I was dressed and standing in front of the mirror. Darynda had Faelyn glamour a dress in crimson red, which was a work of art. I looked like a work of art. My hair was in an updo, which still gave me a soft look. It had been decorated with strands of gold weaved throughout it. The red dress was silk, which hugged each curve. I had gold and platinum bands over my forearms and upper arms.
She’d allowed me my way about applying very little makeup beyond the Big Apple Red OPI polish, and lipstick. They’d gone on and on about how I had the pregnancy glow, but I hadn’t told them it was more of a Ryder stopped by for dinner glow.
Those curves were showing a lot more this week. According to Eliran, I was firmly in my second trimester, which had me looking for each change every minute of the day. Right now, the dress hugged the tiny little baby bump that kept reminding me I was no longer fighting my own battle.
I was fighting theirs as well, which was okay since they were mine. Ryder’s, too, but for now, they were all mine. I waited until the room was empty before I allowed myself a side view of my blossoming body.
My boobs were out of control and sore enough that I noticed them a lot more. I hadn’t gained much weight, which seemed to upset Eliran, but I was okay with it. My hand smoothed over the gentle swell that was proof that I was pregnant.
“Wow,” Adam said from where he’d snuck in behind me.
“Hey,” I whispered as his eyes flowed over my body, taking in the changes.
“You look amazing,” he replied with a boyish grin.
“You look pretty good yourself, Dark Fairy.” I smiled, taking in his formal clothing. He was dressed in his midnight colored cloak, and matching black pants. His hair was slicked back, and his brands were visible from the sleeveless shirt he wore beneath the cloak. Fae didn’t have formal wear. They wore their cloaks, and Caste color. Kind of like the Scots, with their family Clan’s plaid.
“I’m your escort…along with half the Elite Guard. He keeps you hidden from the world.”
“The Mages keep him on his toes,” I replied.
“Are you happy?”
“I will be,” I grinned wickedly, “soon.”
“Oh-oh,” Adam said with a sparkle in his green eyes.
“I’m going to fight for him. He’s my ever after, Adam. I’m willing to fight to keep him,” I said with enough force that he knew I wasn’t playing around.
“He’s also the man who knocked you up and is engaged to another woman.”
“He is, but it isn’t something he himself set into motion. He’s going to get out of it, and he’s going to do it soon.”
“If he hurts you…” he let the threat hang in the air unsaid.
“If he hurts me, you won’t have to kick his ass, Adam, because I will.”
“That’s my girl,” he said proudly.
I smiled and hooked my arm through his and allowed him to escort me to the door where several others of the Elite Guard stood waiting for us. Ristan took in the dress with a low whistle. Zahruk and Sevrin smiled politely, even though their eyes widened at my approach.
I took in their wicked looking armor. The armor seemed to be multi-functional as they wore it to my presentation, all formal court events, as well as the trial. Dristan had shared that Ryder was more liberal about the guard not wearing the helmet and mask headgear than his father had been. Ryder felt that the headgear should only be worn when heading for, or into battle. They also wore weapons as usual; though these were jeweled with black and red stones, the only indicator that they were ‘dressing up’ for tonight’s events.
“Flower, you look good enough to eat,” Ristan whispered as we started down the hallway.
“If you bite me, I will bite you back, Demon.”
“What makes you think I won’t consider that foreplay?” he asked, raising a brow high on his forehead.
“Is that all you think about?” I asked as his lips turned up, and a devilish smile splayed across his mouth.
“I think about tying my females up, making them scream, and beg for more. I also like hot wax and long walks in the sand. Does that count?” he asked with heat burning in his eyes as he said it.
“Kinky fuckery, Demon. Keep that shit to yourself.” I laughed and shook my head at him.
“I like it. What can I say? It does it for me.”