24. Marina

24

MARINA

M arina's bedroom was a hive of activity, with dresses draped over every surface and the air thick with the mingled scents of hairspray, cosmetics, and perfume.

Her heart fluttered with excitement and nerves as Larissa worked on her hair with a curling iron while Lusha carefully applied makeup to her mother's face.

She'd already done Marina's, and it was a work of art. The woman was really talented, and she claimed to have learned all the tricks from watching countless instructional videos on YouTube.

Marina had watched quite a few herself and still didn't know how to make her eyeliner stay in place all day without smudging and giving her raccoon eyes .

Peter had often commented that she shouldn't bother because she was beautiful as she was and didn't need cosmetics to enhance her appearance, but Marina knew better. In a place where every female looked like a supermodel, she needed all the help she could get just to blend in.

Thankfully, nearly half of the females in the room right now were human, so she felt more at home. It was good that the master suite was spacious, with a seating area separate from the bed, so there was enough space for all of her bridesmaids and her mother. Catrina remained in the living room, and Marina felt a pang of guilt for excluding her.

Then again, she hadn't told the woman to stay out there, and besides, Peter's mother could have spent the morning visiting her many friends and relatives in the village instead of sitting on the living room couch and making everyone uncomfortable.

Yesterday over dinner, it had seemed like she was warming up to Marina and her parents, but it must have been the vodka or maybe her own wishful thinking, because this morning Catrina was back to being her old standoffish self who treated everyone like they were beneath her.

Still, a small voice in the back of Marina's head whispered that she was misinterpreting the woman's behavior. Peter's mom was uncomfortable around her and her gaggle of bridesmaids, most of whom she knew only by name. She wasn't the friendly type, and maybe she needed a drink in her to loosen up.

"Stop fidgeting," Lusha commanded Marina’s mother, wielding the makeup brush like a weapon. "I can't get this highlight perfect if you keep bouncing your knee."

"Sorry." Her mother tried to still her restless movements. "I'm just so excited. My baby girl is getting married."

Marina stifled an eye roll.

She was a twenty-seven-year-old woman, not a baby, and her mother hadn't babied her since she'd been twelve and started working in the compound, cleaning up after the Kra-ell, but Marina was in a forgiving mood today and let it pass.

"What about you?" Wonder asked her from her perch on the bed. "Are you nervous? Excited? Or about to explode?"

Marina stuck out her tongue at her friend, earning a reproachful tug on her hair from Larissa.

Working with Wonder at the café had been a blessing—the immortal's endless patience and kindness had helped Marina adjust to life in the village. Thanks to her, she knew almost every resident not only by name but also their backstories, provided that Wonder knew them.

"I'm still mad at you for refusing to have a proper bachelorette party," Aliya said, sorting through a collection of nail polish bottles that Lusha had brought over. "We could have had so much fun!"

"We are having fun." Marina gestured at the comfortable chaos around her. "This is perfect. We are spending the morning together getting ready, reminiscing, and drinking."

As if on cue, Wendy appeared in the doorway with another round of mimosas balanced on a tray. She only worked part-time at the café, but she was part of Marina's inner circle of friends. "Speaking of perfect, wait until you see the village green. The flowers just arrived and?—"

"No spoilers!" Eleanor called from her spot by the window. "Amanda wants it to be a surprise."

Marina had been instructed to avoid the area and, if she happened to walk by, to look in the other direction.

Her mother took a glass from the tray and raised it in a toast. "To my beautiful daughter on her wedding day."

"To Marina!" the others echoed, raising their glasses.

Marina's gaze drifted to the closed bedroom door, beyond which Catrina was sitting alone in the living room.

Guilt gnawed at her stomach.

"I should invite her in," she murmured.

Larissa's hand stilled with the curler. "Who?"

"Peter's mother. I don't want her to feel excluded. "

"No one told her to stay out there. She could have walked in and joined us. It's her choice."

"Friendliness doesn't come naturally to everyone. Maybe she is waiting for someone to invite her, meaning me." Marina waited until Larissa proclaimed her hair ready before getting to her feet. "I'm going to ask her to join us."

