Chapter 95
Chapter 95
I was lost in my own thoughts as I looked at the five beautiful dresses that were hanging in front of me. I felt different this morning, but I couldn't pinpoint it. I had more energy than usual and even went down to the Castle's gym to run a few miles. That wasn't enough, so I hopped onto the elliptical and did that for another forty-five minutes. I even managed to lift some weights while there. Even after all of that, I still was not tired, worn out, or even a little bit exhausted. I just felt rejuvenated.
"How's it coming in there?" The soft feminine voice sounded so far away. She wasn't distant though, she was just on the other side of the door.
I rested my hand on my stomach and turned sideways, looking at my nearly naked self in the mirror. Couldn't be, could it? Doesn't pregnancy make you feel exhausted?
"We aren't pregnant. I don't think. I feel energized too. I think it has something to do with our magic and just being around all of this magic." Charlotte commented in my mind. I could feel her looking at us through our eyes in the mirror.
She must have counted to sixty because she asked again. This time, bringing me back to reality."Your highness, is everything okay?"
"Oh, yes. I am sorry. I just can't decide which one I want to try first. They're all so very beautiful." I responded to her. I could sense that she thought I was fibbing, but I couldn't tell.
"What about the emerald green one? I think the color would compliment your skin beautifully. If you need any help with getting it on, let me know." She spoke to me through the door.
"Thank you, I appreciate it." I pulled the dress towards me, turning it around in my hand, looking it over. "I may need your help in just a moment."
I pulled the dress off of the hanger and stepped into it. I pulled it up to my waist and slid my arms into the lace sleeves with hints of sequins that made the dress sparkle under the lights. The lace was surprisingly comfortable, soft, and stretchy. It moved with my arm movements. The lace went into a deep v-neckline with a satin bottomskirt that had a high slit which stopped reaching mid thigh. I was in awe of the beauty of the dress, but thought it may be too risque for any occasion involving royals.
I pulled the curtain back and the sales associate stepped in with a warm and welcoming smile. She curtsied to me as I was holding up the dress. "Hello, thank you for your help."
"It is my pleasure, Queen Avalynn. May I say that I think this dress is absolutely perfect?" Her voice was soft and calming sounding. I smiled at her in the mirror as she pulled the materials of the dress together in the back, zipping the dress up. The zipper glided up the tracks easily, she moved to tuck the zipper in, hiding it.
Surprisingly, the dress fit my body perfectly, I would just need the correct undergarments to wear underneath it and the shoes to go with it. I was thinking maybe black or nude colored strappy high heels. "Should I show them?" I asked her.
"Yes, I believe they would love to see you in this." She smiled.
"Okay." I walked out of the room when she drew the curtain back. I walked down the hallway and into the room. My eyes landed on Everest and the hunger I saw flash through his eyes sent the butterflies fluttering through me.
"Wow." I heard him breathe.
"Oh my goodness! Avalynn, this dress is absolutely made for you! This has got to be the dress you wear for the crowning ceremony! No wait, I need to see the others first." Miranda practically squealed. She was very excited.
"You think so?" I asked her.
"Oh yes, without a doubt." She was smiling widely.
"Your highness?" The dress shop owner approached us all and curtsied.
"Yes?" Brent answered her.
"Your mate's dresses have arrived. They are ready for a final fitting." She had turned and was talking to Miranda now with the last part.
"Babe, would you like to try them on?" Brent asked Miranda.
"Yes, of course." She looked over to the shop owner who led her back to the room. NôvelDrama.Org owns this text.
I quickly changed into my normal clothes and walked back out to sit with everyone. I was offered a snack and a drink. It was perfect considering I was beginning to get a little hungry. I ate the small sandwich and washed it down just in time as Miranda was coming out in her first gown.
She was wearing the gold colored ballgown she told me about. It fit her beautifully. She was absolutely glowing.
"Holy, wow. Just, wow" I heard Brent breathe out before standing and walking over to her.
"You like it?" She looked up at him.
"Like it? Babe, you look breathtakingly beautiful." He leaned down and placed a kiss on her mouth.
When the kiss broke, she turned around and looked over at me. "What do you think?"
"I love it!" I told her cheerfully. "You look amazing."
"Thank you. I have two more, but I can wait to try those ones when we get home. Would you like to try the rest of yours?"
"Nonsense. Try the rest of your dresses on." I told her. "We have plenty of time." I smiled at Miranda.
"Well, okay then. Sounds good. We can go grab food afterwards." She turned and walked back into her changing room.
Miranda came out with two other dresses. One was a gorgeous sparkly ruby red mermaid fitted dress with a strapless neckline that hugged her body perfectly. The bodice came down in a pointed V, giving a tasteful wow effect on her girls. The gown was long and pooled around her feet, but not in an annoying I can't walk, but in an elegant way. I could tell that it made her confidence sky rocket as she seemed to float as she walked out in front of us.
