Page 44 of Flying Blind

Zara sat back and sipped the wine while the other ladies consumed the very nice sparkling grape juice that Lyric had packed for them.

Zara smiled as she watched the ladies make themselves comfortable at the winery. There were kids playing tag in the open yard and babysitters lounging in the shade. She was seeing it with power borrowed from her mates, but she was seeing it.

She touched the necklace that Lykon had given her and smiled. The other three wore their symbol in a silver charm embedded in their skin. It gave her the ability to move energy more efficiently. She smiled and stroked the links with mischief in mind. The steady beat of Lykon’s hammer at the forge paused, stuttered, and then resumed a slower beat.

The beat he was using was her heartbeat.

Rayd and Taka were off talking to some of the vendors for the wedding.

Lyric smiled. “So, Zara, can I buy your wedding dress?”

Zara jolted. “Oh, damn. Yes. I guess I should have one.”

Lyric laughed. “One of mycousinshas a shop in town. I think she has just the thing.”

“So, do we go to her?”

“I can have her bring a selection here if you don’t want to leave the bubble.” Lyric smiled.

“I think I am going to be up for a visit.”

“Great. I will tell her you are coming, and you can do a bridal dress and bridesmaids’ shop. Just let me know the colour so I don’t actually match.”

Zara felt a pang of guilt. “I want you as a bridesmaid, but...”

“I am a very new acquaintance, and you have friends who have been with you since the beginning of your new life. It is only right that they be next to you when you say your vows to Rayd.” Lyric smiled. “You are going to have to witness my skills at demolishing desserts.”

Zara grinned. “Oh. Wait. Photographer. We are inviting Nikolai, Alita, and Alexi, and I don’t think he does weddings anyway. We need a photographer.”

Lyric caught Agatha’s attention, and Aggie walked over. “Zara realized that they don’t have a photographer.”

“This close to the time, the best option is Harry. If he can’t do it, I have backups on backups. Just select a list of shots you want with family, friends, the bridal party, and the getting-ready shots. I will pass them along and get you a quote.”

Lyric lifted a hand and called over the bridesmaids, and Zara watched her back away, but she caught her new sister and held her tight. “Do we have a notepad?”

Lyric flexed her hand and grinned. “We do. It’s the one thing I can manage. My magic skills aren’t great. Punching, yes. Magic, no.”

Wren smiled. “I can help you with that.”

“No. I have enough fuss running the winery without blowing it up by accident.”

Zara laughed, and they went through a list of images that she wanted to have to keep. Having an outside photographer would be good. She didn’t need to think about if they were having a good time or not.

The guys were glancing in on them periodically as they tried to list everything, and she definitely wanted to have some fun pictures of herself with her legion. This wedding would be fun, and Agatha was helping her experience it while taking care of the details.

Emma came over and added her two cents. She wanted a first look with Randolph after they got makeup and hair done.

There was going to be something for everyone, and the hotel was going to be offering their wine as a dinner option. Oak Bark Vineyards was going to have its moment in the celebration, so everything she loved was going to be there. Zara looked forward to the party.

It was the light at the end of a very long, dark tunnel.