Chapter dedicated to AsseiramHonorio. Thanks for reading and voting, my friend!

Chapter 49 – Brazilian Wax – Raine's POV

Adrenaline pounded hard through my veins as I hurried back to the main ballroom. I slipped through one of the side doors, my eyes scanning the crowd for Alaric. Suddenly, someone took hold of my elbow. I startled in surprise, and spun my body to face them.

"It's just me," Talia whispered quickly. She eyed me with concern.

I forced my rapid breathing to slow down. If I couldn't stay calm, Alaric would know something was wrong. I was actually thrilled to come across Talia before Alaric, because I knew she would tell me if any of Cage's scent remained on my body.

Her eyebrows were furrowed in concern, but she didn't look alarmed. I relaxed even further. Suddenly, Felaern joined us. He looked at Talia intently and purred, "Princess, pray tell, who is your lovely friend?"

I giggled. Felaern was quite popular among the women, and never lacked female attention. I was surprised that he did not already know Talia, given her extraordinary beauty. I made the introductions, "Felaern, this is Natalia. Natalia, please meet Felaern."

He stared up at her through his long eyelashes, as he kissed the back of her hand. His lips lingered for an extra moment against her flesh.  Talia blushed under the intensity of his stare and mumbled, "Please, call me Talia."

"Indeed, I shall," he agreed pleasantly, but his eyes were piercing as he continued to study her closely. I wondered what he was looking for. Of course, with Felaern, it could be anything. He continued, "Would you be so kind as to grant me the honor of a dance?"

She blushed again and replied, "Of course."

In the next moment, he pulled her into the dancing crowd and I was left standing alone. Once again, my eyes drifted, searching for Alaric. I found him making his way toward me, obviously having seen me as well. When he reached me, he murmured apologetically, "I'm sorry. I wanted to look for you sooner, but they kept me detained for much longer than was necessary."

I smiled in understanding, at his familiar look of frustration. In his own country, he had often shared his opinion that more than half of the High Council's interactions were frivolous and pointless, only meant so they could hear the sound of their own voices. I suspected Felix and Roman had made a similar impression on him.

I replied teasingly, "It's fine. I know how they like to talk."

He grimaced at the reminder, and then changed the subject when he asked casually, "Was that Talia with Felaern?" I could tell that his light tone was forced, and his eyes darkened when I confirmed.

"Yes. Why don't you like him?" I asked curiously.

A muscle in his jaw twitched and he replied, "I know you don't think so, but he is dangerous. His power is vast, and his cruelty is creative and unlimited."

I couldn't help my reaction as I raised an eyebrow pointedly and replied, "He sounds exactly like the vampire King's."

Alaric's lips formed a thin hard line, but he didn't push the matter any further. Instead, he gathered me into his arms and whispered, "I would love to dance with you."

I let him pull me out to the dance floor.

..........

After the ball, we traveled through the night to return home. I slept most of the way, having indulged in more than a few glasses of champagne during the evening, to calm my frayed nerves. I recalled Alaric carrying me into the house and nothing after.

I stretched my achy limbs as I rolled over and sat up in the bed. My fingertips brushed against silky fabric and I looked down in surprise to find I was wearing a short, frilly nighty. I inhaled sharply. If Talia had changed me, she wouldn't have chosen that outfit! I pushed to remember anything that happened after I recalled Alaric carrying me, but I drew a perfect blank.

Alaric walked out of the bathroom, wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. His hair was wet and his chest glistened with droplets from his recent shower. He grinned at me and asked, "How are you feeling?"

"Did you...Did we?" I sputtered.

He looked at me in confusion and then smirked wickedly, "Did we what, my dear? Did we make mad, passionate love all night long, where you screamed my name again and again? Hmm...I might have even called out your name once or twice. Or are you asking if we explored your every fantasy?  I must say, some of them shocked the hell out of me, you naughty, naughty girl. And it was a surprisingly long list, I might add – not that I wasn't up for it," he purred, letting the innuendo hang in the air. 

My mouth hung open in shock.

How could I not remember any of that?

He stared at me with a wolfish grin, flashing his pearly white teeth.

Wait a minute!

I narrowed my eyes, and exclaimed, "You're teasing me!"

He burst out laughing and replied, "Yes, and the look on your face was worth every moment of it "

I snatched one of the pillows from the bed, and hurled it at him.

Of course he easily caught it, still snickering.

I demanded, "Okay, so explain to me how I am dressed in this?"

"When we arrived, you were out cold, completely incapable of changing yourself. I did not think you wanted to sleep in a formal dress. Talia was not available, so that just left Gen. Raed or myself. Did I make the right choice? Or would you have preferred Gen. Raed changed you?" he purred way too innocently. Hell, he might have even batted his eyelashes at me.

I frowned. Well, of course, if my choice was between him and Gen. Raed, I would choose him every day of the week. However that still didn't explain his choice of sleepwear and I pressed, "But why did you decide to dress me in lingerie?"

I swear, I thought I saw him roll his eyes, as though the answer should be completely obvious –which it most certainly wasn't – and replied, "Because you prefer it. Given the extensive collection in our closet, you obviously have an affinity for the garments. And yet, you have not worn most of them."

Well, there was a reason for that.

I stuttered, "Because...I didn't want to tease you...When I wasn't ready...."

"And I do appreciate your consideration, however I can control myself. Have I not proven that over the last four weeks? If you like the garments, you should wear them."

I glanced down and noticed for the first time that I was wearing different underwear as well. Last night, I had been wearing a black thong. However, now I was dressed in a white lacey bikini.  My voice raised an octave as I gasped, "You changed my panties as well?!"

He explained patiently, "Some of those sexy undergarments cost more than $1000, which means you have exquisite taste. I was fairly certain you would want to match."

Shockingly, he got that part right. But he was really sort of blowing my mind right now. I blushed profusely at the thought of him changing my underwear.

He didn't even try to hide his appreciation as he said silkily, "Really, my dear, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. And I must say, whoever, does your Brazilian wax, does a fantastic job."

I blushed crimson, my cheeks flaming, as I stared at him with wide eyes.

He snickered, clearly enjoying my response, and purred wickedly, "If it makes you feel any better, I would be happy to let you see me naked as well."  He started to open his towel.

"No! That is not necessary!" I squeaked.

He laughed as he disappeared into the closet, "I'm going to get dressed. Please do the same and meet me in the living area. We have a very busy day planned. I want to show you some additional areas I think you might enjoy, and we need to discuss our upcoming union, as well as the Alliance Meeting, both of which are happening within the next couple of weeks."

I couldn't see him because he was still speaking to me from inside the closet. It was probably a good thing, because I was certain all of the blood ran out of my face at his casual announcement – our union was happening in the next few weeks?!

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