Page 128 of The Ruler
“I meant everything I said,” he hissed. “It should have been you out there!”
“Khan!” Pearl called my name as if she had been trying to get my attention for a while.
“What?” I turned to look at her. My father’s hateful words from nine years ago still hammered in my chest.
“When we get back I need to talk to my mom and invite her to the wedding,” Pearl said.
“Okay.”
“And what do you suggest I wear? I have that purple skirt you said you liked…” she began.
“No, I’ll have the tailor come today and you’ll order a white dress.”
“But can they make a dress in two days?”
“Yes; if you can agree on the design, the tailor’s robots will work overnight and have it ready for you tomorrow morning.”
“But why white?”
“Tradition,” I said and took her hand.
We split up when we got to the Gray Manor. Pearl retreated to our suite while I went into my office, where I watched her conversation with her mother. Pearl would probably have a problem with my spying on her, but I was a control freak and with what Magni had told me about the trap he set for Pearl, I was nervous and needed answers.
Her conversation with Isobel was short and to the point. Pearl explained that the ceremony was Saturday and that she would like her mother to come. Isobel promised she would and they arranged the practical details of when to meet at the border.
To my relief, Pearl mentioned nothing about unauthorized crossings over the border.
The call had just ended when Magni popped his head into my office.
“So, any news? Did she tell you on the flight back?”
“No, but she just spoke to her mom and said nothing about what she heard you and Boulder speak of.”
“She wouldn’t.” He angled his head. “You said it yourself, Pearl isn’t stupid. She must know you can listen to her conversations with her mother. She’s going to wait until she and Isobel are face to face.”
“Or maybe she won’t tell her anything at all,” I said, expressing my hope that Pearl would be loyal to me.
Magni plumped himself down on the chair in front of my desk.
“At least postpone the wedding,” he suggested.
“No.”
He puffed out air in frustration. “And how are you going to do the ceremony? I mean, normally it’s the ruler who performs the ritual,” he said. “But since you’re the one getting married…” He lifted both eyebrows as if sayingSee the problem?
“I thought you could do it.”
“Why me?” he asked with a frown. “Can’t you ask a priest or something?”
“No. Pearl isn’t religious and neither am I. Besides, for the last two centuries weddings have been performed by the ruler and you’re my second in command.”
“Yeah, but…” He scratched his shoulder and looked down as if an excuse to decline was written on the floor.
“I did it for you and Laura,” I reminded him.
“That was different.” He squirmed in the chair. “If I’m right and Pearl’s a spy, I’m going to feel guilty for locking you up in a marriage with her. Unless…” He tapped his chin with a thoughtful expression.
“What?”
