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  The guards were spending more time looking outward than inward.

  Excellent.

  Evdu was grinning like a hyperactive monkey. "We're going to help you find the resolve to stand up to that closey upcomer bastard. As soon as he's slunk off, we'll release you. With no guilt, because it won't be your fault. We won't hurt you, but we also will not let you do this."

  And he grabbed her arm.

  Oops, foolish boy, you just crossed the line.

  The sound of running feet.

  All the guards looked that direction. The fast one stepped around the minister . . .

  Good. No one dangerous behind me.

  Paer slid into Speed. Shoved loose from Evdu.

  She might not have mass, but kinetic energy depended on the velocity squared. And she had a whole lot of velocity.

  Two hands down on the fast one's neck. Kick right, step up and punch that one in the solar plexus. Turn and kick the last guard, step back and land the back of her fist to Evdu's cheek, knocking him flat. That last one she pulled, just enough to not injure him.

  Paer turned and advanced on the Minister of Health as Ebsa rounded the corner.

  "Don't interfere." Paer looked over her shoulder. Pointed. "Stand right there."

  She drew her open hand back as she turned to the minister. And let fly. Slap!

  "So, you don't like my tastes in husbands?" Slap!

  "What a shame." Slap!

  "You've mistaken me for a passive doll." Slap!

  "Shall I challenge you to a duel?" Slap!

  "I recommend against it." Slap!

  "Because I don't have Ebsa's sense of restraint." Slap!

  "Nor his cold-blooded control." Slap!

  "He knows there would have been a good chance of him killing Doo Doo, here, and refused to risk it." Slap!

  "If that's your idea of cowardice, you're a fool." Slap!

  "Now, pick up your people and go away. I do not want you at my wedding. Make an issue of it, and it will become a criminal matter. And I recommend sending Doodoo somewhere to grow up."

  Evdu wavered to his feet. "Paer . . . "

  Slap!

  He hit the ground. Again. Rolled a bit and blinked and focused behind her. "You! Aren't you going to save your Princess?"

  Ebsa strolled up and looked down at the man. Shook his head. "She doesn't actually appear to need rescuing. In case you didn't notice, Paer is the most dangerous person here. And she is not a Princess, she's a brilliant Directorate agent. She doesn't need anyone to save her. But she wants me for her husband, and I'm all for it. Now take your father home before this becomes a police matter."

  Paer took Ebsa's arm and steered him past the groaning ministry guards.

  She paused as a pair of Black Guards charged around the corner, then jerked to a halt. "I may have seriously injured some of them. Perhaps you should call for an ambulance." She pointed at the Speedy one. "Get a neck brace on him before he is moved."

  A grinning Ra'd—carrying a large rifle—slid down from the nearest roof. "That was beautiful. I can only hope there's a recording." He disappeared the rifle into a bubble.

  Ebsa shook his head. "No recording. Something happened to the cam a few minutes ago. Fool called me as Paer walked this direction."

  Paer scowled at him. "Huh. So you were prepared to rescue your princess after all."

  "Just in case the minster had a clue who he was dealing with." Ebsa smirked. "Four ministry guards down in about two seconds. And of course we didn't see you slapping the minister and his son around."

  Ra'd snorted. "I did. And enjoyed it no end."

  Paer sighed. "Ebsa, I really do admire your control over your temper. I felt like killing the two of them on the spot."

  "Well, there. See? You controlled your temper."

  Paer squeezed his arm.

  The Black Guards were on their comms but still stepped out to where they could watch her until the three of them walked through the doors.

  Ebsa sighed. "You know . . . unless they all keep their mouths shut, you may have trouble getting into medical school."

  She shook her head. "My last few assignments, as a medic . . . even though some of them were in dangerous places, I was still one of the protected. Not one of the protectors. A medical degree will just make it worse. I think I'd prefer to be a teamer. One who can patch her teammates back together, but first and foremost, out in front."

  She savored Ebsa's spreading grin, then kissed him goodnight before Ra'd chivvied him off.

  Most dangerous person here.

  Brilliant.

  He thinks I'm brilliant and dangerous.

  She slept very well.

  Chapter Twelve

  Today’s the Day!

  A quick shower in the morning, her hair braided . . .

  She was starting on her makeup when Madam A commed her.

  "The traffic is hideous! We're going to be late! You must delay everything!"

  "Oh, now it's hardly time to panic. I've got my hair braided up out of the way, and I'm starting on my makeup. I'm sure you'll be here to add the finishing touches." She clicked off, and went back to applying a sensible amount of makeup that would allow her to grin like a loon, or tear up without it running.

  The hidden passage was opened and the real wedding gown was pulled out . . . Qayg's indrawn breath wasn't the only one.

