Page 309 of Hunters and Prey

“Thank you,” Chiara managed. “I’ll be right back.”

It took only a few moments to strip down to her underthings in her attached bedroom and step into the dress. Chiara had to hold it in place to keep it up as it wouldn’t close in the back.

When she came out she felt awkward and uncomfortable. “I’m too big,” she told Zoya.

The princess clucked her disapproval. “No, you’re not darling. Your breasts are too big, and your waist too small. Come here.” Zoya chuckled and tugged here and there. “We can use the fabric from hemming it to add to the back.”

Chiara still felt uncomfortable. Never had she worn a gown before in her life. “If I were to stay here, would I need to wear one of these all the time?”

“Just for dinners,” Zoya reassured her. “And only ones you are completely happy with. Would you like me to have some made for you in this same fabric?”

The way she spoke…Chiara wondered if the princess knew others like her.

“How do you know so much about…me?” she asked. “It’s not common for people to be so accommodating.”

“Roman told me,” Zoya admitted. “But I also know many like you. Scholars and artists tend to be very particular. It’s not hard to be accommodating if one simply takes a moment to accept it doesn’t usually matter, or make a difference that you prefer things a certain way.”

Relief flooded Chiara. It was so strong she nearly collapsed on the couch. She had to sit down for a moment regardless. “Thank you,” Chiara said again. “It’s not been easy since my mother died. Twenty cycles have passed since the accident and I still think about it.”

The princess sat next to her, but with a good amount of space between them. “Of course you do,” Zoya said gently. “You loved her. I held my stillborn daughter in my arms for only an hour before I had to give her up. I never got to officially meet her, but all those months of her moving and kicking…I’d known her in a way. And not a day goes by that I don’t think about her.”

Then Zoya looked down at her hands, a tear splattering the delicate skin. “It’s been eleven cycles and it still feels like it happened yesterday.”

Dead babes and children were something Chiara had never been able to handle well. She’d known she wouldn’t be able to be the professional she would need to be with a dead little one. It was one of the main reasons she’d gone into research – other than her general dislike for most people. Children dying didn’t happen much in Draga, but it still happened too often.

Chiara cleared her throat awkwardly. “Can I hug you?”

Zoya laughed and nodded. “Of course, thank you for asking.”

She wrapped one arm around the other female, still holding the front of the dress to her chest. “You needed comfort,” Chiara explained. “I don’t always know what the appropriate response is to social situations, but you were sad. And you’re Roman’s mother. But…I ask permission because I would hope someone would give me the chance to choose. Everyone is different.” She shrugged and hoped Zoya would understand what she meant.

The princess squeezed Chiara tight and then quickly released her. “You’re very kind,” Zoya murmured. “I know how much physical contact bothers you.”

Chiara stood. “Yes, but only with most people. I loved to sit with my mother, wrapped in her arms. I never thought I would find that comfort again. But I imagine…if I could, it would be here.”

More tears fell from Zoya’s eyes but she just smiled and stood, twirling her finger for Chiara to turn around. “I hope you find it, darling. Everyone deserves to have someone love them.” She marked the alterations for the dress. “Now let me get this done quickly so you can get back to work.”

Chiara considered everything Zoya had said to her.

Compatibility with his family had been another test.

She believed there could be a very loving relationship with Zoya after a few cycles as they already had a good foundation.

Chiara supposed she would find out if it would be the same with the rest of his family at dinner.

---