Lucy
Pirosca circles me like a shark would circle its prey as she takes in the soft sweatshirt, one which I found at the back of Dominik’s extensive wardrobe, and a pair of his boxers.
Of course I got my luggage back, and he has told me to order whatever I want in respect of clothing I need, but every time I go to the internet, something stops me. Something lurking in the back of my mind says don’t be dependent.
I hate the voice. I hate that I’m still telling my friends I’m away for work.
The group chat is filled with gossip about their time in Budapest and how they all want to come back as soon as they can.
In fact, Eliza has already made plans to return, and she will be arriving any day now in order to take up a place at the university.
I know I can avoid her, as I can avoid Grace, by basically never leaving the nest unless I’m in a vehicle. But I don’t want this to be my life.
At least the reception sounds like an interesting evening out, so I put on my metaphorical big girl knickers and face down Pirosca.
“So, you are the consort of the vampire king?” she says, her fangs protruding over her lips slightly.
“No one else would have him,” I respond.
She glares at me, her violet eyes unnaturally bright. For a second, I wonder if my humor has completely failed to land.
Then she barks out a high-pitched laugh.
“Very true,” she says. “He has a reputation.”
“So I’ve heard.” I shrug. “Most of it is true.” I give her a salacious wink.
Vampires love gossip, almost as much as the group chat. I guess when you drink blood and can’t get out in the day, there’s not much else to do.
Pirosca laughs again. “I think we all knew that.” She gives me a sharp up and down look. “Now, we need to get you looking like perfection for this evening. That way the rumors will never be true again.”
She goes to her racks and rummages through, muttering to herself before she pulls out something which looks like a torture instrument.
“I don’t think it’s that sort of reception,” I say as she hands me the shapewear.
“What I’m going to put you in, you’re going to need this,” she says. “Get changed.”
I want to say no amount of spanx is going to hide my baby bump from the world, but then, of course, I can’t possibly be pregnant if I’m a vampire, so I take the offending undergarments from her and go into the bathroom.
Five minutes of huffing later, and I’m in.
To my surprise, the corset has done a good job of holding in all the other areas along with the grippy shorts meaning my stomach is less noticeable without feeling like I’m a snake swallowing a goat.
Perhaps I might keep the underwear after this is all over.
Although, options for strapless dresses may be limited as I get more pregnant.
I pull on Dominik’s robe and exit the bathroom. Pirosca has thrown a number of dresses on the bed, all of them scarlet except one.
She gives me another once over before picking up the black one and closing the distance between us to hold it against me.
The dress is absolutely beautiful. It’s made out of black silk, dotted with tiny crystals which cover the bust area and then form a fishtail down the back, which ends in a train of crystals and sheer tulle.
There is no way I would fit in it without the underwear I have on.
“Off.” She plucks at the robe.
Feeling horribly self-conscious, but knowing I have to channel my non-existent vampire, I drop the robe as she undoes the hidden zip at the side of the dress and then helps me into it.
The fabric slides over me like a second skin as she lifts it up, holding out my arms for the spaghetti style straps.
I catch a glimpse of the label on the dress. It’s from a major designer fashion house and one I know would charge a downpayment on a house for what I’m struggling into.
Finally, she zips me up and stands back, pursing her lips.
“Walk.”
Against my better judgement, I take a few steps away from her. The long dress swishes against my legs, and it feels like I’m wearing a cobweb, it’s so light. I see the crystals glitter in the admittedly not impressive light of the bedroom.
I feel like a Christmas tree.
“I’m not…”
“Perfection!” Pirocsa claps her hands.
“Really?”
“Really.” A deep baritone interrupts us. I turn to see Dominik leaning against the door frame, his eyes filled with fire. “And there is no way I am letting you out of my nest looking like that,” he growls.
Oh, yeah?
“Too bad, because this is the only dress Pirosca has which fits me,” I retort, putting one hand on my hip. I give him a long, knowing look. “So, it’s this, or I go in your old sweatshirt and a pair of jeans.”
Dominik’s lips ripple in a snarl as his red eyes swing between Pirosca and me. She’s clearly happy not to contradict me because she likes the dress too, and presumably, she gets more work if it’s known she dresses the consort of the vampire king to perfection.
“Fine,” Dominik growls after what seems like a very long pause I’m not prepared to break. “Wear the dress, but if anyone looks at you, I’ll rip their throats out.”
It appears this is going to be a very interesting evening.