22. The Ball
twenty-two
The Ball
*ALANA*
I let my gaze wander through the huge ballroom as Kilah helps to prepare for the masquerade. “This is amazing,” I tell her. Kilah and I might have our issues, but I must give credit where credit is due. She really knows how to organize such an event.
“Really?” Kilah smiles proudly. “Do you like it too, Azadeh?”
Aza nods. “It looks amazing. Is it really going to be such a big event?”
“It’s for the whole pack,” I tell her.
Kilah was against inviting lower ranks, but since our father told me to organize it, there wasn’t much she could say about it. I wanted everyone to be able to join this welcome party for the princess, and not just the nobility. They do have to register their names for it, and we have a lot of guards and security stationed.
“Wow,” Azadeh says. “It’s great that everyone can attend.” She smiles nervously. “It’s my first event of this kind.”
“Surely you went to balls or parties?” Kilah asks, shocked.
Azadeh remains silent, and I’m not sure how to diffuse the awkwardness. Kilah doesn’t mean ill, and I think part of her is truly fascinated by the beautiful Desert Princess, but there is a reason Aza barely talks about her home. I just hope Kilah will learn one day to read between the lines. At least she is trying, though, and she is genuinely welcoming towards the princess.
“Don’t worry, Princess,” Ita saves the day as usual. “Prince Flinn is going to be there, as will the rest of us. We will show you how to party.”
“Don’t forget Tynan,” I point out.
“I think he will rather sit there and pout, and try to win his general’s attention,” Ita grins, making us all chuckle.
“We should help him eventually,” I point out, feeling sorry for our friend. Tynan is a nice, kind guy, if a bit rough around the edges; he just can’t do feelings. He turns into a helpless Neanderthal in front of his mate.
“Oh, look at you,” Ita teases, wrapping an arm around me. “My favorite goody-two-shoes.”
I can’t help the warmth that spreads through my chest at her words and touch. I know Ita isn’t my mate. I know I’m doomed, but I just can’t help it.
“How about we go and drink something warm ?” Kilah asks, unknowingly saving me from this embarrassing moment.
“Good idea,” Azadeh agrees.
“I can organize some hot chocolate,” Ita offers. “Let’s go and visit my parents.”
Everyone seems to be on board. Aza has been looking worried a lot recently, so I’m glad we can distract her a while with the masquerade. Kilah, however, first nods happily before she shifts around nervously.
I wish I could link her, but unfortunately, she doesn’t have her wolf yet. “Is everything alright?” I whisper to her when the others are busy checking out the decorations.
“It’s just… Gamma Ita doesn’t like me much, and I know it’s my own fault. I just don’t want to annoy her in her own house.”
“Kilah,” I say. “I know it’s difficult, but you need to step out of your comfort zone, too. Only you can change Ita’s perception of you, and honestly, I think you are doing quite well.”
She takes a deep breath. “Alright. I will continue to try.” To swallow her pride down is difficult for her, but I truly commend her for trying. I know she still has quite the path in front of her, but so do we all. And every change starts with a first step.
I talk to the kitchen chef for a time and check on the musicians before I join the others heading over to Ita’s place. I’ve known her for so long that I feel at home there. Her parents are like family to me. For a few minutes, we all fuss over Ita’s brothers and the baby before her mom shoos us to the dining room.
Ita follows her to the kitchen and helps her, just to return a few minutes later with a tray with cups full of steaming hot chocolate and a freshly baked pie.
“Say,” Azadeh takes a sip of the hot chocolate Ita brought for us. “There is something I always wanted to ask. What kind of shifters are there? I mean, what type of shifters exist? Every time I wanted to ask, something came up.”
“Oh, right, you were so busy with everything we couldn’t teach you much about the kingdom,” I nudge Ita. “You’re up.”
Ita nods. “You have seen the werebears already,” she says.
“They are enemies of the werewolves?” Aza wants to know.
“Not necessarily,” Ita explains. “They roam our territory but don’t belong to the kingdom. Currently, werebear territory is actually in no-man's land. They live in sleuths, similar to packs, but there aren’t many of them. They are said to be easily manipulated, though. We don’t have much contact with them.”
