When Constellations Form (Light in the Dark 4)

“If you poke me and get blood on this dress I might punch you.”

He bites out a gruff laugh and pinches the fabric, restarting the video.

Thankfully it’s not too big of a tear, just enough to be noticeable since my skin is peeking through. His tongue slides through his lips as he concentrates. I hold my breath as he works and ten minutes later it’s completely closed. Is it the best job? Definitely not. But for his first time sewing I’ll give him a pass.

“Thank you.” I kiss him and he smiles against my lips.

I pack the sewing kit and put it away before I finish getting ready.

I keep my makeup light and simple and put my hair back in an up-do that’s already approved by Rae.

Xander tends to Prue and then we leave for the wedding.

I can’t believe my best friend is marrying my brother. She’s going to be a permanent part of our family. It’s awesome.

Rae and Cade are getting married in a historic hotel downtown. It’s beautiful with amazing views of the city. I’m so happy they let me help plan the wedding as much as I could. Since Xander and I did things the way we did, I didn’t plan ours. That’s never bothered me, but it’s fun to be a part of theirs.

Xander parks in the below ground parking garage and we take the elevator up to the ballroom level.

“Oh, good, there you are,” Nova cries when she sees me. She’s dressed in a matching dress with her hair pulled back similarly. “Rae’s this way. And you—” she points at Xander “—need to go that way. Just start walking you’ll hear Jace bitching soon enough.”

Xander chuckles. “Okay—you both look beautiful, by the way.”

“He had to sew me into my dress,” I blurt.

Nova snorts, looking between the two of us. “Seriously?”

“Unfortunately,” I mutter.

“That’s hilarious,” she giggles, looping her arm through mine and dragging me away.

She pulls me into a room that’s been sequestered for getting ready.

Rae sits in a chair with a hairdresser styling her hair and someone else doing her makeup. Her mom bustles about the room, checking on various things.

“How are you feeling?” I ask Rae. “Nervous?”

She smiles up at me. “A little. Mostly excited.”

“You can still run,” I joke. “My brother’s an idiot so I wouldn’t blame you.”

She laughs and shakes her head. “I love him. I’m sure.”

“You know this means you’re next,” I warn Nova.

She snorts and dismisses my words with a wave of her hand. “No way. Jace and I don’t want to get married.”

I look at her like she’s crazy. “Are you serious?”

She nods. “Yeah. We’ve both talked about it, and it’s just not something we need. We don’t feel like a piece of paper is going to prove we love each other. What we feel exists in our twisted broken hearts,” she jokes with a shrug. “That’s all we need.”

“That’s really kind of beautiful,” I admit. “But being married is nice. I love being able to call Xander my husband.”

Nova shrugs. “We have no plans to get married. That’s all I can tell you.”

Rae doesn’t make any comment, but her eyes connect with mine and I know she thinks it’s as crazy as I do. Don’t get me wrong, I know you don’t have to get married, and they’re free to do what they want, but I don’t want to them to miss out on something.

“You need to get in your dress,” Rae’s mom tells her. “It’s almost time.”