by Ciara Lake
Celeste did a little dance. “Axel, you’re so sweet.” She rushed over to him, hugging him. “Thank you. I’ll be reasonable.” Her eyes twinkled with amusement. “At least I’ll try to be.”
“Thank you for your generosity.” Charles shook Axel’s hand. “You look the same as always. You never change. Come in, make yourself at home. Alice will show you to your chambers to get comfortable. Then we’ll eat our morning meal.”
A young girl came up to Breanna. Smiling, she curtsied. “This way, madam. I’ll show you to your rooms.”
Breanna followed the girl up a stairway to the side of the great room. Others were behind her as they entered the keep. Only Celeste followed her to the room.
Inside, the castle was grand. Lovely scarlet rugs covered the stone floors and tapestries hung on the brown walls. The ceilings were over thirty feet high. Wood beams crossed the ceiling with a massive chandelier hanging in the center of the great open area. Two large fireplaces burned on each end of the long room.
“Our castle’s very progressive.” Celeste seemed proud of her home. “Axel has given our family wonderful, valuable things from all over the world to decorate with. The rugs, the art, some of the furniture. He’s been very generous. So you’ll find it comfortable here, like what you’re used to.” Celeste took her hand as they followed Alice to the landing at the top of the steps. “We’re very clean here too. Axel educated the Duponts on the joys of taking frequent baths. It’s not the custom here in France to do so, at least not often.” She whispered near Breanna’s ear. “I have lovely soaps to enjoy baths. You’ll be right at home.”
Axel remained behind with Charles. They were deeply engaged in conversation.
“That’s wonderful. My mother always taught me to be clean too,” Breanna said. “But it was harder in our home in winter.”
After they were led into the room, Alice politely took her leave. Surprising Breanna, Axel entered the room looking around. He walked over and hugged her.
“I thought you were talking with Charles?” Celeste smiled up at him.
“I did, but I wanted to check on my love. How do you like your room?”
“It’s wonderful. Thank you, Celeste. I’ll be very comfortable here.” Breanna sat on the edge of the large bed. “The bed’s nice.”
“Breanna, if you need me, tell the ring.” He took her hand, kissing it. “I’ll always come to your side.” His eyes shined down at her. “For your night clothes or a change of day clothing, ask the ring or use your own power. You have magic within you, but you’re new to your skills, so it may be simpler to ask the ring. Otherwise, enjoy the shopping experience. Enjoy your time with Celeste. I’m anxious to get started on my wedding project. It’ll take a lot of planning and time. May I take my leave now?”
“So soon? We just got here.” She pouted. “Are you sure you have to leave?”
“Yes, I have much to do to make this event wonderful for you, for your mother too. Chrisalannis and Ice need my help. Also, I must make sure Loki doesn’t go nuts with things. He’s a bit extreme if let go without measure. The sooner I leave, the sooner I can return for you.” He kissed her cheek. “I know you’ll have fun with Celeste.”
“Yes, we will.” Celeste smiled. “We’ll have great fun.”
“I’ll walk you to the dining hall then leave to return to my castle.”
“All right.” Breanna nodded as she hugged him. “I’ll miss you.”
* * * *
After breakfast, Celeste took Breanna into an elegant seating room off her bedroom suite. It was a comfortable room with a fire roaring in a stone fireplace. The room smelled floral. The fireplace made crackling noises. Ivory satin covered the divan as well as several soft chairs.
“You do have modern furniture.” Breanna ran her hand over the lovely material on the divan.
Several dressmakers paraded into the room with their wares and samples. All scurried about, wanting to please the women. Countless samples of various materials were brought for their inspection. Five dressmakers lined up to be at Celeste’s disposal. They nodded, smiling from ear to ear, as Celeste and Breanna moved about the room looking at the displayed materials. Swaths of materials for gowns, nightgowns, and more were held out for them to touch.
“These feel nice and soft,” Breanna said as she caressed the silks. “I’d love to have nightgowns made out of this.”
“And so you shall,” Celeste said.
An elderly woman took them into an adjoining bedroom set up for a nursery, to take their measurements. “Are you having a baby?” Breanna smiled at Celeste as she looked around the room.
