Long May She Reign, page 7
Astrid carefully removed the delicate gold chain from where it was nestled in the silk. She moved closer to Ishani and gently moved her thick waves over to one shoulder before sliding the chain up her neck. The cool metal did nothing to ease the heat on Ishani’s feverish skin.
Both women were positive that their hearts were beating loud enough to be heard by the other as Astrid fastened the clasp. Her slightly cold hands slid from Ishani’s neck over her shoulders to move her stunning hair back into its original place but not before goose flesh covered the exposed skin for the contact.
“Look at me,” Astrid’s voice was barely a whisper, and her voice had nearly dropped an octave.
Ishani turned and looked up into Astrid’s eyes that were much greener in hue than her usual blue green fusion in the florescent lighting.
Astrid gave Ishani a wide smile which caused her dimple to grow deeper, effectively distracting Ishani from the odd shade of Astrid’s eyes.
“Beautiful,” Astrid murmured. But her eyes were not on the necklace that was now being fiddled with. They were locked onto its new owner.
Astrid cleared her throat and stepped back slightly causing a frown to develop on Ishani’s lips.
“I want to take you out tomorrow, if you are okay with it.”
The statement caught Ishani extremely off guard and before she knew what she was doing, she nodded in agreement making Astrid smile.
“Sure,” the frown left the woman’s glossy lips and was replaced with a small smile, “I’d love to.”
But before Astrid was able to celebrate internally, Ishani added an addendum.
“But on one condition.”
Shit.
“You have to help me run through my proposal.”
At the word proposal, Astrid’s hearing miraculously stopped with all the blood rushing to her ears.
Proposal? To whom? Does she feel the same way? Why would she propose? Damn it, I should’ve gotten her a ring instead!
“-they’re only accepting three, but I think I have a shot!”
Ishani’s words brought Astrid crashing back to Earth. Glancing around, she noticed Ishani’s office in a highly unusual state of chaos. Papers scattered not only on ever flat surface, but on the floor and even pinned to the walls.
Her proposal… for H.E.A.R.T. … shit.
“So, what do you think?” Astrid looked down at the thick binder than Ishani had placed on the desk.
“It’s… big,” Ishani pulled an unimpressed face.
“Can you go over it for me? I need a pair of fresh eyes.”
Astrid couldn’t stop the smile from pulling at the edges of her lips. She knew how much Ishani wanted to work for H.E.A.R.T. and also how hard she had worked to even get an interview with the board.
H.E.A.R.T. was a non-profit, international organization that was aimed to improving the lives of immigrants, refugees, low-income and low access families, and in particular, women. It also happened to have been created by Alexandrianna Devereux when she was just nineteen years old.
Homelessness, education, arts, reform, and technology.
Astrid moved a spare chair closer to the desk so that she could sit while Ishani worked. Both women were focused on their respective tasks but felt far more productive with the other in the room. The sound of Ishani’s typing allowed for the otherwise distracting silence to be broken while the sound of a pen over paper faintly filled the air.
After nearly three hours of writing corrections, praises, and addendums on stick notes, Astrid closed the binder before noticing Ishani had fallen asleep on the desk. And it was only then that she noticed the darker-than-usual circles under Ishani’s eyes; she still hadn’t been sleeping well.
“Shani,” Astrid whispered gently, not wanting the girl to wake up with adrenaline overload. The only reply she received was a grunt and incoherent mumbling which caused her to stifle a giggle.
“Shani,” her voice was a bit louder and now her hand was resting on Ishani’s arm, “darling, you need to wake up.”
Ishani’s eyes began moving rapidly behind her eyelids, but she still remained asleep. As if she was unable to wake up. Astrid’s hand found hers and grasped it tightly while talking to her.
“Ishani, you are all right. You’re safe here. I’m here, darling.”
Slowly Ishani’s vice grip loosed a bit, but Astrid didn’t let go. She simply laid her head on her arm and kept her eyes on Ishani. Gently rubbing her thumb over the back of Ishani’s hand.
“I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”
04: Give Me a Reason
“Three and eight inside.”
“No.”
“Three and four inside.”
“No,” Astrid continued to run the hot flat iron across her heat protected curls while Mara sent a silent prayer to whoever was listening up above.
“Two and eight inside.”
“Mara, I am not getting into a fucking car. Besides, it isn’t just me that’s going! How weird is that going to look if one person gets out of an armored car parade?”
“They can ride with you!” Mara exasperates as she takes a seat on the princess’ made bed.
“Put as many guards as you want inside the club, but my final word on the cars is no.”
Astrid turned on her bench to look Mara directly in the eyes, showing the older woman that she was completely serious.
Mara exhaled loudly through her mouth before nodding her head in agreement, knowing that it was the best scenario she could possibly get with Astrid.
“I will make the arrangements.”
“And then get ready! I laid out some options on the dresser.”
Astrid pulled a grimace at Mara’s current choice of clothing which consisted of an over sized sweatshirt with stains ranging from paint to… what Astrid hoped was tomato sauce and neon green sweatpants that had seen better days.
“Fine, but I am not wearing the heels.”
* * *
“This is bullshit.”
