Page 7 of Coronation
I smile in thanks, my breathing a little uneven as we start toward the lobby. “So do you.”
Thankfully, I seem to have gotten the vibe correct, because like me, nobody looking at Davina would ever guess where she plans to spend the evening. Her dress has a black corseted bodice and a skirt that falls to just above her knees. The woman is wearing pearls, for heaven’s sake, and it’s kind of a thrill to nod at the familiar hotel desk attendant, knowing he must think we’re off to something far less sordid than the truth.
Even if tonight turns out to be a total bust, and I ask the car to take me back fifteen minutes after arriving, I’m determined to count tonight as a victory. I’m putting myself out there—literally—and especially these past few years, that’s been tough for me.
For so long, even as my career took off, I’ve felt stalled. Filming today might have been brutal, but it definitely forced me to accept that I’m missing something, and tonight will hopefully be a step toward finding it.
The night is as dark and rainy as I’ve learned is typical for Stelland when Davina and I step out onto the street. Many of the neighboring pubs and restaurants are open, and music spills through the window of a passing delivery van. A town car is idling at the curb, and the black-suited driver offers us a polite smile as he hurries to open the door.
“Good evening, ladies. My name is Collin; I’ll be taking you to the event tonight,” he tells us in a thick Stellic accent, reaching into his back pocket to remove a black wallet. “Please feel free to take a photograph of my credentials, as well as the car. If there is anything else I can do to make you feel more comfortable, please let me know.”
“Thank you, Collin,” beams Davina, pulling out her phone to snap a quick picture of the offered driver’s license and a photo ID from a private driving company. I do the same, and a few of my worries drain away as I get into the back seat beside my friend, and Collin closes the door behind me.
Davina nudges me as we watch through the windshield as he rounds the hood of the car. “I told you it was legit.”
No kidding.
I stay silent as Collin gets in and fiddles with the heat, sending a pleasant stream of warm air into the backseat, speaking to us cheerfully over his shoulder as he does. “Please make yourselves comfortable, we should be there in just under an hour.”
“We’re going to have some girl talk, Collin. Is it possible for us to get a bit of privacy?” asks Davina.
Our driver doesn’t hesitate to comply. “Of course.” Seconds later, a dark partition goes up between the front seat and back, insulating us in the dark space.
“Are you sure you want to go to this?” presses Davina. “You look like you’re being marched to the gallows. Seriously, Z, I’m not trying to pressure you at all. If it’s not your thing, it’s not your thing.”
“I want to go,” I assure her, my hands twisting in my lap. “I just… I don’t know what to expect.”
My friend hums thoughtfully. “Well, I can help with that. It’s usually held at a house, a big, fancy, rich-person one, you know? At first, it feels like a normal house party. A few dozen people are standing around, drinking, talking, and making introductions. There’s less pretense, though. Everyone knows what they’re there for and are moreforwardwith their attraction than they might be otherwise.”
I cross my legs, shifting restlessly and trying to ignore the way her words are making my body temperature rise. “Okay. And then what?”
Davina laughs lightly. “Then, it’s up to you. Some of the more exhibitionist-minded typically get things going, but some people slip off to one of the bedrooms if they’d rather have some privacy. It’s fun, and a good way to have a one-nightstand without worrying about the guy you fucked telling a reporter all about it. Some of the guests havea lotmore to lose than we do, too.”
I fall silent, thinking it all through as I watch darkened scenery flash by outside the window of the car. “I have no idea why I’m so nervous about this. I’m sorry.”
Nudging me with her elbow, Davina scoffs. “Do you think I wasn’t nervous? I totally was. Just do what’s exciting for you. For what it’s worth, though, I think you need to get out of your head a little.”
“Is it that obvious?” I ask with a tired laugh, playing absently with the hem of my dress.
My friend offers me a comforting smile. “No, but you haven’t dated anyone since the giant asswipe Xaden?—”
“I don’t want to talk about him right now.” The words spill out before I can stop them, harsher than I intended. Before I can apologize, though, Davina does.
“Oh, honey. Of course you don’t. I’m sorry.” She reaches out to squeeze my hand. “My point was just that you have some very well-earned trust issues, and this is a perfect way to kick off your mid-twenties kinky hot girl era.”
I smile weakly, trying to dismiss the swell of anxiety that rose inside me at the unexpected mention of my ex-boyfriend, and furious with myself for feeling it to begin with. All that happened almosttwo years ago, and it wasn’t even the first resulting scar that’s made itself known today. It’s time for me to get over it. Properly.
“You’re right,” I agree as, outside the car, I see we’re leaving the city of Dalmore, headed into the rugged countryside which lies beyond. “One mid-twenties kinky hot girl era coming right up.”
Davina’s warm laughter fills the back of the car. Leaning forward, she knocks on the divider separating the front andback seats, and it is lowered obligingly a few seconds later. “Hey, Collin, what’s the music situation in this thing? My friend needs to be amped up and reminded she’s the damn prize.”
I can see our driver’s grin from here as he pokes at the car’s control screen. “I have just the thing, Miss Lovette.”
Four
Zelda
The house is every bit as grand as I expected it to be.
