“Ladies,” he greets, dipping his head in a mock bow. “So lovely to see you both.”
Ishla smacks him on the arm. “You were supposed to be here hours ago.”
He chuckles, unfazed by her annoyance. “My apologies. I was held up. But I do come bearing a gift.” He holds up the wide white box in his hands.
“That better be her dress; otherwise, my next hit will be aimed somewhere else.” Her eyes move to the spot between his legs, and his smile fades.
“Easy now, Ishla, you know I live to please.”
He carefully lifts the lid of the box, revealing the most exquisite gown I have ever seen. A deep red that seems to shift as if alive. The fabric gleams like molten lava under the soft light, cascading in layers that swirl like fire itself. Gold threads weave through the tight bodice in intricate patterns, shimmering like embers as he pulls the dress from the box. The neckline dips slightly before swooping up to meet the delicate sleeves that will just barely cover my shoulders.
It’s utterly mesmerizing.
“This…” My brain fails to form proper words as I reach out to touch the fabric.
Theo flashes a proud smile. “He was hoping you’d like it. I’ll wait for you in the hall, Little Flame.”
And with that, he slips out, leaving Ishla and me alone.
She turns to me, her hands already reaching for the gown.
“You ready?” she asks, her earlier irritation gone, replaced by an excitement that makes me smile.
I nod, stepping out of my current attire as Ishla holds up the dress.
“Arms up,” she instructs, guiding it over my head slowly, making sure to not touch my hair. The fabric is a bit loose at first, but then she pulls the strings on the back, fitting the gown to my body like it was made just for me. It hugs my curves, flaring out at the waist in an elegant sweep.
I move to the mirror, and for a moment, I’m stunned. The fiery red fabric against my skin makes me look like a living, breathing flame.
“It couldn’t be more perfect,” Ishla utters behind me, reaching to hand me a mask to finish the look.
It matches the gown, the edges lined with tiny crimson stones that mirror the ruby of my necklace. I secure the mask around my head.
“Now, go have some fun for the both of us.” She holds her hands together over her heart, and a tinge of sadness stabs at me. It’s not fair that I get to attend the ball and Ishla does not.
“I wish you were coming with me,” I tell her, grabbing her hand and squeezing her fingers.
“Go on,” she urges. “You’ve already missed nearly half the fun.”
Following her instructions, I step out of the room. Theo is leaning against the wall. His eyes widen as he takes me in, his playful smirk momentarily disappearing before he recovers.
“Well,” he says, his voice low, “if I didn’t know any better, I’d say a princess from one of the far away kingdoms was gracing us with her presence this evening.”
I try to keep a straight face, but a small smile forms. “Don’t start, Theo.”
He offers me his arm. “Shall we?”
Sliding my hand into the crook of his elbow, I nod. “Let’s go.”
As we walk down the corridor, the sound of the festivities grows louder and louder, and my heart begins to race.
“Relax, Little Flame, you have nothing to fear,” Theo says, his tone light but also laced with what sounds like genuine concern. “With that dress and that mask, no one will dare assume you’re from one of the villages. The thought won’t even cross their minds.”
“I’m not afraid,” I tell him, though I’m not entirely certain that’s true. My fingers tighten around his arm. “I’m intrigued.”
And I am.
Never in my life did I imagine myself attending such an extravagant event. Mainly because never in my life did I believe such events occurred.
