The dress was tight. In fact, I was baffled it could have even fit the woman from the cell, who was so clearly well built even after imprisonment.
Red silk covered my body from my collarbones down, ribbing installed in the midsection that sucked in my waist and shoved up my breasts. Delicate, thick straps draped off my shoulders, the fabric at my feet so long it dragged behind me. The gold shoes weren’t the most comfortable, the thin wedge beneath my heel pushing me a few extra inches off the ground, but they weren’t impossible to move in. I’d taken off the necklace my parents had gotten me, tucking it safely in my bag. In its place now sat a tight gold chain with red gems dangling from it, looking as if my neck had been slit and blood seeped from the wound. I’d left my hair down, knowing it’d change soon.
Standing there in the bathroom, I studied myself in the mirror, wishing I was more ready for this. The elite ball was being held at Castle Altair of all places, and I’d need to beperfectin order to not get caught. Even with the threat of death looming, my stupid mind was stuck on the snake.
I’d dreamt of him all night. He’d pleasured me again and again, unflinching in his drive to tear every scream I could manage out of me. Worse was the smug face he’d worn when I’d woken up, practically bouncing around Snake Lodge all morning. I’d be grateful to relieve us of the stress and fear, but it was far too embarrassing. When Altair made omelets, he’d evenmoanedafter the first bite, taking care to suck on his fork and flick his tongue across his lips.
Or was I only noticing because I’d dreamt of him doing the same to my body? Was it the stars getting to me? Were they that desperate to see Altair’s cock?
“How dare you blame us.”
Leave me alone, I’m having a mental breakdown.
“Sex could help with that.”
You know, if you were people, you’d be committed.
They only laughed, escaping my wrath by silencing themselves after. Now irritated, I quickly put on some of Celeste’s makeup I’d snagged, sliding the red across my lips and giving my eyes black rings. She would have loved this dress.
I miss them so much.
Altair knocked, the smile still obvious in his cheery voice. “Are you ready? We need to head to Commander Psycho in a couple of minutes.”
“Almost done!” I shouted, hating how my mind went back to him finishing on top of me. Inside of me. Against my tongue.
Shit.
I blamed that Desi woman. Clearly, the two were fucking. I’d pressed my damp ear to the bathroom door out of curiosity, but they hadn’t been loud enough to hear. But why else would she stay after dropping off our clothes only to leave before I got done bathing? To sleep together, that was what.
Why I cared was the big question, but I wasn’t sure of the answer. And now the thoughts haunted my dreams, making me think of Altair’s cock of all things.
“That, sweet catalyst, is called jealousy.”
No it isn’t! I’m worried for a friend, that’s all.
“Friend? We saw your dream, Nova Tershetta, friends don’t swallow friends’ cum.”
You’re all disgusting.
“And you’re about to give us exactly what we’ve been waiting for.”
In your dreams.I tried to shove them out of my mind, picturing my rows of bookshelves and imagining tucking them between books. They merely laughed.
“You can’t hide from us, but we will give you space. As a momentary parting gift, we’d like to inform you that Azazel Altair did not sleep with that woman.”Then they left again, a slow, soft smile tipping up my mouth.
With nothing else to do, I left the bathroom.
Altair was leaning against the counter across the cottage. His trousers matched the color of my dress, not as perfectly tailored as his real clothes, but still fitting impossibly well. He wore a black button up shirt with a red vest on top, a black, sleek jacket placed over both and a red tie around his throat.
All across the outfit he had placed gold adornments. A chain linking the buttons of his vest to something towards his hip. A golden, eight-pointed star on his lapel. A gold clip on his tie. To top it off, he’d left his hair slightly messy, likely thinking along the same lines as me. He looked…incredible.
When his eyes met mine, his jaw went slack, pale cheeks immediately blazing scarlet red—brighter than our matching outfits. “Stars above.”
Laughing, I did a slow spin, basking in his stunned silence. At least I knew I looked the part too. He walked towards me, eyes scanning the dress.
“You look beautiful,” he said, stopping just in front of me. I felt my cheeks warm up as I grinned, knowing we were both blushing like fools and secretly enjoying it.
“You look pretty handsome yourself.” His dimples made a quick appearance as he smiled back, grabbing my hips and lifting me. I shrieked, wrapping my arms around his neck in panic as he twirled us. “Altair! What are you doing?”
