Colton~~

The rehearsal dinner is stunning, but that comes as no shock to anyone in attendance. Gwen will always outdo herself, and if she wasn't the Tresais, I think there would be a fruitful career in party planning waiting for her. The terrace and surrounding yard are almost ready for the wedding tomorrow. The flowers have not yet been brought out, but the charcoal colored seats are precisely placed on the stone and grass and are wrapped in plum tulle. Not all Society members are present, but they will be tomorrow, and since the terrace is not nearly big enough to fit everyone, the grass has to be utilized as well. Iris and I will have a long aisle to walk down together tomorrow.

At the end of the aisle is an archway made of fake wooden branches. Tomorrow the flowers will be added to it as well.

Above, string lighting is draped thickly enough that it creates its own stary night sky between us and the one in the heavens. It's only here for the rehearsal as the wedding will be at sunset, and the reception will be in the ballroom.

There's a cake that might as well be for the wedding and food that somehow tastes better than it does every other night at the Estate even though it's made by the same chefs and cooks.

How is it that Iris and Jonas are getting married? Two people who mean the world to me and yet are taking my world away.

The rehearsal part of the night went well, and Gwen is off somewhere complaining about the minute details that went wrong. Vienna sits at a table with Percy, Eli, and Seong-ho, smiling and laughing with them.

Only a few minutes ago, I was sitting there, but now I stand on the terrace, a flute of champagne in hand, searching for Alastair and surely looking as if I'm a lost teenager at their high school dance, wondering where their date went and about to realize she snuck outback with another guy.

Not that I have experience with school dances.

Jonas and Iris have moved to the end of the aisle, standing under the archway with my mother and father. They don't spare me a glance. When did I become the least important person at an event?

"How are you feeling?"

I turn, finding one of my male cousins standing before me, his head only coming to my chest.

I have an exorbitant about of family members, and cousins, and a lot, a lot of male cousins. Some first-some second-some even three times removed. I've met everyone who lives at the Estate. We share a home after all.

But do I remember this one's name?

Nope.

"My brother is getting married," I say to unidentified cousin. "I'm happy, sad, and relieved he's off the market." For your sake. Not mine. It's not like there would really be any fight if we were both after the same girl. I'd win. The rest of my cousins may have some trouble should they go head to head against Jonas. "How are you doing?"

My cousin grins. "Great. Gwen has really out down herself. Hey, do you remember that time when were younger and Gwen locked us in the pantry?"

I blink.

"We were there for hours. I thought we'd be there till my Expiration Date."

I have no idea what he's talking about. "Certainly. I'm even surprised we made it to this wedding with how long we were trapped."

My unidentified cousin throws his head back, laughing.

Heaven, save me.

"What did I miss?" Alastair sidles up beside me, so quietly I almost jump out of my skin.

"We were reminiscing about the olden days." I take a sip of champagne. "Alastairi, this is my . . ."

My unidentified cousin looks at me expectantly.

"Cousin."

Alastair dips his head graciously. "Alastair please. Might I steal Colton?"

My cousin steps back. "Of course. Of course."

Alastair's lips stretch into a smile. "Thank you."

He guides me over to where the lake water meets the crisply trimmed grass and away from all the guests. We both look out over the water, at the lights emanating from the mansion.

"You're welcome by the way," he says in Amorian.

"Was I that obvious?"

"Do you want me to answer that?"

I sigh. "No."

"Your brother and Iris are very lucky to have Gwen's help with their wedding."

"That they are. She's always been one to plan our parties. I'm sure if you asked, she would come to Amoria to help with yours when the day comes."

Alastair nods, raising his champagne flute, his eyes not meeting mine.

"Are you planning to settle down soon?"

"I don't know. I'm sure my father would be happy if I did."

"But no one has caught your eye?"

He runs the tip of his finger over the rim of his glass. "I wouldn't say that."

"I was actually looking for you before you found me. I wanted to speak with you about my wedding."

"You mean about having to marry an Amoris?"

"Nothing gets past you, does it?"

"No, nothing."

I finish off the rest of my champagne.

"You want to marry Vienna, and you know tradition dictates that the Preeminence of Elleany is to marry an Amoris."

"Hasn't tradition already been broken?"

"Yes, for you and Jonas."

