Chapter 11 Katarina
I stared at myself in the mirror while the sun set across the grounds and darkness started to take hold.
My heart pounded as I looked at my reflection.
When Grim and I returned from our day on the grounds, two boxes were sitting on my bed—one large one that held a gown and a pair of heels, and one smaller one that I hadn’t opened yet.
“What am I doing here?” I asked for the tenth time.
Turning from side to side, I admired the sheer beauty of the red dress.
Strapless with a tight bodice, the flowing chiffon skirt wrapped around my waist and reminded me of something a princess would wear.
Or a bride. The layers of materials slanted out from my hips and as the gown reached the floor, thousands of red and gold beads formed patterns of flowers and vines.
The gown shimmered under the light as each bead on the bodice sought attention.
I’d twisted my hair up into an oversize bun, leaving just enough curls hanging down to draw attention toward the dress.
With a smokey eye and a pop of red on my lips, I was almost ready.
I smiled as I thought about what Dorian might say about how I looked.
Or Aiden. Or even Roman who had graciously left this beautiful gown for me to wear.
I’d been so focused on getting ready, that I hadn’t let my mind wander to thoughts of Hell or where Grim came from.
Or the way my time making out with Dorian had seemed to energize us both.
A slow heat brewed in my core just thinking about what that could mean.
I could touch someone again. I could experience pleasure with a man and not worry that I’d wake up with him dead beside me.
Goosebumps decorated my arms at the thought. Oh, the fun I could have.
Something vibrated in the distance. Walking toward the bed, I searched for the source of the noise for several minutes before finally finding a phone tucked beneath one of the large pillows.
Where had that come from? My phone had disappeared after Roman and the men grabbed me.
But this one didn’t look like mine—it was much nicer.
I picked up the device and opened the screen to find a text message waiting.
A new phone for you, Kitty Cat. Can’t wait to continue what we started.
Dorian.
I couldn’t stop the smile, even though my cheeks were starting to hurt. Jesus, I felt like a teenage girl with a serious crush on the bad boy of the school. I let that sink in for a moment before reminding myself that I was allowed to have a crush and I was allowed to enjoy myself.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, I pulled on the strappy red heels that crisscrossed the top of my arch and then wrapped once around the ankle.
The heels had to add four inches to my height, and when I stood, I twirled around once just to watch the way the skirt billowed out.
Giggling, I looked down at Grim who hadn’t moved from his new favorite spot by the windows.
“What?” I asked him. “It’s fun.” With a groan, he repositioned himself so he didn’t need to look at me anymore. “You’re just jealous you can’t go.”
Roman had left a note with the large box, suggesting Grim stay out of sight tonight considering how many of the guests would be shifters who may not be so thrilled to see my dog. I doubted that would be the case, but between our bond, we both agreed to listen to him. Just this once.
It was almost time for me to meet Roman.
He’d asked me to find him in the ballroom since he needed to make sure all of the arrangements were in place.
I was completely fine missing that activity but was still a ball of nerves when I thought about being a part of this event at all.
“Get it together,” I mumbled as I bent forward and picked up the smaller box that had been left on my bed.
It had some weight to it, and when I lifted the top, I almost dropped the thing out of surprise.
“Holy shit,” I mused. Staring at me from a black velvet background was a ruby necklace.
The ruby necklace that the coven had wanted me to steal and that had gotten me into this whole mess.
There was a small, handwritten note tucked behind the largest stone and when I pulled it free, I read it aloud. “For your beautiful neck.”
Grim yipped and I nodded in agreement. “Yeah, a little creepy.” I mean, who tells people they have beautiful necks?
Vampires, that’s who. I grabbed the necklace and held it up toward the waning sunlight.
Rays of sun danced through the flawless stones, casting a disco ball effect around the room.
“It sure is gorgeous,” I said to Grim. He ignored me.
I walked into the bathroom with the large mirror and gently latched the hook.
As I pulled my hands away, I couldn’t help but marvel at how perfectly the necklace matched the gown.
The red and gold from the jewelry highlighted the color of the beads woven throughout.