“Stop second guessing, you look great,” Mara reassured as Astrid changed her outfit for the umpteenth time. Using excuses from, “it’s too short,” “it isn’t short enough,” and Mara’s personal favorite, “where did my ass go?”
“Great isn’t good enough! I need,” Astrid made a motion with both of her hands and added a slightly bug-eyed expression that was universal in girl-language, “you know?”
“Try the red,” Mara suggested to the disgruntled princess who was currently standing with her hands on her hips staring at her closet.
“Mm,” Astrid hummed, tilting her head slightly as she thought about what she could pair the fire engine red silk halter top with.
Black trousers? No, that’s more business than club. White? But do I really want to wear white in a club? Maybe a skirt?
As she was about to fist her hair and scream, Astrid eyes landed on the dress. Silver material covered in sequins. The skirt would land at mid thigh, a length she could live with so long as she wore shorts underneath. While the material would be snug against her curves it wouldn’t be uncomfortably tight. The neckline was a bit higher than she was used to, hitting the base of her throat and the long sleeves would balance the short skirt perfectly.
Astrid shimmied out of the clothes she was wearing and snatched the dress off the hanger before unzipping it and stepping inside. Mara had to help zip it the entire way, but once it was on, Astrid looked in the full body mirror and felt the feeling she had been searching for.
Astrid went back to her closet and pulled out a pair of black ankle boots with a tall block heel as Mara stood from her spot on the bed.
In contrast to the princess, Mara had found an outfit immediately from the pile Astrid had assembled based on Mara’s preferences.
A pair of black, wide leg trousers and black bralette with a black mesh top over it paired with black combat boots that had a slight platform and low heel.
Perfect in case she needed to run.
Astrid ducked into the bathroom and emerged a minute later with her sleek hair pinned up in a high ponytail and a cloud of perfume. As she secured the last boot to her feet and stood, the doorbell rang.
“Let’s have some fun.”
* * *
Ishani and Aishwarya met Carter and Dion in the lobby of the building before walking to Astrid’s apartment together. Everyone was chatting and placing finishing touches on outfits or makeup before the group went to the club.
Ishani and Astrid in particular were in Astrid’s bedroom so Ishani could finish getting dressed.
“Can you help me with the neck ribbon?” Ishani moved her thick curls out of the way and presented the topic at hand to Astrid.
The red silk dress she was wearing had a high neck that was essentially just a ribbon wrapped again and again, meaning Ishani couldn’t wear any jewelry on her neck, and fell to the middle of her thigh. Although her ears were decorated by large jhumka earrings that Aishwarya had gifted her. And the bold, cool toned red contrasted perfectly with Ishani’s brown skin and the iridescent body shimmer that highlighted every inch of it. A vertical, v-shaped opening went from the bottom of the necktie and stopped in the center her chest bringing a tasteful sexy.
Astrid took her time with the ribbon, wanting to spend as much time as she could in the space she and Ishani were sharing.
After confirming the knot was secure, Astrid helped Ishani move her hair back into its proper place of draping down to her lower back.
“So, I know I may have sort of promised you that I wouldn’t get you anything else, but I just couldn’t resist.”
Said birthday girl had now moved to sit on the bed in the center of the room, looking very much like the queen Astrid wished to make her.
Wait what?
“What is it?” Ishani sent the woman standing above her a look full of suspicion.
“Nothing that you will be able to return,” Astrid smiled innocently at Ishani’s playful glare.
At least I hope it’s playful.
“You already got me something remember?” Ishani objected, causing Astrid to roll her eyes as she pulled a long box out of her closet.
“That’s right! I forgot about the rule where I am only allowed to get my best friend one thing for her birthday,” her tone was dripping in sarcasm.
How I wish she weren’t just my best friend. Oh. My. God.
Ishani rolled her eyes at Marie’s antics before pulling the holographic wrapping paper off the rectangular shaped box. Before taking off the lid she shot Astrid another look, but this one was more confused. Astrid only nodded her encouragement for the birthday girl to continue.
She slowly slid off the top and moved the tissue paper that was protecting the rectangular painting. But once her eyes fell on it, they started to well up.
A portrait Astrid had been hiding from her nearly every time she came over to the apartment for the last two and a half years.
The first painting Astrid had completed since she was seventeen.
Astrid allowed the paint to coat the thin brush as she observed her muse.
“You’re staring.”
“That’s kind of the point, darling.”
Astrid hid a smirk behind the canvas as she turned back to her task of painting the goddess in front of her.
It featured the side profile of a brown-skin woman dressed in a floor length white silk gown. She was perched on a short marble column. Various flowers covered the bottom half, blending seamlessly with her dress, with some even creeping up the column. There was one lone flower delicately clasped between two fingers and rested on her lap. Her dark curls were tied up into a bun with light face framing.
The woman’s gaze was drawn onto the flower in her hand, looking at it like it was the most precious object she had ever seen. A moment that was captured organically and cemented forever in acrylic brush strokes and sealed with crystal clear sealant.
A painting that showed the artist’s love for the subject. And the painting that immortalized the day that Astrid realized that she was in love with Ishani Singh.
