She was led to a very nice looking home, which she initially assumed was the event venue, but soon discovered was just one of the many homes her date owned.
He led her inside, "Now, don't touch anything or move too much. I will be back shortly." He left her and returned a few minutes later, dressed in a dark blue to match her own gown. He had brushed his blonde hair into a low ponytail, and she found him quite visually appealing. His hair was an unusual color, like wheat in the summertime. A grin spread across his features as he caught her looking. "Starting to warm to the idea of being my woman, aren't you?"
Kieta scowled at him, crossing her arms. "A pig in fancy clothes is still a pig."
Gannon moved forwards towards her, and although she thought he might strike her, he instead gripped her chin between his fingers. "Touchy, aren't we? Now, come, we shall have to leave at once in order to arrive fashionably late instead of rudely late."
They were met at the doorstep by his guards, who stood holding the doors open to a carriage. Well, not that Kieta quite understood what it was, because she'd never ridden in one before. He helped her in, and when the doors closed behind her she felt her heart fluttering in her chest at the enclosed space. Gannon stretched, and lazily rested his arm around her shoulders. Growling under her breath, she gripped his wrist and flung his arm off of herself. "Don't. Touch. Me."
"You don't want to fool around before we arrive? Don't play coy, I'm sure a little minx like you knows what to do..." He trailed his fingertips along her collarbone, and if it weren't for the greater threat of dying for failing the Bull, she would have killed him right then and there.
Breathing deeply in through her nose, she internalized her disgust. "You'll muss the dress."
A look of irritation crossed his features, as he began a retort, "You're mine for the night, and if you think for one moment I care about what others think about you or what you look like then..."
The carriage door opened, and his guardsman peered in. "Master Gannon, we have arrived."
Gannon gave a smooth smile and sat back away from her, smoothing his hands down his legs. "Well then, we'll have something saved for afterwards, won't we little flower?"
Kieta ducked out of the carriage and was met with site of the largest house she had ever seen in her entire life. Well, besides castles, of course. Or was this considered a castle? The estate was large, and she looked down the driveway towards a distant road. Gannon gripped her arm in his, leading her up the steps and through doors which were opened for them. They were promptly led down a hallway towards the noises of laughter, talking, and music. The manor was stunning, and she knew that each item they passed was most likely worth a lot in human money.
They reached two large, ornate doors at the end of the hallway, which they paused beside. Gannon addressed a man dressed in frills, "Master Gannon, and my mistress..." He looked to her, as if about to ask her name, but thought twice of it. "My mistress Delphie." He nudged her, pressing his lips against the hair covering her ear, "For Delphinium, because you're my little flower..."
She could have gagged. There was no time for her to adequately show him her disgust, for the doors were being swung open onto a large open room full of fancily dressed people. The announcer stepped up and called out loudly, "Master Gannon and Mistress Delphie!"
Only a few eyes glanced over at them, though as Gannon led her into the crowd she could hear whispers. One woman even spoke clearly enough for her to completely pick her voice out of the crowd. "Absolute rubbish, Lady Opal, I do say! You don't think he has brought another prostitute to the party, do you? She does not look it, but Master Gannon is so fond of disgracing his father by bringing such guests!"
A flush rose to her cheeks. They thought she was like those women in the sex house? Straightening her shoulders, she tried to elongate her neck and feign as regal of an aire as she could. Tonight, she would play the part of a maiden of the fae court. She caught the eyes of the particular woman, and gave her as icy and as regal of a look as possible. When the woman blushed and looked away, Kieta turned to find Gannon regarding her rather peculiarly. "Now, that is the first time that I can say I've seen the Countess turn that color. How endearing!" He plucked two glasses off of a passing serving tray, and handed her one. "Now drink. We don't want you wilting on me before the night is through!"
Kieta took the glass from him and eyed the strange golden contents, but forced herself not to sniff them in front of these people. What was it? She took a tentative sip, finding it sweet and strong, accompanied by a pleasant warmth as it slipped down her throat.
