Dress To Impress Gothic Romance Novels & Stories

The rustle of delicate parchment filled the silence. Suddenly, one gown stood out, distracting her from the anger simmering beneath her. The gown was a masterpiece of refined sensuality. The gown featured a sleek, body-hugging silhouette in pure white silk. The corseted bodice molded perfectly to the figure, accentuating every curve without excess. Hand-stitched lace cascaded from the sweetheart neckline and trailed seamlessly into the long, flowing train. It was sophisticated, bold, and undeniably modern. “I want this one, Tita,” Beatrice declared, tapping the image with a manicured finger.

The whole place is decorated with the delicate orchids Mara loves so much, and well placed fairy lights blink in the oncoming darkness, giving the place a romantic feel. Mara may like it, but I’m not big on romance. It never even crossed my mind to do something this beautiful for her. I did pick the dress from a selection shown to me by one of the boutique owners, and I picked a dark green, emerald waistcoat to match Mara’s dress. That’s about as far as my input went. It’s hot, and I’m uncomfortable in the black trousers, white shirt and green waistcoat. I can’t wait for the ceremony to begin and end so I can shed the uncomfortable clothes.

He was even attracted to me, at least physically. So why did he keep his distance? Why act like the very thought of making love to me and marking me was the worst thing that could happen? Was I that repulsive to him? That unworthy? Was there someone else—Sophia, perhaps? With a heavy sigh, I turned away from the mirror. I’d wallowed enough for one evening. Alexander would be waiting, and we had a show to put on. I slipped into the dress I’d chosen for tonight; it was a deep burgundy number with a low neckline specifically designed to draw attention to my throat. The color made my pale skin look almost luminous, which made the fake mark stand out even more prominently against it.

Brienne took a deep breath as she admired the wedding gown in front of her. The dress was breathtaking—its soft, flowing fabric cascaded gracefully to the floor, adorned with delicate floral appliqués that looked as if they had been gently placed by the wind. The off-the-shoulder sleeves added an elegant, romantic touch, while the fitted bodice accentuated her figure perfectly. It was a dress straight out of a fairytale, and in just a few hours, she would be walking down the aisle wearing it.

I’m grateful dance has given my thighs strong muscles and my body endurance. The bar is full of goths as usual, of varying degrees of flamboyance. Most of the kids are dressed casually with Gothic touches—black lipstick here, a spiked dog collar there, black clothing everywhere. Many of the girls are wearing corset tops, real ones with stays. All of it is expensive-looking and elegant. Black nail polish is nearly universal. I’ve never seen a town with such a high goth subculture population.

No matter what, I refused to turn into a vampire. I looked at the dresses. I wasn't sure whether Damien would actually let me pick, or if he was going to freak out again. But it had been so long since I'd been allowed to choose anything that even picking the dress I was going to be turned in was exciting. One dress was a mass of black lace and silk. It was beautiful but it had so many layers I was terrified I would fall on my face if I took a single step in it. I certainly would not be able to dance in the thing.

Today, it felt pointless. Why should I dress to impress when this was my husband's mistress birthday? Why should I play my part in Zeke’s little world of lies? I chose a simple black gown, one that reached the floor and hugged my body in all the right places. Looking at myself in the mirror, I could see I’d lost a little weight, but the dress still fit. Thankfully, the black circles under my eyes had faded, and with a little makeup, I was able to cover up the bruises Zeke had left on me.

I heard him curse under his breath. **** I was dressed in a short champagne colored backless dress. My hair was in a sleek back ponytail, lots of jewelry, and glittering makeup. I hadn't been to a fun party in a while, also, I was on a mission to seduce Luca. My heels clinked on the stairs, making Luca turn around like Jack turning to look at Rose in Titanic. He had been waiting, hands tucked in the pockets of his dark trousers. He was in a designer white shirt—a casual but fresh look. The amazed expression on his face made my knees weak. I held onto his shoulder, stepping right in front of him. He was still inches taller than me, even though I was in a three-inch heels.

I look at myself in the full-length mirror, and I do look stunning; I look like a vampire if you don’t count my jade green eyes and my curvy waist. I’m in a dramatic gothic-inspired gown with a fitted black lace corset bodice, sheer long sleeves, and flowing layered skirts in deep wine red and black tulle enhanced by the dark gemstone choker. I do look stunning. But it’s all going to be wasted by dancing around with my mortal enemy, who did save me from that Minotaur.

Dax had made the commitment to attend, and I, having agreed to play the role of his girlfriend as per our unconventional proposal, was expected to be there as well. I changed into an elegant evening gown, my fingers trembling slightly as I fastened the delicate clasps. Now, I had to put on a brave face and play my part. Dax, too, dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, his demeanor a blend of confidence and charisma. The way he carried himself almost made me drool. That woman Caroline must be blind to let this man go. If he were truly mine, I would never look at other men. "You look stunning," he said, raking his eyes over my dress. The gown was crafted from a rich, deep shade of midnight bl