“And who else?” Aza asks.
“There are fox shifters, but they live at the eastern border, hidden away. They do have their own leader.” Ita frowns. “There is also said to be a pack of bird shifters high in the mountains, not that I have ever met one. But-” Now her eyes gleam. “I once saw a deer shifter. I have never had contact with them, but I saw one… a majestic stag. The deer shifters have their own leader, too, but they respect King Gillean a lot and are allies.”
“And the dragons,” I point out. “I read about them in one of my books.”
“Aren’t they extinct?” Kilah asks curiously.
Ita shrugs. “They are said to be extinct… but…”
“But?” Azadeh probes.
“When I was a child, I saw one,” I admit. I still remember it vividly. “My mother and I were visiting an aunt, who lived in a pack close to the mountains in the north… the sight was fascinating, huge mountains towering in front of us, and building a natural border between us and the lands behind it. They are said to be uninhabited lands. One night, I heard a noise and went outside without my mother realizing. I got lost and almost died. A woman appeared in front of me, then turned into a dragon and carried me back.”
“Maybe you dreamed it?” Kilah whispers.
I would feel annoyed by her doubting me, but she isn’t the first. Not even my mother truly believed me. I was almost frozen to death back then, and she thought I was seeing things due to being so close to dying, but I still remember it as if it was yesterday. The beautiful woman took me in her arms, and tried to warm me, and then I saw her shift, turning into a majestic blue dragon.
“I believe you,” Ita says quietly.
I turn my head to look at her. I don’t talk much about this day, knowing people normally shut me down. “You do?”
“If you say you saw a dragon, then you saw it,” she says in a matter-of-fact tone.
“I don’t know what to think about it, as no one has seen any dragons for years,” Kilah admits.
I see Ita open her mouth to retort something. Please don’t, I link her.
But Alana, she is-
I know, but I doubt she is aware of it. I pause, not sure how to continue. I have a lot of conflicted feelings towards Kilah, and a lot of times, she either hurts me or pushes me away. Both feelings aren’t good ones. But she is also my sister… It’s just… this is the longest we went without an argument, and she is trying. I pause. No one changes overnight. She is my sister, please, give her a chance. And she isn’t the only one that doubts me.
Ita rolls her eyes before smiling gently. Goody-two-shoes.
I return her smile. Thank you.
*AZADEH*
“We look so good!” Simin exclaims, twirling around in front of me. She is in a particularly good mood, because earlier today, while I tagged along with Alana, Ita and Kilah, she had an appointment with King Gillean. He offered for her to go back to school if she wants to. Back at home, as an orphan, she was only able to get a basic education. Now, she finally has the chance to learn something and to make her own decisions about her life.
“We really do,” I agree. “The color suits you so well. Let me prepare your hair.”
I help Simin braid her hair into a beautiful crown before she helps me with mine. I leave mine open for most parts, just having two small braids woven into each other. Then, we help each other with our masks.
“You look good, Simin,” I say, feeling touched to see my surrogate sister so happy and beautiful.
“You too, Azadeh.” She takes my hand. “This is your celebration today.”
“It’s ours,” I correct her. “So, let’s make the best out of it and have fun.”
She beams. “You’re right.”
Simin and I make our way out of our rooms and toward the end of the hallway, where Kilah is waiting for us. Her eyes widen when she sees us. “You both look fantastic,” she says.
“You do, too,” I say.
“Oh wait, I forgot my bracelet,” Simin says.
“Go and fetch it, we’ll wait,” I promise.
Simin hurries back to her room while Kilah and I remain in silence. “I’m actually a bit envious,” she admits.
“But you look beautiful, Kilah,” I assure her, stunned. She does look wonderful in the gown she picked. “The green looks fantastic with your skin tone and eyes.”
“It’s just… you will think it’s stupid, but I wish my body were better, more toned and not curvy. I feel like I’m too tall and that everyone always looks at me… just for the wrong reason.”
I feel my heart clench at her words. I wasn’t aware how deeply her insecurities ran. “Nothing is wrong with your body,” I say quietly. “Your height makes you look regal and-”
“And strong,” she adds sadly.
“What’s wrong with looking strong?” I want to know.