“Oh my god,” Ishani gently placed the wrapping back on the painting, as if the faintest pressure would cause it to combust.
The moment she was satisfied with the placement, she leapt up and was in Astrid’s arms. They just stood there, as the noise from the blaring speakers faded into nothingness. The only thing Astrid could hear was her racing heartbeat steadying.
Both women were completely unaware that their hearts had begun beating in sync with one another and their thoughts had slowed down to reveal only one.
I wish I could kiss her.
I wish I could kiss her.
A loud, and extremely fake, cough sounded from behind the duo, causing them to separate sooner than either of them would have liked.
“Let’s get this show on the road kiddies!” Carter skipped forward and laid a sloppy kiss on both Ishani and Astrid’s cheeks.
“I need a drink!”
“Carter, I thought you said you weren’t drinking tonight,” Aishwarya raised an eyebrow as the trio walked back into the kitchen.
“I am allowed to change my mind,” they retorted dramatically, “I am an independent person!”
There was a slight edge to their voice that no one in the room had heard before. Not even Dion.
“Hey, I’m sorry,” Aishwarya quickly took on the older sister role, “I was trying to make a joke and it wasn’t funny.”
Carter only then realized that everyone in the room was staring at them in a mixture of concern, confusion, or a mixture of the two. They almost immediately started smiling again and walked to hug Aishwarya.
“No worries baby, I was a little meaner than I intended.”
Dion still had a look of suspicion in his eyes although his face was impassive as he watched his partner slip on their coat and start chatting with Mara and Aishwarya. Astrid crossed the room to stand with him, laying a soft hand on his shoulder.
“What’s wrong?” She kept her voice low, making sure that Dion was the only one who could hear her question.
“They’ve just been… different lately. Really emotional, flipping faster than a fucking light switch. Saying they are fine, but every time we go out, they pregame and then get wasted. I’m worried, but…,” Dion turned so he and Marie were face to face, bending down slightly so no one else overheard.
“You don’t know how to approach the situation?”
Dion only nodded slowly.
“We are all going to be there so we can keep an eye on them,” Astrid drifted her eyes over everyone’s face before turning back to her friend, “it’ll be okay.”
Dion gave her warm hand a squeeze before putting a smile on his face and walking over to his partner, allowing Ishani to take his place next to Marie.
“Everything okay?”
Astrid drew her bottom lip into her mouth as she nodded reassuringly.
“Dion just looked like he needed to talk,” she sent a megawatt smile to the Indian woman.
“Ready?” Mara asked both women when they were done securing everything they would need for the club.
“Yes,” Astrid replied both for she and Ishani.
Ishani giggled and linked her arm with the woman in front of her, “absolutely!”
“To Cyclone!” Astrid called in the air.
“To Cyclone,” everyone else joined in with a laugh and made their way out the door only stopping briefly for Astrid to lock the door.
“It’s only about a ten-minute walk so we will still get there fifteen minutes before we said we would.”
Let the walk begin.
There was already a densely packed line of people wrapped around the refurbished factory building that housed Cyclone. The largest queer club on the east coast and one of the places on Ishani’s “Before 25 Bucket List”.
“How the hell did you pull this off?!” Ishani laughed at the sheer size of the building.
“Don’t worry about it,” Astrid turned to smile, but her speed never changed.
Astrid led Ishani by her hand, while Ishani led Aishwarya. Carter and Dion walked behind the others, joined at the hip, and Mara faked being on a phone call so she could walk at the back. They bypassed the crowd, causing a few people to curse or yell at them to go to the back of the line. Only stopping when the very familiar bouncer at the club entrance asked if they were on the list.
Isn’t he one of… no. There is no way.
Mara came forward instantly and pulled her Varunian identification card that had her name and rank of the royal guard out of her small bag and handed it to him. His eyes widened when his eyes landed on Astrid causing him to motion to the men standing in the shadows behind him.
“Please enjoy your visit, ma’am,” all members of the party were given a clear stamp that would glow in the ultraviolet light of a crown over a spinning tornado, indicating that they were VIP’s.
Mara gave an appreciative nod while Astrid bit back a comment and resumed leading the group behind her into the club. The entrance hallway they were escorted through by security was blacked out but not completely dark thanks to the ultraviolet light reflecting off of the glowing designs painted on the floors, walls, and ceiling.
“Ma’am,” the gruff voice of the man in the front of their little human train turned to look at Astrid, who smiled when she finally recognized him as Tyson, Serena’s head of security, “Mrs. Serra would like to meet with you.”
You have got to be fucking kidding me.
Astrid slowly walked in front of Mara to look at the woman with a withering glare.
“I wasn’t aware that she was even in the country, so perhaps another time. Now if you’ll have to excuse us,” she gave the giant of a man another smile before attempting to bypass him and continue her journey into the club.
“Mrs. Serra insists,” he argued effectively becoming the target of Astrid’s glare.
“So do I,” her accent came out far stronger than it should have. But the double meaning of her words was lost on the rest of the group who was simply watching the spectacle with wide eyes and partially open mouths.
Tyson swallowed harshly at the withering glare than was directed at him. And before he attempted to convince his princess to see his boss again, another woman within the group spoke up.