She found Catrina perched on the edge of the couch, looking perfectly put together as always but somehow also slightly lost. Her eyes widened in surprise when Marina appeared.

"Why are you sitting all alone out here? You should join us." Marina gestured toward the bedroom. "You don't need any help with hair or makeup, but you can enjoy mimosas and gossip with us."

Catrina's smile was slightly strained. "I wouldn't want to intrude on your special time with your friends and family."

"You're family too," Marina said, though the words felt a bit forced.

"That's very kind of you." Catrina stood and smoothed her skirt. "But I think I'll stay out here. Too many people in one room makes me anxious." Her smile turned more genuine. "But thank you for asking. It means a lot to me that you made the effort to come out here and check on me."

Marina nodded, relieved but also feeling a bit guilty about that relief. "Are you sure? "

"I am." Catrina reached out and squeezed her hand. "You look beautiful. Go and enjoy yourself."

When Marina returned to the bedroom, her mother's makeup was complete, and Larissa was working on her hair.

"You look amazing, Mama."

Her mother beamed. "Thank you, baby."

"Time for the main event!" Lusha announced, clapping her hands. "Everyone out while the bride gets dressed!"

"But we want to see the dress!" Wendy protested.

Marina shook her head. "Not until it's on. I want the full effect to be a surprise." She shooed them toward the door. "Go get dressed yourselves in the other room. Only my mom stays here to help me."

Lusha must have thought that she would be allowed to stay because she cast Marina an accusing look before closing the procession out of the room.

When her mother shut the door behind Lusha, Marina retrieved the garment bag from its hiding place in the back of the closet.

When she unzipped it, revealing the masterpiece within, her mother gasped.

"Oh, sweetheart." Her mother's eyes filled with tears. "You're going to take everyone's breath away."

Marina touched the delicate fabric reverently. " I still can't believe it's mine. I've never even dreamt about wearing a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that was created just for me."

"You deserve it and much more." Her mother helped her step into the dress, so as not to disturb her hair and makeup, and then gave her a hand as she stepped into a pair of white pumps.

"There." She turned Marina toward the full-length mirror. "Look at yourself."

Marina had seen herself in the dress before during fittings, but now, with her hair and makeup done, she looked like a fairy-tale princess.

"Ready to show the others?" her mother asked.

Marina nodded and reluctantly turned away from the mirror.

Her mother opened the door, and as Marina stepped out, a chorus of gasps and squeals filled the air.

"Oh my goddess!" Larissa waved a hand in front of her face to stave off tears. "You look like a princess!"

"Marina! You look stunning," Wonder said.

Even Catrina, who had drifted closer to take a look, seemed impressed. "You look spectacular, Marina."

"Peter's going to lose his mind when he sees you." Lusha snorted. "If he can still form coherent thoughts."

Marina spun slowly, letting the skirt swirl around her .

For the first time that morning, her nerves settled. This was right.

This was perfect. In a few hours, she would walk down the aisle to the man she loved, and nothing else mattered.

"Okay," Larissa said, her voice thick with emotion. "Final touches. Something old?"

"Wonder's earrings." Marina touched the pearl drops that her friend had given her for the occasion.

"Something new?"

"Here." Wendy handed her a blue butterfly-shaped clip for her hair, and Marina transferred it to Larissa, who clipped it in place.

"Something borrowed?"

Aliya took off a gold anklet. "You can wear this."

"And something blue?" Lusha asked with a wink.

Marina patted her hair. "Check!"

"Naha." Wendy produced another tiny blue butterfly clip, and Larissa added it to Marina's hair.

The women burst into cheers and applause, and even Catrina joined in.

Marina felt tears threatening to spill from the corners of her eyes.

"Don't you dare cry and ruin my masterpiece!" Lusha wagged a finger at her. "Happy thoughts and not the mushy kind."

"Yes, ma'am." Marina saluted .

Wonder appeared at her side with a fresh mimosa. "Liquid courage. You can always reapply the lipstick."

"To love." Larissa lifted her glass.

"To new beginnings," said her mother.

"To family," Catrina said.