‘You’ve only had a couple.’
They stepped into the room and the door slammed shut behind them. Each wall was stacked high with clothing, shoes and underwear. But none of it the sort of clothing normally found in a princess’ wardrobe. The colours were either black, scarlet or purple, with the exception of a few white articles; there were no pastels or patterns to be seen. While there looked to be plenty of silk, satin and velvet there was also rubber, latex and leather by the bucketful. Shiny silver buckles flashed in the overhead lights and long ribbons dangling from garments brushed the floor.
‘Wow, look at this stuff. Who would wear it?’ Cinderella said, gingerly touching a full body latex suit with a gaping mouth. ‘It’s weird.’
‘I’m going to wear this?’ Rapunzel said, fingering a black satin corset with delicate lace ribbons and incredibly thin bones. It was tiny but Rapunzel kept her waist at 23 inches. Her hips were another matter, there was a certain flare to her hips that she enjoyed – they definitely rolled when she walked. But her waist, her waist was miniscule.
Cinderella swished over in her long, voluminous dress and examined the corset Rapunzel had plucked from the rail. ‘It’s lovely, Rapunzel, but it’s just underwear. Will you put your dress over the top again or find something else? And look.’ She pointed. ‘There’s no bra attachment, no support at all, and you really need a bit of support upstairs, sweetie.’
Rapunzel wasn’t worried about the lack of support. What was careering through her mind was what Beast would say when she appeared from the room wearing exactly what he’d asked for, to the letter – a corset and a pair of high-heeled boots. He didn’t specify a bra or even panties so why should she find them; she was, after all, supposed to be doing exactly what he said.
‘Why are you getting changed anyway?’ Cinderella asked folding her arms and frowning at Rapunzel.
‘Beast asked me to.’
‘But, but why would you – just because he said?’
Rapunzel let out a little sigh and began to take off her dress. ‘You need to understand something, Cinders. Beast and I are going to play a game tonight, a game where he tells me to do something and I do it, without question, whatever it might be.’
‘But why would you do that with Belle’s ex?’ She shook her head in confusion. ‘Belle said he was horrid when they were alone, really dominant and demanding.’
‘Ex is the point, he’s a free agent and so am I. And as for being horrid, that’s a matter of opinion. What Belle didn’t like maybe I will. Perhaps dominant and demanding is my thing.’
Cinderella rubbed her fingers over her temple. ‘So you and Beast are hooking up?’
‘Just for tonight. It’s like we’re trying each other on.’ Rapunzel let her dress fall to the floor and began to peel off her underwear. ‘And I need you to promise not to interfere, whatever happens in The Basement, whatever Beast asks me to do or say, or anything he does to me, it’s because I’ve already told him that’s what I want, OK? And if you interfere I’ll be really mad with you.’
‘Er, yes.’ Cinderella stared at Rapunzel who was now totally naked. ‘I don’t really understand, but if it’s important to you then I promise not to interfere.’
‘Excellent, and as for Prince Tate, he seems a sweet guy.’ Rapunzel wrapped the corset around her waist and turned so Cinderella could tighten it at the back. ‘Have fun with him, no one will ever know. What happens in The Basement is sacred and it’s your hen night after all.’
Cinderella swept aside Rapunzel’s locks and began strapping the corset. She snapped the laces tight and suddenly let out a little giggle. ‘He is rather cute – the complete opposite to Prince Charming – and, after tomorrow, it will only ever be my husband, won’t it?’
Rapunzel gasped as the corset squeezed air from the base of her lungs. ‘Yep, it’ll