I can’t help but ask with a grin, “Are you my faerie godmother?”
Willow smirks, “Don’t be daft, child. I’m better than that, I’m a double agent. Come on, go put this on and let’s get you ready to meet your future in-laws. That’s right, whatever comes your way, the duke will be by your side.”
Knowing that I only have about twenty minutes to get ready for my evening, I take the gown and race into my room. I quickly change and take a look at myself in the mirror. The gown is solid black with a sweetheart neckline that dips low over my cleavage. The bodice is beaded with black onyx gemstones and covered with a fine lace that loops up and slightly over my shoulders, my arms are covered in the delicate lace to my wrist. The gown is form-fitting with a rather daring slit up to my left thigh to almost my hip. I open the door to my room and a swarm of sprites enters and begins weaving my unruly hair into complicated braids. I marvel at their talent before spinning in front of the mirror. Two sprites appear carrying my tiara and place it upon my head as they interweave strands of my hair over it. Then Willow places a pair of heels in front of me and I gingerly step into them. They perfectly compliment my attire for the evening. I step out into the open common room of the suite. The troop of sprites has left and Willow is packing up, she turns and winks at me, “You’ve got this.” She smiles as she closes the door behind her.
I look over to see Daxell standing in the doorway to his room, his look is smoldering, but his face belies his unease. He paints a rather fine picture standing there in his evening attire, his scowl etched upon his striking face. He wears a coronet befitting his station as a duke of The Underworld and he looks more withdrawn than ever. Just when I thought that we were connecting, he has begun pulling back and I don’t know what to do about it. What happened to the duke being by my side? From where I’m standing, he looks like he’s about to bolt.
20
We Are So Screwed!
(Daxell)
God. Lillie Joanna is beyond gorgeous, she is exquisite. Mammon is not going to abstain from asserting his dominance and reign here in this place of his. This den of sin. The moment he lays eyes on her and realizes who she is, she will be lost to me. He will demand that I turn her over as restitution for his previous losses. His arrogance knows no boundaries and his rapacity is all-encompassing. I can’t allow her to step foot in front of his evil highness if I can help it. If she does, that will be it. I will have to speak with my fathers before we are required to present ourselves this evening. I know that I’m being a cold-ass bastard, but I turned away from her none the less. I need to distance myself from her if we are going to make it through the night. Just seeing her dressed like that has the ability to weaken my resolve, to give in to her every whim. Glancing at myself in the huge full-length mirror in my room, I cringe at my appearance. I truly despise having to wear this obnoxious getup. The suit, the cape, the coronet. None of this is me and now LJ is caught up in this fucking freak show, all because I was a stupid ass and thought that I could keep her safe. Hold her apart.
Sighing, I walk back into the main room. Seeing LJ, Cara, and Poppy all standing near the full-length window. I startle all of the females in front of me when I announce, “I’ve changed my mind about this evening. You ladies will trace back here after dinner with my parents and wait for me here. I want no argument on that point.”
LJ steps forward in her ultra-high stiletto heels, “Not on your life, demon boy. We’re here for a reason, and you promised your help.”
“Princess, the shit is about to hit the fan. I don’t want you anywhere near this gathering. I don’t rank high enough to keep you safe from Mammon.” I huff, barely able to keep my demon from making an appearance, not that he will stay down long once entering Mammon’s gathering.
Lillie saunters toward me, “Silly demon, no one can take me from you. I belong to you and you to me.” Her beautiful sapphire eyes smile up at me seductively.
“So, what’s it going to be, stud muffin?” Poppy interjects, her lips twitching.
Sighing, I pull LJ to me. Her gown hugs her every curve. The black fabric showcases semiprecious jewels that mimic the night sky on her slender frame. I whisper, “Tonight will make or break us. I fear that you are not prepared for what lies before us. I never should have brought you here. Either of you.” I don’t wait for her reply and pull away to open the door to our suite so that all of us can ascend to the next level of this monstrosity in the clouds. Cara bounds up the steps to the next level, her fluffy tail wagging as she disappears around the corner.
“You worry overly much. Come on, demon boy. I want to meet your parents and then we can worry about what comes next.” She takes my hand and I relax for the moment.
I bring her fingers to my lips and kiss her knuckles tenderly and whisper, “They are going to love you.”
She smiles smugly, “I know. I’m adorable.”
I laugh begrudgingly and pull her to me and whisper, “I know you are, but you need to heed my warning about tonight.”
She nods earnestly, “I will. I promise, Daxell.”
We quickly climb the stairs,
