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I heaved a sigh and went to work getting undressed, grateful I’d worn a nicer pair of panties and a matching bra for the day’s activities. Anisa checked my bra’s tag and the fit, nodded her approval, and helped me wiggle into the gown.
It fit, and while I didn’t wear white often, I learned I could wear it well with my dark hair contrasting nicely against the fabric. “This is gorgeous. And no, there is no date yet.”
Technically, there wasn’t a groom, although there’d been previous preparations for there to be one. Had Erik been present, he would have offered to serve as my bra without hesitation. Every rare now and again, I’d let him serve as my walking, talking bra.
Those distant days might be what broke me—and got me to dance to my parents’ tune while hoping for what might have been to become reality once again.
“It’s a perfect fit, too. I won’t need to make any adjustments whatsoever. How lovely.” Anisa adjusted the collar, smiled, and said, “As long as you stay within five pounds of your current weight, this dress will treat you well.”
I blamed my status as a dragon-kin, but my weight rarely fluctuated beyond three pounds either way. “Those dragons feel obligated to torture me for some reason,” I whispered. “Is this dress appropriate?”
“This dress is for women who want something lovely without the fuss of a custom gown. Sure, there are other women who own the same gown, but it blends classic and modern well and appeals even to the conservative. The dress is also designed to be dyed after the wedding to give the woman more options. You can bring the gown back here for dyeing.”
That would make my life easier—and went a long way towards convincing me I needed to stage an assault of my parents’ wallet. The difficult part would be convincing them I liked the dress without betraying to anyone watching there was more than met the eye. “I suppose we better show them, then. Else they may never stop—or leave.”
Anisa grinned. “You have caught on to their nature. Please do not stress yourself over this. This is not the first time they have done such a thing. It will not be the last time. The last time they pulled this stunt, they saw a young woman pining for a young man, and the two had come from differing clans much like they had come from differing clans. Upon discussion, they were married within the week, and the Ramonses handled the arrangements. That couple? They enjoy having hatchlings in their nest at all times. Their fights run a high risk of more hatchlings being added to their family. But they are happy, and the two clans in question are much better at being civil.”
I could see my parents doing something like that. “Thank you for telling me that. I had no idea.”
“It was quite a few years ago. Honestly, we’re all shocked that the Ramonses bothered to come to the city.”
I had questions, and my parents had done a good job of dodging giving me answers. However, I would become assertive and use their own tactics against them, applying pressure until I received a confession regarding their wicked ways. With Anisa leading the way, we emerged from the dressing room, and I placed my hands on my hips and glared at the menaces determined to turn Dragon Heights upside down. “This dress is not offensive, and it can be dyed whatever color I want should I use it for its intended purpose,” I announced.
My parents ceased their bickering to eye me. My father crossed his arms over his chest. “No.”
I raised a brow, and I realized if I crossed my arms, I’d shove my breasts up and test the dress. I regarded my cleavage with interest, realized his protests involved how the gown made it clear I was a pretty woman, and disregarded his opinion as nonsense. I raised a brow in my mother’s direction.
“Yes. Ignore him. He is male, and he views things with a male eye. He is being an idiot. The whole point of the dress is to make certain she seals the deal, my darling. When looking like that? She is sealing the deal, no matter which man she decides to drag to the altar. The point is to compensate her, and that means you do not get an opinion about her dress. I don’t care what it costs. I’ll buy it, and if there is an additional fee for the dyeing job afterwards, I will prepay that, Anisa. I trust you can find an appropriate shoe for that gown without drama. I think I’ve had my fill of drama for one day.”
Could my mother even reach her fill of drama when it involved my father?
Hell would surely install air conditioning and offer luxury accommodations first. Rather than call her out on it, I turned to Anisa and said, “I either want three inch heels or kitten heels. I don’t really like heels in between.”
“A kitten heel will work well with that dress due to its length. You do not need a tall heel, I assure you. There are even slippers we could use, although I do believe I have an excellent pair of shoes. Please follow me.”
Ignoring my father’s huffing, puffing, and growling, I obeyed, hoping I would escape the store with one and only one dress, a pair of shoes, and my sanity.
* * *
Saturday, April 25, 2167
The Emerald Ward
Dragon Heights, Wyoming
To my dismay, I did not escape the store with one and only one dress, a pair of shoes, and my sanity. I had no idea what I would do with six dresses, ten pairs of shoes, and no sanity, but I accepted my lot in life with a sigh. To prevent us from hauling everything, my parents informed Anisa they would come pick everything up a little later.
A single comment from me informing them that Garnet required lunch tamed my parents.
I told them I wanted to give her kitten milks and knew a restaurant she enjoyed that served all kitten kind, which spared me from even more drama.
What Garnet wanted, she got.
It amused me that my parents had accepted their role as servitors of my carbunclo kitten.
To make certain Tourmaline wouldn’t go hungry or feel left out, I stopped at a home and garden store for a small feeder, undyed nectar, and a bottle of water so I could make him food as well. Upon arrival at the restaurant, I discovered the place bustled. Without a care there’d be a wait, my mother talked to the hostess before returning to us with a pleased expression. “It will be about thirty minutes, and they’ll call me when our table is ready. They know we’ll have Garnet and Tourmaline, so both will be accommodated.” My mother eyed the nearby stores. “I do like this ward. There is so much to see and do.”
And buy. At the rate my parents kept buying things, they’d slay their wallets and join me in being poor. I pointed in the direction of the pet shop. “You may buy Garnet and Tourmaline one toy each. Please remember that their acquisitions must fit in my home. Garnet has a new tree and wheel and she’s been happy with her beds, so you have to get her an actual toy.”