  Heak sighed.

  Qammar squeaked and bounced on her heels.

  The Fiend looked wistful for a second.

  Nighthawk nodded. "Now that is a wedding gown!"

  Rael giggled. "The best kept secret in Paris."

  A panicked call from Madam C. "The limo has broken down! In this traffic! The driver has no idea how long it will be before the tow truck can even get here!"

  Paer smiled. "Don't worry so. The flowers have been delivered, I've got all your things right here, I just have to get dressed. In fact, perhaps you should plan on going straight to the Grand Mosque."

  The Fiend grinned. “Ooo! So they aren’t in on the dress swap? And now we know why you ordered the bridesmaid dresses with scoop necks and long sleeves. You sneaky devil!”

  The others got into their gowns while grinning maids helped Paer get her lace and silk confection on, the necklace just so, the tiara . . . a double helix of emeralds, filled in with pearls and crystals, that might almost be a jeweler’s idea of a warrior’s agal . . . she settled the veils so it showed.

  Makeup check for everyone. Get out the boxes from the florist . . . the creamy white roses of the bouquets had somehow been infected with red roses.

  Rael giggled. "Ebsa insisted. No, I have no idea why."

  "Then it'll be perfect." Paer reached for hers.

  A tap at the door. "The limos are ready. Most of the guests are seated."

  Two blocks to the ornate structure that was called a mosque by one faction and a cathedral by the other.

  They swooped up to the entrance where the groomsmen waited to escort the bridesmaids. Gorgeous dark cream tuxes with shimmery dark green edging around the lapels and red rosebuds in their boutonnieres.

  Heak swallowed. "Whoa. Now isn't that a handsome display of yumminess."

  Qayg shook her head. "How did you two manage this much secrecy?"

  "Oh," Paer grinned. "Just luck, for the most part."

  And then her father was there, grin widening as he handed her out of the limo and got a good look at her dress. "That is worth every penny Ebsa apologized for spending on a second gown."

  And there was Ebsa waiting at the altar. Eyes bright and tall and handsome . . .

  ***

  She barely remembered the wedding ceremony. She was pretty sure she said all the right things at the right moment. Then the wedding ring was on her finger, and she was walking out the door grinning, and starting to laugh through a shower of rice.

  Ebsa pulled her around for a kiss in public for all the newsies, then it was off to the party.

  ***

  "So, Ebsa, any comments o
n the wedding of the century?"

  "Umm, you mean, besides 'Thank the One it's over?'"

  "Yes. Besides that." Koil was grinning.

  Ebsa spotted the three Harpies of One With Each Other stalking around a clump of dignitaries, homing in on him. Frames rigid, hands poised to claw.

  He raised his voice a bit. "Actually it was great fun, and I owe it all to 'One With Each Other.' I was so impressed by the level of secrecy they maintained, right down to the 'leak' of that appallingly ugly gown everyone entertained themselves critiquing all last week." He turned to Madam A, frozen there with her mouth open. "A magnificent effort! I just can't say all I feel about the hard work you and your staff have put in.

  "Now, if you'll excuse me, I believe it's time to sweep my bride off her feet and take her away to a secret destination."

  Other Titles by Pam Uphoff

  Wine of the Gods Series:

  Outcasts and Gods

  Exiles and Gods (Three Novellas)

  The Black Goats

  Explorers

  Spy Wars

  One Alone

  Comet Fall

  A Taste of Wine (Seven Tales)

  Dark Lady

  Growing Up Magic (Four Novellas)

  Young Warriors

  God of Assassins

  Heirs of Crown and Spear

  The Fiend

  Empire of the One

  Warriors of the One

  Dancer

  Earth Gate

  Mages at Large

  Art Theft

  Triplets

  Sea Wolves

  Bad Karma

  Dark Side of the Moon

  Cascades

  Olympian

  Embassy

  Rael

  On the Run

  God of the Sun

  Cannibal World

  No Confidence

  Pure Poison

  Flying

  Last Merge

  Nowhere Man

  Black Point Clan

  External Relations

  Meet the Family

  Mall Santa

  Saturday Night

  The Directorate Series:

  Directorate School

  A Tale of Three Interns

  Trouble in Paradise

  First Posting

  Surveillance

  Fort Dinosaur

  Shadow Zone

  Project Dystopia

  Fractured Loyalties

  Cooking Hot

  The Boy

  The Lawyers of Mars

  Fancy Free

  Time Loop

  In the Rift

  Writing as Zoey Ivers

  YA Cyberpunk Adventures:

  The Barton Street Gym

  Chicago

  Atlantis+

  Fantasy:

  Demi God