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They went into Maisy’s room, where Lily flung open the closet. There were rows and rows of outfits, picked out mostly by the palace stylists and designers, for all manner of occasions. There were pantsuits and formal skirts, flowing dresses in a variety of colors and fashions, and several more casual pieces. None of Maisy’s clothes from Kanalea were there.
“How about this one?” Lily suggested, pulling out a pink dress with flowers on the bodice and the hem of the skirt.
“That might be a little… frilly.”
“Really?” Lily smoothed the dress’s skirt. “I love it.”
“Do you want to wear it?”
Lily’s eyes lit up. “Can I?”
Maisy chuckled. “Of course you can.”
Lily set aside the dress for herself, then returned to the closet. But Maisy already had her eyes on just the piece for the wedding. In Kanalea, Xander had commented several times on how much he liked Maisy’s green eyes. He would be at the ceremony today, and this would be a perfect chance to let him know just what he was missing. Maisy selected an emerald-green dress with an asymmetrical hemline and a fitted bodice.
“How about this?”
“You’ll look beautiful!” Lily beamed. “That color will bring out your eyes perfectly.”
“That’s just what I was hoping for. It’ll make Xander regret not choosing me.”
“Good for you.” Lily put her hands on her hips. “I must say, I like this side of you. You’d never pick that dress normally.”
“Well, I do now. Come on. Let’s see about our hair and makeup.”
Half an hour later, they were ready to go. Since no stylists were doing their hair and faces today, Maisy had settled for natural makeup that highlighted her features without overpowering them, and a simple hairstyle — mostly down around her shoulders, with a section pulled back into a braid. Along with the dress, even Maisy had to admit that she looked nice, if not exactly bridal.
Lily, on the other hand, in the pink flowered dress, looked like a princess, as always.
“Are you ready to go?” Lily asked.
Maisy glanced at herself in the mirror, took a deep breath, and nodded. “Let’s do this.”
“It isn’t too late to change your mind…”
“I know.” Maisy reached for her sister’s hand. “Come on. Let’s go.”
They walked down the hall to the judicial chamber where the wedding/annulment was being held. As they descended a long staircase, Lily reached for Maisy’s arm and squeezed.
“Maisy.”
“What?”
Lily looked pointedly at the bottom of the stairs. Maisy followed her gaze and her heart sank. Standing there, in a formal suit and tie, was the person Maisy wanted to talk to most — who was also the person she least wanted to see ever again. Xander looked as handsome as always. But something about his posture was nervous, too.
“Do you want me to make him go away?” Lily asked. She had a fierce expression that Maisy had never seen before.
Maisy bit her lip. She did want Xander to go away, but she also wanted one last chance to talk to him before everything happened. And Maisy knew that she’d have to talk to Xander for the rest of her life, as her brother-in-law. She might as well start now.
“No, it’s fine.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
Maisy shook her head. “I can do this. Alone.”
At the bottom of the stairs, Xander reached for Maisy, then let his hand fall.
“Maisy.” His voice felt like the warm sun on a cloudy day. Maisy hardened her heart.
