Zandian Lights (Zandian Brides 4)

“I love them,” she repeats, her voice trembling. “I felt they loved me too, but they were always with you.”

“Cressa, they want you. They are only accepting me because of their initial promise and their Zandian honor. I need to release them from the promise, because otherwise they’ll go ahead with it, no matter how unhappy they are.”

I stand up. “Look, the dress might not fit perfectly, but I bet Octavia can adjust it. And this flower crown is for you. Mirelle told me these flowers signify strength and love and things like that. I picked them for hours and made this. Not for me, but for you.”

I lift the thing up, adjusting the delicate ribbons that blow in the breeze from the open window, and place it onto her head. “Look.” I point her to the mirror.

She gasps and puts a hand to her mouth. “Oh, stars. It’s so pretty.” She’s mesmerized. “Kianna, is this real?” Her eyes well up again. “This isn’t a dream or a joke?”

“It’s true.” I take her hands. “And I’m sorry.”

“For what?” But she’s already picking up the gown. “You said Octavia can adjust this?” She giggles. “Oh, I never thought I could have this.” She turns to me. “But what about you?”

Her face goes solemn.

I look away. “I’ll be all right.”

“But what about Mykl?”

I squeeze my eyes hard. “He’s mating the Zandian female. I hear she’s pretty amazing. What a blessing that our planet won her back, and just before the Zandian Lights, too.”

“I won’t ever forget this, Kianna.” She hugs me, hard. “Thank you.”

“Let’s just get ready. And once you are, we both need to go explain things to Arc and Bow.”

“What if they don’t want me?” But she knows that won’t happen. She feels it in her bones, as well as I do, that those two will be overjoyed to see her in the crown instead of me. And that thought—that I’m bringing happiness to three other beings—is enough to sustain me as I help Cressa get ready for the biggest planet rotation of her life.

Mykl

* * *

It’s almost time for the Zandian Lights festival, and a crowd gathers. Every being is respectful, but the energy of the place is immense, and it’s difficult to make my way through the throngs of Zandians and humans.

Everyone is waiting for the peak light to occur. The air already shimmers and crackles with energy, and as I suck in the fresh air, I swear my lungs feel lighter than they have in several solar cycles. Maybe not healed, but fuller, easier. I stand taller, too, I think. Everywhere I look, beings glow with a beauty I’ve never before noticed.

I don’t care for decorations like lanterns and ribbons, but even I have to admit that the whole area looks fantastic, something from a dream.

“Happy Zandian Lights.”

“Happy Solstice!”

Beings hug one another, or salute, as is their comfort, and give the special greetings.

But even though energy pulls me to be part of the whole, I’m desperate to find them. I must find Kianna, Arc and Bow and halt their ceremony before it’s too late.

I just hope that I’m not too late. Maybe she gave up on me after I turned her down for the Zandian female. Maybe she hates me now. Maybe—worse—she’s indifferent, doesn’t care about me at all.

Panic seizes me and I look around wildly.

“Where’s Kianna?” I grab the nearest Zandian.

“Who?” He shrugs. “Happy Solstice to you.”

“She’s getting mated. She’s a human.” I resist the urge to shake him. “Happy Solstice.”

“Brother, I don’t know her, but there are many mating ceremonies. Look.” He points to the side, by the waterfall.

I see a trio exchanging crystals. A group of four are clustered together, looks of bliss on their faces.