Zarya placed her hand over her stomach as she realized that her symptoms had all but vanished. Stunned, she widened her eyes. “It really does work. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll make sure and have Chayden bring you more. I’m one of those women who has morning sickness from the moment of conception until birth. I hope you don’t.”
Her, too. She’d actually been lucky. This was her first bout of it.
But what timing…
Sorche returned her small bouquet to her. “You sure you feel up to this?”
Zarya glanced at Darling and smiled. “Absolutely.”
Maris kicked off his shoes, then scooted them toward Darling with his foot. “Change with me, hon. I’m not the one being broadcast all over the universe.”
Darling stepped away from her to exchange his shoes with Maris. “Thanks.”
“I would say anytime, but I hope we never have to do this again.” Maris smiled at her. “I love you, dearest, but I don’t want to wear your DNA.”
“I’m so sorry.”
Maris wrinkled his nose at her. “Don’t be. We’re all waiting for that little one to come out so we can spoil it unmercifully. I’ve always wanted to be an overindulgent aunt.”
“Don’t feel bad,” Jayne said graciously. “I promise you, this isn’t nearly as bad as my last pregnancy. I tossed all over my mother-in-law’s prized sofa that’s been in her family for three generations. I’m still banned from her house, and my baby’s about to start school.”
Zarya laughed.
While she and Jayne had gotten off to a bad start, she now counted the female assassin as one of her dearest friends.
Clapping her hands to get their attention, Gera took charge. “Emperor, we need you to leave now, and I’ll have the ladies and gentlemen resume their places.”
Zarya saw the hesitation in Darling’s expression. She placed her hand on his cheek again. Goodness, he was so breathtaking in his royal uniform with those blue eyes gleaming at her. She hoped their baby had the same coloring as its father. “I’m fine, really. Desideria’s root is working miracles.”
“You know we won’t let anything happen to her,” Maris assured him.
Nodding, Darling took her hand and kissed it. “I’ll be waiting.” He made a formal bow, then reluctantly released her hand and left them.
Maris held his arm out to her. Since she had no male relatives left, he was doing her the honor of presenting her to Darling for the wedding.
Ture, Shahara, Lise, Desideria, and Sorche made up her wedding party. Kiara would have been here as well had she not gone into labor a few days ago. So both she and Nykyrian, and their entire brood, were attending via video uplinks.
Ture turned and frowned at her. “Oh give us a minute, please, Gera. I need to repair her makeup. We can’t have her going out there with it smeared.”
Gera gasped as she looked at her. “I can’t believe I didn’t notice.”
When Gera started forward to help, Ture placed a kind hand on her arm. “I have it, hon. Get the others ready and we’ll be right out. Mari? Can you run and get my bag out of our room? I have sealant in it that should keep her eyeliner from running again.”
As soon as they were gone, Ture pulled a tissue out of his sleeve and dabbed it under her right eye. “Look up.”
She did.
Ture quickly repaired her face, then smoothed her hair, and adjusted the small headdress that matched her maroon gown. Smiling in satisfaction, he straightened her official state necklace around her neck. “You are such a vision.”
She didn’t believe a word of it. Not for a minute, but she was grateful to him for his kindness.
“You’re the best, sweetie.” She straightened the ribbons on her bouquet. “Ture, do you mind if I ask you a personal question?”
“Not at all.”
“Are you really happy here?” He’d never been the kind of person who suffered pomp or ceremony well. And those were two things that Maris seemed to adore and thrive on.
His eyes brightened with exuberance. “Oh, honey, how could you doubt it for even a second? I never thought I’d be in love like this. But Mari…”
He smiled a smile that lit up his entire face. “He’s so funny and sweet. Considerate. And when he goes all military tough around me…” He shivered. “I now understand exactly what you meant when you talked about Darling. For the first time in my life, I honestly believe that Maris would walk through hell to keep me safe. I’ve never had that before, not once.”
It was true. Like Maris, Ture had been abandoned by everyone he’d ever loved.
His lips quivered. “I can’t thank you enough for introducing us.”
Was that a euphemism or what?
“I can’t believe you’re thanking me for getting you imprisoned and tortured.”
He shrugged nonchalantly. “Believe me when I say Maris is totally worth it.”
“I’m so glad you feel that way.” Returning his smile, she allowed him to take her outside to where the others waited.