Chapter 27
Nobles flitted about the castle with word of the casualties of the previous day’s attack. Twenty-one of Gabriel’s soldiers lost their lives, as did nine civilians. Almost all were angheals. Speculation and rumors swirled about what happened, a frenzy of gossip that every noble relished.
As Darragh predicted, Gabriel hadn’t returned to the castle until well into the early morning hours, directing his soldiers and the guard on what should be done.
He never mentioned the atonement or my father’s ring at breakfast. I was also never asked about my injury, likely too engrossed in the carnage and wreckage of the tavern.
Or maybe in the admiration he was receiving and the boasted retelling of his bravery and leadership.
I did black out on the way back to the castle, but Darragh got me to the lead healer, a beautiful daemonite named Thrissa, who healed my bad concussion but kept me for a few hours of observation. She shooed Darragh away after the first hour so I could rest.
“Stop hovering over her,” Thrissa said more than once, while I tried to hang onto the edges of consciousness. On his reluctant way out, I noticed his shirt was wet with blood from where I rested against him. I understood why black was his favored color.
The castle was in its own complete chaos now, with servants scrambling about, deliveries being made, and flowers, crystal glasses, and fine dinnerware being arranged throughout the ballroom. I kept out of the fray of it all by hiding in my rooms with Cora.
Another soak helped me relax after many sleepless nights, worry, injuries, and turning thoughts. My heavy eyelids lifted with a knock at the door.
“Mom, you’ve been in there for an hour. Let’s get ready for the ball.” Cora called impatiently.
I sighed. “Just a minute!”
The ball. After everything that happened the day prior, it seemed silly to have a ball, teetering on disrespectful.
I was dreading it. I hadn’t attended a ball since Cora was around one, but I imagined seraph balls were similar to human ones.
Filled with pomp, grandeur, and snobbery.
All manner of important seraphs would be there; many I had never met.
I didn’t let on to my disdain for events like these as Cora excitedly shared that she had been working with Queen Mollah at least every other day to give input and plan for it.
Maybe a seraph ball would surprise me, and I would have fun. I was not holding on to that hope.
Cora bounced about the room in anticipation.
I told her she could wear a tiny bit of makeup tonight if she wanted, and she has twirled and skipped and chattered incessantly about it since.
Queen Mollah broke the news to her that younglings, Cora, Percie, and Sellen, were only able to stay for the early portion of the event.
Alcohol and dancing could make adult behavior less appropriate as the night wore on.
I smiled at her excitement. “Ready for the ball, sweet girl?”
“Yes! I have been working so hard with Her Majesty, and I can’t wait to show you.”
I softly giggled. “I am sure this will be the finest ball the kingdom has ever seen. I see you have already put on your dress.”
Cora twirled. “I couldn’t wait. Isn’t it lovely? Prince Percie is wearing a matching tunic!”
Anya came this morning and dropped off two dresses, one for me and one for Cora. She spun in a lovely lilac purple dress embroidered with gold doves on the bottom of it.
As I opened the garment bag to look at my dress, I already knew that I was going to be disappointed.
Pink. A sequin and crystal bright pink gown glittered in the light of the lanterns.
It had a plunging neckline and was form-fitting, showcasing my curves.
I pulled the garment bag back over it and tossed it on the bed haphazardly.
There was no way I was wearing that. I was done with the pink, regardless of how Gabriel felt about it.
I flung open the wardrobe to look for the dress that I had gushed over when Darragh took me to Rosalyn’s dress shop.
It wasn’t for everyday wear and was impractical, so I decided to pass on buying it.
Much to my surprise, it showed up with the rest of the dresses, perfectly tailored to my measurements.
I had looked at it at least once a day since then, admiring the beauty of it.
I pulled it from the wardrobe with care.
Tiny crystals filled the sweetheart neckline and faded as they got lower on the deep burgundy satin dress.
A slit in the A-line skirt hit mid-thigh.
It was perfect. A mix of beauty and elegance.
Neither of which I would use to describe myself, but maybe for tonight, I could pretend.
Anya, dressed in a lovely deep orange chiffon dress, escorted Cora and me into the great hall, a cacophony of music and voices greeting us.
