Page 107 of Plug and Tame

A long, pale blue dress that flowed like liquid around her slender form, translucent enough to emphasise her generous breasts.

She was lying on a large bed decorated with cream florals, and the numerous glass coffee tables were covered in fucking lace doilies.

This was not at all the evil blood-soaked lair Kira had envisioned, and Gloria was not at all the blood-thirsty ice queen she’d imagined. Instead, she was perfect.

There’s no way we’re related, Kira thought to herself as Gloria sat up, her glossy hair shimmering of its own accord.

“There you are, Nathaniel,” she cooed, her voice sweet and musical.

A sad realisation came over Kira as she gaped up at the goddess.

Gloria was perfect.

And she was not.

Chapter 35

Gloria

Kira

Gloria gestured languidly at a white fur coat hanging on a nearby hook. Kira recognised it as the fake fur coat that Barbara had made.

“I received the fur coat you sent me, Nathaniel. I assumed it was a wedding gift …” A sharp edge entered her polite tone, “Since it did not come with a note.”

Nathaniel gave a low chuckle. “You must have drawers full of my notes from over the years. Unless you burnt them all?”

Gloria’s lips curved in an unearthly smile, and the effect was like watching a delicate crack-line travel across smooth porcelain—on the precipice of shattering the entire veneer. “I kept some.”

“Don’t lie.” He shrugged out of his coat, draping it over the back of an armchair as if making himself at home.

Kira realised with a lurching feeling that he had been here many times before.

“Make yourself comfortable, pet,” Nathaniel said gently, sweeping his hand to indicate the various poofs, ottomans and armchairs decorating the room.

Gloria’s eyes narrowed, and she made a show of behaving as if she’d only just noticed Kira kneeling on the floor. Gloria sat up, her serene expression becoming strained. “Nathaniel, what is this?”

“This is Kira,” Nathaniel said, stepping behind Kira to slide the door’s bolt shut to lock it. “And she is my pet.”

Gloria blinked angrily, and there was a flash of jealousy before her composed smile return. “A pet? Without consulting me? But Nathaniel…” she tittered, “you know I prefer cats.”

Nathaniel gave another good-natured laugh and placed his hands behind his back. “I was not aware I required your permission.”

Gloria smiled—a perfect curve of her luscious lips. “I’m your future wife, dearest. We should discuss these things together, since it affects both of us.”

“We are not married,” Nathaniel reminded her.

“Oh, but we will be, I’m sure. Very soon.”

“Hmm.” Nathaniel tapped the glass table beside him, as if trying to gather his thoughts. “Indeed. That is what I have come to discuss. But no matter what we decide…” Kira felt the mood in the room shift as Nathaniel placed a possessive hand on her head and patted her. “Kira stays.”

Gloria’s eyes flashed, her smile freezing as new cracks began to form in her countenance. She held that phony smile as she said, “We’ll talk about it later.”

Nathaniel did not argue, and he motioned for Kira to stay before advancing to the bed. Kira half expected him to get down on one knee, but he pulled the ring box from his jacket pocket and tossed it on the bed beside Gloria.

“Gloria, will you consent to be my wife?” Nathaniel asked, his voice so flat and lacklustre it was barely a question.

Gloria’s eyes darted between the ring box and Nathaniel. “What, no roses? No chocolates? Whatever happened to wooing me?”