Chapter 10 - Gifts
"They want to see you, you know," Demetri said as I emerged from the bathroom.
I was confused as to who he was talking about. I was still walking in a daze, caught up in the new feelings that flooded my body like a drug. Just the sight of him sitting so casually in his chair made me want to jump on him. It was both unsettling and exciting.
"Who?"
His brow creased into a frown, "The masters."
That brought me swiftly back to reality. I wasn't really thrilled about meeting the creatures who had stolen me away from my life, though I knew I owed them something, at least for giving me Demetri. And if I was going to stay here, then I would have to meet them sooner or later, though that thought really wasn't all that welcome and had my heart still beat, I am sure it would have been pounding.
"You will come with me, won't you?" I asked anxiously.
He nodded, "I will be by your side the entire time."
That afforded a measure of peace. Demetri had always kept me safe. I couldn't imagine that things would be different now. In fact, if anything, I could see him being even more overbearingly protective.
I looked down at my jean and T-shirt clad self, "I don't suppose you have anything different I could wear?"
I was beginning to feel nervous, like I always had whenever I had gone to meet a new boyfriend's family. Only this was somewhat longer lasting then just a short dating cycle. They had to like me or my new existence could become quite miserable. And you know what they say about first impressions. I figured it would more appropriate to meet 'the masters' looking a little more polished than my normal self.
"I do, actually," Demetri said diffidently.
I raised an eyebrow, "And how long have you had it?"
He smiled guiltily, "Since the beginning."
I didn't know what he meant by beginning, but it made me laugh, "Alright, where is it?"
He crossed the room, my eyes never leaving his strong form, and opened the bottom drawer of the dresser, "I thought it would suit you and I couldn't help buying it."
I reached up and kissed his cheek as I took the small bundle from him and returned to the bathroom. The outfit he had gotten me did suit me and I smiled as I unfolded the skirt and sweater.
The skirt was a simple black affair that shimmered subtly even in the dim light of the bathroom. It hung from my hips as if it had been made especially for me and fell to the floor. I was delighted. The feeling of the floor under my bare feet was strangely comforting since the change so with the long length of the skirt, I could go barefoot and no one would ever know.
The sweater, I loved.
I could not keep from stroking its softness and the color was perfect. It was a pale pink cashmere wrap around, which would bring out the honey highlights in my hair and though it was obviously expensive, its deep vee was casual enough for me, yet elegant enough to pair with the black skirt and it felt like I thought clouds would feel against my skin.
I could tell Demetri was pleased by the way his eyes lit when I appeared. I turned once, modeling the outfit he had picked out for him. "So, do you approve?"
He took my hand and kissed my fingertips, "I bought it to remind me of the color of your cheeks -- as if I could forget, but you only put it to shame."
"Yes, it is hard to pull off the sweater look," I said breezily.
Demetri chuckled and pulled me close, burying his face in my hair. I shivered deliciously at his closeness and strength and wondered if I would ever get used to it. I rather hoped not. I hoped this tingly feeling I had had since waking in my new life would last for the rest of it. I couldn't imagine ever getting tired of Demetri.
"Let's go and get this over with." I said severely, as I pulled away. "We can play later."
"I'll hold you to that," He said, his boyish grin cooling the heated velvet of his eyes. "But I have something else for you."
I raised my eyebrows and he opened his hand. In his palm lay a circle of beaten gold that glinted dully in the light. It was strung on an impossibly thin woven cord of dark brown leather. It was lovely, but what caught my eye was that strung to hang before the gold circle was a strange, lumpy, pale pink stone.
I touched the stone gently with my finger, "It's lovely," I looked up at him, "but what is this?"
"It's actually an uncut diamond," He explained. "It and the gold circle had been in my family for generations, even before I was born."
I gaped. The diamond, even uncut had to be worth a small fortune. It looked to be at least four carats. He fastened the necklace around my neck, where it hung surprisingly warm and looking as if it belonged there.
I smiled and fingered the circle, "It's perfect. Thank you."
He shrugged, "It has always belonged to you." he said plainly as he tucked a flyaway tendril behind my ear.
I bit my lip and looked up at him from under my lashes, "Are you sure we have to go now? Can't they wait until tomorrow?"
Demetri shook his head, knowing what I was up to, "As you said, we should get this over with. They will be pleased with you."
"Enough to allow me to stay with you?" I asked.
The thought of being forced away from him haunted me. I could only imagine how terrifying it would be to be new and without Demetri to patiently guide me. I couldn't bear to think of being away from him. The thought caused me actual physical pain. He had been my whole world for so long.
His face hardened. "No one will take you away from me," He vowed, his husky voice, rough with conviction and I relaxed.
"Well, then the sooner we go, the sooner we can come back." I smiled at him over my shoulder as I reached for the handle on the door.