Page 61 of I Dated a Retired Hero

Drin smiled. “This isn’t for me; this one is for you. Big sisters should always attend weddings.”

Amber swallowed. “I am not nearly as close to her as you and Feral and Kiska are. I would far rather just play something.”

Drin smiled. “Ekron is going to sing something.”

Amber looked at her. “Then, he will have to save it for the flight home. She is my sister, and I have something prepared for her and Sergei. Are we clear?”

Drin laughed. “I am. The information is being relayed. I have two psychics hooked into me. After seeing him here, they will be expecting him to perform.”

“Tough. I am sure that it will be at the back of their minds when I have completed my contribution.”

Litha looked at the sky-blue dress that would look wonderful on her little sister. “Put this on.”

Amber blinked.

“Kiska will be my maid of honour, but you and Feral will be bridesmaids.”

Amber took the dress. “You are bossy.”

“I prefer assertive.”

“I prefer to wear my own clothes. I am going to be terrified of staining this.”

Litha chuckled. “We eat after the ceremony is over. No one will mind.”

Drin nodded. “These dresses were a gift. What happens, happens. Trust me, a little food won’t destroy her designs. I have done way worse.” She paused. “Well, not me precisely.”

Kiska snorted, Amber shook her head, and Feral rolled her eyes. They got dressed, Litha put on her white dress, and they all smiled.

Amber looked at her and touched her thumbs together before lifting them and setting the solid light crown on Litha’s head. “Now, you are ready.”

Kiska stared and slowly smiled. Feral looked at Amber and then Litha. She nodded. “Now she’s ready.”

Litha listened to the gloriously haunting notes of Amber’s violin as her sister walked ahead of the others. It was a solid projection, just as Litha’s crown was, but it sounded amazing. When she was facing Sergei, Nelith spoke. “Some of you know Litha, others Sergei, but Litha’s elder sister has prepared an introduction.”

Amber lifted the violin again, wild classical music spilled out, and the entire area was filled with images of Sergei and Litha from childhood to now. Litha as a teen in the tank with the water boiling around her and more pouring in. Destroying particles from space that would take out cities. Catching solar storms. Litha saw it all, but she watched Sergei’s time in the military against Uradda, his capture at the hands of an active wired for complete control. His projection of his stars inside the capsule that kept him sane until she cut light into his life again.

The music soared as their dancing together took over, the dancing, the lifts, the laughing, and the quiet moments, and that is where the music slowed and tapered off.

Nelith sighed. “Dude, that was amazing.”

Amber blushed, stepped back, and faded to a soft grey. Litha looked at her and mouthed, “Thank you.”

Then, it was turning to Sergei with her halo of light and stars, and she took his hands. Their vows were simple, and Litha hoped someone would tell her what they were at a later date.

She remembered the kiss, and that was the part she wanted to focus on.

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