Page 38 of In Bellamira's Chains
Hazelle
Elera did not exaggerate on Bram’s decor. It was everything she said and more. Each piece of furniture, accessory, and art was handpicked to fashion a gaudy Victorian air. Where Catalina was gaudy and pastel, this was the opposite in neutral dark colors. Greens, browns, and blacks covered the space with bits of red, orange, and yellow here and there.
I wanted to hate it, but I didn’t. It was more welcoming than I could have predicted. Although Mistress Belle and Elera didn’t seem as infatuated with the design as I was, it didn’t deter my gaping at every piece. It was the maximalist nature themed version of Mistress Belle’s designs, and maybe that was why I enjoyed it so much.
“Welcome!” a loud voice boomed from the top of the double spiral staircase that led to a large balcony above the library we were in.
This party was much smaller than Catalina’s. Only twenty or so people were here. Perrin and Catalina included. I couldn’t wait to say hi to them, but my eyes were transfixed on the man above us.
His dark olive skin tone glowed against his black silky hair that fell in curls to his shoulders.
“I am so very pleased all of you decided to join me today. As you know, my parties are small, intimate, and there’s always something new,” he paused, his eyes locking on me, and I almost missed the slight widening in his eyes. Elera was right once again. Bram would be requesting time with me tonight. He continued, “to try.” Bram cleared his throat and brushed back his hair. “Excuse me. This night just got more interesting.” He flashed a bright smile, holding his composure as I glanced at Elera behind Mistress Belle’s back. She shrugged, and I wondered what it meant.
“Now, if you’ll all head into the dining room, we can have our dinner before venturing off for a little fun.” He gestured toward the double doors to his left, and everyone started ushering themselves that way.
Bram made his way down the stairs, only stopping to speak with a servant for a moment. He had on perfectly tailored black slacks, dark green loafers, and a forest green button up with the sleeves rolled to his elbows and a few buttons undone. He was a combination of lavish and calm.
“Bellamira, I am so glad you joined us this evening despite the late invite. I woke up wanting to have a little fun today and had Sierra throw this together last minute.” Although his attention was on Mistress Belle, his body was angled more toward me.
“I could never decline an invite from you, Bram. Your parties come only second to Catalina’s.”
He snorted. “I wish I could say I believed you. Her parties are lovely, but neither of us live in the realm of pastel.”
“Ah, but she’s my closest friend. That adds more points than you could imagine.”
Bram nodded and clapped his hands together. “Of course. How silly of me. Now, let’s head in. I had my chef plan alovely dinner, a perfect balance before the festivities of the night. Speaking of,” he paused and glanced back at me as Elera and I followed him and Mistress Belle into the dining room where everyone was taking their seats. Two seats were left at the end, and I knew he had planned this from the beginning.
“You would like to request Hazelle, correct?”
“You know me so well, Bellamira. Of course I would, and considering you knew that and accepted my invite, shall I assume the answer is yes?” Bram pulled out the chair to his right, minding the two cushions next to it.
“That’s a lot of assumptions, Bram. Be careful, or you’ll get into trouble.” Mistress Belle placed our chains on the back of her chair before sitting down, and Bram pushed her chair in.
“I did ask, did I not? And perhaps I could make another request? I’d love for your new pet to sit between us so she may get to know me a little better tonight.”
“I’ll allow it. Hazelle, please take that cushion.” I nodded and did as I was told, sitting down between the two Alphas while dinner was served. “As for your other request, I agree to it as well. You can use Hazelle tonight, but you do know my rules.”
“Of course.” Bram placed one leg over his other knee, leaning back in his chair. “I wouldn’t dream of doing it any other way.” His smile was bright but tight, but I didn’t mention anything, not with him so close. Maybe it was just my past coming back to haunt me, or maybe my instincts were telling me something the rest of me couldn’t pinpoint.
Bram and Mistress Belle chatted as the servants went around with dinner, the Alphas being served first, then the owned Betas and Omegas.
The main course was seared scallops with a bacon-braised chard and a side of roasted honey lemon carrots. The texture was unlike anything I had had before, but I enjoyed it nonetheless, especially the carrots. Dessert was similar to Catalina’s partywhere we got to pick from an array of options from a cart. Mistress Belle chose a blueberry lemon tart while Bram picked a strawberry lemon pavlova. Elera went with the option that had the most chocolate, a chocolate cake with white chocolate icing and dark chocolate drizzle. I needed something comforting and familiar, so I stuck with chocolate covered strawberries.
“Excellent choice, Hazelle. Fruit, in general, is a favorite of mine for dessert, but it needs something to elevate it, make it an elegant experience. Have you ever had a pavlova?” I looked up at Mistress Belle who nodded in approval, telling me I could answer him as I pleased.
“No, I haven’t. The scallops were new enough, so I chose something I knew I enjoyed for dessert.” I stuck a small strawberry in my mouth, and the chocolate stuck to all sides.
“Ah, I see. You haven’t experienced much in the way of food have you?” Bram took a bite of his fruit covered pavlova, then showed me the inside. “The outside is a crunchy shell with a marshmallowy center. The acidic fruit balances the sweetness perfectly.”
“It looks lovely. It’s like a marshmallow?”
“In a sense. It’s described as marshmallowy because it has a shell with a sweet and fluffy center. I wouldn’t say they are equivalent, but it’s as close as you’ll get without the real thing. Would you like to try one?” He waved over a servant as I debated.
“Yes, please. It sounds like it will go well with my chocolate strawberries.” All three of them chuckled before Bram instructed the servant to bring a plain pavlova.
“It might be a little sweet, my pet, but I think you’ll enjoy it. You have a thing for sugar, after all.” Mistress Belle cupped my cheek and wiped a little dribble of chocolate from my lips. “And messes it seems.”
“So that’s why Elera is so infatuated. You chose well, Bellamira.”