Ariana POV
Ariana sank down onto the bed in their boudoir. Whoever decorated Vampsailles didn't care for the typical Gothic feel associated with vampires.
Thank God.
Ariana and Dimitri lay on a golden bedspread with swirls and curves that reminded Ariana of fractals in her math courses. The effect was rather pretty and elegant. Her fingers laced with Dimitris, Ariana stared up at the gold leaf on the ceiling.
"How was the evening with the queen?" Dimitri stroked her arm in her loose silk caftan. "Your skin certainly feels soft after all that mud."
Blushing, Ariana said, "You know that I'm shy--well, except with you. It was weird soaking in mud with Aunt Sally and the queen. But Aunt Sally seemed fine with it. More than I."
"Maybe because, for the first time, your aunt is being treated like a Trenholm royal," Dimitri mused. "I know she's too low-key to say so, but she's finally getting the respect she's due."