“No, not yet. This was my husband’s nursery. I hope soon we’ll have a little one. Do you want a baby?”
Breanna nodded. “Yes, I wish for many children. I love children.” Her ring tingled up her arm to her womb. She bent over, holding herself. Shocked, Breanna looked at the ring.
“What’s wrong?” Celeste moved closer to her.
The elderly seamstress left the room.
“When I stated I wanted many children, the ring sent a pulse all the way to my womb.” She patted her stomach. “It made me grab myself. It didn’t hurt, it only felt different.” Breanna looked down, still patting her stomach.
“Oh, oh.” Celeste smiled. “Axel told you to ask the ring for what you wanted. You may have done so.” Celeste giggled. “Can you ask for me to have many children too?” she teased. “I need at least one son to carry on the Dupont name and title.”
“I can do that.” Breanna held out her hand, looking at the ring. “I wish Celeste Dupont to have many healthy children, with at least one son.”
Celeste jumped up, grabbing her stomach. She bent over as if pained. “Dear Lord in heaven, I felt something too. It did not hurt, it was merely odd.” She glanced up, still holding herself, an amazed expression on her face. “Oh, Breanna, I think the magic worked on me. If I’m pregnant I’m so happy.” She swirled around, her skirts wrapping close to her tiny frame.
The seamstress reentered the room. She looked at them strangely, but they just smiled at her.
“I worried I couldn’t give my husband children, and not for lack of trying. The Dupont’s line would end if I failed. And I’ve been married two years with no child.” She rushed over to Breanna and kissed her. “I love you, Breanna. Thank you. I know it has worked, I feel different.” Her face truly glowed in a different way. “I just know it. I’ll wait to be sure before I tell Charles, but this is a wonderful day.” She held her hand. “Let’s pick out and design a beautiful wedding gown and trousseau for you. This is going to be a fabulous event. Everything Axel does is extraordinary.”
“I do hope you have many children.” Breanna patted Celeste’s hand. “Yes, let’s look and pick out dresses. My mother’s close to my size, but I’m slightly bigger,” Breanna told the dressmakers. They looked through samples of materials.
“Axel told me not to worry about the fit for Fiona. We’ll fit everything to you.” Celeste winked. “How about velvet? Velvet’s lovely, very regal.” She grabbed up the velvet samples.
“I think Axel likes velvet.”
“Velvet seems perfect for a snowy, cold place.” Celeste held up swaths of material to Breanna’s face. “How about a sapphire to match your eyes? Axel can give you sapphire jewels.”
“He already has. They’re beautiful. I have a necklace, earrings, and a bracelet to match a dress.”
“Yes, the color looks lovely, you’ll be lovely. You’re already lovely.” She held the other fabric up next to Breanna. “We can have a satin matching bow at the back. What color are your mother’s eyes?”
“Green.”
“What about an emerald velvet dress for her and a sapphire one for you? How wonderful they will look in a winter wedding. We can place white mink around the collars, sleeves, and the bottom of the dresses. They’ll be magnificent.” Celeste laughed. “This is so much fun.”
“That sounds very nice.” Breanna took the fabric, enj
oying the feel. “I want necklines to dip down.”
“V-neck lines?”
“Yes.” Breanna nodded.
“Those aren’t the style of today, but I think it’ll be gorgeous. You’ll make your own style. I see the gowns tight around the waist to a full bottom with white petticoats underneath.” She made hand movements to demonstrate the dress shape. “We’ll need a sample of the materials to send to Axel. He wanted to know the colors you’ve chosen so he can match or complement you. He thinks of everything. He’s a true artist.” Celeste grinned. “You’re very lucky.”
“That all sounds perfect.” Excitement flowed through Breanna. “I know I’m lucky, it’s unreal. I’m in heaven with Axel.” Breanna wanted to scream her happiness out to the world. “He makes me happy like nothing else. He’s wonderful.” Butterflies fluttered to life at the thought of her mate.
“Never forget how you feel now, and your relationship will be superb forever.” Celeste patted her knee. “That was a tip my mother gave me the day I married Charles.”
