’m almost insulted.”

He removed my arm from his and instead threaded our fingers together, symbolizing that he felt the issue was over.

“Well, insults or not, we are not going to leave the rest of these people waiting. No one will be able to say we weren’t gracious hosts. Come petites , we have far more important guests to attend to.”

“Was that okay? It looked intense and I’m not above destabilizing a country.” Jada, who’d somehow become co-Maid of Honor with Asha Avery since Frankie was Matron of Honor, was walking toward me, looking like she was ready to fight. Mere inches away from her was Smoke, about as nonchalant as a human with a pulse could be.

“Sweets, we said we weren’t doing that today, remember?” He casually reminded his girlfriend that she wasn’t going to overthrow a foreign government today like it was normal. But again, it was Jada, so it probably was.

“That was before I saw a bitch wearing white to a wedding and I know it’s in poor taste in their culture as well. I looked it up just to make sure I would be right if someone stepped outta line.” Her hair was in an intricate half up half down style, her locs curled down her back. The champagne gold of her gown looked gorgeous next to her skin.

“You’re really serious.”

Her eyes widened like I was the one being ridiculous. “Girl, yeah. I mean, kinda, Pippi. I did it more so for me because I hate being wrong and I just had a feeling something stupid was going to pop off. And again, who was the lil bitch all up in his face like the replacement bride? Ole scab as bitch.”

“Did you call that girl a scab?”

“Yeah. Because she crossing a line that shouldn’t be just like the scabs did back in the day when people were protesting and shit for better wages. I need y’all to know your history. I wasn’t calling her a scab like from a wound.” She rolled her eyes as though her calling the girl a healing wound was somehow out of bounds.

I wasn’t one to normally triangulate a man into a situation, but Jada wouldn’t listen to anyone else. Jasmine was caring for her son and Jerica was pregnant with twins. I wouldn’t want to get them involved in any of this mess so he was it. “Smoke—”

He held up his hands shifting his black tuxedo as though he expected me to say this. “I ain’t got shit to say. I already kept Sweets from rolling up over there while you were talking to the king. I’ve done my good deed for the day. The only other way to keep her calm is dick and I doubt y’all wanna see that at your reception.” Xerxes said that Smoke rarely talked, but he seemed to do fine whenever he was around.

Jada smirked and shook her head before she swayed to the music that was playing. “Baby, I already scouted a place for us for later.”

His smile was filled with so much love it was stunning to see his emotions break through. “Bet.”

“I know I’m the new person here, but that was all a power play. And it seems you handled it well. Everyone who does any business internationally knows that the king is a degenerate.” Asha Avery who had strolled up mid conversation just shrugged like it was a well-known fact.

She was becoming even more intriguing each time I saw her. “How do you have that intel?”

“My father is in the oil business amongst other things. He just works on the African side.” Asha spoke in that posh British accent speaking about international business like it wasn’t a big deal.

“Girl, you walking around sounding like the real Posh Spice, you want to try that again?” Jada was teasing and I hoped that Asha wouldn’t take offense.

“I’m never on the Black British side of the argument so don’t lump me in with them. I’m Eritrean. Grew up in Britain for a while but have lived in the United States for years. All good things come from Africa so it’s about time Black people of the diverse nations have been able to profit. My family was one of them.”

“Oh, so you’re rich, rich.”

She blinked before she dodged Jada’s question. “My father is. I’m just a professor.” The glasses that she normally wore were gone allowing her beauty to be even more on display.

“Nah, you’ve got that look in your eye. That upper RP accent is just a cover for you being a maniac. It’s okay. Just like Pippi , I can tell we’re gonna get along well, Posh .” Jada was doing the grin that meant her madness was seeping out.

“Are you truly going to call me that?” I had to bite my lip cause she really didn’t understand who she was dealing with in Jada.

