Page 177 of Lau Ahi
I’m going to hate to ruin this suit.
“What is wrong?”
Afshin could feel the shift and I knew my hostility was radiating energy despite me trying to keep myself together. Every crystal in the chandeliers above us would be crushed and on the ground with the way I wanted to erupt at him desiring my future wife.
And to think I was just thinking highly of this nigga.
“That’s the bride to be.”
Afshin was immediately contrite taking his eyes off Asha and lowering his head in respect. “My apologies, Ori. My intention was not—”
“The one next to Vanya and Jasmine? Or the one next to Vanya and Nev?” Xerxes was studying his uncle before glancing toward the women. They’d formed some type of semi-circle and their positions had been switched around.
“I’m sorry?”
“Are you talking about the woman next to Nev or the one next to Jasmine?”
“Next to Nevaeh.”
His clarification forced me to release my breath, and my temper immediately cooled. I was happy that I returned to the joy of this occasion instead of thinking about dismembering a monarch in front of a hundred of our closest friends. Given thecloseness of our affiliation they’d be able to help cover it up but now it wasn’t necessary.
“Then you’re in luck because that’s not the bride.” Yacouba was grinning and when his eyes met mine I knew the mischievous look was because of how I’d reacted to the mistake.
“How can you tell? Zhey’re literally mirror images. But I confess the beauty in the deep pink held my rapt attention. I did not notice the bride at first.” Afshin was back to staring a hole through Sasha who’d stepped off to the side to speak with Teegan. Omega was within arm’s reach standing guard over the women.
Their dresses were the same but it didn’t matter because I could search Asha out in the dark with a thousand other bodies standing between the two of us and know when I’d reached her.
“Besides her sister being thinner than she is, I can just tell. Even though they’re trying to wear something that was loose enough so it wouldn’t be noticeable. I have no problem telling them apart.”
I filled in the differences between the women and I wondered if Asha kept her outfit similar enough to her sister’s so they wouldn’t know which was the bride. The only difference was that Sasha’s trim had been done in a hot pink color but at first glance it looked similar enough.
“Zhen zhis is truly an especial day.”
“Uncle, has Cupid come and shot you in zhe ass? You look at her like I look at my Vanya.”
Xerxes was grinning at his uncle who put his head down bashfully but I could tell he was battling the urge to put his eyes on Sasha.
“I can see her with a crown on her head wearing a beautiful white gown as she’s being crowned my queen.”
I looked at Xerxes so that he could get his uncle under control but he was just smiling like this shit was normal.
“Uhhh you not gonna step in?” I motioned toward his uncle with my head and Xerx’s hands went behind his back to emphasize how little he was going to interfere.
“Zhere is no need. Some of us, zhe lucky ones zhat Allah has blessed know when we have found our person. Do you zhink I would have gone zhrough such lengzs for someone ozher zan Vanya? No, I knew upon seeing her face zhat she was mine, I was hers and we were meant to be togezer. If zhat is how my uncle is feeling zhen zere is nozhing any of us can do. We cannot stand in zee way of fate.”
“What is her name?”
“That’s Sasha Avery.”
He scoffed as though her name was beneath her. “No, her real name. No one would name a being as perfect as her somezhing as plain asSasha. I can already tell her name holds power.” We were all looking at one another while Xerxes smiled. I didn’t bother to wait too long and just gave him the information he wanted.
“It’s Asmarina.”
“After the capital city of Eritrea. Her name means united. Zhat is her purpose in zhis world.” He sounded smitten, damn near half in love and despite not wanting to give into my own feelings I was pissed that his kingly ass was showing me up at my own wedding function. I just knew if he was anything like his nephew Afshin would start spittin’ game and have me looking out of my depth with my own wife.
I looked down at the king, and he had his eyes trained back on the twins. “How in the fuck—”
Xerxes hit me in the chest with the back of his hand taking my eyes off his uncle. “Don’t even ask. I doubt whether he knows. My uncle retains almost everyzhing and forgets nozhing. It is what makes him so beloved by our people. I’m attempting to understand how you zhink zhis outsider will be accepted, uncle.”