A seamstress walked closer, interrupting their private conversation. “Yes, madam, we can design the gowns as you mentioned. They’ll be beautiful. We can get mink too.” The dressmaker showing the material grinned. “We can have the gowns in ten days. Would you like any embroidery?”
“I think the mink will be enough, don’t you?” Celeste looked at Breanna.
“Yes.” Breanna nodded.
“Very good. You can make the bridal dresses. Give us a sample of the material to match to other things. Make the undergarments too to go with the dresses. Use the matching silks.”
“Yes, madam.” The dressmaker nodded.
“Take your time, make them perfect. We’ll also order dresses from the other merchants. I think it’s best to spread out the work so it’ll all get done.”
“Very good, madam.” The dressmaker bowed.
Breanna saw a touch of regret on the woman’s face.
Another dressmaker waiting at the side of the room approached. She nodded at Celeste. “Madam, we’d love to make your gown for the wedding.”
“Yes, that would be good,” Celeste agreed.
“And any trousseau you may need,” she added, looking at Breanna.
“I want a pale blue velvet dress,” Celeste said.
“That would look fabulous on you, but I have another suggestion.” Breanna grabbed Celeste’s arm, taking her to another stack of velvet swaths. “I love this silver-colored velvet. It reminds me of snow.”
“But it might be too much. I don’t want to outshine the brides.” Celeste caressed the material.
“No, I think it’ll be perfect. You’ll look lovely. It will blend nicely with the world around us. You’ll be like a special snowflake. My mom and I will stand out in the jewel tones.”
“You’re a very clever girl.” Celeste smiled. “Agatha,” she called one of the dressmakers over to them. “I’ll have the silver velvet in a simpler style. But I do want a full skirt. Put gold embroidery around the collar and sleeves.”
“Oh, I have a great idea.” Breanna’s eyes lit with excitement. “Axel wants Chrisalannis to stand with us at the wedding, would you like to stand with us too? You’ve been such a wonderful friend to Axel and so nice to me.”
“I would love to. It would be a great honor.” Celeste clapped her hands together in joy. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.” Breanna hugged Celeste.
“Thank you so much, I’d be thrilled to participate.”
“Then we’ll take two identical dresses in the silver velvet,” Breanna told the dressmaker before turning to Celeste to explain, “The two of you should be coordinated, and Chrisalannis will look great in this color too.”
“Of course.”
“Do you know Chrisalannis too?”
“No, I never met her, but Axel speaks of her often. I’m excited about meeting her. She sounds amazing. Everything in Axel’s world is amazing.”
“We’ll have a grand time. Now, what about…” Breanna tapped her face with her finger. “…asking Axel if he has pearls to give you both? They would complement the snowy environment. It would be very nice.”
“I don’t expect Axel to give me jewels too. He’s done so much for us already. But maybe he’ll allow me to borrow some.” Celeste shrugged, shaking her dark hair. Her eyes and hair matched. They were warm sable brown. She was a beautiful girl, looked to be about nineteen. Breanna felt a connection to her.
The dressmakers left the room to bring in more samples.
“Axel’s always been generous. Especially for a troll,” Celeste said. “I thought they were selfish and mean. At least that’s what folklore tells. But not Axel, not to my family anyway. It was hard to believe all I was told until I saw the power myself and met Axel. I accepted it easily, because my grandmother was a gypsy. I think magic is in my blood. Don’t tell anyone.” She put a finger over her mouth. “Being part gypsy would not be favorable. Magic is condemned too,” she said softly.
“Where I’m from as well. The church would burn those who practice it.” Breanna sighed.
“They’d have to catch you first, and they never catch the truly powerful beings, only those falsely accused. Simply, if they’re supernatural you can’t catch them. You’d think the church would know that.”
“You would think. But men are in charge of the church, and they’re often simple minded.”
The dressmakers returned to the room.
“I’ll ask my ring for some lovely pearls,” Breanna whispered in Celeste’s ear. She rubbed her ring. It seemed to shimmer as if it knew it was being discussed. “Come here.” Breanna put her arm around Celeste and pulled her toward the bedroom door. “We’ll be back,” she called over her shoulder to the dressmakers.
