Iva's eyes burned.
"You're the only family I have," she said softly. "Even if it's not blood."
Lori's eyes glistened. "You're my family too. Always."
They hugged one more time, and then Lori was gone.
Iva was alone again.
--
The night before the ceremony was the hardest.
Iva had been sent to bed early—tradition demanded it. She was to rest, to prepare, to wake with a clear mind and a calm heart for the most important day of her life.
She hated it.
She hated being separated from Caleb. Hated the cold, empty bed that felt wrong without him in it. Hated the ancient traditions that kept them apart when all she wanted was to fall asleep in his arms.
But she understood.
Tradition was tradition.
She was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, when her phone buzzed.
Caleb: *I need to sp
