“So, if you’re wearing that, what should I wear?” I opened my wardrobe and began sorting through the mass of jeans and sweaters that were my usual garb.
“What about your black gown? It would offset mine really well.” She fastened her bra, then slid into clean panties. I still was amazed by her figure. Voluptuous, smart, and strong, that summed up my wife.
“You think?” I rummaged in the back where I kept my dresses. The gown, one my aunt had bought for me many years ago, was black as ink, shimmering with faint silver threads. I wore it at Yule, and now—as I brought it out—I realized that Nerissa was right. In its simplicity, it was elegant and perfect for a meeting with Blood Wyne.
I fingered my braids. My cornrows were my signature mark, but tonight, it felt like I should take them out—let my hair curl around my shoulders. “Will you help me?”
She grinned, then slipped a robe over her underwear. “Sit down. Let me make you up. I don’t know what tonight’s about, but if I’m to be there, too, it’s obviously important and you need to look your best.” She unbraided my hair, brushing it gently so that the curls didn’t frizz but, instead, hung like a cloud of waves around my shoulders. Then she carefully applied my makeup. I couldn’t see myself in the mirror, so I usually settled for a swipe of lip gloss. But tonight? Everything needed to be spot-on perfect.
“There. Refined, elegant, and a little bit deadly.” Nerissa stood back, eyeing me. “Now change into your dress. Wear the silver heels with it.”
We both dressed, adjusting each other as needed—a tuck here, a cinch there—and finally, we were ready to go. I chose a simple black woven shawl. Nerissa, a pale blue chiffon one. Taking a deep breath, I stood back.
“What do you think? Do I look ready to meet the Queen of Vampires?” I hadn’t realized just exactly how nervous I had been until now. And that realization didn’t sit particularly comfortably with me. But there was nothing I could do. It was fact, and I wasn’t one to ignore what was in front of my face. Blood Wyne made me nervous.
“What about me? I’m not even a vampire and I get to meet this elusive member of royalty.” Nerissa giggled, and then her smile fell away. “I’m afraid, Menolly. What if . . . what if she wants to turn me or something like that?”
The thought had actually crossed my mind, but I had written it off. “If she wanted to do that, both she and Roman know that I’d fight to the death. And given that we just destroyed an army with dragons, I have a feeling she might have some new respect for me. I don’t think that’s it. But I’ll do whatever I need to in order to protect you.”
And with that, we headed upstairs.
Of course, the others made a brouhaha about our looks, but Camille and Delilah—who I thought would be the loudest—were oddly reticent.
Camille motioned me aside. “I don’t like this. Something’s up.”
“I know, but there’s not much I can do about whatever it is. I think we’ll be okay. I trust Roman—I have to, after all we’ve gone through.” I glanced back at Nerissa. “Do me a favor? Lend her something silver she can wear inside her dress. Some charm or something that might help if . . . if something happens to me.”
“Wait here.” Camille raced upstairs and when she returned, she took Nerissa aside. Nerissa glanced over at me, then nodded as she accepted something from Camille. She went in the bathroom and when she came out, I leaned to kiss her but the silver on her body stopped me short. Satisfied, we made our good-byes and headed out.
“I hate driving in a gown like this.” I hiked it up so that my legs were free to move as needed.
Nerissa laughed. “You just don’t like dresses, period.”
“Well, that’s true. What did Camille lend you?”
“She gave me a silver pin that I fastened inside my bra. She said it belonged to your mother and that it was mine now. It’s shaped like a grapevine.” A soft smile played over Nerissa’s face. “You asked her to, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, I did. And yes, that pin belonged to our mother.” Even softer, “It also belonged to me, before I was turned. After that, since I could no longer touch it, I gave it to Camille. I’m glad she chose that—it feels like a good omen.” I wasn’t much for omens, but sometimes, something just hit right and I knew there was significance to it.