An Admission of Love
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“Kora, are you almost ready?” Clarence yells from the bottom of the staircase. He stands dressed in his navy-blue waistcoat, dark trousers with knee-high boots polished to a shine. It’s not unusual for him to be waiting for Kora to prepare for any event. He’ll surely never understand how it takes girls so long to prime for a ball.
Kora flattens the bottom of her gown with her palms. The plum fabric is rich and warm against her pale skin. Her elegant shoulders and collarbone are bare and on display, showing off just enough cleavage and clavicle. The material cinching in at her small waist before flowing freely around her legs in a bell shape.
She slips on her crimson slippers, the tight bodice digging into her ribs as she bends over.
It's the first official event of the season, which makes her giddy inside.
Descending the staircase, Clarence looks up at her, and his mouth opens slightly. “You look beautiful, sister.” He says as she steps onto the bottom tread.
“Thank you, Clarence,” she pauses, taking in his midnight ensemble, “you look quite handsome as well.”
He loops her arm into his and walks Kora out of the manor. It’s frosty out, and Clarence had already decided on them taking a borrowed carriage to the Ascendancy. Kora’s very thankful for his decision, otherwise she’d show up at the ball with purple lips matching her gown.
They arrive at the Ascendancy shortly after leaving their manor, and it’s already bustling inside.
Mortals have their own balls at each other’s estates. This is similar, although only Seraphim are allowed to attend the Ascendancy balls and private soirees. Seraphim like to stick to their own-alike every other kind.
Mixing creatures is frowned upon by society, but it’s not illegal. Ada Clarke was born half Seraphim and half Spellcaster. Some of the older Seraph folk are afraid of her, but she’s nothing to fret over. Her magic seems dormant since she’s never seen using her Spellcaster abilities.
Then there’s Harry Wright, who is part Seraphim and part Shifter. He has the abilities of a Seraphim and can also shape-shift into a hawk. He’s banned from Shifting during training, but otherwise, he’s free to change whenever he likes-as long as it’s not to harm anyone.
Robert and Lucy Bladesmith are waiting outside of the Ascendancy doors, greeting everyone as Robert is the leader and Lucy, being his wife, is always loyally by his side. She welcomes Kora and Clarence in quickly, heat rushing over Kora’s skin in a soothing way as soon as they enter the atrium.
The ballroom at the Ascendancy is unmatched. A mural of Angels playing trumpets and harps on white fluffy clouds is painted along the ceiling, where overly large chandeliers dangle down like elegant spiderwebs of glass and crystal. Polished marble flooring that’s shiny enough it almost mirrors Kora’s reflection when she peers down at it. A full string quartet is set up along one side, and the other has tables crammed with food, sweets, and beverages. This one room is almost as large as the entire Hamilton manor.
Clarence ensures that the two of them make their introductions before finding their friends. He goes off to find Harry and Levi right after they round the room, allowing Kora to greet her friends alone .
“Kora. You look lovely, as always.” Ada Clarke says sourly, pulling a resentful face.
Her best friend, Elodi Andrewson, nods in agreement.
Kora’s never been close with either of them, so she doesn’t take much offence of their patronising expressions. They silently judge every other girl within the Ascendancy around their age. Kora wholeheartedly believes one of them will end up wedding Charles, since they all seem to share the same personality and snootiness.
“You look lovely, Ada.” Kora’s voice is overly kind. “You as well, Elodi.” She blatantly lies.
They’re both dressed in hideous ballgowns. Ada’s dress is white with pink and blue embellishments. She looks like a frosted cupcake. Elodie’s is an over stitch of black frills, green lace and pink silk. It reminds Kora of a watermelon split open.
“We heard you are finally eligible. Do you have your eye on someone special this season?” Ada asks with a twinkle in her sable eyes.
They’re a year older than Kora. Both coming out and announcing their eligibility last season, but unfortunately no man wanted to court with them. Kora can’t blame any of the men. They’re both insufferable to be around for an extended amount of time.
“I am. Clarence thought it was the right time for me,” Kora admits to them, “and I am still looking, I suppose.”
“Well, there are plenty of eligible men.” Elodi states, her voice hoarse as if she permanently has tonsillitis. “There is always the handsome and hilarious Matthew Blackwell, but perhaps you are too close with him already. Lewis Chiswick is another suitor, but his glasses don’t help his appearance at all .” She says rudely.
“Also, he is too thin and short for my liking.” Ada chimes in.
Kora has to bite down on her tongue to keep herself from slapping the two of them across the cheek in front of everyone.
“Then there is Charles Bladesmith. You know he might be the next leader of the Ascendancy, so that makes him more promising. Wealthy and respected is a good package. Oh, but did you see the new man in town?”
This makes Kora’s hazel eyes widen as she listens closely. Ada and Elodi look around the crowded room until Elodi points him out. “There he is. Jordan Carter. Blonde hair and blue eyes. How can you not fall for that handsome specimen?” She gives a smug grin that makes Kora’s pulse thump unevenly in her throat.
