Chapter Four

   Esper let out a long yawn as she stretched, watching the soft pinks and purples dancing across the snow. The view was so enchanting and serene. She just sat there, watching it until her stomach let out a loud grumble.  

  

   "Ugh, alright, breakfast it is." She got up and walked up to her door. Esper had a shocking surprise when she opened her door. Saffron was standing there, her arms folded across her chest, and her foot jutted out, giving Esper a disapproving look.  

  

   "What," Esper asked sleepily, trying to rub the sleep from her eyes.  

  

   "Did you really think I would let you go down to breakfast looking like that?" Saffron, more so stated than asked as she looked her companion over. Esper looked down at her clothes. She was wearing a band tee and sweats. "What's wrong with this?"  

  

   "Nope, nope, nope, you need to get dressed. I will not be seen with you looking like a preteen boy," Saffron announced, dragging Esper against her will towards her bathroom. Before she could even put up a struggle, Saffron had already stripped her down and shoved her into her shower.  

  

   After a long shower, Esper walked out of her bathroom, surprised to see Senna sitting on the bed with a pouting face dressed in an overly fluffy ballgown. "Did she bombard you at your door too?"  

  

   "Yup," Senna replied as she flopped back on the bed.  

    Esper shook her head and looked around the room, noticing Saffron wasn't there. She looked back at Senna and raised her eyebrow. "Well, if I'm going to be dressed for breakfast, then I am wearing clothes I'm comfortable in, and you are too." 

    Senna's face lit up with relief at the mention of changing clothes. "I am so game. I don't know how Saffron wears dresses every day." 

    "Me neither. They are fine occasionally, but I will take pants over a dress any day." Esper reached her hand out and pulled Senna upright. 

    The two girls linked arms and skipped over to Esper's walk-in closet. Together, they dug through Esper's clothes, trying on different outfits. Senna decided on a pair of skinny blue jeans paired with a baby blue and white striped sweater, while Esper chose black skinny jeans, a black tank top, and a red and black Freddy Krueger-esque sweater tunic. Satisfied with the look and comfort of their clothes, they headed out.  

  

   Esper and Senna skipped down the hall to Saffron's room, arms linked together. Seeing the two girls dressed in casual clothes, Saffron nearly slammed her face on her vanity. The two struggled to stifle their laughs as they sat down on their friend's bed.  

  

   "I give up on you two," Saffron complained, feeling utterly defeated.  

  

   "Come now, Saffron, you got us to dress like proper girls yesterday, and you can do it again for the balls," Senna offered, trying to cheer up her friend.  

  

   "Alright, I suppose I can live with that," Saffron grumbled, returning to her makeup. Both Esper and Senna grinned as they had clearly won today's battle.  

  

   "Are you two torturing my dear sister?" Asher smiled as he knocked on the door, wearing jeans and a graphic t-shirt. He tousled Saffron's hair as he walked in and took the seat next to her. "C'mon Lil Sis, you know you are the only one going to be well dressed. You need to learn to relax."  

  

   "Don't encourage them, Asher," Saffron pouted, not even bothering to fix her hair in defeat. The group burst into laughter. After they calmed down, they all let out a huge sigh.  

  

   "How have things been? It has been years since we have seen you," Esper directed towards Asher.  

  

   "Well, my father has been grooming me to eventually take over being head of the family. Started at age twelve and been working hard ever since. I could recite the entirety of our family history and how we are connected to different lines. It's been a lot of fun." Asher said sarcastically and let out another long sigh. "How have you girls been?"  

  

   "We've been doing pretty much the same thing as when you saw us last. Although my tutors are running out of ordinary subject matter, so I've started getting more freedom with the lessons. I am finally getting to the good stuff. Although I don't think they expected me to dive right into macabre topics. Saffron, on the other hand, has been fully dedicated to her etiquette classes. She is bound and determined to be the most pristine of the noble court." Esper teased.  

  

   "Who else are you going to turn to when you don't know which fork to use," Saffron added half-jokingly and half sarcastic, sticking her tongue out. Esper just shrugged.  

  

   "What about you, Senna," Asher asked. His eyes seemed to sparkle as they landed on the red-headed female.  

  

   "I've just been helping out around the house and studying," Senna replied shyly, quickly looking away from his gaze.  

