Indebted

20

For a time, Esti had been a prize to be captured. A name and fortune nearly ripe to take advantage of. Then for a time she had felt like she was everyone and nothing at once. Needing to be the cleaning maid, cook, personal attendant, farm hand, gardener, harvester, seamstress. Stripped of her home, her friends, her father murdered. 

Most recently a simple life she had almost felt happy living. She had a home, people who loved her, hard work to keep herself busy, and infrastructure meant to serve hundreds to be a constant puzzle in need of attention. Now she was alone, last of her family. Just her own mind to keep her ahead. Try to keep her and Atticus alive, keep their combined secrets safe. Esti wanted to try and manage on her own, Norman and Nigella acting as security. Esti knew, the moment they helped her, they would be in danger and she did not want to bear that weight unless she needed to.

Esti, not sure which disjointed segment of her life she would now consider the hardest; Switched her attention from the past that couldn't ever be changed, to her present. Watching her mate as each of them got ready to meet Myrrh for breakfast. Esti, had learned a few things about the man who had claimed her in front of the entire court.

Atticus was a thoughtful friend. Fowl was electric messaging constantly once the morning drew later than the eighth hour. Esti was glad to see Fowl and Atticus really appeared to be close friends. Esti had never had her own cell phone, it seemed amazing that Fowl and Atticus could communicate silently with each other, and no one would be able to see or overhear what they spoke of. A very useful tool she decided once Atticus had explained, and shown her as a new message arrived while she was looking at the glass screen. Promising that he would soon gift her a device of her very own.

Myrrh rushed Esti and Atticus through breakfast, the tailor was on the way with a few dress samples to be altered. Myrrh was not going to be embarrassed by her ward showing up looking anything less than proper. Myrrh was bustling with excitement, she had made several excellent arrangements thanks to the foolhardy couple under her roof.  Esti nodded along to Myrrh's offers of gowns to choose, demurring sweetly. Floral words of thanks flowing off her tongue. Atticus found that breakfast at the formal dining table in the apartments had become far more enjoyable with Esti joining the seating. Myrrh's mood was the best he had ever seen.

Now that Atticus and his dragon were aware of plots around them. Able to read and intuit Esti's sense of how the power struggle was going. Atticus was paying attention now; it was more than clear that Esti was right. More delightful was how well Esti danced around Myrrh with cloyingly sweet, submissive words. Keeping his aunt placated and content believing her plots were all falling into place.

Atticus and his dragon ate their breakfast, enraptured by their little mate. Who was turning out to have been worth all the effort and pageantry needed to save her. Atticus couldn't wait until he could get Esti alone again. He wanted to see her body fall apart over and over for him. Actually found that he wanted to get to know her, who she was and what brought her existence joy.  Sside from sex with him of course. Unless she had known another lover, Atticus already knew he was the only one who was given the gift of watching her come apart in pleasure.

Unfortunately for Atticus, getting a custom dress last minute would ensure Esti was kept apart from him from right after breakfast until it was almost time for the wedding to start. Kissing Atticus goodbye, telling him he should go to Fowl, make sure he gets ready for this evening. Esti went with the Tailor Myrrh had on retainer. Esti smiled, following the tailoring assistant. Esti was glad Fowl and Atticus had each other, ignoring as the tailor stuck her with a pin on the very first tuck and adjustment place on the gown Myrrh had apparently chosen for Esti to wear. 

It had feathers. A lot of bright yellow feathers as trim around both the hem and neckline, with bright orange and pink embroidery; made even worse with the glittering bead work over the bodice. It was garish. Made to stand out in the worst way. The high-low hem was awkward and Esti had no idea what to even think about the strange asymmetrical befeathered neckline.