“I’m sorry to have disturbed you.” He walked to the door and paused before leaving, but he wouldn’t look back at me. “I wish you al the best for your marriage. I hope the two of you find nothing but happiness.”

After Finn left, I tried not to cry. Wila would be so upset with me if my face was red and puffy tomorrow. I went into my closet, fighting back tears as I changed out of my gown and put on pajamas.

On my way back to my bed, I noticed the smal box on my dresser, the present from Finn.

Slowly, I opened the box. It was a thin silver band with my birthstone, a garnet, in the center of a heart. And for some reason, the sight of it broke me down. I lay down on my bed and sobbed.

6. Altar

I wanted Matt to walk me down the aisle. He’d been the closest thing I had to a real parent for most of my life, but the other Tryle officials would have had a field day if he did. Marksinna Laurent would probably get me overthrown on the grounds of insanity.

But at least Marksinna Laurent and the other Tryle had no control over whom I alowed in my dressing room. Duncan had been waiting outside my bedroom al morning, shooing anybody away that wasn’t Wila or Matt. Everybody else could wait to see me until I was in the balroom, with Wila’s father Garrett giving me away.

I’d been ready for hours. After my fight with Finn, I hadn’t realy been able to sleep, and the sun hadn’t even risen by the time I got up and started getting ready. Wila had come over early to help me, but I’d learned how to do my hair and makeup on my own. She realy only helped button up my wedding gown, and she tried to comfort me, but that was al I needed.

“You’re so pale,” Wila said, almost sadly. “You’re almost as white as your wedding dress.”

She sat next to me on the chest at the foot of my bed. The long satin train of my gown swirled around us, and Wila continuously rearranged it to make sure it wouldn’t get wrinkled or dirty. Her dress was lovely too, but it should be since she picked it out. It was dark emerald with black embelishments.

“Stop fussing over her,” Matt said when Wila once again tried to smooth out my dress. He’d been pacing my room, fiddling with the cufflinks of his suit or puling at the colar of his shirt.

“I’m not fussing.” Wila gave him the evil eye but left my dress alone. “This is her wedding day. I want her to look perfect.”

“You’re making her nervous.” Matt gestured to me, since I’d been staring off into space.