Page 5 of Battling Bright
Krys smiled.“Anything missing from this vow renewal can be added to the next one in five, ten, or fifteen years.This isn’t a one-shot.This is a celebration that both of you were too young to insist on.”
Vaia smiled.“You hit the nail on the head with that one.Is everything really ready?”
“Whatever isn’t ready, I will fake on the day.Just keep me on speed dial, I will be there in under a minute, no matter how small.This is your day.Both of you.No one is going to get in your face or wreck your day.”
Vaia hugged her.“I have a special dress for you.”
Azreen chuckled.“I can’t believe that you got so many folks to RSVP.”
“Oh, there is a decision compulsion in both the email and the paper copy.They need to commit right away.”
Vaia blinked.“I haven’t heard of that spell.”
“It isn’t a spell.It’s a cantrip.It’s a spell you can use without a license as long as it does no harm.”
“I didn’t know they were legal.”
“They can be carried out by humans without magic if necessary, so they are legal.That’s the loophole I use for most of my stuff.My illusions are licensed, but most of my trickery isn’t.But a cantrip by a magical being can pack a helluva punch.”
Azreen’s eyes widened.“Oh, yeah, they would.Well, I confess to excitement.Only two sleeps.”
Vaia laughed.“Yeah.So, did you contact the dancers that I mentioned?”
“Yup.We have three out of five.I will grab Hura on the day.Don’t worry.She’s been warned.”
Vaia clapped.“Okay, now I am super excited.Two more sleeps.”
Krys laughed.“Right.Well, all of the chopping and arrangements start tomorrow, so I have to go to make sure that our green grocers have delivered everything so I can patch any missing bits tomorrow.”
Vaia looked concerned.“Do you sleep?”
“Yup.Sunday.I will sleep Sunday.”Krys chuckled.“Now, do you have any other concerns?”
Vaia sighed.“My family.I didn’t invite them, and I don’t want to see them.Azreen’s lawyer has started the legal proceedings.They are upset.I got a crash course in blocking this week.”
Azreen hugged her.“We will weather it, but it is over a million dollars, and that is a good start for a trust fund, or Vaia can continue her education if she wishes to.”
Vaia shrugged.“I would rather buy some more commercial properties and start a small business association for women who are starting a new business.Help organize and find proper properties to get them in the right space for their business.”
Krys smiled.“Nice.And impressive.”
Azreen said he would walk her out, and when they were on the steps, he said, “All invoices to me, please.”
“I have already paid the first wave of them.”
He said, “Then forward them, and I will reimburse you.”
She was resigned to not being paid for this job.“Okay.”She was too tired to explain.
She lifted her phone and sent him the food bill, the flowers, and table and chair rental.“The rest will be confirmed on the day.Some have gotten deposits and will be paid in full when they arrive on the day.”
“Excellent.I will pay you there as well?”
“No.My fees are a percentage of the vendor pricing.If you are paying everything directly, that takes me out of the equation.So, based on our current contract, I am not going to be paid.”
Azreen looked at her.“You suck at business.”
She looked at him and laughed.“I actually do.I am great at getting the great machines of the event moving, but I hate the financial bit.”
