Iris Johansen - Always

Lisa closed her eyes. She must try to sleep. She was going to be married tomorrow. But she lay there a long time before sleep claimed her, thinking about Clancy and their child and new beginnings. And Clancy's last words before he went to sleep: "So much wonder…"

The sleeveless shift was sunshine yellow in a natural silk that looked fashionable yet understated. It didn't hide the fact that she was pregnant, but it did give her a certain stylish elegance. It was the best she could do, anyway. She would really have to shop for a maternity wardrobe when she was in Marasef. Lisa turned away from the mirror. "I'm ready. It's not exactly bridal, is it?" She grinned at Clancy. "You look much more impressive than I do." He looked wonderful in his steel-gray suit. It contrasted beautifully with his golden tan and deepened the blue of his eyes. "I haven't seen you in a suit since you wore the tuxedo on the first night we arrived here."

"You look beautiful." He put his arms around her. "You're always beautiful, but this morning you have a glow."

"I'm happy." Lisa pressed a kiss on his cheek. "I think I must be old-fashioned, too. I like the idea of getting married. Will it be difficult being married in Marasef? What about all the bureaucratic paperwork?"

"Alex will fix it. I'll call him as soon as we go downstairs and tell him to arrange for a special license." He stepped back and turned her toward the door. "Let's get this show on the road."

"I'll have to tell Kira. Do you suppose she would be willing to be a witness? I don't really know anyone in Sedikhan yet, and-"

A knock sounded on the bedroom door. Clancy crossed the few remaining paces and opened it.

"Oh, you're already dressed," Kira said. "That's a relief. I didn't want to disturb you, but it's almost nine-thirty and there's still so much to do before-"

"Good morning, Kira," Clancy said with a touch of irony. "There's nothing like starting the morning with a bit of your usual zaniness. Now slow down and elucidate."

"Elucidate," Kira repeated as if she were savoring it. "I've always loved that word. Perhaps because I seldom manage to achieve the blessed state of elucidation."

"Try," Clancy suggested.

She wrinkled her nose impishly at him. "All right, but it's not nearly as much fun." She drew herself up with regal dignity. "Will Mr. Donahue and Miss Landon please have the courtesy to descend to the foyer so that we may proceed to Marasef?" She dropped the pose. "In other words, will the two of you get your asses in gear so that youdon't miss this scrumptious wedding I've planned for you?"

"Wedding? But how did-" Lisa broke off. "Don't tell me; let me guess. Marna."

Kira nodded. "She woke me up at six and told me it was going to be today." She shook her head reproachfully. "You could have given me a little more time. I'm not a miracle worker, you know. I've been on the phone since seven inviting all the guests. I've called Zalandan and Philip and Pandora and…" She waved an all-encompassing hand. "Oh, everyone. The ceremony is set for noon at the palace with the reception directly following it." She frowned. "I would have preferred an evening reception, but I thought that would have been too strenuous a day for Lisa."

"We were just planning a simple ceremony," Lisa said faintly. She felt as if she were being swept along by a tidal wave. "I don't know…"

"This will be simple," Kira assured her. "Nothing to wear you out, I promise." Her expression suddenly became grave. "It won't really be a social occasion. We just want to be there and share your happiness. Mama's tribe has a saying that to share joy is to share the soul. The only people who will be there are the people who love Clancy and want to love you." She smiled gently. "Let us share your joy, Lisa."

"You don't have to do anything you don't want to do," Clancy said. "What has been planned can be unplanned."

A very pregnant bride, a roomful of strangers who would be wondering, as Kira had. if she was good enough for Clancy. It wasn't an inviting prospect, yet these were Clancy's friends and he must want them to share this important moment in his life. It was a little thing to give, compared to what he had given her. "Why should I want to do that? It sounds wonderful." She smiled at him. "That's why you brought me to Sedikhan, remember? You wanted me to meet your people."

"Marvelous," Kira said. "Now I suggest you hurry downstairs and have your breakfast. You have twenty minutes to do that, and then I figured you could take Lisa on to Marasef in your helicopter. I've arranged for a chauffeur from the palace to meet you at the airport and take you to Alex and Sabrina. I'll follow you in the helicopter you used to fly here last night and bring Galbraith and Marna." She stopped for breath. "Okay?"

Lisa chuckled. "Okay. I have only one question."

"What? Oh, Lord, have I missed something?"

"No, I just wanted to know why you thought you weren't suited to rule a country. You obviously could reorganize the entire social structure of the world single-handed, if it suited your fancy."

Kira shook her head. "If I did, you wouldn't want to live in it. Pure chaos. Clancy will tell you." She smiled. "This is different. This is joy. I'm very good at joy." She turned away. "Now please hurry. I have to get dressed myself, and I still have to make sure the flowers are delivered on time." She was hurrying down the hall as she spoke. "I'll see you in Marasef."

"You know, I bet she is very good at joy," Lisa said softly as she watched Kira disappear down the corridor.

"But then so are we," Clancy said as he took herhand. "And we're getting better all the time. Shall we go down to breakfast? We're already two minutes behind Kira's schedule. We'll have to make it up somewhere or face the consequences."

They made up the two minutes by skipping a second cup of coffee at the end of breakfast and were walking across the courtyard toward the helicopter precisely on time. Besides the familiar blue-and-white airship, there was another bright canary-yellow helicopter sitting some thirty yards distant.

"Mr. Donahue."

They turned to see Marna hurrying toward them. "I have something for you."

"Another talisman?" Clancy's brows raised quizzically.

"In a way. It's an ancient Tamrovian coin severed in two." She handed one piece to Lisa and the other to Clancy. "I have put a very powerful spell on it. If you both carry it with you during the ceremony, you will never be parted."

"That's a spell I'd be willing to try to cast myself," he said gently. He turned and opened the helicopter door. "Thankyou, Marna."

Lisa impulsively leaned forward and kissed Mama's cheek. "I'll keep it always."

Clancy lifted her into the helicopter and then jumped in himself. A moment later a turn of the ignition sent the propellers whirring, and the blue-and-white helicopter lifted off with sluggish awkwardness. Then it rose, turning and gaining speed with a certain amount of grace. It made a ninety-degree turn and set course for Marasef. Marna stood watching with a faint smile as thehelicopter sped toward the horizon. The strong sunlight glittered on the slightly unwieldy body of the craft and caused a mirror reflection on the steel fittings of the propeller. It looked terribly vulnerable and alone in the vastness of the harsh blue sky. Vulnerable. Mama's smile vanished. Her pupils dilated as the shock hit home. The airport. Vulnerable. She turned and ran across the courtyard. She had to get to Kira. The airport. It was going to happen at the airport!

Clancy opened the door of the helicopter and lifted Lisa to the tarmac. The shrill scream of a jet taking off on a nearby runway caused her to flinch. It was isolated at this private section of the airport, but still close enough to the main terminal to be subjected to the abrasive noise level. "This is coming as quite a culture shock. I never realized how quickly I could become accustomed to the desert quiet at the castle."