“When you’re speaking the queen’s English better than her ass did? Hell yeah. And besides, we all know they only called Melody Scary because she was the lone one with melanin. Swear to God everything is racist.” Jada crossed her arms in a full pout like she was irritated.

“And she’s always like this?” Asha looked at me and Nev not from shock but more for confirmation.

“Yes. You get used to it in a good way.” Nev tried to comfort her friend but Asha was as wary of Jada as I had been last year. I wasn’t sure if it was her quietness that didn’t mesh with Jada’s outgoing personality or if Jada was right and Asha was quiet because she was crazy. In this organization, time would surely tell.

“It’s fine. Xerxes seems to think everything will be okay so I trust him. The girl was clearly brought to be a replacement bride and his grandfather seemed to know all my business.”

“How do you feel about that?” Nev was just as protective of us as Midas was.

I hadn’t had time to process the conversation because I believed Xerxes when he told me not to worry. I was sure they all knew what went down at my office so they were all on guard. “The man is normally halfway around the world and if Asha is right, and I’m sure she is, he doesn’t hold any power. He’s like a child throwing pebbles and Xerxes is a man with… well, with artillery, if I’m being honest.”

“Well, that’s beautiful. You really out here singing your man’s praises like that. I’m so glad I didn’t have to ask Smoke to kill you.” Jada’s hand was on her heart like she hadn’t thought about killing me.

“Sweets, you don’t have to say everything on your mind.” Smoke had his hand at the back of her neck rubbing her softly.

“But then the intrusive thoughts have nowhere to go and they stay in my brain and fester into something bigger. We wouldn’t want that for Vanya.” She pat my hand lovingly like she wasn’t still talking about harming me.

Asha looked at her with a scholarly look on her face, and I wanted to laugh. She had classic Eritrean features her curly hair pinned low in a bun at the base of her neck. “Have you ever been clinically diagnosed? I have a friend—”

Nev rolled her eyes at her friend, and I wondered what the story was behind that. “You are not letting that weird ass professor of yours near any of us. It’s bad enough that you have to hang around with her. I refuse for you to think she’s going to come anywhere near any of this. Hell, I don’t think she should be invited to your wedding.”

“Oh, about that, we need to get started planning.” Jada pointed at Asha like she was about to indite her for a crime.

“Planning what?” Asha’s genuine confusion would’ve been laughable if it wasn’t for Jada being crazy. Asha’s indifference wasn’t about to mess with Jada’s perfectionist tendencies with these parties.

“Your wedding.” The smiling face but vacant eyes look was back on Jada’s face and I heard Smoke whisper Sweets in a way that seemed to snap her back to reality.

He really is the Jada-whisperer. Which is scary cause that means he’s worse than she is.

“There is no rush for that.” My eyes widened watching Jada’s head tilt at the easy way Asha brushed her off. Asha didn’t realize she was playing with crazy, or maybe she was even worse than Jada was. I’m the only normal woman in this entire group.

“Well, I figured you would want it to happen before you had to get back to teaching. I mean my schedule is free but I can’t imagine venues in DC not filling up fast. Especially with short notice.”

“It doesn’t have to happen soon. The promise to do it is there, that’s enough.” Asha looked around as though we were going to nod our agreement with her and none of us could. She was there when her friend got married at a chapel in Vegas, and I’d been engaged less than two months. The craziest marriage was definitely Jada’s sister Jerica. How you get kidnapped by a man, taken to a foreign country and end up married and pregnant within two weeks?

“My sweet summer child. You’ll learn soon enough.” Jada crossed her hands at the wrist with a knowing smile on her face.

I leaned over to whisper to Asha to give her a heads up. “She’s going to have your entire day planned within the week if you don’t say something so…”

“Ori doesn’t care enough about any of this to rush anything. Besides, he’s got a big case.” Asha must’ve realized that Jada didn’t care about her input and she needed to figure out how to keep her at bay.

