Perspective

He walked to an armoire on the far wall, and opened up the double doors…every jewel tone I could imagine was represented!!! He selected a nearly sheer chiffon confection made of the blackest shade of red. With this, he rummaged around in one of the drawers and brought forth a necklace of silver and dripping with garnets and onyx. He rummaged some more and came away with all the appropriate undergarments and such.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up. I began to dress in this fairytale costume. He simply grabbed my hands and put them down to my sides.

“Allow me, my love. It would give me the greatest pleasure to dress you…then undress you later.” He said.

With this, he spread kisses across my body, where the garments would lay. He sat me down in front of a vanity next to the armoire. I had to remember that the brush in the mirror was held by my beloved, and not floating through the air of its own accord. I suppressed a giggle at the thought and put my hand to my mouth. I heard the deep rumble of laughter behind me.

“I suppose that does look rather amusing.”

“Indeed, Ladislao, it does. I was thinking how wonderful it would be if my telekinetic abilities were so finely honed. I wouldn’t have to get out of bed to brush my teeth!” I quirked.

When he was finished with my hair, he bid me stand. I looked at my full reflection in the mirror.

“Look and remember it well, my darling. After tonight, you will no longer cast a reflection.”

“I feel so beautiful with you,” I replied, “I won’t ever need to.”

He took my arm and wrapped it in his. Together we walked out of the room and down the hall. This time there were dozens of sconces lit everywhere, making all manner of shadows dance. We came to the staircase once again and proceeded to descend to the main floor. I could barely make out the strains of Tchaikovsky coming from somewhere to my left. Ladislao led me to a set of double doors. He opened them and I was blinded by opulence and light!

It was a full ballroom!?! There were people dancing and toasting and laughing just before my beloved led us in the room. At our entrance, everything stopped. I felt the absence of sound keenly and suppressed a shiver of anxiety. I felt as though I was a rare bird on display. I felt the heat of what seemed like a thousand eyes upon me; I gripped Ladislao’s arm tightly.

“Do not be afraid, my love. They are here to welcome you.” He said.

Then he addressed the crowd.

“Thank you for gathering here tonight to celebrate this most anticipated event. I know that you are all anxious to introduce yourselves to your new Mistress. Please allow me to introduce my consort and equal, created by the hands of the Goddess Herself, Elianna, avatar of the Dark Moon, Selene Noctiluca!”

There came a great thundering as people clapped and hammered on tables in applause. I was, in a word, speechless. All of these people were part of my house hold? Were they like Ladislao? Progeny by the blood exchange I had experienced with him?

My love led me to a high table where I would receive my guests. He placed a goblet in my left hand and a plate of fruit and cheese in front of me. I sipped the liquid in the glass and found it to be the most delicious mead I had ever tasted. I felt the warmth of the wine slide down my throat and pool decadently in my belly. I was now ready to meet all these new people.