Phoenix in My Fortune (A Monster Haven Story Book 6) (21 page)

I could have dropped a hellhound whisker in that room and it would have been louder than a trumpet. I wasn’t sure anyone was breathing.

“Guys?” I waited. “Anybody?”

Sara, her strange golden eyes shimmering with tears, rose from the sofa and came to hug me. “This means I can have my life back, right?” She pulled back far enough to look at my face.

“You can go home, yeah. You can even drive yourself there. Regular people will see the old Sara, not the new one.”

She hugged me so hard I thought my bones would bend. “Oh, Zoey, thank you doesn’t say enough.”

The silence broke, and the room filled with chatter. I couldn’t hear any one person or follow the conversation. I heard pieces.

“—at the zoo?”

“—might take some sewing classes.”

“—Disneyland!”

I looked over Sara’s shoulder and saw Darius leaning against the wall, his featureless face impossible to read. He tipped his head toward me and raised his thumb to let me know he approved.

Sara stepped away, wiping her tears on the sleeve of her sweater. “You know what this means, right?”

I sighed. I did know what it meant. Maurice stood nearby, watching us both with a wary look on his face. I knew him so well. I could tell he was worried. Now that Sara could take back her old life, would there be room in it for him? I waved him over.

“I know what it means.” I tried not to be sad. I’d had enough of sadness today. I placed her hand in his. “It means you’re stealing my closet monster for good this time.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

The next few weeks were filled with crazy. Art wasn’t thrilled that I was now his boss, but I put him in charge of drawing up new organizational charts to revamp who did what and how. I had no intention of running the world, but this time we were going to have a unified world government with the same rules for everyone.

There would be no territorial grabbiness. Distrust among the regions had cost hundreds of lives. If I had to fly around the world and flog every obnoxious politician who thought he should run things his way, I would do it. We appointed Gris as the World Hidden Ambassador to set things up with each region and maintain communication.

Bernice refused any position in the new government. She agreed to provide golems to keep things running smoothly until the new staff was set up, but then she would take her golems and retire.

“Someplace warm and quiet,” she said. “I’ve had enough excitement to last the rest of my days.”

Despite Sara’s ability to go back to her old life, we agreed that Happily Ever After Weddings and Events was done. Sara wanted to move on to something else, and I had a world to rebuild.

But we still had one last client.

After a long morning of planning a government job fair with Art over the phone, I hung up and went to find Sara. “Hey,” I said, stretching my arms to ease a cramp. “Did Fiona ever get back to you with how many rooms she needs us to book? The wedding is next month. The hotel is holding a block for us, but I really need to call them back with the exact number, or she’ll end up eating the cost of the whole floor.”

Sara sat on the edge of the couch, grinning at me. “I cancelled the reservations. The wedding’s been moved up.”

I frowned. “You can’t cancel this late. And we can’t get the cake any earlier at this point. As it is, Moira’s rushing to get last-minute orders filled before she leaves for Florida to go house hunting. The flowers won’t be delivered in time. The venue can’t be rescheduled. How soon are we talking?” At that moment, I realized how much being a wedding planner was like being an Aegis. Everything was always a crisis. And nothing ever went as planned. I took a deep breath to calm myself. Sara wasn’t freaking out, so I needed to get a grip. We’d handled worse wedding emergencies.

Sara moved to the door of the guestroom and waved her hand at me to follow. She had a weird grin on her face, as if she were holding back a burst of excitement. “Come with me.”

I rolled my eyes and dragged my feet like a petulant child. “I can’t travel through closets like you can, you know.” Well, I could. But it hurt like hell.

She took my hand once I stepped into the room. “Remember how your mom’s letter said she left you a gift in her closet?”

I felt a twinge of guilt for not having found the guts yet to go see what it was. “Yeah.”

“Well, I already knew what it was, because she and I had talked about it. I went and got it. It’s in there.” She pointed at the closet.

A distant part of me wondered what my mother’s gift had to do with Fiona’s wedding emergency, but the fear and anticipation of what Mom had left me drowned it out.

I touched the closet door, then pulled my hand away, as if the wood were hot. Lifting my chin as a show of bravery, I nudged the door open to see what was inside.

My breath caught in my throat. Yards and yards of pale cream satin and tulle filled the small space. Delicate lace trickled down the bodice and around the hem. I knew from my parents’ wedding pictures that the tulle around the top would rest just off the shoulders, and the train would be chapel-length. A tiny hat with a long, trailing veil sat on the shelf, and the addition of green and purple ribbons curling down the back let me know it was new. And made for me. One lime green stocking and one purple were folded next to the hat, and on the floor were shoes that matched the same light cream of the dress, but with green and purple polka dots added.

