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The long awaited chapter is finally here. I was so excited writing this chapter and the next one. I hope you're as excited reading it! 

MARIA 
"Why are you dressed like that?" 
It was the day for Iris' welcome party, and the host, currently standing on Maria's doorstep, was wearing a simple straight gown that reached her ankles. 
"What's wrong with my gown?" Iris frowned, pulling the material away from her body to examine it. 
"There's nothing wrong with it except for the fact that it's too casual to wear for your own party, don't you think?" Maria subtly stepped out of the way, making space for Iris to pass but she kept her feet firmly planted on the mat. 
"Oh," Realisation flicked across her features and she waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry about that. I'll change once I get to the castle. There's time."
Maria nodded, now understanding why she was wearing that gown. She had probably showed up like this because she didn't want her gown to get rumpled or stained while coming here. 
Still, Maria hedged. "Do you want to come inside for a few minutes before we go?" Her eyes flicked to the car sitting in the driveway. "Your driver wouldn't mind, would he?" 
"We can go now."
"But—"
Iris rolled her eyes and linked her hand through Maria's, tugging her out of the house and down the steps. 
"Wait, I didn't lock the door." Maria complained, trying to get her arm out of Iris' hold but if anything, Iris held on tighter. "I can't just leave it open!"
"I'll lock it for you!" A voice called back and Maria turned to see her mother standing at the threshold of the house, grinning wide as she watched Iris drag her daughter away. 
She knew that Iris was Bran's sister and she also knew about the party. Her mother had supported her going, telling her that the best way to get over a man was to see him constantly until his face blended with the hundred other men's faces she saw until there was nothing special about him anymore. 
It didn't quite make sense to Maria because seeing him would remind her of her loss—she was sure of it—so how was it possible that she would become so used to seeing him that she wouldn't care for him anymore?
"Have a good day!" Iris shouted to Maria's mother as they entered the car, sealing Maria's fate. 
Oh gods. 
Two days ago when she'd agreed to attend the party, all that she'd been thinking about was making Iris happy. Now that she was sitting in the car, on the way to the vampire realm to see the man that had broken her heart so thoroughly, now that she was facing reality, she was freaking the hell out. 
How was she going to react when she saw him? Would she walk over and say 'hello' like nothing had happened? 
Or what if he came to her? Could she actually string words together and speak to him or would she cower away with her broken heart? 
"Hey," came Iris' soft, lilting voice that had Maria's head turning to the right. "I can literally hear you thinking over there. It's going to be okay."
Maria shook her head. "I know, I just... Your brother is going to be there and..." She trailed off, unable to find the right words to express what she was feeling. Her thoughts were utter chaos and she could not make sense of them. 
Iris covered Maria's hand with hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I understand. I'll be by your side when you have to face him, I promise."
"I'll appreciate it." She didn't know how much that could do but at least it was something.