“Ooh.” Irini appeared from behind the curtain, wearing a long citrus colored gown.
“Oh no.” Ella shook her head at her appearance.
Irini sighed. “I know, Mom, told you so. I look like a giant tangerine. Anyway I was oohing at Caia’s dress.” She gestured to her. “I like that color. I think it would work with our coloring, too.”
Ella nodded contemplating the situation like the world depended on her decision. “Yes. We’ll find dresses to match.”
“Shouldn’t I try it on first?”
“Well, duh.” Irini laughed. “I can’t believe it. I’m going to-” she stopped abruptly as a sales lady walked by - “Be getting married,” she finished instead. “And you’re trying on an evening dress. My world is all askew.”
As Caia trundled reluctantly into a changing stall, she called through the curtain, “So you never answered my question...”
The sales lady had gone. She could hear Ella sighing. “No. It’s not like a wedding, in that there are no vows. One of the Elders, in this case Magnus, recites the binding ritual in Greek in front of the rest of the pack, who stand as witnesses. Then the ceremony is over and we go and have a party... yes, like a wedding reception.”
“Soo... the color co-ordinated dresses?”
“Political propaganda, if you like. I suppose they are a bit like bridesmaid dresses, except we wear the same color as the bride. I want everyone there to see you as my family.”
Caia didn’t know what to say. She would thank her but Ella would only shush her. Apparently she was supposed to be used to Ella’s kindnesses by now – the rest of the pack just expected and assumed such loyalty. She heaved a sigh and pulled the curtain back. “So... is it OK?”
Irini and Ella turned to her and gasped.
Caia’s face fell. “That bad?”
“No.” Irini laughed, and pulled her out to have a look in the mirror. “You look stunning.”
Caia grimaced. That was taking exaggeration to a new level. Then her reflection appeared and she stared wide-eyed. The color of the dress was just the right shade for her peaches and cream complexion, making her hair seem lighter and her eyes greener. For once she actually felt pretty.
“It’s nice,” she admitted, nodding shyly.
Ella and Irini laughed. “I think it’s a winner.”
Caia had thought finding one dress would make the task of finding Irini and Ella one easier... but no. By the end of the afternoon her feet were killing her and they had been in every dress store in town. They had eventually found a dress for Ella, and Irini was in the changing rooms trying on their last three options for her.
Ella for once was relaxed. “We’ll get shoes later. I’m too exhausted to go on.”
Thank goddess, Caia breathed.
“I just can’t believe this is finally happening.” Her eyes sparkled like a typically ecstatic mother-of-the-bride. “You know, Irini and Aidan had a thing when they were younger.”
She nodded. “I’d heard something like that.”
“Yeah, Irini was the popular girl of the pack back then.” She smiled fondly remembering. “And very sought after. Dermot and Aidan were her avid followers.”
“Dermot? Alexa’s big brother that...”
Ella nodded, her expression somber. “The very one. Thankfully, Irini had seen past Dermot’s charm and straight into his ambitions. Every time he came around to ‘see’ Irini he was always seeking Lucien. But Aidan … aww goddess, that boy had it bad. It was like something out of a nineteenth century novel, flowers and chocolates, kisses on her hand. Irini loved it,” Ella tittered, and then her expression became bittersweet. “Aidan was so despondent when she left.”
“I’m sorry.” Caia winced.
Ella blanched, realizing her blunder. “Oh no, Cy, no. It’s not your fault. And anyway, now we know the two of them were truly meant to be mates. I’m so happy for her.”
“Me too.”
They were silent for a moment as Ella smiled softly to herself, and Caia pondered another question. Finally she felt brave enough to ask, “Ella?”
“Hmm?”