Between Wolves & Doves

Chapter 27 Gathering

Evening fell quick. The much anticipated arrival of it tumbled and shifted around Iris' stomach, as Rose helped her to get ready.

Her dress was gold silk. It hung delicately off her shoulders. Looked so becoming when next to her white satin gloves. Snow and wheat gold. The puffed short sleeves jutting out like baubles around her shoulders were made with wispy chiffon. An overlay coated the whole dress. Hazy smoke train drifted behind her when she moved. Every fold of the silk pressed beautifully.

Iris sits nervously combing wrinkles out her gloves as Rose stands behind her and carefully threads red roses into her hair. Studded with pearl clips and florals. Iris feels like the most vertiginously rich version of herself there's ever been. Perfume dropped on her neck and bosom. Diving down the meagre valley of her cleavage. Pears and honey. She blazes with the scents of those and the fresh bloody red roses in her coiffure.

Roses hands are gentle. She had a calm touch. Gently securing a couple more pins into Iris' hair. She never snapped or tugged. She had a sweet way about her. Tonight, Iris is glad of it. For nerves fill her to the jittery brim.

She knows that soon she must be down in that grand ballroom, beside her husband, making good impressions. Introducing and delighting and stunning the local society hereabouts.

Doesn't change the fact that even though she's in this undoubtedly beautiful ballgown, she can't hide from the fact that she wants to run for the bedchamber and curl up under a blanket and stay tucked under it for the entirety of this night in question.

She chides herself for being stupid and filters back into reality as Rose finishes her hair. She steps back and smoothed a few dark curling strays at the back of her neck. Iris looked into the mirror.

"It's beautiful Rose. Thank you." She says with deep feeling. Nervously worrying the inside of her lower lip even through her smile.

Jewels lie cold on her throat. A branching glittering wreath of buttery yellow and silver diamonds. They hang down like fat Bartlett pears dangling off a silver tree. Laying around her beautifully bared neck and shoulders.

She wonders if it's so wise to draw such attention to that part of her anatomy what with so many vampires Kylo warned her may be in attendance tonight.

But with the devil and his hound in tow, she reckons she's got a remarkably good chance at protection.

Plus she hopes none of the vampires would be bold enough to try anything in a room full of mortals anyhow- shes fathomed as much that the whole thing is understandably secretive.

She can't speak from experience on the subject. The only vampire she knows is her husband. And Draegan is a whole other kettle of fish that her mind can barely contemplate.

"Are you looking forwards to tonight, Milady?" Rose asks nicely as she fiddles and fixes the last few curls. Fussing. She was very through. Making sure the pins aren't tugging and hurting too much.

Iris raises her eyes to Rose's kind brown gaze in the mirror reflection. She had been twirling her finger over the medallion on her vanity table. The silver one the romani woman had given her. Swiping her finger up over the worn smooth indents.

She smiles at her sweet maid. "Yes actually I rather am. Mine and Kylo's first social occasion as a wedded couple. I hope I maintain a good impression with the company of his Bavarian Society." She utters softly. Brow creased in worry.

"They will adore you. Milady. You've such a good heart. They will not fail to see that." She assures. "All you've done here for the local villagers, they like you very much already." She adds.