Chapter 7 Ginger
Ginger
“Fucking fates!” Fiella cursed as the dressmaker tugged on her corset strings, tightening the bodice and shoving her breasts toward her chin. “I don’t know about this one!”
“What are you talking about? It’s incredible! Redd’s eyes are going to pop out of his skull!” Kizzi argued. “You’re a vision.”
“That’s the problem! The whole town doesn't need to see my nipples!”
The dressmaker tugged on the neckline. “Oh, hush. Your chest is perfectly contained. You’ve got great breasts, why hide them?”
The dress was a lovely blood red color with sheer, draping sleeves that trailed to her wrists.
The bodice was tight and beaded and accentuated her slender, curvy figure to a salacious degree.
Wine tinted skirts drifted to the floor in a perfect, flowing sheath.
She looked like pure magic. Sex and magic.
And she also looked incredibly uncomfortable.
A group of Moonvale ladies were trying on dresses for the ball, and I was along for moral support, cheering them on and telling them how stunning the dresses were.
I couldn’t stop grinning. I took a sip of tea, settling back into the fluffy chair in the corner of the clothing shop. I leisurely stroked my fingers over Brambleby’s scaled back. He snored peacefully in my lap. “Let’s see yours, then, Velline,” I called to the angel.
“I don’t think it’s right…” Her voice drifted out from behind the privacy wall, light and wispy. “It’s a little much.”
“Let us see!” I demanded.
“Let us see! Let us see!” Kizzi echoed.
“I bet it’s gorgeous!” Lunette added. The druid woman was twirling in a silk and gossamer gown of the loveliest emerald green color. It offset her coloring beautifully.
“Do you swear you won’t laugh?” the angel asked quietly.
“On my life, darling. Come on out!” I encouraged.
Velline stepped out from behind the privacy screen.
My mouth fell open.
The dress was a bright, shining silver, the color of polished steel.
The bodice slid over her lithe frame like liquid metal, clinging to her like a second skin, from her collarbone all the way to the flare of her slim hips.
It fastened at the throat with a single tie.
A sheer, shimmery panel in the center of the chest allowed her skin to peek through, highlighting her delicately ribbed sternum.
The skirt flared only just, adorning her frame instead of hiding it. It pooled on the ground around her. She had to gather and lift it with both hands to walk without tripping.
She was ethereal.
I cleared my throat. “Velline! Dear Gods!”
She flushed. “Is it that bad? I knew it. I feel like a little girl playing dress up.”
I set the teacup down with a clank. “Are you joking? It’s magnificent!”
The dressmaker drifted over with excited, fluttery hands. “My dear! Yes. Yes, this is exactly what I envisioned.” She tugged on the fabric, smoothing nonexistent wrinkles, admiring her handiwork.
And then Velline turned. Her back. Gods, her back.
The dress was backless. The tie at the base of her neck formed a beautiful bow, the long tails trailing down the center of her spine and nestling perfectly beside the base of her wings.
Her wings were tucked in, held stiffly. Awkwardly.
But the dress showcased them like a decorative frame.
The ends of her short, white hair caressed her shoulders, creating the perfect contrast.
“Velline, someone should paint a portrait of you right now. This is how dresses should look,” Kizzi gushed.
The angel ghosted her hands over her hips awkwardly. “Really?”
“Really! Holy shit. Yours is way prettier than mine,” Fiella insisted. She looked at the dressmaker quickly. “I love mine. I’m not saying I don’t love mine.”
The woman laughed. “I understand. It’s some of my best work, I must say.”
The four women stood in their dresses, admiring themselves in the wide mirror. Fiella, Kizzi, Lunette, and Velline looked like they were ready to dance the night away.
My stomach twisted.
I was happy for them. Thrilled for them. But still, I felt… off.
Kizzi caught me staring and stepped over to me, reaching for my hand. “You’re next, Ginny. What color are you thinking? I bet orange would look fabulous on you.”
I squeezed her fingers, but I didn’t allow her to pull me to my feet. I smiled tightly. “I’m going to sit this one out. I just wanted to see your lovely dresses.”
She gasped in outrage. “You can’t sit it out!”
I slipped my hand out of her grasp, settling it onto Bram’s back. “I’m just going to hang out with my little guy, here.”
“Nonsense. Bring him!”
“I can’t—”
“Sure you can. Don’t be ridiculous. You must go.”
I exhaled heavily through my nose. “I’ll go next year.”
“You’re going,” Fiella said firmly, brokering no argument.
“She’s right, Ginger. If I’m going, I certainly can’t go without you,” Velline added.
My fragile resolve wavered. The dresses were beautiful. The dresses were always my favorite part about the ball.
“Maybe I’ll just try one on…”
Fiella scooped the baby dragon from my lap, gently kissing him on the head before setting him down on another chair. “Yes! You must.”
I rose to my feet. “Just to try, though. I’m not making any promises.”
“Whatever you say.”
The dressmaker clapped three times. “Wonderful! I have the perfect gown already set aside.”
The dress was everything.
Gold, smooth, and fitted, it clung to my frame and gave me a shape I didn’t even know I had. The skirt was shaped to my hips, only dropping loose to the ground after outlining the swell of my ass almost scandalously.
Intricate beadwork made the fabric sparkle as though it were woven with magic itself.
It was perfect.
It was also stomach-twistingly expensive. And worth every single silver.
I admired the gown in its box as I strolled through town, slipping into the bakery to grab myself a muffin and a tea. I tucked the box into my satchel, nestling it under the body of the sleeping baby dragon.
It was shocking how much the creature slept. A bit worrisome, really.
I bought the dress without an ounce of hesitation. Of course I bought it. After seeing the perfect dress, as though the dressmaker had snatched it right from inside my mind, I had to have it.
There was no other option.
I guess I’m going to the ball.
Miss and Mister Moonvale. The event was an ordeal, of course, just like everything in Moonvale was.
It lasted three whole days.
Three. Days.
Every business closed for the occasion. Just about every folk attended.
And, for the third day, everyone donned their fanciest garb. Shimmering fabrics, expensive leathers, and sparkling jewels were sure to be plentiful. Glitz and glamour were the goal. Glitter was expected.
Excitement fizzled through my veins. I felt jittery. On edge.
As I fished in my satchel for a silver coin to pay for my snack, trying my best not to jostle my dragon cargo, my fingers wrapped around something unexpected.
Something smooth and round, about the size of my palm. I pulled it out curiously.
It was a chain. A shiny gold chain with a glittering gem hanging from it as a pendant. Was that… a diamond?
Where had it come from? It wasn’t something I recalled grabbing myself or purchasing from any shops. Surely, I would have remembered.
Maybe Kizzi slipped it into my satchel by mistake, and I just didn’t realize it.
Or maybe Brambleby snagged it while I wasn’t looking.
I flipped it over in my palm, letting my fingers drift over the shining surface. It sure was pretty.
With a shrug, I dropped it back into my bag and pulled out my pouch of silvers.