Keller had told her about his huge family over a month ago. When Keller lost his father in the same battle that took Loch and Johnny’s parents, he had stepped up to look after his five younger siblings.
She assumed she’d meet them eventually. In fact, she couldn’t wait to meet them. However, the middle of a war council meeting wasn’t an ideal setting. Holly’s nerves were already fried as it was. The last thing she wanted was to risk making a bad impression on the people who meant the most to Keller.
Up in her room, she crawled into bed and tried to sleep. It didn’t work. She tossed and turned only getting sorer and crankier by the minute. When minutes turned to hours, she gave up.
She climbed back out of bed and walked into the bathroom.
Do you think they’ll believe I’m your vessel? Holly asked.
I do not know. Like I said, I often misunderstand the hearts of men.
Can’t you make me glow or something? Holly slipped out of her clothing and turned on the shower as hot as it would go. She’d felt a slight chill in her bones since the night of the witch trap. It wouldn’t go away no matter what she did.
Glow? Why would I do that?
To make me look magical and, I don’t know, Maiden-like!
She stepped into the shower, letting the steam envelop her. The hot water soothed the ache in her muscles and urged her to relax.
If they cannot see you for what you are, then they don’t deserve to be in your presence.
Holly pondered the Maiden’s words for a moment.
You’re right. Thanks!
Craving some time alone before every shifter in the territory showed up in her living room, Holly gently shut the Maiden out of her mind.
When she stepped out of the shower, she recalled the formal gowns Jess had lent to her. At first, Holly thought it was completely ridiculous. Now, she planned on giving Jess the biggest bear hug her non-shifter self could muster.
She dug through the duffle bags of borrowed clothes she’d yet to unpack. She found three gowns in vacuum-sealed bags at the bottom of the last duffle. She unpacked them and laid them each out on her bed, allowing them to breathe.
She didn’t expect anyone to show up in a suit and tie, but if she were trying to exude a sense of regality, a gown was the way to go. Jess even had the foresight to pack two pairs of glimmering heels. Holly slipped into the lowest pair. They were a little big, but she wasn’t planning on traipsing around all night. They’d do nicely.
The dress itself wasn’t an easy choice to make.
She ran her fingertips along the gauzy fabric of a flowing, red gown. Red might not be an appropriate color for a war council. It was a little too on the nose. She didn’t want to do anything, even wear a specific color, that might lead people to think she wanted bloodshed.
She hung the red dress in the closet before returning to her bed to stare at the remaining gowns.
She could wear a simple, classy, black gown with minimal embellishments. She wouldn’t draw attention to herself. Rather, draw as much attention to herself as she would in the other gown.
The other gown glowed like candlelight. Its warm golden fabric was almost completely covered in tiny, reflective beads giving the impression that it was made of molten gold.
“I did want to glow,” she murmured to herself, running an adoring hand over the fabric. She plucked the gold gown from her bed and held it against her body.
One glimpse in the mirror had her convinced.
She shimmied into the strapless gown. Zipping up the back was a struggle. It took longer than she cared to admit, and she may or may not have knocked a picture frame off the bedside table in the process.
Once the dress was on, she allowed herself to get lost in the fun of getting ready. She hadn’t had any reason to dress up in so long. Sure, this wasn’t really a reason, but Holly figured she’s earned some pampering even if she was the only one around to pamper herself.
By the time she heard strange voices downstairs, she was transformed. Before she could leave her room, someone knocked on the door.
“Coming!” Holly hurried out of her bathroom and opened the door.
Loch stood in the doorway, wide-eyed and slack jawed.
“I…um…wow…you…I,” he stammered.
“Thank you.” Holly giggled. “I figure I should look like the mortal vessel for an all-powerful being, right?”
“No. I mean, yes! Definitely.” Loch closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes again, his composure had returned to him. “You look beautiful. You always look beautiful, but this is something special.”
Holly felt the heat rising in her cheeks. “Thank you.” She smoothed her hands down the front of her dress. “Shall we?”
Loch simply nodded.
When Holly moved to step out of her bedroom, she brushed against Loch. Electricity sparked between them wherever their skin touched. With a soft gasp, her eyes darted to his, then dropped to his parted lips.
Her attraction to him rose up within her so quickly that she couldn’t get it under control before she reached for him. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her in as close as she could get. Their mouths crashed together in a frantic fury of lips, tongues, and teeth. Desperation dug its claws into Holly. She felt as though if she didn’t get all of him, right now, she’d burst into flames or crumble into dust.
Loch moved her backward, back into her bedroom and shut the door, locking it in one swift movement.
Holly tugged at his shirt, ready to rip it to shreds if that meant
