“Oh.”Janelle’s lips split into an exuberant smile.“Well, that does change things.You’ll be very busy, I’m sure, so I understand the need to think about everything.”
The genuine excitement in Janelle’s voice warmed Lilian more than the offer to return to the faire.Oh, god, she was going to tear up again.“Thank you.”
“Thank you for stopping by,” Beatrice said, walking Janelle to the door.She had more of a spring to her step.“It was great talking to you.”
“You, too.I hope to get the opportunity again.”
“How about next week?”
Janelle laughed.“You have my number.”
She did?The two women clasped hands like they had been best friends for years instead of only just now meeting.It made Lilian’s heart ache for Hawk, remembering the last time he’d been in her kitchen and wishing he were here with his mother.
It made no sense, how she still thought about him.How she still yearned to have him by her side.He’d hurt her.Kept secrets from her.And yet…
“Janelle?”Her feet carried her to the doorway, where Janelle was still buttoning up her jacket.Frigid air slipped between the partially open door, but the older woman paused and looked at her, as if expecting something.“How is he doing?”
She didn’t have to say who.Janelle knew.
Her eyes creased, that same sad look she’d had when she mentioned her separation.“He’s making some tough decisions right now.Just like you I imagine.”
Tough decisions.She wanted to ask more, but voicing that would show too much.
Luckily Janelle didn’t need her to say anything else.She gave Lilian a reassuring smile.“I’ll tell him you’re doing all right.If you want.”
“Yes,” she squeaked, “thank you.”
“And I’ll see you at the ball?”There was a familiar glint in the queen’s eyes, the first real smile she’d shed all night.
Lilian laughed.“Yes.”
“Good.And Lilian?Even if you don’t come back next year, make sure you tell me when you reopen Bodice and Brawn.All right?”
December - The Dark Elm Ball
Liliandidnotoftenallow herself to enjoy luxuries.The closest she’d ever come to a vacation was her parents’ graduation gift of a four-day trip to Chicago, and even then, they’d stayed at a Holiday Inn.
The lack of monetary riches in her life was one of the reasons she was drawn to her books, where there were balls, billionaires, and exotic getaways.She’d always dreamed of being on the other side of the page, of getting a taste of that life.
The Dark Elm Ball was exactly that.
Nestled in the heart of Kansas City, the hotel’s exterior lights climbed high into the pitch-black sky.Inside, black and gold tiles swirled across the main lobby floor.The ceiling arched into a high dome; when one looked up, they were greeted by a painted sky of gold and pastel blue.
A grand Christmas tree stood at the center of the lobby, glittering with gold and silver ornaments.A stark reminder that in only a few short days, the holidays would be upon them.The large tree added to the evening’s ambience, forest-like foliage, both real and artificial, guided guests toward the ballroom.
A sea of lush dresses and dark cloaks filled the main entrance as people moved toward the celebration.The queen had made the dress code very clear, the bigger and shinier the better.There would be no peasant dresses tonight, and by the looks of things, everyone was more than happy to pull out all the stops to comply.
“This is so amazing.Just like prom, but with nerds and more booze!”Margo said, adjusting the cleavage of her flowing, pink and purple ombre dress.Along with her already pink hair, she looked like a literal fairy princess.
“I skipped my prom,” Lilian said following the crowd.Prom at a farm school meant getting together at someone’s house to party while eating Taco Bell.Butthis…
Thiswas what all those teen movies promised.This was something she would have regretted missing.She squeezed Margo’s hand, silently thanking her.
As they moved out of the main atrium, servers with masks shaped like woodland creatures lined the hallway, each holding a silver tray of champagne flutes.Lilian took a glass and continued onward.
The hall stretched before them, growing darker with decorated tree branches that blocked any sign of the hotel’s modern architecture.Only sparkling fairy lights, hidden in the plants, guided their way.
“This is incredible,” she whispered.
