TO LIE WITH MIDNIGHT ROSES

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RENESSA
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"Perfect," Rayya says, curling the ends of my hair as I sit at the chair in front of her vanity.

"This is unnecessary," I say politely as she runs her fingers through my strands, peeking her head over my shoulder. Our reflections look back at us through the ornate, golden mirror that hands on the wall.

She smiles, pearly fangs and all and I admire her beauty as the silver chains that sit in layers over her neck glimmer in the candlelight. They're simple thin necklaces that hang low, down between her black v-neck dress and wrapping around her torso. The velvet dress is long with tight sleeves, cinching at her waist and accentuating her figure. It flares out slightly around her hips and drapes in long, velvety bliss. She looks stunning; it was no wonder Jaxon had fallen in love with her. She was not only beautiful and soft-spoken but she was strong and kind.

"It is not often we celebrate birthdays here, darling. Every half-century now. Years don't really seem to matter all that much when you're as old as us," She tilts her head, placing her hands on my shoulders. "I'm glad Xavier told me, though it's a little late. We are celebrating nonetheless, besides, Roman should be back soon. Jaxon and I thought after everything you've been through you deserve a night of fun; music and dancing." She sings.

"Well, I appreciate that, Rayya but this dress... It's too much. It'll just be the three of us anyways. After last night... I'm not quite sure the others will be joining." I smooth down the silky red satin that lays across my legs, looking at myself in the mirror as I sigh.

The thin straps sat nicely on my shoulders, the v-neck hung low exposing much more of me than I had ever before with the neckline stopping at the top of my ribcage. The dress was long, ending just below my feet and on the left side was a slit that stopped at the top of my thigh, exposing my leg. I felt beautiful.

"They'll be attending," She reassures me, "I've informed Ryker and Xavier to dress appropriately, to be on their best behaviour. Varida too."

I stifle a laugh, and she squeezes her hands gently on my shoulders.

"Don't worry, Renessa. The boys will get over their little argument and well, if you want them both I don't see why you cannot have them?  You are young and you deserve to feel what it's like to be loved properly. By one, or both men."

"You don't think this dress is too much?" I ask, changing the subject.

I rather not think of last night and the look on Rykers face as I left the library with Xavier or his words or his breath on my skin. I didn't want to think of Xavier either, how we had kissed or rather how I had kissed him and he had shoved me away. Nor did I want to think about Damien. Thinking of him felt like scorching hot poison and it brought on firey energy that surged through my hands and up my arms.

Maybe this night was exactly what I needed to take my mind off of everything.

"I think it is perfect. It's something I have in my everyday wardrobe, so if you're saying my clothing is too much—,"

"No, not at all!" I interrupted, I had not meant to offend her.

She laughs and lets go of me as I stand. "I'm only teasing," A smirk pulls at the corners of her deep, cherry wine-stained lips. She hands me a pair of simple black heels, the ones that buckle around the ankles, "Tonight is for you. Tonight is our apology for... everything."

Staring at myself in the mirror after she had left I trace my thumb along my lips, noticing my bottom lip was still swollen from where Xavier had dragged his teeth across it. I wonder if he hadn't pushed me away, what would have happened? I wonder if he hadn't stumbled into the library when he did, what would have happened?

If you want them both I don't see why you cannot have them?  You are young and you deserve to feel what it's like to be loved properly.

Rayya's words ring throughout my ears and I had wanted them both but in what ways I still was not sure. However, I was sure that I did deserve to be loved properly and maybe it would be by neither of them or maybe it would. Maybe both? No. It couldn't be both, could it?

By the time I finished getting ready and steadying myself in the heels, I made my way to the living room where I could hear soft music already playing. My heels clicked against the floor as I walk into the room, I smile as I'm greeted by Jaxon, his sandy brown hair tied back in a low bun and he wore a fitted black suit along with his black gloves.

"Happy Birthday, Renessa." He smiles, reaching to take my hand and placing a gentle kiss on my knuckles. Rayya smiles at me from across the room, wine glass in hand filled with a red substance, wine or blood I was unsure.

"Look at you," Ryker's low voice echoes from down the hall and I spin around quickly to see him. My heart pounded in my chest.

He looked handsome in the black dress pants that he wore along with a black short sleeve t-shirt, it was tight-fitted and tucked into his pants along with a belt. I notice he's wearing dress shoes as he makes his way down the hall and his normally unkempt hair is pushed back.

I suck in a sharp breath but before I'm able to speak, Varida rounds the corner, draping her arm over Ryker's shoulder and she smiles at me, flashing her gap and sharp fangs.

"Renessa," She greets me with a slight ring of her French accent. Her long deep-purple dress was silky as she moved. The straps were thin and the top hung in a low dainty scoop of excess material just beneath her collar bones and it had a slit similar to mine but on the opposite side.

"Varida..." Ryker practically groaned in frustration, pulling her arm off of him, "I'm surprised you're here."

"I do live here," She states matter of factly, "Besides I needed a reason to dress up and wear this lovely gown I got during my visit to France."

I smile, ignoring Varida as she brags. Meeting my eyes with Ryker's, he flashes me a meaningful smile and then he shoots a sharp, pointed glare behind me.

Turning, I see Xavier. He is sitting on one of the armchairs wearing a tightly fitted white dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up on either side exposing his tattoos. He sits leaning forwards slightly, rather nonchalantly. Brown curls hanging just above his eyes as he blinks, staring at me now with slightly parted lips, elbows sitting on his thighs with loose arms and a glass of whiskey in his hand. My body stills as my stomach burns, tightening with anticipation and sadness.

He doesn't say anything, just takes a sip of his drink and then stands, turning to face Rayya. I suck in a sharp breath when I feel a cold hand placed gently on the small of my back, sending a chill down my spine. I shudder.

"Happy Birthday, Ness," Ryker says softly, his voice and presence reassuring. I smile up at him, tilting my head to see his dimples.

Varida lets out a huff as she walks past us, moving to grab a glass and pouring herself some wine.

Jaxon glides over with two glasses in his hands, handing them over to us both. He smiles at his brother, then again at me.

Silence fills the room as I stand awkwardly at Ryker's side and I notice Xavier's eyes glancing at me over the rim of his glass as he takes another sip. My heartbeat quickens and I think Ryker notices too because he removes his hand from my back, looking at me and then across the room at him.

Rayya's voice breaks the silence, filling the room with a delicate embrace as she raises her glass.

"Shall we toast?"