I nodded. “I need things to be perfect today. Just once I’d like to come across as put together but not so put together that I hate everything and everyone around me.”
Hale laughed. “Well then, if it happens to pop again, roll with it.”
Eloise went to fetch something from the bathroom, and I took my chance. “How’s Ean?” I asked in a whisper.
“Good. Stunned,” he answered, almost giddy. “We both want to help you in whatever way we can. You’re making our futures possible, so we owe you one.”
“Just help me get through today, and that will be plenty.”
“Something every day,” he reminded me.
I hopped off the pedestal and hugged him. “You’ve been incredibly worthy.”
“That’s good to know,” he replied, returning my embrace. “Okay, I’m getting my suit jacket and heading downstairs. Let me know if you need me today.”
I nodded, trying not to tense as Eloise came back to do her final touch-ups.
“He’s a nice one,” she remarked, spraying the last of the flyaways.
“He is.”
“Personally, I’d pick Kile,” she commented with a giggle.
“I know!” I shook my head at her. “I still haven’t forgotten how you let him sneak into my room.”
She shrugged. “He is my favorite. I have to do what I can!”
Finally everything was in place. I made my way downstairs, the tail of my cape draped over my arm. The foyer was a mass of people. General Leger on one side holding Miss Lucy’s hands to his lips, Josie and Neena in matching pale-blue gowns that would look lovely as they held my train down the aisle, and the five remaining Elite in a circle toward a corner, with Erik wearing a tie that was a shade of blue slightly brighter than the others.
But I only had eyes for one boy in the crowd. As I reached the middle of the staircase, I caught sight of Ahren. He was here.
I rushed through the herd, elbowing my way past advisers and friends, running not into Ahren’s arms, but Camille’s.
“Is he well?” I asked into her ear.
“Oui, very.”
“And are your people pleased? Do they accept him?”
“As if he was born one of our own.”
I held her tighter. “Thank you.”
I pulled away, turning to see my stupid brother.
“You clean up nice,” he teased.
I didn’t know if I should joke with him or punch him in the arm or scream or laugh or anything at all. So I crushed him in a hug.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I shouldn’t have left the way I did. I shouldn’t have left you alone.”
I shook my head. “You were right. I miss you so much it hurts, but you had to go.”
“As soon as I heard about Mom, I wanted to come back. But I didn’t know if it would make things worse or better, or if it was even fair for me to show up since it seemed I was the cause.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. All that matters is that you’re here now.”
He held me close for a minute as Lady Brice organized everyone into cars. The advisers went first and the Elite just after, all of them bowing deeply to me, Erik especially. He didn’t meet my eyes, and I was grateful. Who knew what my stupid heart might have done if he had?
It did melt a little when he walked away, pulling repeatedly at his sleeves, seeming painfully uncomfortable in his suit.
“Okay, next car,” Lady Brice announced. “Everyone whose last name is Schreave, even you, Monsieur French Prince.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Ahren said, taking Camille’s hand.
“Eadlyn’s in first, followed by Neena and Josie. The rest of the family in after that, and I’ll be in a car right behind you.”
Dad paused. “Brice, you should be with us.”
“Absolutely,” Mom agreed. “There’s room in the limo, and you’re the one holding this whole thing together.”
“I’m not sure that’s appropriate,” she replied.
Neena tilted her head, trying to put doubt in Lady Brice’s mind. “It could easily fall apart on the ten-minute drive.”
“Also, the likelihood of someone thinking Neena and I are sisters is slim,” I added. “Stay with us.”
She pursed her lips as if she thought this was somehow a bad idea. “Fine. Let’s go.”
We piled into the limo, my dress taking up the space of three people. There was so much laughter and feet stepping over feet that the whole thing started to feel funny. I took a deep breath. All I had to do was say a few words, make a promise I’d already made in my heart. I looked across the car to Mom. She gave me a wink, and that was all I needed.