Heart of Darkness

Roxana didn’t feel like she was in a new world just because she literally was but also because of her company. She couldn’t remember having a female friend ever. Well, except for when she thought that Fanny was a woman, but truly just being with a woman and talking about female things. Whatever that meant.

She could already see by looking at her surroundings what angelica meant by the demons having different clothing. This was more revealing than she was comfortable with and she wasn’t even someone to care much about dressing properly.

“I know. I am still not completely used to it myself.” Angelica said referring to the clothes.

Roxana nodded. “Well, then you can imagine how I will feel who often wears men’s clothing.”

Angelica chuckled. “We don’t have to try if you don’t want.”

“No. I would like to try.” Roxana said. She rarely said no to a new experience and she was glad it was only the two of them. They left the men behind with Aiden. Thankfully teleportation could happen if Angelica was needed.

They went into a shop and Angelica began to look for a pink dress for her. She found one.

“He likes light pink,” Roxana said looking at the bright pink color.

“Like a rosy pink?”

“Yes.”_.

Angelica smiled. “I think that would suit you too. Let’s look for one.”

They went around the shop, looking at different clothing in other colors as well and then they found a beautiful light pink dress. It had almost nothing covering the back and the front neckline was heart-shaped.

“What do you think of it?” Angelica asked.

“It is beautiful but I don’t think it will look good on me.”

“Try it. We shall see.” She took her to a dressing room and Roxana tried out the dress. Oh lord. She thought she looked like someone else and her body, she was of the little more curvy type with a shaped body and a little fuller breasts so this dress made her look… she didn’t know the word.

She turned around to Angelica and Angelica’s eyes widened. “You look… enticing.” She smiled.

“I am not sure,” Roxana said hesitantly.

“Well,” her lips curved with a knowing smile. “I know someone who will be sure. Meanwhile, we could put a shawl to put on your shoulders while we are outside.”

“That would be great,” Roxana said.

She noticed how Angelica was so absorbed in helping her buy everything and even showed her perfumes and shoes.

“It is your turn now,” Roxana said. “Was it Red?”

Angelica shook her head.

“Why?”

“I am not in the mood so I don’t want to insinuate anything.”

Roxana frowned.

“Oh don’t worry. I was told it is normal after pregnancy.” Angelica explained. “It will go over with time.”

She could understand. There were a lot of changes that happened with her body and a lot of things she went through. “Are you in pain in any way?”

“Thankfully not. The pregnancy was difficult but now I just feel tired mostly and I lack motivation.”

“Of course. You must be tired after nine-month of carrying a child and then that labor…” She shivered not sure if she could handle such a thing herself. “And now you probably have to wake up all the time to breastfeed.”

Angelica nodded.

“I am sure you can still buy a dress and allow yourself to feel beautiful,” Roxana told her wanting to cheer her up. She must be so focused on her child now, so she could understand.

“Come. Maybe we can choose another color. You are someone who would look beautiful in anything.” The woman was a beauty and even Roxana couldn’t help staring at her.

Angelica took a deep breath. “Alright.”

Roxana smile widened. Now they went around looking for more dressed but for Angelica. She tried them on and Roxana became the judge somehow. She wanted to find her something that would look beautiful, but also comfortable.

Angelica came out from the dressing room with a red gown this time and it was Roxana’s turn to drop her jaw. Now she could see why red was the color her husband chose for her.

“Angelica, this is truly your color.” She looked like a seductress.

“Oh well then, I guess it is red.” She said.

Her husband would certainly try his best to get her into the mood tonight.

“My husband will lose his mind,” Angelica said as if reading her thoughts.

“As he should. I am losing mine.”

Angelica laughed. “You are funny.”

What Angelica showed her next should have been what she showed her first. Food. Ice cream and chocolate. Roxana bought several feeling bad for wasting Alexander’s money.

Angelica was like a mother feeding her. She encouraged her to buy as many as she wanted and as they ate their ice cream, they went on a walk down the beach.

“I decided to meet Alexander’s grandmother,” Roxana said feeling nervous about it. “I want to help but I feel like she won’t like me or even consider taking me seriously.”

“Why? You have a way with words.”

Roxana shrugged. “Maybe it will be my words that will be the problem. I have learned to speak in a way that lures people and…” she sighed not knowing how to explain but she was not a lady. Why would his grandmother take her seriously? A thief? A liar?

Angelica put a hand on her arm. “You don’t have to worry about your speech. You have a bright aura that is infectious and she will slowly warm up to you. I think if anyone, you could do this.”

Roxana smiled. “Thank you.” She was really happy to have someone else to talk to about the demon things since Fanny was out of the question now. What would happen if she found her family? Would she always have to keep it a secret?

They finally reached home after chattering and Roxana wrapped her shawl tightly around herself, just out of respect for the married couple and not to put everyone in a strange situation. She wouldn’t say she was comfortable in these clothes completely yet, although no one looked their way in a strange way.

*********

Skender really enjoyed the quick showers. He remembered that he used to nag his parents to go to the demon world just to have access to all of this. Not that he needed to do much himself in the human world but baths could be a struggle and he liked to do it himself.

He took a shower, wrapped a towel around his waist, and stepped outside the bathroom and into the room. He had left Rayven after he fell asleep with his son. He couldn’t deny that he felt a little jealous. Would he ever have that or would he forever hide from danger or fight it. A part of him was also scared to have children. It would be one more person to protect.

He could hear Angelica and Roxana’s chatter as he took a sip from his glass of wine near the bed stand. He knew the trouble of two ladies getting together but he was truly happy to hear them talk and laugh. He smiled to himself.

Then he smelled her scent getting stronger as she came to their room. It was mixed with the scent of perfume. As she entered the room, he put his glass down and turned around.

“I am back,” She smiled wearing a pink dress with a shawl wrapped around her chest. Why wear it if not comfortable?

“I have something to show you. I don’t know if you will like it but I still tried it.” She put the bags down and he thought she would pull out something. Instead, she stood straight and removed the shawl from her upper body.

Oh lord. He sucked in a deep breath.