The Raven's Source

Chapter 28 - Surprises

Just before five o'clock, she made her way upstairs and found Shej out cold across the bed. She leaned over and laid her hand on his shoulder, gently shaking him.

Shej mumbled something inaudible before lifting his head and looking groggily at Leena.

"Good evening," she said softly. "Time to get up and get dressed, our stylists will be here in about a half hour."

"Do we gotta go?"

"Well, I mean, we have gone back and forth on that answer. But yes, we gotta."

Shej slowly got up and stretched before he helped Leena into her white, long sleeve gown. He smiled as it hugged her every curve and complimented her body in every way. It was shoulderless and cinched just between her swollen breasts, accentuating her neckline. He chuckled as Leena praised the gods that it was floor length, allowing her to wear comfortable flats.

"You laugh, but you're going to carry our next child," she threatened. "We'll see if you're okay with wearing heels when you're entering your third trimester!"

"Like hell I am! I'm perfectly fine just being dad. Besides, I couldn't last nine months as a woman and I'm pretty sure of the weird looks I'd get walking around as a pregnant man."

Leena chuckled and walked over, sitting down in front of her vanity and adding some diamond jewelry to her ensemble. "You need to get changed, Sheja."

"I can change while she does your hair first," he said, trying to delay the inevitable.

"Cerno is sending two stylists. The Gala starts at seven and one person can't finish two women with long long hair like us plus makeup in less than two hours."

Just as the words left Leena's lips, there was a knock at the door downstairs.

"Shit," Shej said.

"Ha ha," Leena teased.

Shej ran downstairs and opened the door. Two young blonde women stood smiling at him with small bags hanging from their shoulders. He instantly recognized that while the girls were not twins, they were definitely sisters.

"Hello, Mr. Angevin. I am Lily and this is my sister Poppy. Master Cerno sent us to help you get ready," she said with a smile before both girls gave a polite bow.

"Please, call me Shej." He returned their smile and opened the door wider to invite them in. "My wife, Leena, is upstairs if you'd like to follow me."

"This view is amazing!" Poppy said, gasping in amazement as they entered the master bedroom. Her eyes shined looking over the city.

"Master Angevin advised we would be doing hair and makeup on two ladies," Lily inquired after clearing her throat to get Poppy's attention. Poppy immediately got her bag and started attending to Leena.

"Sorry, Shej was being lazy and hadn't gotten ready before you arrived," Leena replied, smirking at him.

"Yeah, I'm your victim, Lily," Shej teased. "And I'm sorry that I wasn't ready for you. Please allow me a few moments to get changed." He quickly picked the garment bag up off the bed and carried it into the bathroom.

"I hate to pry, Mrs. Angevin—"

"—please call me Leena. We don't need formalities under this roof."

"I hate to pry, Leena," Lily started again with a brighter smile, "but what am I doing for Mr. Ang—I mean, for Shej? His hair is short and he doesn't need makeup. I'm confused why we were both needed?"

Leena chuckled softly. "Shej is actually a woman and is able to change her appearance. The appearance you saw is the one she prefers, but you're about to see what she really looks like."