My Blood. Thinking of them made my mouth water, even though I’d fed long from Dörr again before we left the suite. “I can’t wait to see what you create for them.”
“But this consultation is for you, Your Majesty.” Kathleen turned to her team and one of the young men pushed a rack close enough for me to reach out and touch the garments. “I gather you most likely won’t need formalwear, at least initially, so we’ll focus on everyday wear that will be both luxurious and comfortable. If I may make some recommendations?”
I nodded. “Please. I know nothing about modern clothing.”
For a moment, I feared I’d misspoke. Her eyes flared, her head jerking slightly as if she was temporarily stunned or shocked. After all, she and her team were human. I might look like them on the surface, but my Blood certainly didn’t appear “normal.” I assumed she knew what that meant but perhaps I’d been mistaken.
Clara lightly touched my shoulder again, soothing some of my nerves. “Her Majesty has only recently returned to us.”
“I’m quite out of touch, I’m afraid. I lived a very secluded and solitary life before finding my family again.”
Which was true in more ways than one. Clara dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief and gave me a brilliant smile. “We’re so grateful to have you home, Your Majesty.”
“Do you prefer bolder colors or neutrals?”
“I don’t know, honestly. I’m open to anything.”
“With your hair’s red tones and your creamy complexion, your best colors will be anything in the green tones, but especially emerald.” She selected a hanger with a shimmering green blouse. It had a high neck with buttons down the front and flowy, graceful sleeves. “This one’s silk. It’s breathable and delightful against the skin.”
I started to stretch out my hand and touch it, but I hesitated, dropping my hand to my lap where I clutched my fingers together. My stomach twisted into knots. Sweat broke out on my forehead.
Dörr’s bond swelled like a black tide in my mind.:My queen, shall I come to you? What is it?:
:I’m fine,:I assured him. He’d been reluctant to leave my side even for a moment, but I’d finally convinced him this small private room was entirely safe while he and the rest of my Blood were fitted for their new clothes just outside.:It’s silly but this particular color upset me.:
The door opened and he strode across the room, making a beeline straight to me. Several swaths of black cloth hung off his mighty shoulders and another human rushed along behind him.
“Sir, a moment, sir—” The man’s eyes flickered over to me, and he jerked to a halt and lowered his eyes. “Forgive me, Your Majesty. I didn’t realize?—”
“It’s alright,” I broke in gently. “I’m afraid I can’t wear that color. It caused me to have a visceral reaction Dörr couldn’t ignore.” As soon as he stood behind me, he dropped his big hands to my shoulders, his fingers gently kneading. All the knots eased in my stomach, and I was able to smile again. “Perhaps another color?”
:Do you know what about the color is upsetting?:Dörr asked.
:When I was inside Jörmungandr, Loki came to visit me. He wore a signet ring and parts of his suit in the same color.:
Dörr’s fingers tightened.:Then we shall beware anyone wearing this color. Loki can easily change his appearance. According to the old myths, he once even turned himself into a horse.:
“This is Manford,” Kathleen said. “Would it be acceptable for him to continue taking measurements while we talk?”
“Of course. Thank you, Manford.”
The man’s sharp, quick movements reminded me of Bjørg, scurrying alongside me as we made our way to the dining table. Curious, running here and there, drawn by all the interesting sights and smells. Though as soon as the humans arrived, she’d disappeared.
Manford muttered softly to himself as he reached up with a long tape, stretching to his tiptoes to get to the top of Dörr’s shoulders, and then scribbling down notes.
“Perhaps something similar to the browns in Manford’s coat?” I asked.
The man stiffened like I’d insulted him. He wore matching glasses that rode low on his nose and he was slightly balding. Combined with the way he tipped his head to peer over the top of his glasses, I put his age much closer to Clara’s than Kathleen.
“Nobody wears brown these days, Your Majesty. Though this is a very fine chestnut coat if I do say so myself. I made this coat forty-five years ago, and it has held up quite nicely.”
Kathleen smothered a grin as she turned to place the blouse back on the rack. “A rich chestnut brown would add depth to the reds in your hair, Your Majesty, though Manford’s correct in that it’s not considered a very fashionable color nowadays. Once we take your measurements, I’ll be sure to include some browns for you to try and see if you like them. This olive green would also look nice with your hair as well as this darker spruce green. Or are these too similar to emerald to suit you?”
I reached out and smoothed my fingers over the spruce. “Not at all, these will be fine. What kind of material is this?”
“It’s an all-natural wool fiber. We can make a variety of basic, functional pieces that you can mix and match, from pants and skirts to dresses and jackets. This blouse is also silk, and this one is linen. We generally only use natural fibers for everyday wear, and then something like this taffeta or satin blends for formal occasions, both of which are more cost effective. Though anything you see in the catalogues or here on the racks can certainly be done in pure silk, depending on the cut and drape required.”
She was starting to use a few fiber-specific terms I didn’t quite follow, so having the ready-made pieces available helped me follow along. “I think for daily wear, I’d like comfortable, timeless pieces, but I do enjoy the feel of this silk. Is it very expensive?”
