After several wasted attempts at argument, the four girls submitted to Freya’s every whim. As a result, Romy’s bob-length hair was braided into a wispy arrangement encircling her head. She’d been handed a razor and was rudely told to “deal with her bush-pig legs”.

Elara found this hilarious until she was told to do the same.

Romy estimated she had six cuts on her legs, but she couldn’t stop touching the smoothness. The short amount of time she’d spent on Earth had given her skin a golden hue, and dare she say it, Romy thought the colour contrasted nicely with the bright whiteness of her borrowed dress. She felt pretty. And even though she knew she shouldn’t wish it because of Tina, Romy hoped Atlas was impressed.

Elara, Freya, Hannah, and Nancy were all in white dresses too. Freya was adamant that having a theme was the “in” thing. Nancy’s orange hair was swept back in a high ponytail and the bottom of her mid-thigh dress waved out in pleats. Elara’s hair was out, but Freya had added a clip on one side. Romy though her friend was always beautiful, but the sleeveless white stretchy dress Elara wore hugged the soft curves of her body. Tonight, her friend was a willowy goddess.

Romy was excited to be dressed up with her new friends and knot mate, but each step she took towards the decorated clearing in her slip-on shoes had her chest tightening.

A small hand slipped into hers. “Don’t worry about the seating plan.” Elara rolled her eyes. “So like you to fret over something stupid like that.”

The seating plan! Romy had forgotten all about that. She grinned, remembering the change she’d made so everyone would be happy. Well, nearly everyone.

“Dei!” Elara squealed.

Romy spun around and saw the rest of her knot getting drinks. They were all there. All the people she loved, safe and together for the moment.

She skipped over to Deimos and reached up to put her arms around his neck. “Dei, you’re out?”

“For a while. Until I get tired. Had to practically sell my soul before Dr H. would let me come.”

Romy felt fingers at her thighs and glanced at Phobos, who was trying to tug her dress down to cover her legs.

“Where’s the rest of your dress?” he demanded.

Elara burst out laughing and Romy joined in. She noticed that while Phobos seemed concerned with how high her dress was, he didn’t mention Elara’s.

And Elara certainly found the short-sleeved, navy shirt Phobos was wearing interesting, especially where it pulled over his biceps, though she didn’t spare a glance at Deimos.

Deimos was looking between Elara and Phobos. He arched a dark brow at Romy. She shrugged.