I smiled, my eyes prickling. “She left me her dress.”

“Let’s get you into it,” Sara said. “Come on. Chop, chop.”

I touched the smooth fabric. “No, not right now. I’ll try it on later.” I gave my head a slow shake. “We really need to deal with Fiona’s wedding. Mine’s a long way off still. But thanks for bringing this over.” My throat tightened, imagining my mother sneaking around to have the shoes and hat made for me. “I can’t believe she did all this for me.”

Sara flung open the bedroom door. “She’s resisting!”

I was swarmed. I had no idea what the hell was going on. Kam swooped in and started pulling off my T-shirt and sweats. She scowled at me, then stole my underwear and bra, leaving me completely starkers. “What are you doing? Stop it!”

I tried to fight them off, but there were too many. Sara was a demon, and Kam was a djinn. In addition, I had Rene shoving at me to sit down, once I was properly attired in Kam-approved lacy underwear and corset.

Rene slapped my hand when I objected to the stockings she slid up first one leg, then the other. “Hold still, or you’re going to be late.” She fastened the garters on the purple stocking, then moved to the green.

The purple and green color scheme wasn’t lost on me. Fiona had obviously been in on all this, though I didn’t understand why. I gave in and let them dress me, though I wondered where they’d found a seamstress who did dress-fitting house calls and why the appointment had to be right this second. “You know, we haven’t even set a date yet. I appreciate all the trouble you guys are going to, but there’s plenty of time for this once we have a date.”

Molly galloped in on Simone’s back. A box was strapped behind her. “You have not told her yet?”

“She’s going to be late.” Simone snorted, and sparks blew out her nostrils.

Sara smiled. “Put this on.” She slipped a bathrobe over my shoulders. “Fiona’s wedding got moved to today.” She led me to the kitchen and gestured out the window. “See?”

My mouth fell open. Gone were the tents and campfires. Gone were the cheap folding chairs and picnic tables. My backyard was festooned with purple and yellow flowers that I’d picked out myself. Chairs—nice ones—were draped in the purple ribbons and swaths of green fabric I’d chosen. A runner of white fabric led down the middle toward the apple tree at the far end, where a gazebo had been placed beneath it, overlooking the bay.

I blinked. “How did you get this done so fast? Where’s Fiona? And why am I the one wearing the wedding dress?” The clues were all there. On some level, I understood what was going on, but on another, I couldn’t let go of the idea that I had a client waiting somewhere.

Kam groaned. “She didn’t used to be this slow.” She leaned her head close to my ear and spoke in a breathy voice. “I can’t wait to see all the plans you’ve made.”

“Give her a second,” Sara said.

I widened my eyes in surprise. Kam sounded like she was doing a Marilyn Monroe impression. Or an impression of Fiona.

Off to the side, toward the woods, they’d put up a tent—a much bigger, much nicer tent. The sides were open, and I could see the cake inside. The cake I’d chosen for Fiona in the flavors and shapes I liked best. Sometimes, I really
was
that slow.

“Kam was Fiona. There is no Fiona,” I breathed. “
I’m
Fiona.”

“There it is.” Sara grabbed my elbow. “Let’s get you ready, princess. There’s a terrified groom over at the cottage who also got waylaid. And the guests will start showing up in an hour.”

Kam threw her arms in the air and gave a little hop. “Surprise!”

* * *

My friends were incredible. Their level of preparedness was astounding. The box Molly and Simone brought was filled with exquisite jade, emerald and amethyst jewelry on loan from Bruce’s hoard. Kam did my hair and makeup. Rene did my nails, and Sara barked orders and kept everyone on time.

She was, after all a professional wedding planner.

One at a time, they disappeared and reappeared in their own finery. Sara and Kam wore matching slinky dresses, Sara in a green that was lovely with her gold skin and silver hair, and Kam in a deep purple that made her look exotic, even for a djinn.

And then they left me alone.

I’d dealt with hundreds of nervous brides. I’d even been married before, but that didn’t count, since the wedding was at the county courthouse. For the first time, I was the nervous bride.

Sara had told me not to worry. “Just sit tight. You’ll know when to come out. Don’t worry.”

I fidgeted. I plucked at my skirt. I checked the time, but it didn’t mean anything, since I didn’t know when the ceremony was supposed to start. I fiddled with my necklace. I readjusted my hat.

The closet door creaked open, and relief spread through my body. Maurice stepped out dressed in a perfectly fitted tuxedo with a purple orchid pinned to his lapel.

