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"You got it in one.You know me so well."

"Well, as you keep reminding me, we do share a brain, a soul, and damn near everything else that comes with it."

"Which means that I know you're stalling.So, get your cute little butt off that chair and to your cousin and best friend's Halloween party before you miss the whole damn shindig.You already look gorgeous.I just can’t wait to see that gown on your curves, and I will not allow you to waste any of it on the Ravens."

"Yeah, I know you’re right.After all, Fate has been working her Omnipotent Being Magic to make sure I get there.Can't you feel it in the air?"

"Oh, yeah, she's been spreading it all around, just like she did for her Mating Ceremony.And here I thought she would be too busy with Ari making with the bow-chica-wow-wow to worry about anything else."

"Girl, me too!But Faye always has been good at multi-tasking."

"Ha!You know that's right.Now, come on.Put some va-va-voom in your giddyap and get moving.I don't wanna miss the hors d'oeuvres or the candy.I was all ears when Desi said the caterers, Brownie Banquet Bonanza, are bringing smoked trout croquettes made to look like jack-o-lanterns, brie and prosciutto shortbread ghosts, stuffed baby portabella mushroom bats, and…"

"And that's enough.I haven't eaten since yesterday.You're making my stomach growl."

"Then let's get a move on."

Standing, Hel waved the hand of her live side through the air, and in the blink of an eye, she was dressed in an elegant champagne pink gown with a V-neckline cut almost to her navel but covered in soft, sheer matching tulle for her never-ending modesty.Turning to the side, she looked into the full-length mirror, pleased to see that the hemline just brushed the toe of her heels in the front and that the small train in the back lay perfectly.Running her hands over the Swarovski crystals sewn into all the right places, she couldn't help but smile at how they gave the perfect illusion of an hourglass figure–even on the dead side of her body.She had to admit that her curvy figure looked damned good.

“It always amazes me that even my dead side still has curves.”

“And if you got ‘em, flaunt ‘em,”Carys cheered, her smoky contralto sounding more like the actress Kathleen Turner than the fierce Welsh Warrior Princess Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd as it usually did.

Turning one way and then the other, she slowly nodded."You are so right, Carys.And you know what?”

“Tell me.”

“I think I'm gonna forego the Spell that hides my dark side.I'm gonna let it all hang out tonight.Since we’ve decided to bring your existence into the light, I need to lead the way by showing everyone precisely who I am.I’m tired of hiding.Either they accept me, or they don’t."

“Well, yee-frikkin-haw.It's about fucking time.Now, get us the hell outta here before you lose your nerve."

For one of the only times in her very long existence, Hel didn't overthink it.She simply took the advice given and made with the Magic.A wave of the hand of her dead side, and in the blink of an eye, she disappeared from Castle Niflheim and reappeared just outside Fate's Mansion of Realms.

Taking a deep breath and forcing her shoulders back, she stood tall and dare she say, proud.Stepping forward in her four-inch stiletto Christian Louboutin's, she reached for the elegant brass handle, opened the door, and walked inside.With every step, she felt more confident, stronger, and more at ease.Letting the beat of the music lead the way, she bounced her shoulders as she made her way to the party.

She could feel Carys's love and support, and, most importantly, the Dragoness's pure, white Magic lending her all the strength she could ever need, and she mentally whispered,"Thank you, ffrind dewar."

"Girl, you got this."

Feeling as if she could doliterallyanything, Hel smiled as Carlton, Fate's butler and all-around miracle worker who was dressed like Lurch from the Addams Family, bowed."Welcome, Mistress Hel.And might I say you look absolutely ravishing?"

"Yes, you may, Carlton, and thank you very much," Hel giggled like a schoolgirl."You really are good for my ego."

"I only speak the truth.Never have I seen a more beautiful Queen."

“Oh.”She paused.“I’m supposed to be Princess Aurora from the Disney story Sleeping Beauty.”

“Yes, I caught the resemblance.”Winking, something she’d never before seen him do, Carlton reassured, “And it is perfect, but to me, you will always be a Queen.”

“Oh, my, thank you so very much.”

Hel couldn’t help but gush.It wasn’t that she was getting complimented, that was something she would never get used to no matter how many times it happened.It was the fact that she could feel how earnest and honest, the usually taciturn and stoic butler was being.He wasn’t trying to butter her up.He wasn’t just saying the words because it was expected, nor was he just trying to be nice.Carlton really, honestly, and truly meant that in his eyes, she was beautiful–and that meant the world to Hel.

Then he reached out and took the hand of her dead side in his.Raising it to his lips, he gently kissed the skeletal knuckles never breaking eye contact with her.

After placing it back at her side, he smiled so brightly that his light blue eyes glowed with an inner light she’d never before seen coming from the butler.Then he beamed, "You are truly a sight to behold.It is always a pleasure to welcome you to the Mansion of Realms," and Hel quite literally felt weak in the knees.

"Thank you so very much, Carlton," she squeaked.“I know I keep saying that, but I really do appreciate your kind words.You have made my whole night.”