"Holy cow Miranda! This dress is stunning!" I told her. "You look amazing. Which dress is this one for?" I walked around her as I admired the fit and style.
"This one is for the crowning ceremony. The first one is for the marking ceremony. The next one will be for our Union of Territories ball after everything is said and done." She told me with a bright smile.
"Go try that one on." Brent commented from behind us.
"Okay, can do babe." She walked out of the room, her dress sparkling under the lights as she walked. I turned around and sat back down next to Everest. The guys were chatting about plans starting tomorrow for a good long training session with everyone together, including the witches. The following day will be the marking ceremony. After Miranda is marked, she will start her transition. From my understanding, it will be a long and painful process. It could take a day or it could take a week. The higher rank you are mated to, the longer and more painful it will be for your transition. We were all unsure how Miranda's transition would affect Brent.
"Okay, tell me your honest opinion." She said as she walked around the corner. This dress was a black and white ball gown that had a fitted bodice with a full, flowing skirt. The top of the bodice was black lace with a white skirt. The white skirt had a back lace that laid over the top of it trailing from the bodice down the bottom of the gown and into the small train that was behind it. Everything that she tried on for us today was perfect for her. All eyes would be on the new official Queen of the Southern Territories.
"You are beautiful, Miranda. These dresses are all so very perfect for you." I told her.
"She's right. You are beautiful. Everything you put on makes me want to rip it off of you." Brent said with a flirtatious growl at the end. Miranda instantly blushed. She would soon understand that we Lycans do not hide our feelings from our mate and it is very natural for us to speak to one another this way around people we are comfortable with.
"Thank you, everyone, really. I was so unsure about some of these." She linked her arm with mine and we went back together. "I really have never worn anything so glamorous or elegant before, let alone this expensive." She confided in me as we walked back to the dressing room, leaving the guys to talk out on the sales floor.
"Can I ask you something?" She looked at me.
"Of course you can. Ask whatever you would like." I told Miranda truthfully.
"What is it like being mated to Everest?" She had an undescribeable expression on her face.
"Well, it is like we are perfectly fit together. I can tell what he is feeling, even without tapping into his mind. I can feel his excitement, arousal, love, fear, worriedness, hate, anger, and sadness. The mark allows you to feel everything. I can feel it when he is hurt too. Allegedly, if your mate is unfaithful, their pleasure will cause you pain. I haven't experienced that and hope that never happens. I may just murder the tramp and hang Everest by his toes off the mountain side." We both laughed at that image.
"With all that said, our two halves make a whole. Our love for one another is perfect. You will see." I smiled at her.
"Okay, it is hard because I can feel a pull but not like he can." Miranda stepped into her changing room.
"He is holding back, trust me. Once you transition after he marks you and you two are finally officially mates, it will all be different for you. That is when you will see how we all feel about our mates. I know it is hard to wrap your mind around but you will see, I promise," I told her.
"Thanks Avalynn. Now, go try your other dresses on and let's choose yours!" She poked her head out at me, shooing me towards my changing room.
"Okay, okay!" I agreed and walked into my room where my other dresses were hanging. I picked out a beautiful navy blue ballgown with long sleeves that were off the shoulder with the right amount of beading on the bodice for the crowning ceremony. The last dress I picked out would be for the Union Ball was a deep purple sleeveless ballgown with beading and sequins. The dress had a sweeping ballgown that flowed perfectly as I walked.
I was pleased with everything and Everest approved them all. I knew that these dresses would be on the bedroom floor every night I would be wearing. By the way that he was not only looking at me, but the way he was feeling inside. Hell if he could have done so, he probably would have taken me right then and there everytime I stepped out of the changing rooms.
We finished our day together with food and drinks. I went away to Miranda's office with her, helping her with her final preparations before she would be marked in two more days. When we finished there, we joined Brent and Everest as they were discussing details with lead warriors over training tomorrow. I couldn't wait to take a run, let Charlotte out and just let loose.
"Is that the best idea right now? To let loose?" Charlotte commented.
"What do you mean?" I questioned her.
"I am scared that our magic may be too much." She said honestly.
"We will be able to control it." I didn't know if we would be able to or not.
"I hope so. Just make sure no one is around us." She retreated back into my mind, obviously worried.
Weird. Maybe I am siphoning magic from the other witches around? She is right. We will need to practice tomorrow and test out that theory. Hopefully, the witches will be well prepared to step in, just in case it gets out of hand. Charlotte's feelings had never been wrong before. I took a deep breath lost in my own thoughts.