“What do you like most about yourself?”
“Nothing.”
He frowns. “That is not true.”
“No, it is.”
A dissatisfied look. Disappointment dripping from his stature. And before he can respond, I’m summoned to leave. I need the time to get ready for the ball tonight. The ball that, uncharacteristically, Dessin does not make a comment on. But he waves me off, salutes me with a dark grin tugging at his mouth.
48. Alpha
The ball is hosted inthe famous Dellilian Castle.
A mystery, my father would say. It was built and abandoned when our people first settled here over sixty years ago. But life was proven to have thrived here, only two sets of bones in the grand master bedroom.
He used to draw it for me. Aside from the hard labor he did during the day, chopping wood for the city, he also designed many buildings, châteaus, and houses.
But this one glorious landmark was his favorite.
Walking into its grand ballroom, descending the stairs, is like stepping into a lucid dream—perhaps I can fly? Dance on a golden cloud? Twirl into another universe?
The room glows as if honey was glazed over every sparkling chandelier and light fixture. There are pink fluffy clouds, warriors in gold armor riding the backs of ancient animals, and elegant family portraits painted across the dome ceiling. The walls are cream with gold trim, like a structure one would imagine coming from heaven’s gates. I’m dazzled by the scent of roses and baby powder infused in the heavy air.
Couples spin in the center of the room, high heels clacking against the gold glittering floor tiles as they cling to their partners and hold their faces to the shimmering light to exhibit their bold red lips and sharp-winged eyes. Most of their gowns are ruffled and fluffed around their hips, with dark, dreary colors and identical pinned-up curls.
I hook my arm into the loop of Aurick’s. He smiles down at me, a storm of small talk and booze gathering in his eyes. “You look remarkable.” He glosses me over with encouragement. I smile but not with my eyes, unable to stop them from hypnotically watching the whirling dresses and tuxedos.
Before we left, Aurick returned home with a syringe that took away most of the swelling. He wouldn’t have brought me otherwise. No apology. No acknowledgment of what he did.
We stand at the top of the wide white marble staircase. A few women chat to the side, waiters walking around serving caviar and drinks. They are staring up at me, whispering with looks of disgust like the caviar seemed to spoil as soon as it touched their tongues.
I look down at my gown. It’s dark bloodred satin, not as much volume as the other dresses with their frilly ruffles, but it does have some weight to it. The back is open with a couple laces down at my lower back, holding everything together. The core is tight around my waist like a corset, and the chest line is formed in aVwith a sheer fabric that holds hundreds of little jewels sprinkled over my breasts.
I keep my eyes plastered to my red heels as they meet each step, convinced I’m going to tumble down to the floor and make a fool of myself in front of half the respectable Dementia population.
He guides me to a waiter, where he grabs himself a glass of champagne and hands me one too.
My breath hitches in my throat.Please, don’t drink again.
I touch the bottom of his glass before he predictably downs it. “That frightens me, Aurick.”
He peers up over his glass. “What frightens you?”
I nod at his champagne glass.
“What about it?”
“I don’t want to be hit again.” I fiddle with my necklace.
He pulls me in by my elbow. “Keep your voice down,” he whispers harshly. “That won’t happen again.”
“Okay,” I say as he departs into the crowd of laughing women.
I keep moving in the direction of the violinists gathering, tuning their instruments, preparing to share their art. There’s a light tap on my right shoulder. I turn around to see a thin woman, her loose bun with wild curls, like tree roots emerging from the dirt around its trunk.
“Ruth!” I yelp. “What are you doing here?” I pull her in for a hug.
She laughs and embraces me back. “Aurick extended an invitation to my family! Isn’t that lovely? I was not certain I made a decent impression, but I suppose I did.” She examines my dress with a busting grin. “My goodness. You look like a ruby princess.”