“It’s just… I want to look more like a princess,” she admits.
“Oh, Kilah, but you DO look like a princess.” I’m not sure what to tell her. She is perfectly fine the way she is. If she would stop trying to force a certain image on herself, she would realize how great it is to be confident and strong.
“All my siblings are so much better at something; they are all special in one way or another.” She sighs. “I wish I could be you.”
“I wish I would be less meek and more confident,” I tell her honestly. “I’m far from perfect.”
“You are confident,” Kilah blinks. “At least you look like you are.”
“It’s just an act so that no one realizes how scared I am. In fact, I am not even sure who I truly am,” I say quietly. “I know how you feel.”
“But you are so special, so much that there are rumors about you. You are a beauty to behold; everyone turns their heads to look at you.”
“Does it matter, though?” I ask her. “When no one talks to you or dares to look you in the eye, does it matter that you are beautiful? I know how it feels to be lonely amidst people.” I smile sadly. “See, we are not that different.”
Kilah takes my hand and squeezes it. “If you ever feel alone, you can talk to me.”
“And, if you ever feel insecure, you can talk to me.”
She smiles at me. “So, I guess I have to woo them with my tall, curvy body tonight.”
“And I’m actually glad I can hide behind a mask.”
We both chuckle slightly. We don’t say any more about this issue, as Simin comes racing back to us. “I actually had to dig through my wardrobe.” She groans. “I can’t believe I always lose my stuff.”
“But, you found it, at last,” I smile, linking arms with her from one side, while Kilah links hers from the other side. “It’s time to celebrate.”
The ball Kilah and Alana organized leaves me speechless. I had seen the decorations and the plans beforehand, but seeing it all come together is amazing. Alana notices us instantly and comes hurrying towards us. “You ladies look great,” she says, impressed.
“You too,” Kilah says, actually sounding surprised.
“I can’t believe we’ve reached the day that my younger sister compliments me on my choice of clothes,” Alana grins.
When Eibhlin and Ita join us as well, I take a look at our group, laughing. “We all stick out so much.”
“At this point, the masks are useless,” Ita chuckles. “It’s not even the scent giving us away.”
“We do stick out like a sore thumb,” Kilah agrees.
“I disagree, princess.” Ita smirks. “I think we are all looking so fabulous we easily own the room.”
At her words, even Kilah has to smile. “So, food first or dance?”
Alana turns towards Ita, bowing in front of her with a silly smirk. “May I, my lady?”
“Oh, of course, I could never say no to such a fine gentlelady,” Ita retorts in a similarly silly manner. I’ve only seen Ita’s professional side until now, but it’s lovely that she has this fun side to her also.
“What about us, food or dance?” Simin asks.
“I would like to eat something,” I say, not ready yet to dance with someone. While Kilah leads us towards the huge buffet, I allow my eyes to wander through the crowd. It’s as if my eyes are searching for someone, but I’m not sure what I’m looking for. The food distracts me for a moment, that is, until a huge, bulky guy asks a flustered Simin for a dance.
“I bet no one will dance with me,” Eibhlin says. “Not that I mind, though.”
“I bet the same with me,” Kilah admits.
She is wrong though, because soon enough, a young man asks for a dance, and I can almost see the rock dropping off her shoulders. She looks at me, worried, but I just shake my head and wink at her. With a smile, Kilah joins him on the dance floor.
“You know,” Eibhlin says thoughtfully. “I first thought every male here would flock to you the moment you came into the room, but… maybe I shouldn’t be surprised.”
“Why is that?” I ask curiously. I’m used to being alone so that lack of attention doesn’t bother me much. Some of the men keep looking at me though, making me wonder why they don’t just ask me for a dance.
“Because no one wants to cross an alpha prince,” she says, like it’s the most normal thing to say. It’s the second time I’ve heard these words.
I stare at her. “A prince?”
“Yes.” Eibhlin raises her head slightly and nudges me. A tall young man approaches me, looking so stunning in his black suit and with his mask. I gulp as I look into silver eyes.
“May I ask for a dance?” he asks.
“Of course,” I smile, laying my hand on his. Even without having seen his eyes, I would have recognized