    Senna had been in love with Asher since they were kids, but she always felt he was way out of her league. Maybe things would change for her. Senna was sure he wouldn't be trying to court Esper since they were cousins. Plus, the custom of marrying within a vampire's own family had stopped centuries ago.  

  

   "Well, I am glad to see you all are doing so well." Asher smiled and tousled Saffron's hair again. 

    Saffron finally finished getting ready. Not wanting to stick out too much with a formal gown, she decided on a black bodycon dress and a black and sheer striped shrug. 

  

   The group made their way down to the dining hall, hoping breakfast was waiting for them. When the young vampires arrived, the dining room was entirely empty. A yawn sounded behind the group and startling them. They all turned to see Remy half asleep in flannel pajama bottoms and a band tee.  

  

   "Is breakfast ready yet?" He asked, yawning again. The group shook their heads no in response. Remy let out a small whine and took a seat. He plopped his head onto the table and promptly fell back asleep. Saffron's face looked horrified. Was everyone a lazy bum?  

  

   "See Saffron, I would have been just fine in my pajamas," Esper said while chuckling. Saffron gave her a death glare; it was a good thing looks couldn't kill. After a few more moments of silence, Esper started walking towards the kitchen.  

  

   "Where are you going," Saffron asked? 

    Esper gave her friend a big toothy grin. "I am going to make some breakfast. I have a sneaky hunch Father sent the staff out to prepare for the ball."  

  

   Low and behold, as Esper entered the kitchen, a note on the counter stated just that. The vampire let out a soft chuckle and began rummaging through the pantry, pulling out tortillas, tomatoes, peppers, limes, and an assortment of herbs and spices. She then went to the fridge, pulling out a couple steaks, a carton of eggs, the milk, and some cheese. As she began to organize her ingredients, pots, pans, and cooking utensils began whizzing through the kitchen, laying themselves neatly on the counter. Esper started to prepare some steak and egg breakfast fajitas. With the help of her telekinetic abilities, she had an assembly line going as she cooked.  

  

   Back in the dining room, the other suitors arrived slowly, sitting down and chatting while waiting. Lucca had grown curious about all the sound coming from the kitchen and started edging towards it.  

"I wouldn't go in there if I were you. You might lose a limb," Asher advised. 

    Lucca gave him a confused look and poked his head in anyways. He immediately regretted his decision and pulled his head out. If he had a heartbeat, it would be pounding rapidly in his chest. Knives, pots, pans, and other utensils flew around in the kitchen, like a magical orchestra.  

  

   "I told you." Asher just shook his head and laughed to himself.  

  

   "Do you remember the first time we met Esper," Saffron asked her brother, her eyes sparkling at the distant memory.  

  

   "Of course, she made you and Senna cry because she said she didn't want you as her friends. I remember the scolding she received too." Asher chuckled as he continued.  

  

   "She then spent all day trying to bake us a cake as an apology. We almost lost a few limbs because she didn't have great control over her abilities and accidentally gave the pots and pans a mind of their own." Saffron's recollection caused the entire group to burst out laughing.  

  

   "I remember that," Senna added through her laughter. "The kitchen staff was running around the dining room, trying to capture all of them before they flew out the windows." 

    The group broke out into laughter again, trying to imagine the hysteria of a kitchen literally coming to life. Their laughter was broken by the sound of the doors creaking open. Food filled dishes began floating through the air, landing on the table, followed by empty place settings for each person. The food looked delectable and cooked to perfection. After the table was set, Esper reappeared from the kitchen and took her seat. Everyone's eyes followed her, utterly amazed that she was able to cook such a delicious breakfast. She cleared her throat and raised her fork.  

  

   "I hereby declare this food ready to eat," Esper toasted. The group erupted into laughter as they began to dish themselves up and started eating. Remy and Lucca piled food onto their plates, their appetites rivaling Esper's. Others took more reasonable amounts. 

   Once everyone had their fill, Esper stood up and began clearing away the dishes. A soft hand lay upon her shoulder, and she looked up. It was Seraph.  

  

   "Why don't you let us clean up?" He gestured towards the rest of the male vampires. "The cook shouldn't have to clean up after such a delicious meal." 

   Esper blushed and gave him a nod in response, setting the plates in her hands back down onto the table. The men jumped into action, clearing away the dishes, and Senna took charge in the kitchen. 

  

   "You go relax and leave everything up to us," Seraph said, leading her to the dining hall entrance. He gave her a gentle push on her back as he closed the doors behind her.