“I can’t believe you just cut your hair again,” Ani grouses, watching as Mina, my ex-roommate and fellow attendant, applies my makeup.
In the six weeks since Bren proposed—or I did—I’ve had my visit home with Lirika, and my family and friends are now here in the guesthouse with me to celebrate. Everyone except Niya, of course. Tonight is the sweetening.
“I think it suits her,” Bean says loyally from the floor, her arms around her latest rescue project: a too-thin orange striped cat with a torn ear and a particularly malevolent look. Somehow, it has not yet clawed her or had an accident indoors.
or“It does,” Melly agrees. “I’m glad you’ve kept it short, Rae.” She sits on the bed with Ani, resting her arms on the great round of her belly beneath the loose, floor-length embroidered robes s