His grin lit up the entire room. “Gosh you look beautiful, Zoey.” He took my hand and spun me around slowly. “Riley is one lucky reaper.” He tucked my hand under his arm and led me to the kitchen, where he handed me my bouquet.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” I said. “I was such a bundle of nerves. This is all crazy.”

He sat me in a kitchen chair and tucked an errant curl back under my hat. His smile faded and grew serious. “I know your mom’s gone, but she would have been so proud.” He squeezed my hand. “And your dad’s gone, too, so you don’t have any real family left. I was wondering if...” He stopped, his expression hopeful. “I was wondering if you would mind letting me walk you down the aisle.”

My eyes blurred with tears. “Maurice, you’re my brother. I wouldn’t dream of letting anyone else do it.”

The view coming down the aisle was different as a bride. As a wedding planner, I’d seen it through more critical eyes. Now there was nothing but emotion driving the bus.

Ahead of us, Milo raced down the aisle with a ring box around his collar, tongue lolling, stopping here and there for pats and scratches from people he recognized.

I held Maurice’s arm for dear life and tried not to stumble. Andrew and Daniel wore suits and boutonnieres that led me to believe they’d been my ushers. Their eyes sparkled with happiness as I walked by. The mix of faces was strange and a little disorienting. With the change to who could see the Hidden, human and Hidden stood side-by-side watching me. Moira sat next to Tashi, knowing only that the person next to her held a pair of adorable twins, oblivious to the fact that Tashi was a yeti. Ex-city councilwoman Alma Dickson sat next to Silas, which I found a little hilarious. Madame Emilia sat next to Nick and Mari with baby Fern. Art and Bernice sat together, and Art winked at me. He must have been in on the whole thing, keeping me on the phone all morning and pretending to be calling from his office in Kansas.

Riley stood waiting for me at the end of my long walk, his face beaming with love. They’d trimmed his hair, but not so much that it didn’t keep that slight curl over the collar of his tux. The moment I stepped into the gazebo beside him, my nerves disappeared. My heart was filled with so much love, I wanted to share it with everyone.

I barely registered what was being said around me. Maurice left my side and went to stand next to Darius as a groomsman. Sara took my bouquet. Riley and I exchanged rings from the box around Milo’s neck.

They were probably beautiful vows, but I was barely listening. My entire being was focused on Riley’s face. His eyes. His hands. His perfect heart.

He leaned in close and whispered the words he’d said when he proposed on top of the Golden Gate Bridge as the sun came up. “Till the end of time.”

And when we kissed our first as husband and wife, every bad thing that had ever happened was washed away, and I felt our souls snap into place as if they were two pieces of a single whole.

Also, my toes curled inside my fancy, polka-dot shoes.

It was a magical night.

* * *

The first new Aegises, of course, were Andrew and Daniel. As much as they’d done to help over the last year or two, they were practically Aegises already. The new rules hadn’t changed the necessity for humans to start out with a supernatural gift of some sort before they became Aegises.

Andrew was an aura reader. I already knew that. What I hadn’t realized was that Daniel was a soothcrafter. He was able to calm people in times of stress—which was why he did so well working with the elderly. The moment I named them as Aegises, Hidden with problems immediately started gravitating to the two men. I stopped getting all the business.

That suited me fine. Being the only game in town—in the world—had been difficult to keep up. And once Andrew and Daniel were official, whatever magic the world held for assigning Aegises uncorked, and reports of new Aegises popped up across the country and, soon, around the world. The magic knew whom to choose. The ones I met were all good people with big hearts.

But my boys, with all their money troubles, wanted a fresh start.

“The cabin is just sitting there, empty, Zo,” Andrew said. “And no one’s stepped forward from the Northeast region yet.”

I buried my face in Milo’s fur. “New Hampshire is a long way from here. And it’s so secluded. Mom lived there for nearly twenty years and barely saw anyone except Hidden.”

Daniel scooped up Howard and came to sit next to me. “Your mom was
forced
to stay there. We have a vehicle. I’m going to take classes and finish my nursing degree.”

Andrew joined us on the sofa at the back of the closed herbal shop. “You can come see us anytime. And we’ll come see you.” He put his arm around me and kissed my cheek. “You of all people should realize how small the world is.”

I did understand. I knew they’d be much better off living in Mom’s cabin in New Hampshire, focusing on taking care of the Hidden in the area.

I didn’t have to like it, though.

One of the weirdest, most surprising things that happened in all the upheaval had nothing to do with magic, the Hidden or being an Aegis. It came from my ex-husband, Brad.

With so much going on, I’d let Brad’s calls go to voicemail far more times than would be considered polite. But it was Brad. He was persistent, if nothing else. Eventually, he caught me at a good moment, and I answered.