Eternal Night

(III) Chapter 20: Wherever You Are Is Home

Francesca was situated on the plush stool in front of her vanity, the feeling of Alayna's fingers combing through her hair as she adjusted some of the larger curls somewhat soothing her frayed nerves as she studied her reflection.

One would never be able to tell the depths of her inner turmoil upon first glance.

She was dressed in a couture gown befitting of royalty – the gold and shades of off-white fitting with the chosen aesthetic of this evening's revelry. The luxury aurelian beading and lace of the bodice would go beautifully with the warm, amber hue of candlelight in the ballroom. Even now, the touch of Swarovski crystals embedded around the plunging neckline caught the light, glistening and sparkling like stars.

Frankie ran her hands nervously over the lush, white feathers that made up the bottom half of the skirt, eyes absently scrutinizing the delicate snowflake designs of the honey-colored beadwork.

Alayna took a dainty golden diadem and situated it on her cousin's head, fastening it into her hair.

"There. That should help hush up the gossips," she announced, pleased with her work. "Are you sure you just want the diamond studs? I have some pretty chandelier earrings you could borrow."

"I don't want to overdo it," Frankie insisted, managing somewhat of a half-smile.

"Oh please – you're queen consort now. I think if anyone is allowed to 'overdo it', it's you," Alayna insisted cheerily, but Frankie's face fell at the mention of the word queen – her mind immediately turning to Vlad and her broken heart. Alayna, realizing her error, quickly wrapped her arms around her cousin from behind, squeezing her tight. "No, no, no... don't be sad. I won't have anything spoiling your makeup or your night," she said emphatically, but Francesca's sad attempt at managing a smile only made the woman groan. "Also, remind me to never get blood-bound to anyone!"

Frankie let out a silent huff of amusement and almost opened her mouth to insist that it wasn't all bad, but then she thought the better of it. There was no use in rehashing a conversation they had had at least a half-a-dozen times now in the last day and a half. Instead, she turned around to better admire Alayna's gown for the evening – a stunning tulle fishtail number with gold metallic threadwork and crystal beading hugging every single line and curve from hip to bust.

"You look beautiful, Lana."

"Not half so gorgeous as you! Old Satanas will be tripping over himself the second you walk into the room!"

"I somehow doubt that," Frankie replied, doing one last look-over in the mirror before standing. "I've been meaning to ask – how do you feel about him and Armand?"

"Oh, I really don't care," Alayna interjected, dismissing the question with a wave of her hand. "It's not the first time Eduardo has weaseled his way into my parent's bed, although I guess this time it's a little more meaningful now than it was before."

"It doesn't bother you at all?"

"As far as I can tell, it's just sex – and as long as it stays that way, I couldn't care less," she insisted, doing a turn before take a nice long look at her own ass in the mirror. Pleased with what she saw, she nodded and then held out her hand. "Shall we join them?"

The pair soon descended arm-in-arm into the ballroom as guests continued to pour in. The music of a live orchestra flooded the halls with a grandiose rendition of a certain Tchaikovsky holiday waltz, a little on the nose given the season. The house itself was filled with scents of evergreen, cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg, all lightly mingled together with the various perfumes donned by the revelers. Each was garbed in gold and various shades of cream and white, the necks and gowns of the ladies glittering in the light of the chandeliers that tinkled high above.