The four merchants nodded.
When the door closed behind them, Breanna walked over to the side of the bed. Holding her hand out, she spoke to the ring. “I wish for strings of pearls to match the silver velvet gowns. Make them lovely for my wedding.”
On the burgundy bedding two long strands of pearls with gold clasps appeared. They shimmered in the low candlelight. Each pearl was a perfectly shaped small orb.
“They’re fit for a queen. Breanna, these are perfect.” Celeste picked up one of the necklaces. The strands of pearls were extremely long. They would hang down to their waists. “They’re amazing. I’m so excited. Come, let’s go pick out the other things you need from the merchants or I’ll go wild in having you wish us everything.”
They spent several more hours picking out nightgown materials, sheets, napkins, and more dresses. Breanna ordered many gowns in a variety of styles. While they were enjoying shopping, a maid brought up some hot tea and bread.
“Before meeting Axel I never had more than two gowns at a time.” Breanna sipped her tea as the dressmakers packed up their fare to go home. “This was splendid fun.”
“I had a wonderful time. I’ll let you go to your room to freshen up. Come down to dinner in about a half an hour. We’re having nicely seasoned lamb.” Celeste licked her lips.
* * * *
When Breanna returned to her room, she sighed, looking around. She could see Axel’s influence in the room. It was very pretty, but it seemed too big to be alone in.
She picked up a fresh towel from the dresser, dipped it in water, and wiped her face off. “Axel, I miss you.” She hugged herself as she walked over to the fireplace. She sat down in a chair. “I had a lovely time with Celeste. My dress is gorgeous. I can’t wait for you to see it. Thank you so much.”
“You miss me? I miss you too.” Axel’s voice boomed in the room from behind her.
She turned and looked at him. He looked tired.
“And you’re welcome.” He flashed in front of her. “I’m needing a break. I’ve been worked to pieces. Chrisalannis is a slave driver. But it’s all good.”
He grinned and walked closer to her. She jumped up from the chair to hug him.
Pulling her in
to his arms, he let her hair out of its clips. “So lovely and sweet.” He kissed her forehead while caressing her hair and back.
“What have you been doing?” she asked.
He cocked his head to the side as if deciding what to tell her. “I made a white marble floor on a mountaintop.”
“Why?”
“You’ll have to see. I’ll not tell you more. Icesykcus is doing a lot too. He is very creative. I like him. We sent your mother to the ice fey’s palace to keep her from seeing what we’re doing.” He grinned. “I can’t stay long. I need to return before Chrisalannis realizes I’ve left. Ice is covering for me so he can run off to see Fiona later.” Axel led her to the bed and they sat down on the edge of it. He pulled his tunic over his head.
“What are you doing?” Breanna touched his taut abdomen.
“That feels nice. I love your touch. I’m going to make love to you, my bride. That way, you’ll not miss me as much.” He winked. “I’ll be refueled to go back to work.”
“Now? They’re expecting me for dinner.” She looked toward the door.
“Yes, now. Turn around.” He motioned with his hand and helped her move around to lie across the bed, facing down. Pushing her skirt up, he pulled her undergarments aside. Breanna sucked in as he plowed into her. “Yes, now,” he groaned. “This is good.” He laid down on her, resting some of his weight on her. “Is it good for you?” His hands touched her intimately through her gown.
“Yes, it’s good.” She moaned. Turning her head, her lips found his. They kissed as he worked in and out of her tightness. They quickly came to climax, both shuddering together.
“My love.” He kissed her neck up to her hairline, pushing her hair out of his way. She shivered. Pulling his cock out of her, he sat her in his lap. Holding her in his arms, he caressed her breasts, kissing her softly. “I love you.”
She wanted to melt against him.
“I’d best get back. What we’re preparing takes a lot of work. Here, let me change you for dinner.” A deep red satin dress covered her, replacing the purple velvet creation. He handed her two ruby clips. “Pull your hair back with these.”
“I really didn’t need to shop for dresses with you around.” She hugged him. “You’re the best dressmaker.”
