The Vampire's Fake Fiancée (Nocturne Falls Book 5) (27 page)

Ever After was a gorgeous store dedicated to the icon of womanliness that was the wedding dress. Yes, there were racks of other kinds of formal gowns, but those were tucked away in little alcoves, just like the small corner that held the tuxedos.

The wedding dress, in all its pristine, fairy tale wonder, was front and center. And there were more of them than Tessa could make sense of. Maybe part of her snow-blindness wasn’t just the billows of white fabric surrounding her, but the whole idea that she was actually in a shop like this.

And not because she was a bridesmaid.

Sure, this wedding wasn’t about her spending the rest of her life with the groom, although anything was possible, especially now that she and Sebastian had decided to see where things might go, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t a little excited about the process.

Regardless of the circumstances, she was still here to purchase a wedding dress. Happy little nerves danced through her. No sign of Jenna yet, but she’d be here.

“Hello there. You must be Tessa.” An older but very handsome woman extended her hand. “I’m Corette. Sebastian said to expect you.”

Tessa nodded and shook the woman’s hand. “Yes, I’m Tessa. Thank you for doing this on such short notice.”

Corette gave her a knowing look. “Fortunately, I didn’t have any other appointments. Although I still would have worked something out. It’s not good business to disappoint the Ellinghams.”

The door behind them opened with a soft chime and Jenna strode in, wearing her uniform. She grinned at Tessa. “Okay, you’re here. For a second I thought I might walk in and find out this was some elaborate joke.”

“No joke,” Tessa said. “This is happening.”

Jenna shook her head good-naturedly. “So I see.” She looked at Corette. “How does this wedding dress shopping work?”

“Normally, I’d have a rack of dresses already pulled, but that’s after I’ve already had a phone consultation with the bride. In this case, Tessa, why don’t you tell me what you have in mind?”

“Um…” Tessa blinked. She’d pretty much thought she’d be single for life after she’d removed herself from society in order to avoid intense situations that could result in her temper spiraling out of control. “Whatever I can take with me, I guess, since I have to have it for tonight.”

Corette smiled. “Yes, that is definitely a consideration for us today. It also means a floor sample is the best I can do, but I promise I won’t show you anything that isn’t in excellent shape. Now, about the dress. What sort of style do you like?”

Jenna snorted. “Style and Tessa aren’t two words that often go together. Although, I have to say, sis, you’re looking pretty good at the moment.”

“Thanks.” Jeans were Tessa’s new best friend. They made you look good and held everything in. She could see why they were so popular and she was getting over the idea that they were unacceptable for anything but farmers or ranch hands. They could be dressed up very nicely.

Corette tried again. “How do you want to look on your wedding day?”

“Pretty,” Tessa answered without thinking. She put her hand to her mouth. “Oh, that sounds shallow, doesn’t it?”

“No.” Corette smiled gently. “That sounds like a bride. Let’s take your measurements and I’ll pull a few things to get us started.”

Twenty minutes later, Tessa had been fitted into a bustier and was being zipped into her first gown. Corette used a few large plastic clips to secure the extra fabric in the back and form the dress to Tessa’s shape perfectly.

Corette turned her to face the mirror. “What do you think? Would you like to show this one to your sister?”

Tessa’s lips parted, but words escaped her. She’d never seen herself in a fancy dress before, let alone a wedding gown. It was like looking at another version of herself in the mirror. Someone who might as well have been a stranger.

“It’s…lovely.” And it was. Staggeringly so. “But it’s a lot of skin, isn’t it?”

“Most wedding dresses are strapless these days, but this has the single shoulder strap, so it actually covers more than most.”

Tessa’s fingers went to the strap and the delicate embellished flowers that covered it. They trailed down the bodice, ending at the waist. Other than that, the dress was unadorned. The soft, shimmering fabric hugged her body in a very becoming way.

“Maybe you don’t like the ruching?”

“I don’t even know what that is.”

Corette patted the small pleats that covered the dress. “It’s the way the fabric is sewn with these small gathers. Ruching can conceal a multitude of body issues, not that you need help with that. Maybe it’s too much? Would you prefer something simpler and a little more body conscious?”

“More body conscious? No, I like this. I’m just not used to seeing myself in anything like this, that’s all.”

Corette nodded. “I understand. Let’s show Jenna. See what she thinks.”

“Okay.”

Tessa walked out to where Jenna was sitting. The area had a bank of mirrors flanking a raised platform. She stepped up onto it and faced her sister. “What do you think?”

Jenna stared over the top of the bridal magazine she’d been looking at. “Holy Loki. Is that really you in that thing? You look like a supermodel.”

“I do not.”

Jenna nodded vigorously. “Yeah, you do. Wow.”

The phone rang. Corette clasped her hands. “I’ll just leave you girls alone for a moment.” With a smile, she left them.

Jenna got up and approached Tessa. “I’m serious. You look amazing. I’m afraid Sebastian’s going to see you in this and decide not to divorce you. You might end up stuck with him.”

Tessa couldn’t help but smile. “Would that be so bad?”

“Sebastian?” Jenna snorted. “I think—wait, you’re serious?”

“Yes.” She lifted her chin. “I like him. And he likes me. In fact, when his ex is out of the picture, I’m moving out of your place and into his guest house.”

“Is that so?”

“It is.” Tessa braced for the argument. “Nothing you can say is going to change my mind.”

Jenna hooked a hand on her duty belt in front of her service weapon. “All I’m going to say is, good for you.”

