Angling her head for a better view, Moira studied the screen. “She’s very lovely. I was wondering—”

“No, not the model, the dress.” Glenna scooted around on the chair. “I need a dress.”

“Oh, did something happen to yours?”

“No.” With a little laugh Glenna twisted the pendant around her neck. “I need a very special dress. A wedding dress. Moira, Hoyt and I are going to be married. Handfasted. We decided on handfasting, with a wedding ceremony later. After.”

“You’re betrothed to Hoyt? I didn’t know.”

“It just happened. I know it might seem rushed, and the timing of it—”

“Oh, but this is wonderful!” Moira sprang up, and in a burst of enthusiasm, threw her arms around Glenna. “I’m so happy for you. For all of us.”

“Thanks. For all of us?”

“Weddings, they’re bright, aren’t they? Bright and happy and human. Oh, I wish we were home so I could have a feast made. You can’t make your own wedding feast, and I’m still not very good at the cooking.”

“We won’t worry about that, not yet. Weddings are bright—and happy and human. And I’m human enough to want the perfect dress.”

“Well, of course. Why would you want less?”

Glenna let out a long, happy sigh. “Thank God. I’ve been feeling a little shallow. I should’ve known all I needed was another girl. Help me, will you? I have a few picked out, and I need to narrow it down.”

“I’d love to.” Gently, curiously, she tapped the side of the screen. “But... how do you get the dress out of the box?”

“We’ll get to that, too. I’m going to have to take a few shortcuts. But later, I’ll show you how to shop online the conventional way. I want something—I think—along these lines.”

While they were huddled, Blair gave the doorjamb a knuckle rap. “Sorry. You got a minute, Glenna? I wanted to talk to you about requisitions and supplies. Figured you were the go-to. Hey. Nice toy.”

“One of my favorites. Cian and I are the only ones linked up, so if you need to use—”

“Brought my own, but thanks. Shopping? Neiman’s,” she said as she moved close enough to see the screen. “Pretty fancy duds for wartime.”

“Hoyt and I are getting married.”

“No kidding? That’s great.” She gave Glenna a friendly punch on the shoulder. “Congratulations. So when’s the big day?”

“Tomorrow night.” When Blair only blinked, Glenna hurried on. “I know how it must seem, but—”

“I think it’s terrific. I think it’s excellent. Life can’t stop. We can’t let it. We can’t let them make it stop; that’s the whole point. Plus, it’s great, seriously great, that the two of you found what you’ve got when everything’s so extreme. It’s one of the things we’re fighting for, right?”

“Yes. Yes, it is.”

“Wedding dress?”

“A potential. Blair, thank you.”

Blair put a hand on Glenna’s shoulder in a gesture that might have been woman-to-woman or soldier-to-soldier. Glenna supposed it was now one and the same.

“I’ve been fighting for thirteen years. I know better than anyone you need some real, you need things that matter, and that warm you up inside, or you lose the mission. I’ll let you get back to it.”

“Want to help us shop?”

“Really?” Blair did a little shuffle dance. “Are vampires blood-sucking fiends? I’m so in. One thing, not to put the damper, but how are you going to get the dress here by tomorrow?”

“I’ve got my ways. And I’d better get started. Would you mind closing the door? I don’t want Hoyt coming in while I’m trying them on.”

“Trying... Sure.” Blair obliged while Glenna set several crystals on and around the laptop. She lit candles, then stood back, held her arms out to the side.

“Mother Goddess, I ask your grace to bring this garment to this place. Through the air, from there to here, in the light unto my sight a symbol of my destiny. As I will so mote it be.”

With a shimmer and flash, Glenna’s jeans and T-shirt were replaced by the white gown.

“Wow. A whole new level of shoplifting.”

“I’m not stealing it.” Glenna’s scowled at Blair. “I’d never use my powers that way. I’m trying it on, and when I find the one, I’ve got another spell to work the sale. It’s just to save time, which I don’t have.”

“Don’t get bent. I was just kidding.” Sort of. “Will that work for weapons if we need more?”

“I suppose it would.”

“Good to know. Anyway, great dress.”

“It’s lovely,” Moira agreed. “Just lovely.”

Glenna turned, studied her reflection in the antique cheval glass. “Thank God Cian didn’t strip all the mirrors out of this place. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? I love the lines. But... ”

“It’s not the one,” Blair finished, and settled down on the bed with Moira to watch the show.

“Why do you say that?”

“It doesn’t light you up. That light, in the gut, in the heart, that just spreads out right to your fingertips. You put on your wedding dress, take one look at yourself in it and you know. The others are just practice.”

So it had gotten that far, Glenna thought, remembering the vision of Blair and the engagement ring on her finger. And the image of her weeping in the dark, her hand bare.

She started to comment, then said nothing. A tender area like that required more than camaraderie. It needed true friendship, and they weren’t there yet.

“You’re right, it’s not the one. I’ve got four more picked out. So we’ll try number two.”

She hit it on the third, and felt that light glowing. Heard it in Moira’s long, wistful sigh.

“And we have a winner.” Blair circled her finger. “Do the turn. Oh, yeah, that one’s yours.”

It was romantic, and simple, Glenna thought. Just as she’d hoped. There was a little float in the long skirt, and the soft sweetheart neckline was framed by two thin straps that left her shoulders bare then ran down her shoulder blades to spotlight her back.