"Are you saying that Meryn shouldn't go?" Adelaide asked. Lady Fairfax shook her head.
"I think she should absolutely go."
"But she doesn't have a gown." Sydney pointed out placing a cup of tea on the table.
"Sydney be a good lad and hand her that bag." Lady Fairfax pointed to the medium sized white satin bag that she had set in the chair beside her. Sydney lifted it up and handed it to Meryn.
"Go ahead, I think you'll like it." Lady Fairfax. Meryn opened the bag and pulled out a large, white satin shift. It was completely shapeless, hanging all the way to the floor. The arms were so wide that Meryn was sure she could fit inside one of them.
"Um. Thanks?" Meryn frowned down at the material. When she looked up, she saw that Adelaide was staring at the shift in wonder. The delicate hand that reached forward to graze the material was trembling.
"Is this what I think it is?" She asked breathlessly. Lady Fairfax nodded smirking.
"I can't wait to see the expression on Daphane Bowers face when Meryn walks in wearing that. Oh, oh that will make my year." Lady Fairfax hooted her laughter startling the patrons around her. Meryn turned to Sydney as if to say 'Seriously?' He took pity on her.
"Meryn, this is a very special dress. It's been in our family for generations. It was a gift to my grandmother from the Queen of the Fae herself. This dress is the Gown of Éire Danu. You put it on and it changes into whatever dress you need, it morphs according to your thoughts and wishes. It hasn't been worn in a long time." Sydney's voice sounded sad. Lady Fairfax nodded.
"Since his mother, Gods rest her soul. I'm getting older and as much as Sydney loves Justice he was never one for cross dressing. So I am gifting it to you. My only request is that if Sydney and Justice have a little girl you hand it down to her."
"It changes into whatever I want?" Meryn looked at the dress dubiously.
"And it acts as your ladies in waiting. It will change your shoes, hair, makeup and accessories to match the dress. The only dress you will ever need."
"I can't wait to see her face." Adelaide was laughing so hard she covered her face. Lady Fairfax began to chuckle again.
"Lady Fairfax, I don't know how to thank you. Just the thought that I never have to go dress shopping again is a gift." To Meryn that meant more than a dress that was made by the fae.
"Thought you might appreciate that. Tell me girlie, how close were you to hitting Daphane yesterday?" Lady Fairfax's eyes danced with mirth.
"Oh no, did it show?" Meryn reverently put the dress back in its special bag.
"I noticed, but I don't think the simpering twits that were there yesterday did. Really child? Touched by the Divine?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Hey! It worked, didn't it?" Meryn protested.
"I have a feeling things are about to get more interesting in Lycaonia." Lady Fairfax sipped her tea. Sydney watched his grandmother carefully before dropping his gossip bomb.
"Did you know that she called Elder Evreux a douche bag?" He said casually. Lady Fairfax sprayed her tea across the table and turned to stare at Meryn.
"It was an accident!"
"How do you call someone a douche bag by accident?" Sydney asked.
"He wasn't supposed to hear me." Meryn mumbled.
Lady Fairfax began to wheeze, concerned Meryn hopped down and started patting her on the back.
"Are you okay?"
"Oh, I can't wait to tease him about that. Pompous ass. Oh Meryn you're good for my heart." Lady Fairfax laughed and pulled Meryn down to kiss her cheek. Meryn blushed furiously.
"Meryn can you call Aiden? While we're out I need to know if he wants me to pick up his dress whites out of storage at the tailors." Adelaide was grinning from ear to ear. Grateful for a chance to escape being the center of attention she went back and picked up her backpack.
"You'll have to go outside, for some reason reception inside the café has been spotty lately." Sydney advised. She went to walk out and realized she didn't have his number. She turned back.
"Do you have his number?" She asked Adelaide. Adelaide wrote down the number on a napkin and handed it to her.
"Take your time, dear. I'm enjoying my latte." Adelaide winked.
"Thanks!" Meryn practically ran for the door. She stepped outside and took a deep breath. Fresh air. She got comfortable at one of the small bistro tables, pulled out her laptop and flipped it open. She fished around at the bottom of her bag for her phone. Once she found it, she dialed Aiden's number.
"Hello?" Aiden's deep voice sent shivers through her. He sounded out of breath.
"Why are you breathing hard?" She asked.
"We're doing drills. Are you okay?" As his breathing slowed, she imagined him sweaty and all of his muscles flexing. Damn hormones!
"Yup. I'm still out with your mother. She wanted me to ask you if you need us to pick up your dress whites."
"Thank the Gods for my mother! I completely forgot I had stored them at Seamless. The tailors in the city are witches and when they store your clothing they cast a spell to keep it clean, pressed and ready to go. If I had waited until the last minute there would have been a waiting period to get it out since they have to cast a reversal spell." Aiden's breathing sounded normal and his tone upbeat. She wished he were in front of her, she bet he was smiling.