Chapter Text
“Don’t you dare start having doubts now,” Keres ordered, adjusting a flap of Biana’s gown that returned to the exact same position two seconds later.
Biana wasn’t quite sure how she and the girl who had been her stepsister in another reality had become friends, but she was grateful for the company. She only got to see Sophie once or twice a year, now that she was the queen of Candleshade (unless they were saving the world, of course), and she hadn’t seen Maruca since Nightfall.
“Exactly,” Sophie agreed. “I’ve seen enough soulmates to know that you and Dex are perfect for each other.”
Biana grinned up at her friends.
“My brother is so in love,” Queen Hex agreed from where she was trying to make a last minute decision between two brooches that looked identical to Biana. “Calm down. It’s your wedding day. It’s supposed to be the happiest day of your life.”
Biana glared at her sister in law. “Don’t you dare. You were the one stressing over whether the flowers in the great hall matched the beads on your gown.”
Keres’ cheeks flushed from embarrassment. “And sorry, your majesty, but they actually were several shades lighter.”
Hex spun around in mock horror. “Keres, I expected so much better from you.”
Keres winced. “I would appreciate it if you would start getting used to calling me Ciana. I’m sick of being named ‘evil spirit.’ I’m legally changing it after the wedding.”
“Right in time for you to marry Galen, right?” Sophie asked. “Ciana Heslege. I like it!”
“Back to the point,” Hex interrupted. “If I could survive dear Ciana lying to me about the flowers, you can survive this.”
“Somehow this isn’t making me feel better,” Biana joked. “What are you hiding?”
“Nothing,” the trio said in unison, confirming her suspicion.
“Spill,” she ordered.
“Fine,” Sophie sighed. “Just, don’t freak out.” She made her way to the door and unlatched it. In stepped… Maruca?
“Hi,” the girl said shyly. “Sorry I couldn't make it until now. It’s a long story, but the short version involves a curse, an apple, seven dwarfs and your brother.”
“Maruca!” Biana cried. “I would hug you right now, but-”
“I’m holding her hostage in this dress,” Keres (or Ciana apparently) interrupted.
“I know this is kind of a bad time, with it being your wedding day and all,” Maruca said hesitantly. “But Fitz sent me to tell you that apparently Dex has been kidnapped.”
“Please tell me this is a joke,” Hex begged.
Maruca shook her head. “This man stepped out of a mirror and grabbed him. His hands were on fire and everything.”
In spite of herself, Biana grinned.
“Ciana, help me get this off,” she said, accidentally tearing part of the priceless gown in her rush. She slipped on a tunic, and double checked that her vial of silver was still strapped to her thigh. As the Empress of the Realms of Silver and Glass, she dealt with these things every other week. There was no chance her opponents were taking a day off for her wedding, so why should she?
She scribbled a quick note to whoever was supposed to grab them, and glanced back at her friends.
“I’m going to need some help this time,” she said, tossing a bundle of more practical clothing to them. “Dex and I haven’t confronted Fintan since the time he threatened to burn Havenfield.”
The girls pulled the tunics over their heads and armed themselves with daggers and tiny bottles of molten glass.
“Hold on,” she ordered, double checking that everyone was secured as part of the chain.
Then she took her hand and thrust it into the nearest mirror.