“You’ve stumbled into the best possible way to be introduced to all of the movers and shakers here in town,” Alex told her. He pointed to the radiant blond bride. “That’s obviously Jillian–author of this year’s most-read book and our official liaison between locals and the League, and sometimes the rest of the world. That’s her new husband, Bael Boone. He’s a dragon shifter, the local sheriff, and related to half of the business-owners in town, but his family is a sore subject and you definitely don’t want to bring it up. The tall guy with the beard, who looks like a biker gang and a superhero franchise had a terrifying baby, that’s Mayor Zed Berend. He is very protective of … well, everybody. But the whole wedding party in particular. And he can turn into a giant bear, so it’s best not to bring out that protective side. The maid of honor there, standing right next to the bride? That’s Sonja Fong, the director of operations. She’s the real power around here, the one who keeps us running. I just have the title. Her mate is Will Carmody, the other groomsman and our local doctor. The pretty brunette, laughing at the Mayor? Danica Teel, an energy manipulator doing research on atmospheric anomalies and the love of Zed’s life.”

“That is a lot to remember,” she sighed, watching as the bridal party joked and jostled each other around with practiced ease.

“I have a chart with profile pictures,” he whispered. “I keep it taped to the back of my closet door. I’ll make you a copy, if you promise not to tell anybody. It covers every major player in town, including the mamas who will feed you into submission.”

“I will memorize it and then burn it,” she promised, making him chuckle.

Instead of a traditional wedding cake, the happy couple had elected to have an enormous tower of pies arranged on a custom-made display with dozens of tiered supports. It looked mismatched and delicious, guarded by a tiny brownie whose scowling face was nearly covered by her enormous corsage. Bael and Jillian carefully fed each other a slice of some sort of chocolate pie. Charlotte noticed that no one encouraged them to smash the pie into each other’s faces, which she appreciated.

In the hubbub of people claiming their pie slices, Alex called the bridal couple over. If Jillian was confused by a complete stranger showing up at her wedding reception, she didn’t show it, simply smiling and kissing Charlotte’s cheek when Alex introduced her.

“Sorry, I’m just flying a little high on all the nuptial joy.” She giggled when Charlotte seemed surprised.

“This is Charlotte McBee, the midwife we talked about,” Alex said.