Page 97 of House of Malice
They both held tight as the carriage flew into the air and then towards Avalon Hills.
“So, what’s this place you’re taking me to?” Jolene asked.
“It’s a designer boutique that makes custom clothing for various occasions,” Alecto said. “My mom used to get all her fancy gowns made there.”
“Sounds cool,” Jolene said with a smile.
“So, why the rush, Jols?” Alecto asked.
Jolene pursed her lips. “Honestly, I don’t see the point in waiting. We want to be together. We want to bind our lives together.”
Alecto arched an eyebrow.
Jolene rolled her eyes with a sigh. “Also, I was kind of afraid that my aunties might interfere with our relationship, okay? The longer we waited, the more chances for them to figure out we’re engaged. And Gods know what they might have come up with to keep us apart.”
“Gods, do you really think they will be this upset about it?” Alecto asked. “It’s not like Leigh is controversial in any way. Who cares if she doesn’t come from money?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I am exaggerating. But with all the family secrets coming out, I don’t know what to believe anymore and who to trust.”
“I feel you,” Alecto said with a sigh. “I used to have this image of my mom in my head that was a total fucking scam. She was not the perfect, saintly mother I remember.”
“Just because she was with Galliermo doesn’t mean she was wicked,” Jolene said gently.
Alecto shook her head. “That’s not the worst part. Galliermo used to be…decent with her. At least from what she writes in the journals.”
“What is the worst part then?”
Alecto hesitated, unsure whether she wanted to say the things she was thinking out loud. “The transformation she went through while she belonged to the Snakes,” she finally said.
“She did what she had to in order to survive,” Jolene said. “We all do.”
They arrived at the boutique right on time. The carriage door swung open, and they climbed out of it.
“Oh, it looks nice,” Jolene said, observing the exterior of the shop.
It had large glass windows displaying various fancy dresses and suits on moving mannequins.
“Have you thought about what you would like your dress or suit to look like?” Alecto asked and opened the shop’s door. She held the door for Jolene, then followed her inside.
“I know I want it to feel like me,” Jolene said, looking around. “I’m not sure I know what that looks like, though.”
“Well, that’s what we’ll figure out today.”
“Welcome, ladies,” a tall, lean witch greeted them with a pleasant smile. “How can we help?”
“Hello, we booked an appointment,” Alecto said. “We are here to choose outfits for the handfasting ceremony we have coming up.”
“Oh, congratulations,” the witch said. “Please follow me.”
“We’ll have another person join us a bit later,” Alecto said, following the shopping assistant.
The witch nodded. “Of course. You can wait in the lounge until they arrive.”
The shopping assistant led them to the back of the shop, where the designer studio was. At the front of the room, there were two rounded sofas around a coffee table.
There were already snacks and an assortment of drinks waiting for them. The shopping assistant turned to them and gestured towards the lounge. “Please, make yourself comfortable,” she said. “Once your last guest arrives, I’ll send in the designer with the dresses so you can start the process.”
“Thank you,” Jolene said with a smile.