“Well, that’s not very—what?” Tessa stared at her sister. “You’re okay with that?”

“Sure.” Jenna shrugged. “You’re a grown woman. You can make your own decisions. He might not be my choice, but who cares about that? Does he make you happy?”

Tessa let out a breath. Thoughts of Sebastian warmed her through. “Yes. Very.”

“That’s great. And very important.” Jenna’s fingers strummed her belt as she waggled her brows. “How’s the sex?”

Tessa choked on air. “We haven’t done that yet. We’ve only known each other a few days!”

“Okay, just checking. Have you kissed at least?”

“Yes.” Tessa pursed her lips. “And that’s also very good.”

Jenna smiled. “Maybe this will turn into something then. I will say, as eligible bachelors go, you couldn’t have picked a better one.”

“Because?”

Jenna started ticking things off on her fingers. “Money, power, great house, great car, really hot if you go for that sort of English lord thing he’s got going on, and let’s not forget immortal.”

“I prefer that he’s smart, likes books and is kind. To me and Duncan. Being handsome doesn’t hurt.”

“Neither do any of those other things, let’s be honest.”

“Maybe that’s how most women think, but I’m not most women.”

“No, you’re not.” Jenna’s smile flattened a little. “Did you tell him about…you know? What happened?”

“Yes.” Tessa stared at the platform under her feet. It was carpeted in soft ivory shag. “He’s okay with it.”

“He’s a good match for you then. Especially because if something were to happen, well, he’s a vampire.”

“And basically invincible.”

Jenna sighed. “You know, there might be a way to deal with this temper issue. I’ve said it before, but if you hadn’t just up and walked away, maybe—”

Tessa groaned. “Could we change the subject?”

“Yes, you’re right. Now isn’t the time.” Jenna’s smile seemed forced for a moment. “Back to this killer dress. Sorry, bad choice of word. This
fabulous
dress. Turn around, let me see the whole thing.”

Tessa spun, facing the trio of mirrors for the first time. The dress was really amazing. Fairy tale beautiful, despite all the skin it revealed, which wasn’t that much, it was just more than Tessa was used to.

Behind her, Jenna nodded. “I love this dress. Looks stellar on you.” She stepped onto the platform to stand at Tessa’s back. “But the best part is the strap doesn’t interfere with your sword.”

“That’s not a consideration—”

Jenna ran her finger down the exposed bit of Tessa’s spine, making her sword sing out.

Tessa shivered and turned, the bladesong as uncomfortable today as it had been right after she’s almost killed Varren. “I haven’t needed my sword in years. I’m certainly not going to need it at my wedding. Or ever again.”

Jenna held her hands up as she stepped down. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I was just thinking like a valkyrie, that’s all. I know you won’t need it.”

Tessa cupped her hand over the back of her neck, feeling the hilt of her weapon. It vibrated under her touch. Ready to fight. Ready to kill. She pulled her hand away. “It’s just not who I am anymore, Jenna.”

“I know.” Jenna’s smile was weak and a little sad. “Forget I said anything about it.”

“I should get a dress that covers it.” Tessa glanced over her shoulder into the mirrors. Her sword was plainly visible. It looked like a very realistic, and very large, tattoo. Hard to believe she’d ever been proud of it.

“Why? Only you and I can see it, unless there are berserkers or other valkyries in town. Which I don’t think there are. Anyway, it’s no big deal.”

Tessa looked away. “I suppose you’re right.”

“So are you buying that dress or what?”

“It’s the first one I’ve tried on.”

Corette returned. “I apologize for my absence. Did I hear you say you’re ready to try on another dress?”

“I don’t know.” Tessa bit her lip. “Does anyone ever buy the first dress they put on?”

Corette nodded. “It happens more often than you think.”

Tessa took a breath as she looked herself over one more time in the mirrors. “Then I think this is my dress.”

Jenna clapped her hands and exclaimed a rather uncharacteristic, “Yay!”

Corette smiled. “Excellent. Let’s do the alterations then and I’ll box it up for you.”

“Alterations? I didn’t think you’d have time for that.”

Jenna made a face. “She’s not going to send you down the aisle with those plastic clips up the back.”

“No, I am certainly not going to do that.” Corette joined Tessa on the platform and began pinching spans of fabric at Tessa’s sides and under her bust. She checked the length, which Tessa thought was perfect, then stepped back, narrowed her gaze and wiggled her fingers at the dress, finishing with a dramatic flourish.

Tessa swore she saw the shimmer of magic dancing in the air like dust motes in a ray of sun. Then the dress shifted. And tightened. And went snug all over. The plastic clips popped off the back. “Oh!”

Tessa glanced over her shoulder at the discarded clips before looking at Corette again. “Sebastian said you were a witch. I didn’t think I’d get to see you use your magic, though.”

Corette gave a coy smile. “I don’t do that for everyone, but in emergencies, it’s nice to be able to help.”

“Very cool,” Jenna said. “Very, very cool.”

“Just one more thing,” Corette said. She went to a low, ivory storage cabinet against the far wall and lifted a cloud of white free from one of the drawers. She shook the gossamer fabric out as she came toward Tessa, rejoining her on the platform. “Your veil.”

“It’s lovely.”

She fastened the little clear combs into Tessa’s hair and arranged it around her shoulders. The delicate tulle had minute crystals fastened onto it, matching the sparkle of the flowers on the strap. “There. Now you’re ready.”

Tessa turned toward the mirrors and inhaled. She looked like a bride. A
beautiful
bride.