Her best friend gave her a quizzical look and a wry smile, but didn’t hesitate.
She helped Saba adjust her trailing dress and veil as they slipped away.
At theŠar’schin lift, one of Mak’s Sauvage sentinels detached himself to watch over them.
Their departure was a silent spectacle witnessed by the entire wedding party.
Once inside the secluded bathroom, the guard cleared the room of curious-eyed, whispering women, closed the door, and waited outside.
The two friends sank into a pair of chairs before a vast, mirror-lined wall.
Saba broke the silence with a shaky laugh that dissolved into bitter disbelief as she tried to hoist the mantilla off her scalp.
‘Hell, this veil is killing me,’ she whispered. ‘It’s pinned with asiyaasa, and its freakin’ spokes are causing little circles of pain where they bite into my skin.’
The flowing headpiece and the lace fabric featured the most precious and purest of diamonds, resembling dewdrops on gossamer.
It floated over her gold and ebony gown, a creation of sheer beauty with gauzy accents.
Aveline saw none of it, her eyes dilated in shock.
‘What in the actualfokk, Saba?’ she breathed. ‘I thought Shiloh was the bride.’
‘She was until last night,’ Saba burst out, finally letting go of the tidal wave of frustration and despair. ‘Two days ago, I was archiving manuscripts at the Nautilus’ library and researching energy systems while envisioning a weekend celebrating my sister. This morning, unable to stop this freakin’ out-of-control maglev train from halting, for it had long left the station, I stepped in for her, wearing her veil and dress.’
‘Why?’
‘Tis the question I keep asking ever since I slipped on this get-up.’
Her panic ratcheted as reality hit.
Aveline laughed. ‘It is stunning, though, woman,’ running her hands over its diaphanous beads, which shone with an exquisite aura. ‘When you came down the aisle, floating in a constellation of stars in the velvet cloud of your veil, I believed you were Shiloh.’
‘I had to convince you all that I was, even as I gave myself over as a living sacrifice to my husband-to-be,’ Saba muttered. ‘Fokkin’ hell, Aveline, I’m now Mak Sauvage’sŠarim.’
The shock hit hard then, and Saba bent over her knees, hyperventilating.
Aveline’s hands stroked her hair and spine as she heaved, although nothing came up from her empty stomach.
‘Sweet mother of essence,’ Saba whispered after a few moments as she righted herself. ‘I’m standing in her shoes,’ she muttered, ‘and they hurt because she’s always been smaller than me.’
Aveline reached out, her hand gripping hers. ‘Where the hell is she? What happened?’ she murmured.
‘I can’t say much now,’ Saba confessed. ‘Regardless, I’m in serious shit with theŠar. He had no clue. He’s livid. If I’m found dead tomorrow, know he eviscerated me overnight for my deception.’
Aveline clapped a hand to her mouth. ‘You think he might kill you for this. I can see it in your eyes. Hell, woman, do we need an escape plan?’
Saba let out a sigh, hand over her fast-beating heart and vacillating soul. ‘He’ll find me. He’s a freakin’ Sauvage lycan venator and a Signet strong guard, the most lethal combination. If you never hear from me again after tonight, please know that I did it for Shiloh. For her reputation, to maintain her dignity, and to keep our family alive. If I refused, he and his Signet wolves might have killed the Lisade clan and started a war between the families.’
Aveline blinked, eyes dilating. ‘Fokkme.’
‘Indeed. I’mfokkedevery which way you look at it, forced into a union I never chose.’
Aveline’s eyes glistened as she said, ‘I don’t even know what to say, honey. Only, it makes me wonder what you are sacrificing?’
Saba let out a hollow laugh, shaking her head. ‘It’s ironic. I rebelled against our oppressive traditions, only to be bound to a man I’ve never met. I’ve been robbed of my autonomy, of my opportunity at true love, because I’ve pledged my life to someonewithout ever speaking to him. The only hope I cling to is that maybe, just maybe, fate might help us get along and find a shred of beauty amid this ashy side-arsed shitshow.’
Saba swallowed hard, the truth of her words pressing on her.
