"It is going to be absolutely gorgeous," Alexandra remarked as they looked out over the bay that stretched out before them. The group were standing in the location where she and Kindred would be wed the next evening. It was on the bluff overlooking the beach and sea below them. Currently, it was nothing more than a large expanse of turf but Terra knew the next evening it would be filled with a decorative arch, chairs for guests and thousands of flower decorations. The large terrace that ran the length of the palace at Alatopah would be decorated and tables set for dinner, dancing and celebration. There was actually going to be a live band for a portion of the night then there would be prerecorded music for the remainder of the night. Based on Kindred's guest list, Terra could see them partying until the wee hours of the morning as long as the libations and food were free.
"This reminds me of that one vacation we took to Saicheyes back when Kindred was just a toddler," Leydon looked over at Beka. " A beautiful sunset with the most beautiful woman in the universe. The soft sound of the waves breaking on the seashore. A successful heist where no one was the wiser while we celebrated our good fortune."
Leydon looked over at Terra and gave her a wink. "Be thankful there was complimentary resort childcare. Or your brother might have been an only child."
"It is quite beautiful," Terra looked back at the horizon where the sky was colored in various shades of pink and purple as the sun slowly disappeared from sight. This was supposed to be the exact moment when Kindred and Alexandra affirmed their love and devotion to one another, exchanged symbols of that bond and were announced as husband and wife.
They had just finished a brief run through of the ceremony. It was much simpler than Terra had believed it would be. There was no one involved but Kindred and Alexandra and the officiant. Due to the continued secrecy of who her father was, Alexandra was not being escorted and had opted to forgo many of the historic flourishes of a formal wedding.
"The transport is waiting," Tyr's deep, melodious voice broke through the air as he approached the group. "We should depart if we are to be on time for the reservations."
"Are you certain you do not want to join us?" Beka looked over at her daughter.
"Let's see," Terra pretended to think about it for a long moment. "A quiet evening here … or an elaborate dinner in town with the five of you and nearly sixty guests who are arriving from the palace this evening along with the fifty three others who already departed for the restaurant. Hhhmmmmm … I think I will sit this one out. I still don't understand why you just didn't have the rehearsal dinner' here?"
"The staff has a million preparations for tomorrow. In addition to the wedding feast, they have to provide breakfast and lunch for the palace guests," Beka reminded her. "It seemed like a good idea to take everyone to town for the dinner."
"Not to mention, we have reserved ten entire restaurants in the town square so our guests have plenty of options," Kindred reminded Terra.
"This event is certainly injecting a great deal of cash into the local economy," Leydon looked over at Beka. "Your Empire gig must be paying pretty good if you and a head governess are footing the bill."
"Mom is married to the Emperor's father," Terra interjected as she looked over at her mother and Tyr. "I am certain money is no object."
"There were limitations," Beka replied as she looked over at her daughter.
"Yeah," Kindred spoke up. "I couldn't get the high throne booze. I had to settle for lower shelf stuff."
"If your friends enjoyed a finer spirits instead of gulping it down like water, perhaps allowances could have been made," Terra replied as she looked at her brother. "As usual with your band of hooligans … it is quantity over quality."
"A least I have a band of hooligans," Kindred replied with a terseness in his voice. "I believe Tyr was saying we need to depart."
"If you would all follow me," Tyr gestured toward the main palace entrance.
"Are you sure you don't want to come?" Beka walked over to her daughter. She searched her daughter's face carefully.
"Not everyone likes a big party," Leydon interjected as he came over to stand beside his daughter. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into a side hug. "Terra had always preferred quiet, more intimate events to large social gatherings. She's been like this her whole life."
"I will be a mingling, schmoozing hostess all day tomorrow," Terra assured her mother as she wrapped her arm around her father's waist and hugged him. "I will dazzle you all with my social graces."
"Okay," Beka replied hesitantly. Terra was not the most outgoing, social person like her brother. It was not unlike her daughter to skip many events. However, skipping her brother's rehearsal celebration was unusual.
"Go. Have fun," Terra gestured toward Tyr who was waiting on Beka. "I will be here … ready to assist in getting Kindred's hammered guests to their room when you return."