“Yeah, but he can’t step fully into his family’s business and away from the government until he’s got a wife. As bad as he wants to be done with them people now that the inmates run the asylum…”

Asha’s mouth gaped open and I think she realized at the same time we did that she was in a corner. “Well, fuck.”

“Exactly. So what are your favorite colors? And are you Tigrinya or Tigre?” Jada pulled out her phone like she was gonna take notes. The bridesmaids chose this dress because of the old Hollywood silhouette and the pockets.

“I’m Tigrinya but how did—”

I leaned over but didn’t bother to whisper. Asha was taller than me by several inches so I spoke loudly enough for her to hear me. “She has already started looking into this I can guarantee you.”

Asha looked around at all of us before she seemed resolved to just allow Jada in. Albeit even more begrudgingly than I had. “I’ll give you my number—”

“Already have it. I was just waiting for Pippi’s day to be done before I pestered you. Now, you’re on the clock. Now if y’all will excuse me, I have to show Smoke that lil cubby I was talking about earlier.”

I couldn’t help but tease her since she’d practically kept everyone spinning. “Time for your Smoke break?”

Her eyes lit up and she clapped her hands like she was so proud of me. “See, Pippi! You’re learning. I’m not so bad. Tell your friend.” Smoke wrapped his arm around her either oblivious or used to her chaos.

“She really isn’t that bad.” I wasn’t saying that to Asha as lip service, it was the truth.

Her eyes widened like I was now a part of the madness. “You’re really sticking up for her with those antics?”

“Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do? This is a family, one of us…many of us might be crazy but we stick together.”

“Pippi, that is so sweet! I never thought the day would come. Almost makes me want to stick around, but I can’t.” She bounced her brows suggestively and Smoke just leaned over and sniffed her like he couldn’t wait to find this cubby.

“Thank you. Everything is perfect.”

“I’m so glad you’re happy.” Jada bounced on her toes with the excitement of a child and now I was worried.

“That’s… an unexpected response.”

Her eyes narrowed at me like she was being suspicious. “Why do you sound so anxious?”

“Because you’re acting completely normal and I’m not used to that.”

“I’m not always ridiculous, Vanya.” She paused then bust out laughing. “Well, that’s not true but I had to pull it back until I was told we were good.”

I glanced around suspiciously because I was talking to a chaos demon. Jada could’ve said we were fine and then pulled the fire alarm just because. “And are we?”

“Aren’t you happy?”

I took in the room's beauty and couldn’t help the grin that washed over my face. “It’s more than anything I could’ve ever imagined.”

“Then my job is done.” She had no issue with leaning over to hug me before she and Smoke walked away. Them going to skip off to have sex made me think about what should be happening later tonight. Instead of focusing on myself I looked at Asha.

“You might truly want to get used to the idea of being married.”

Nev was nodding as Asha scratched the back of her head nervously before a frown crossed her face. “I don’t like this. I feel as though my life is being dictated for me.”

Nevaeh hugged her friend tightly and I felt like I was intruding slightly. “Yeah, but you have to learn to make the most of it. That’s what you do.”

“That’s easy for you to say. Midas worships the ground you walk on. Vanya’s husband just gave her a crown and you can tell he wants to devour her. Have you seen the man that I have to be married to?”

“You mean the tall, fine ass half African half Samoan man? With the voice that sounds like he’s speaking from his dick? Yeah, I think we’ve all seen him. I mean, I only have eyes for Xerxes, but girl I still have eyes.”

“That was—”

I nodded because the thought of my impending wedding night had me talking recklessly. “Stunningly accurate? Like I said. You need to think about the blessing that could come from this situation. I had to do the same thing and now I feel like a princess.”

Nev’s eyes flickered to the masterpiece she’d created on top of my head. “You technically are.”

I blushed because I’d already forgotten. “Well, besides that. I’m not Nev, but I can tell you that I value you and if you need something, I’m here. But Jada and Smoke have me wanting to cut up. If y’all don’t mind, I’m going to find my husband.”