She wants to lash out at them when she catches Matthew’s eyes over Elodi’s shoulder, staring at her with pinched brows.
“Excuse me girls,” Kora says as politely as she can muster before walking up to Matthew and letting out a large expire. “I cannot with those two. You could have come over and saved me from their obnoxiousness sooner.”
Matthew lets out a low chuckle. “You should know better than to get into a conversation with Ada and Elodi. Heck, everyone in London knows that. Mortals included!”
Kora can’t help but snicker, knowing he’s more than right. Those two are always troublesome. “They just swooped me like vultures. What was I meant to do? If you’re rude to them, then you’ll be the talk of the town by tomorrow morning.”
“Next time, I promise, I will be your knight in shining armour and whisk you away from the spiteful, unbearable, wicked, nasty, hateful-”
Matthew names every word used to describe the two girls, but Kora holds up her hands to stop him. “I get it,” a giggle escaping her lips, “no need to recite the thesaurus to me. Perhaps I need a drink.” She peers around, seeing Daisy smiling with Clarence and his friends. She didn’t realise Daisy was already here.
Matthew catches her eyeline and sighs pleasantly. “Ah yes, then there is Daisy who is infatuated with your brother, Clarence.”
“Infatuated?” Kora echoes, staring at Matthew in surprise.
His eyes dart around as if he just told her their deepest, darkest secret. “Yes, she is in love with your brother,” he studies her expression, making sure she’s not pulling his leg, “how did you not see that?”
Kora blinks at him. Her mind still trying to comprehend the news.
Daisy is in love with Clarence.
Shaking her head at him, Kora backs up a step. “No. No. Daisy can’t be in love with my brother. They have known each other their whole lives. They are just close to one another.”
Lines of confusion etch between Matthew’s brows. “It is quite obvious, Kora. They are always together. The looks they sneak each other when they think nobody else is watching. She’s there speaking with him and his friends over being here with you. She seeks comfort from him over you…” he highlights. “Have you really not noticed all of this?”
Kora’s mouth drops open as if she finally realises for herself. “Daisy is in love with Clarence.” Her words are barely audible.
“Yes, Kora. I believe I just told you that,” Matthew says, sounding bored. He takes another sip of his lemonade.
She blinks at him again. “But how did I not see it?”
Matthew shrugs at her, “It’s not like seeing which Marking someone has to know if they are magical or not,” he tells her, “you would have figured it out at some point, Kora. If I can see it, then I am sure others can as well.”
“This makes so much sense.” She murmurs under her breath.
Matthew nods at her. “Well, now that it’s out in the open, I would like to get a cup of that delicious strawberry pudding everyone is walking around with.”
Kora gives him a look.
“What?”
She’s still never amazed by how Matthew’s attention can turn within an instant.
Matthew wanders off, chasing after one maid walking around carrying bowls of pudding on a golden platter .
Kora takes a breath, her eyes unmoving from where Daisy and Clarence stand laughing together. Clarence’s hand is touching Daisy’s back securely.
How has she been so blind all of this time?
She wanders over to them, a nervous half-smile forming on her lips.
“Kora.” Clarence says when he spots her only a few feet away. His hand drops from Daisy. “Is everything all right?”
Without a word, she pulls Daisy into an embrace.
Daisy hesitates for a second before throwing her arms around her tightly. “Kora, are you well?” She murmurs in a confused tone.
“I am just glad for you, that’s all.” Kora whispers back.
The music is playing loud enough that not even Clarence can hear either of them speaking, despite standing right beside them.
Daisy rests her head on top of Kora’s, closing her garnet eyes. “I take it Matthew finally spilt our secret with you?”
Kora pulls herself away, catching a glimpse of that smile she’s all too familiar with. “He did. But you didn’t need to keep it from me. I would have understood if you had just told me.”
Clarence looks between the two of them. “What is this about?” he questions.
“I know, but I didn’t want you to think this didn’t mean anything,” Daisy defends herself. “It means everything to me. That’s why I held off telling you. I wanted to make sure this was right before you knew.”
Kora nods up at her best friend. “Is it right then?”
Daisy’s garnet irises shimmer with joy as she says, “It is.”
“What’s going on?” Clarence asks, confused.
Kora touches her brother’s arm, “You should dance with Daisy.” Giving him a smile of approval.
Clarence frowns down at her. “Are you sure? I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. ”
“I’m not a little girl anymore, Clarence. If you and Daisy want to be together, then go. Be together. I’m fine with it.”
He beams a grin, taking Daisy’s hand in his rough one. “Are you sure?” His brows rising in question.
Kora rolls her eyes and pushes him towards the centre of the ballroom where the other couples are dancing together, “Go, before I change my mind.”
He snorts before guiding Daisy away with him.