NINETY-SEVEN
CAZ
ONE MONTH LATER
“NO. FUCKING. WAY!”
I refrain from rolling my eyes as Faye squeals in Willow’s face. Yes, Faye . Her rather irritating best friend from Earth.
Willow has just finished telling her all the events that’d transpired between The Regals followed by the explanation of her new physique and hair.
It all clearly comes as a shock to Faye because she can’t stop marveling, her eyes bouncing around and her mouth agape, savoring every juicy detail.
After consulting with Hassha, we found it rather easy to teleport to Earth. We sought the area where Willow’s portal was, and all she had to do was measure the space and find her way there. We landed in the back alley of some street, red and gold streaks falling from our skin.
Now we’re in Faye’s tiny home. My head nearly touches the ceiling, but I crane my neck, biting into a hunk of crispy bread with melted white cheese in the center. Faye calls them quesadillas. They’re delicious.
“I was wondering why you stopped answering the mirror calls. I was getting worried,” Faye says, looking Willow all over. “But girl. You look incredible. And the baby bump! Stop it!”
Right. The bump. She’s showing a lot more now. It’s been a month since the war, and now that things are a bit settled, we’re ready to marry.
There was just one condition that Willow demanded.
“I want you to be my maid of honor,” Willow says, grinning as she takes her best friend’s hand into hers.
Faye’s eyes grow rounder as she looks from Willow to me. “What? Are you guys marrying here?”
“No, we aren’t,” I answer before Willow can. “She’ll be my bride in Vakeeli .”
“Vakeeli?” Faye’s brows pucker. “How the hell am I going to get there?”
“Simple,” I say, chewing. “We bring you back. The wedding is in three days.”
Faye sputters a breath. “I— what? That’s—um, didn’t you say it’s dangerous there?” she asks, flicking her gaze to Willow’s.
“It was ,” Willow emphasizes, laughing. “But now that Caz has this new energy and the war is over, it’s a lot safer, I promise. Everyone wants peace now. We’re trying to make the world a better place.”
Faye’s throat bobs, and her eyes lower to Willow’s black gown. “How long would I need to stay?”
“However long you want,” my soon-to-be wife answers. “We’ll bring you back whenever you’re ready.”
“So I can go back and forth? Just like that?” she asks, stunned.
“I assume you can—as many times as you want as long as we take you there,” Willow laughs.
“Well in that case, of course I’ll be your maid of honor!” she squeals. I cringe, surprised her voice doesn’t shatter the glass around us. “I don’t care where in the universe the wedding is, I’d never miss my best friend’s wedding.”
“You should go pack then,” Willow insists.
“This is good timing, by the way. Abuelita Mariana went to a retreat with some of her lotería friends in Hilton Head. She won’t be back until the weekend. Oh my goodness, I can’t believe this is happening!” Faye exclaims, cupping her face.
“Still with the dramatics.” I finish off my quesadilla as she scowls my way.
“Just because you have powers now or whatever doesn’t mean I won’t beat your ass, Caz.”
I smirk. “I know you would. Now hurry up and pack. I’m ready to marry the love of my life.”
Willow blushes.
Yep. Still got it.