Tilly lays a hand on my shoulder. “You’re right. It’s going to take up much less mental space than you currently use to manage your diabetes. And you know I’ll be here to monitor youthroughout the transition and give any support you might need afterward.”
Once Arran truly accepted that I’m serious about turning, he told me about his own transition and how hard it was for him not to understand what was happening to his body.
The very next day we went to see Tilly and talked the whole process through with her. She gave us a list of things to expect and prepare for and it’s done wonders to put everyone at ease about what’s to come.
Calixta’s lips lift into a smirk. “Glad you’re doing it soon. You know you’re not getting any younger.”
“I know,” I fake sob. Cupping my breasts, I say, “Gravity is going to come for these tits very soon and I’d like to freeze them in time before that happens. And I want to be turned before I’m thirty-three. I want to be able to always say that I’m the same age as Arran.”
Maisie, having finished her first glass, pours herself a second. “What do you think vampire-vampire sex will be like? You’ll both have super senses and will be able to read every minor cue from each other—like see, scent, hear, taste, everything that much more than you are now. Plus, you’ll be much less breakable so you’ll probably be able to try wilder things than you already have. For example, would you be as strong as Arran? Could you be the one to throw him around a little? You could take turns dominating each other, but that’s not your kink, is it?”
My mouth hangs open as I process all of Maisie’s thoughts, some of them overlapping with ones I’ve had myself, but others brand new.
I haven’t thought about having extra strength or what it would be like to run as fast as Arran can. If that happens I might even give primal play a go. I’ll have to ask Marisol about that later.
Silence rings through the room for a second before Maisie adds, “Oh, I think I figured it out.”
“What?” I dare to ask, everyone else frozen as they wait to hear what else will come out of Maisie’s mouth.
Green eyes shining bright, Maisie says, “You love being in control of everything, so maybe the one place you like to give it up is in the bedroom. But also not completely. So I’m guessing your kink is free use.”
My jaw practically unhinges with shock.
Luckily, Calixta saves me before I can think of a way to respond. “Guess mine next,” the succubus says.
Maisie throws out a bunch of options but Calixta keeps shaking her head, the beaded jewelry draped between her horns swinging with each movement. Eventually, Maisie gives up and the conversation moves back to safer territory.
“Did you pick a date for your transition?” Juniper asks, stroking a sleeping Anita’s floppy ears.
I nod. “Yup. Right after the festival, once the guests have left.”
Marisol’s eyes widen. “That’s soon. Isn’t it too much to organize everything?”
“Nope,” I answer, popping some nuts in my mouth. “Almost everything is already sorted thanks to all of Starry Hill pitching in. Though, I could use your help with some guest prep.”
“Sure, what do you need?” Beryl asks.
Hands pause above plates and glasses get lowered as every single one of the ladies gives me their full attention, ready to jump at any point.
I rub at my chest and the sudden warmth filling it as I explain, “We’re hosting a few of the creatures who are coming from out of town for the festival. They’re a variety of species and I’m a little unsure on their specific needs—sleep, sun, dietary requirements, all of those types of things. No one has made any direct requests, but I’d rather be prepared than scrambling close to the day.”
After Tilly and Bodin stayed here for a night a couple of months ago, Arran and I decided it would be a good idea tokeep that wing open for anyone who might have need of it in the future.
So, on the festival invitations that went to out-of-towners, we included the castle as an accommodation option for any guests traveling in. We’re expecting a full house, and saying I’m looking forward to it is an understatement. I thought Arran might be apprehensive about having so many creatures in his space, but he’s looking utterly relaxed and has helped me get the rooms ready.
I did ask him about it and he explained that as long as he has me in his room, he doesn’t care who’s in the rest of the castle. It seems that opening the windows so many months ago opened the old vampire’s heart too.
“Give us a list of creatures, or if you have names, even better,” Calixta says.
I tick off all ten names on my fingers as I go through the list I have memorized, picturing each room I have thought about putting them up in.
Beryl pulls Calixta into her side as she says, “If possible, put Ronan at the end of a corridor. He’s one grumpy fuck and would need some space from everyone after the festival. He’s also got a fairly big wingspan, so if that room has a big bed to accommodate gargoyle wings, that’ll help. Oh, and try not to stare at his scars or ask any questions about them. He can be a little sensitive.”
“Noted,” I say, mentally jotting down all her suggestions.
A few more tips come for the other creatures on my list and eventually I get my binder, not trusting my tipsy brain to keep track of it all.
Tilly stacks a cracker with ham and cheese, her brows furrowed as she turns to me. “Wasn’t this your dream when you were small? To have a little bed-and-breakfast somewhere? Iswear I have a memory of us playing something like this with me dragging around a suitcase and you showing me to my room.”