"And now I'm asking for it to be broken again. Gwen shares just as much blood with Jonas as I do and just as much with my father as all three of us."

Alastair is silent, staring at the mansion.

"If she took our place—married an Amoris—I could be with Vienna and Gwen could get what she's always wanted. Power."

A muscle near his eye twitches. "Are you certain there is not already a human she is involved with? Have you spoken to her about this?"

"There is no one."

"No Amoris?"

"Not that I know of. But you have no issues with her taking my place?"

"Not if that is what she wishes. But you know that it's not my permission you need. You'll need the Orders of Amoria's permission. Do not think for one moment that it was easy for your brother to convince them to allow your heir to be Preeminence."

"I understand that. I do. But I have your support?"

"If you have Gwen's support, you have mine."

My chest squeezes. "Thank you."

"You do not need to thank me for helping you overcome an outdated tradition. If you would excuse me, I'd like to compliment your sister on a beautiful rehearsal dinner."

As he walks away, his shoes crunch the grass and I listen to them fade away as I stare down into the water.

To have the support of the heir of Amoria could change everything.

I return to the party, finding the groom and bride being gushed over by my family. I slip into the seat beside Vienna. She turns, looking at me expectantly.

"We have his support."

Her shoulders relax, and she slips her hand into mine before turning back to watching Iris and Jonas. From across the table, Percy has his brown eyes fixed on us in a very disconcerting way.

It's a quarter of an hour later when I spot Gwen alone, near the dessert table, examining the different treats, but not taking any.

Walking over there, I grab a plate at the end of the table and hand it to her. She frowns, taking it in both hands and turning it toward her as if it were a shield.

"Alastair spoke with me," she says. Did he propose? Surely the possibility of having his heir be Preeminence of Amoria and Elleany would be too much of a temptation for him to resist.

"Did he?" My voice sounds hoarse.

"He told me you want me to marry an Amoris, for my heir to be Preeminence."

"I didn't mean that Amoris to be Alastair."

Her lips morph into a scowl. "I never said you did. He wanted to make sure I was all right with taking that responsibility on. And, of course, I am."

"Really?"

She plucks a bite-size cheesecake from the table and puts it on her plate. "It wasn't a hard decision. I would ask who could pass that up but then I remember you and Jonas exist."

"Flattered."

"You do understand that it's not a done deal, though? Alastair isn't the one who needs to sign off on it, and . . . it's Amoria. What are the chances they'll stop being sexist only for me? They've already let me be Tresais. Why would they give me more?"

"Maybe if they met you."

She laughs, and she sounds tired. "I'd be worried I'd do something I'd regret. Moretti irritated me enough as it is."

"Another good reason not to marry Alastair. You wouldn't want Moretti as a father-in-law."

"I'm three seconds away from shoving this cheesecake in your face."

"What has your brother done?" Alastair steps up beside Gwen, and she rolls her shoulders back, collecting herself.

"Hello . . . again," she says to him, her voice terse. Maybe the better question is what has he done?

"Gwen, Colton." He nods to each of us.

"We were discussing the possibilities that the Orders would allow me to take his place."

"They have been caught up in other matters, their concerns elsewhere, but there is still a chance."

Reaching for a plate, I pause, my hand hovering over the table. "Other matters?"

Alastair fidgets with the empty champagne glass in his hand. "They like to overreact. They should calm down once I return and can speak to them in person."

"Is it something we should be worried about?" Gwen asks.

"Not tonight. Enjoy the party that you've worked so hard on. I have the matter under control for now." He frowns. "But I've taken up far too much of both your times this evening." He bows. "Forgive me," he says before moving toward the bride and groom.

Gwen whirls on me. "If you ever mention to him that he isn't the right Amoris for me, you'll wake up in the woods somewhere."

I step toward her, my eyes glinting. "So you are interested in him."

She rubs her forehead. "No, but I'd rather you not insult the future leader of Amoria." She grabs another miniature cheesecake before heading in the direction of our mother.

I sigh and go in search of a refill on my champagne. It would probably be best for both Alastair and me to leave Gwen alone for the rest of the night, lest we both find ourselves waking up in the woods tomorrow morning.

For anyone celebrating, Happy Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for all of your support, and thank you for sticking with me for four books! You all are pretty amazing, and I hope you know that.