Page 35 of Gyft

“Don’t worry so much. Just think of it, the thing you want most, and close your eyes. Go on, beautiful bride. Close your eyes,” he says softly.

I obediently shut them, letting him lead me outside to the whole new world. I think of Yvette with a heavy heart, knowing I can never tell my sweet husband what I want the most.

“Okay, open them.”

I gasp at the gorgeous view. A magnificent castle, as splendid as one from home in old historical photos, stands tall and majestic on a manicured lawn. There are two rows of uniformed guards standing in a line alongside the shuttle, leading a path up to the castle.

And just ahead... a familiar face. A human face. I pause, unsure of what I’m seeing. Are my eyes still closed? Am I still imagining her? I widen them, sure I can tell if they’re actually squeezed tight by doingso.

“Livvie!”

“Vetti?”

“Omigod, it’s you!” My voice rings out as a high-pitched screech as I leave Gyft’s side and fly toward Yvette. Our arms wrap around each other, and I squeeze her tight as I inhale her signature perfume. Her name-brand shampoo. Things I miss... and yet don’t.

“Why... who, I mean how did you get here? Who sent you? Your father? Mine?”

“Yes, yes.” She laughs. “Your husband—Gyft asked Minniel to bargain with your dad to send me. At first, I didn’t want to come. But then, I figured why not? You’re my best friend, my soul sister, my whole life—there’s nothing back there without you, Liv.”

“I can’t believe you gave it all up! With me gone, you were the highest daughter.” While I was first daughter, Yvette’s dad is second in command so she’s second. I imagine she stepped up to first in my absence.

“Didn’t matter with you gone. Nothing that made me happy before made me happy without you there. I was ready for a new life, an adventure”—she leans in to whisper— “and it didn’t matter what life was like here. Though, so far it hasn’t been too bad.” And Yvette’s cheeks are kind of pink when she looks back over her shoulder to the uniformed males standing near a small building.

There’s one talking to Gyft, he’s the one Yvette’s focused on, and I’m sure there’s more story there. Maybe he’s the reason for her blush.

“No one has ever made such a sacrifice for me,” I say and we squeeze each other tighter.

When I finally pull away, Gyft approaches.

“Ooh, Yvette, I want you to meet Gyft. My amazing husband.”

He gives a swoon-worthy bow and my heart swells. I’m so lucky to have been matched to him.

“Yvette, may the stars shine upon you.”

“Gyft, nice to finally meet you,” Yvette says. “In person.”

“Hey,” I say, when the fact that she can understand dawns on me. “How do you know the language? It took forever for my download to hit.”

“As soon as I was awakened from the landing, Minniel took me down to get the download implant.” The way she murmursMinnielwith a throaty drawl and a blush makes me tilt my head to study her.

“Yours was done remotely by a search of your DNA because your shuttle didn’t land where it was supposed to,” Gyft murmurs.

Oh my.

My panicked eyes meet Yvette’s, and I quickly change the subject. “Well, thank you for coming out to rescue me, handsome.” I lean toward him for a kiss, hearing Yvette sigh.

“Oh, your gold,” Yvette says suddenly, glancing at the medallion hanging from my neck. “All the jewelry I wore. It’s inside my room at the castle. Your dad said it was for you; I took it off. Minniel said it would be safe there.”

I wave my hand. “You can keep it. I don’t need more.” I take her arm. “Besides, I think we’re turning over a new leaf, right? Becoming more humanitarian? Everyone looked up to us before as trendsetters... that was partly because of my dad’s inventions. But now they should look up to us for an entirely new reason. Because we look out for others.”

“A goal.” Yvette’s eyes are suspiciously wet. “I agree! It was always inside us, we just needed a little guidance.”

“Why did you wear Olivia’s jewelry?” Gyft asks, his eyes narrowed on my excessive amount of gold.

“Well, it wasn’t really mine to begin with,” I explain. “It’s my father’s. I had to wear it for the trip over—”

I’m surprised when Gyft releases a sudden exhale. “That’s it.”

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