We moved through five of the seven dresses like that. Gran complemented me on my quick efficiency in switching gowns while Mom struggled with her third option.
The sixth dress, a bridesmaid option, elated me. The long gown fell straight from the bust, looking slightly plain from the front. The back held together with a single strip of fabric running from shoulder blade to shoulder blade. Material draped from each shoulder creating a scooped cowl back that dipped to the base of my mark with Morik.
I needed no assistance with the dress. Tapping Morik, I watched him in the mirror waiting for his reaction. His eyes lingered on my back and I felt his gentle touch on my mark.
“Beautiful,” he whispered.
“What’s that?” Gran called.
I almost laughed aloud. Instead, I called, “I think I found one I like if Aunt Grace agrees.” Making a shooing motion to Morik, who still watched me with darkening eyes, I mouthed, ‘I’ll see you at home.’ He disappeared abruptly and I stepped out to show off the dress.
Both Aunt Grace and I agreed it worth the price. We talked colors with Mom and decided on a bold deep red. I liked Morik’s reaction to the dress and asked if I could rush the order so I could wear it to the dance since I paid for the dress with my tip money.
Mom’s gaze didn’t quite shine when we finalized the order. When I tried asking her if she didn’t like the dress, Gran put her arm around Mom and assured me they all loved it. Mom said nothing.
We stopped for an early dinner, brought Beatriz home, and returned me to the fortress of solitude with a few minutes to spare. Morik opened the door for us when we pulled into the driveway. No one seemed to mind that he made himself at home.
Mom and Aunt Grace talked about the final options for my mom while I disappeared back into the bedroom to get ready for the chant. Morik followed me.
“How was dress shopping?”
“Boring until you showed up,” I admitted, gathering my pajamas. “What were you doing?”
“Video game. I liked helping you more.”
“I bet.” I rolled my eyes at him and darted to the bathroom.
When I emerged, the soothing cadence of the chant drifted down the short hallway to me. I hastened to the circle. Morik joined the chant adding his power to help protect me. He led me to my room after they finished. I strove to keep my eyes open.
“Sleep well, Tessa,” he whispered easing me under the covers and kissing my forehead. The kiss sparked an idea, but the spell gripped me too tightly to speak. I drifted into the void.
I alertly opened my eyes. I lay in bed alone. The idea still occupied my mind, undisturbed by my visit to the magical abyss that substituted sleep.
A kiss sparked the mark. A thought helped it grow. Both forged new aspects in my relationship with Morik. Since the last extension, our relationship hasn’t evolved. We needed to go to the next step. But what defined the next step?
Both physically and mentally, we’d evolved. Emotion. Neither of us ever really talked about what we feel for the other. I squirmed a little on the inside. It made sense as the next step.
Tossing back the covers, I glanced at the clock and rushed to dress. Morik waited for me in the dining room. Sitting across for him, Stephen sipped his coffee with his back to me. When I saw him, I froze in the hallway, my eyes darting to Mom who sat at the head of the table. She looked strained. Tense.
“Good morning, Tessa,” Morik greeted me and stood. He took my coat from the back of his chair and held it out for me. Averting my gaze from Stephen, who twisted to look at me, I allowed Morik’s help.
“Morning, Tess,” Stephen echoed Morik’s sentiment pleasantly. “Your mom was telling us about dressing shopping yesterday.”
I smiled and nodded. The smile faltered a bit when I glanced at my mom. The very same topic of conversation had her walking around with perma-grin for the last week. Why the frown today?
“She has great taste. I think she and Aunt Grace are going to make the final selection this Saturday. That right, mom?” I asked trying to pull her out of her funk.
“You’re right. She does have wonderful taste. I’m concerned about the bridesmaid dresses she described though. Do you think, given your age, we should consider something a little more…” his cheeks pinkened slightly and he looked toward my mom. She dropped her eyes to the tabletop.
“We can talk about this later,” Gran asserted, motioning me toward the door.
I glanced at the clock and quickly buttoned my jacket nodding my agreement.
“Nice seeing you Stephen,” I said as a farewell. Morik silently followed me to the door.
Ensconced in the car, I turned to Morik. “What was all that about?”
“Your mother was trying to prepare him for the likelihood of a shocking tattoo on one of her bridesmaids come the wedding. He thought Aunt Grace at first and then your mother clarified it was you.”