Chapter Seventy-three

Claire was dressed in a jade green sequined maxi dress, a high slit on the left side of the dress to her mid thigh baring her pale skin and her strappy heels.
Her long blonde curls was styled in a way that gathered her luscious curls behind her, her hair was partially done up and held in place with a diadem.
She went with black diamonds for jewelry, matching it with her engagement ring and her tiara. A black jeweled clutch purse later and she was all set to go.
The maids that had helped her get ready left with bright smiles, telling her to have fun at her dinner party. Claire sat in front of her dresser with a matching smile on her face, studying her reflection in the mirror.
She wasn’t the type to be narcissistic but the maids had done a wonderful job, she looked breathtaking. She felt confident enough in the getup to take on Alina with ease and come out the winner.
A knock on her door made her smile widen, it had to be Rosie. She had sent off her assistant to go shopping for a dress which she would wear for the dinner party and she was a little eager to see what choice Rosie had made.
So Claire just called out, “Come in, I’m already all set!”
She turned her gaze back to herself in the mirror, adjusting her choker as she heard the door open. “I hope you didn’t rush for my sake,” Claire spoke gently, leaning closer to the mirror to get a better look. “There’s nothing wrong with being fashionably late, you know…”
Claire’s words dried up when the person she had invited into the bedroom and the person she had been talking to all this while stepped behind her. She stared into a pair of heated midnight blue eyes, her heart doing a strange little flip.
*Lukas*
“Lukas?” Claire breathed, feeling like all the oxygen in the bedroom left as soon as she registered his presence.
He didn’t say a word, helping her adjust her choker to the perfect angle. “Pretty necks shouldn’t be left bare.” He leaned over to whisper into the shell of her ear.
Claire’s heart thudded painfully at this, that familiar line of words brought back memories that she would rather remain hidden. Although, now she was certain that he didn’t bug her jewelry anymore, Claire couldn’t help but feel like taking her choker off.
That was the only warning she got though before Lukas reverently kissed her bare shoulder, the maxi dress was sleeveless so there was a lot of her bare skin laid open to Lukas.
A shiver that she couldn’t control rolled through her body, making Claire’s eyes go heavy lidded. All while Lukas was gently pressing kisses into the side of her neck and her shoulders, he kept their gazes locked on each other in the mirror, it made Claire feel unbearably hot.
Her breath hitched when his heated tongue found the *mark* that he had given her, her body going weak as she let out a moan when he bit into it.
Claire had to lean against Lukas’ torso to support her weight, her body feeling like it was filled with cloudy cotton. She should push Lukas away but she never did that, it was always him that pushed her away.
Just as she thought that, Lukas stepped back and strode quickly out of the room as quickly as he had shown up, it made Claire gingerly rest her head on her arms, needing to catch her breath.
Tears pricked at her eyes, her back feeling chilly with Lukas’ absence. *‘Was her presence so abominable that he couldn’t stand to stay around her for long?’* Then why did he bother coming to her at all? She couldn’t bear him switching up constantly without warning.
*‘Was this another means of punishing her?* Because it was terribly effective. Claire had hoped that they had made some progress but it would seem that it was all in her head and everything Lukas had done was a calculated step to make her miserable.
Claire didn’t even notice when Rosie came in, not till she tapped her on her arm, making Claire startle badly.
Rosie also jumped backward, seeming more frightened than Claire had been. “I’m so sorry for startling you, I called you but you didn’t answer, I was worried that you had fallen asleep…”
“Deep breaths Rosie,” Claire cut her off with a small smile, she noticed that it was easier for her to smile when Rosie was around. “It’s fine, I was just lost in thought.” She tagged on, rising to her feet.
Claire was able to get a good look at Rosie’s outfit now, it was a dark red mini dress that brought out her beautiful fiery hair which was in a high ponytail, matching red stilettos on her feet.
“Oh my! You look gorgeous,” She gushed, pushing the thoughts of Lukas to a dark part of her mind.
Rosie blushed, ducking her head self-consciously. “I’m worried that I’ll outshine you, maybe I should change to something less catchy.” She said honestly.
“Don't you dare,” Claire said, taking her arm to lead her outside. “I’m literally wearing a tiara, you don’t have to worry about that.” She said lightly to diffuse the situation.
Just as she expected, Rosie laughed, taking the lead now. “The car is already set Luna Clair…” She trailed off again, her eyes catching the telltale mark on the juncture of the Luna Queen’s neck and shoulders. That hadn’t been there before.
“Is something wrong?” Claire asked curiously, letting Rosie take her arm and lead her down the stairs.
Rosie shook her head, “No, there’s nothing wrong, I just got distracted by your beauty.” She smoothly diverted the topic.
Claire laughed at this cheesy line, it was the last thing she expected Rosie to say. “Thank you?”
Rosie seemed to catch herself at this point, looking away with a red face. They were walking across the foyer now, both women supporting each other as they went down the front steps.
The stocky bodyguard that had taken Claire out on her night drive was on duty again today, Claire had found out that his name was Tyler and she was relieved that he would be the one watching out for them.
He grandly opened the door for her and helped her in, Rosie taking care of herself on the other side. He got into the passenger side, the driver already seated.
The gates were opened immediately, the black vehicle smoothly driving out of the tall gates. The gates didn’t close after they left because a few minutes later, another vehicle drove out.
The second car had four armed bodyguards sitting in it, their job was to silently trail the Luna Queen’s car from a distance and make sure that nothing went wrong without alerting Luna Claire to their presence. *Lukas' orders.*