Rona.
"Voila!" Madeira stopped to stare at my reflection as she fixed the last pin on my hair, "Now nobody will be able to get their eyes off you."
"I don't know," I paused, staring at the dress, "Isn't this a little too much?"
The sheer fabric of the dress seemed to shimmer under the moonlight, like the stars where handstitched into it.
Madelaine placed a reassuring hand on my shoulders, "It's just perfect."
"I fear it might not be enough." Madeira said, dragging me into the dressing room. "Actual goddesses are going to be there."
"Anything less than the best and they'll think you're a maid," Madelaine added, "It happened to Estelle once and it stuck with her for decades."
"I'm only going to be here for two years, it's not going to hurt that much."
Madeira sighed, slipping layers of petticoats on my chemise.
"Trust me, a god might be petty enough to follow you to the mortal realm."
I winced as she tightened the strap a little too tight, "I find that hard to believe."
"Regardless, you'll be attending with a primordial god, all eyes are already on you." She said, "Might as well look your very best."
I stared at my reflection in floor length mirror,
"I can't imagine looking any better than this." I whispered, tracing my fingers along the cosmic blue fabric.
"You look perfect," Madeira added, placing her hand on my shoulder, "like a dream."
†
I gripped the railings as I descended down the stairs, my dress trailing behind me.
My heels clicked against the floor, the familiar soft laughter that I'd yet to grow numb to echoed faintly around me.
There he was, standing metres away from me in dark layered draperies with golden stitches embroidered in.
My hands felt clammy all of a sudden and my grip on the rails tightened.
"It's all right, you've met a couple times already," I reassured myself in a whisper, "it's going to be no different."
"You took quite a while." He raised his head, his mysterious ruby eyes widened a fraction.
I scratched my chin, hiding my blushing cheeks behind my palm, "The Almyrs are very.... extra."
Extra was an understatement. I could feel my body ache from the intensity of their bath massages.
He raised his hand, "Well, they did a very good job."
I stared at his outstretched hand for a second too long.
'Don't think too much into it,' I reminded myself, 'He's just being polite... or at least trying to.'
"If that's your way of saying I look pretty," I placed my hand in his, "Then I'll take it, you clean up quite nicely too."
There was an awkward silence as he led me towards the front door.
"How are we supposed to get there?" I asked, clutching the hem of my sleeves, "Teleportation?"
He stared ahead blankly, "It wouldn't kill you to wait a second longer."
"I'm already dead."
"I tend to forget that with how lively you look." He walked me through the front door and past the garden.
The gentle wind blew against face. I hope it doesn't mess with my makeup.
"To answer your question," He stopped in front of a stone path. "gods are prohibited from using their powers on the banquet's eve."
"How are we supposed to get there-"
A loud neigh interrupted me, followed by the galloping of hooves on the road.
"What the hell is going here?" My jaw slid open as a carriage drawn by six majestic looking stallions slid to a stop in front of us.
"Does this answer your question?" He stared down at me, eyes twinkling like gems.
I nodded, "Yes. Yes it does."
The horse nearest to me flicked its luscious mane, pawing at the ground beneath it.
"They look so majestic." I said in awe, "and muscular."
"They're mine." He replied, running his hand along their fur with a hint of pride?
"It isn't hard to miss." I clasped my hands together, "They resemble their master so much~"
He paused, then stared at the horses again. "Get in." He ordered, jaw tightening.
I chuckled as subtly as I could, "I'll need some help to get it."
I wasn't short by any means necessary, the horses were just too tall.
You could tell the carriage was built with only himself in mind.
Before I could blink, his arms encircled my waist and he lifted me into the carriage.
My brain short-circuited as I felt the weight of his hand on my waist.
He shuffled in, taking the space opposite me.
Did he just... Lift me up?
I felt the horses' hooves pound against the stone pavement as the carriage sped into motion.
"Hold on tight." The progenitor warned as the carriage lurched forward into the air.
"We're flying!" I gasped, staring through the windows, "We're actually flying!'
"You weren't this excited when we went on a field trip." The Progenitor crossed his arms as he glanced through the window.
"That's different." I waved him off, sticking my hand through the window, "This is much better."
He tapped the cushion beside him, "Before we get there, we have to set some rules."
I adjusted my dress, giving him my full attention. "I'm all ears."
"Make sure you're always within five feets. Not a single inch more." His pupils narrowed into slits, "It's not a banquet. It's a hunt and you're an easy prey."
A familiar eerie feeling crawled up my spine, "Then why did you bring me here?"
Why would he bring me here if I'm only going to become prey.
"That," he paused, his pupils returning to normal, "is for me to know."
I sighed, sinking into the cushions. "Anything else I'm supposed to know?"
He stared through the window, his expressions vacant. "Avoid male gods."
I perked up in my seat, "Is there a particular reason why?"
If they were anything like in the fiction books I was forced to read, I guarantee it would be an impossible task.
"They're widely known for their promiscuity." His eyes snapped back to me. "Unless you plan on being a god's nth lover."
I suppressed the urge to gag. I already knew what it was like to be strung along and it wasn't something I'd like to experience again.
"I don't see you with your lovers." I crossed my arms, leaning forward, "Are they too shy to head over to the mansion?"
The carriage jostled, horses neighing in protest.
My body lurched forward and I was inches away from slamming my head on the ground.
A pair of calloused hands grabbed my arms, stabilising me.
"Don't lean forward. You'll fall." He whispered, his hot breath fanning my cheeks.
Gahh!!
I leapt backwards, landing ungracefully in my seat.
"... Sorry." I mumbled, placing my hand over my chest.
He nodded, drumming his fingers on the cushion.
"No. I don't have any lovers."