I was glad I decided to wear my hair up because this necklace had to be the centerpiece of the outfit.
Smiling, I brushed my hand across the giant ruby in the middle.
It had to be at least ten carets, making me wonder where it came from.
With one last glance in the mirror, I deemed myself ready for the ball.
That thought sounded silly in my head, so as I walked out of the now-unlocked doors of my room, I giggled.
I was dressed like a princess and I was going to a ball where I’d rub elbows with the most powerful members of this city.
My head spun with scenarios about how to greet people and wondering if I’d get to meet the voodoo princess when I found myself in the stone hallways I’d first seen when I’d been captured.
“Seriously?” I admonished myself. “Why had I not asked where the stupid ballroom was?” I knew if I walked back the way I came, I’d only end up in the dining room again and the grand staircase soon after. There must be another main entrance to the abbey because I hadn’t passed a single guest.
With frustration, I decided that these stone tunnels would have to lead to other parts of the house, so it was probably best for me to keep moving.
The sconces were all lit and I didn’t feel too scared to be all alone in my gown as I traversed the maze underneath the house.
But by the time I got to a place where I needed to choose left or right, my heart sped as I realized I was really, truly lost.
“I thought that was you,” a voice said from the darkness on the left.
I screamed and then quickly covered my mouth when I saw Dorian laughing at me as he stepped into the light. “You ass! You scared the shit out of me.”
He paused, his eyes roaming over every inch of my body. I squeezed my thighs at the way his gaze instantly made me wet for him, hoping he wouldn’t notice. But when he ran his tongue over his teeth, I knew I hadn’t hidden my lust for him very well.
He’d tied his hair back in a low bun again, and it looked freaking sexy paired with trimmed facial hair and his expensive black tuxedo.
Like the bad boy trying to fit in with the rich crowd, all the while knowing he was the best-dressed one in the room.
His mouth curved into a wicked grin as he extended his hand to me.
“Are you lost Kitty Cat?”
I swallowed hard when the heat from his skin soaked into mine. “As embarrassing as it is, yes.”
He chuckled. “Believe it or not, you were getting close. The entrance to the waiting area is just around the corner.”
“Waiting area?” I asked as he started to lead me down the hallway he’d appeared from.
“Greeting room? I’m not sure what you call them now. Aiden and I usually use it as a place to hide from guests when we need a break.”
I snuggled in against his arm, reveling in the feel of his warmth. “Do you two do that a lot?” I teased.
“Only when Roman has these stupid ‘Let me show you how powerful I am’ gatherings.” When I laughed, he let go of my hand and wrapped his arm around my back. “Has anyone told you how beautiful you look tonight?”
“Not yet,” I said with a wicked smirk.
“Well, let me be the first to tell you that I would be lying if I said I wasn’t thinking about a thousand other things I could be doing to you right now.
” The deep timbre in his voice melted my core.
My legs tingled with anticipation of what all his moves might be when he opened a wooden door on the left and we walked into a room that I would call a library.
Instantly, my eyes took in the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and when the “door” clicked closed behind us, I whirled around in delight. “A secret entrance?” The opening we’d walked through looked like another set of shelves from this side—completely hidden from anyone standing in front of it.
“There are lots of secrets in this house,” he said cryptically as his gaze devoured me. “Holy hell, Kitty Cat. I don’t think I can control myself tonight with you looking this damn fine.”
My stomach fluttered when he grabbed me by the waist. With my heels on, we were almost at eye level, and it didn’t take much for me to close the distance to his lips.
Dorian smashed his mouth against mine, and in no time at all, we’d picked up just where we’d left off this morning.
Pushing me back against one of the bookshelves, Dorian’s tongue rubbed against mine while he nudged his erection against my stomach.
I smiled when I felt it, feeling satisfied that I could do that to him.
Small moans escaped my mouth as he squeezed my breasts and ran his teeth along my neck and shoulders. I wanted him so bad—I could feel the moisture in my sex readying for what I truly desired. And needed.
“Fuck,” he growled against my lips. “I need to taste you right now.”