There was a hum of excitement in the air, and the great hall was decorated in swaths of blue and gold, crystal chandeliers dazzled in the lamplight, and food and drink were plentiful.
Atop a dais sat the king and queen, wearing not only regal formal attire but their signature scowl and sweet smile.
“The chandeliers were my idea,” Cora practically shouted.
“This ball wouldn’t be half as beautiful without them. Good thinking, sweet girl!” I gushed.
She smiled, eyes darting around at the overwhelming exuberance of the room.
Prince Percie tapped Cora’s shoulder, and he bowed as we turned, taking her hand into his. “You look pretty tonight, Lady Cora. Can I escort you around the ball this evening?”
If the sun were a smile, it would have been Cora’s. I nodded to let her go explore and have fun with the prince, ever the gentleman, and her new best friend. They took off in a flash, and Anya and I giggled.
“I am going to mingle and get a drink. I see Gabriel just over there,” Anya pointed and walked in the opposite direction toward a table with crystal flutes filled with golden liquid.
Gabriel was standing in a large group, wearing his military uniform of blue with a gold riband resting from one hip to the opposite shoulder, denoting his rank. Medals hung from the right coat breast.
Am I supposed to go to him? I thought gentlemen usually approached ladies. I turned and followed Anya to the drink table. I might need one to get through this evening. My eyes darted around the room, taking in the seraphs, the band, and the guards who lined the walls of the room.
“You’re looking for him,” Anya smirked.
“Gabriel?”
“No.” She handed me a crystal flute and walked away.
I tipped the entire contents of the glass into my mouth and picked up another from the table.
“Lady Aurora,” a grating voice said behind me.
I turned to find Devoruh wearing a gold silk dress, her hair let down in soft chin-length ringlets. It was a stark difference from her soldier uniform, but she wore the dress well, and the colors enhanced her stunning features.
My eyes widened. “Devoruh, you look incredible.”
She ignored the compliment, face stoic as ever. “I was sent to bring you to Gabriel. Come.”
She hadn’t let a few days between us make her lose her charm or distaste for me. I followed her through the crowd. My attention still danced around the perimeter of the room, looking at face after face.
“Lady Aurora.” A voice snapped my attention to the group of seraphs staring at me. Gabriel looked me up and down. “You aren’t wearing the dress I sent up to your room.” He frowned but pulled me close to him, his hand resting on my low back.
“Yes, Your Highness. The dress ripped when I put it on. I had to be resourceful and wear this one. My apologies.” That noble mask slipped right back on, though I hated it. I was tired of pretending I was someone I wasn’t.
“No matter. You still look breathtaking,” he whispered into my ear.
I curtsied. “You flatter me, Your Highness.”
Gabriel introduced me to four of the men standing around him. Their names left my mind as soon as he said them. Dolus tipped his head in acknowledgement.
“Nice to meet you. Dolus, lovely to see you again. Devoruh was just here a moment ago.” I realized as I looked behind me that she had vanished.
Dolus shrugged. “Oh, she is probably off in a corner, glaring at people. She’s good at that,” he joked.
The seraph nobles chatted, occasionally asking me questions about Edenalee or human society, and all the while my focus roamed from seraph to seraph, guard to guard.
Gabriel’s thumb started stroking circles along his position on my back.
I stiffened, but he didn't notice. I was an ornament for him tonight.
Full of fake laughter and pretty smiles through stifled eye rolls.
My feet started to hurt from standing so long, listening to the drivel of men trying to impress each other.
“Mom!” Cora put her hand on my arm, and I sighed at an excuse to turn my attention elsewhere, but the circle of nobles also turned their sights to her.
“Cora! How pretty you look in that color,” Gabriel cooed at her.
She curtsied. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Everyone, this is Cora Alwine, Lady Aurora’s daughter,” Gabriel introduced.
They all smiled as Cora leaned into my side. A seraph whose name I couldn’t remember, Gostrin or Gisler, perhaps, knelt to Cora’s level, inches from her face. “Cora, I have heard so much about you! What a lovely pair you make with Prince Percie.”
I immediately stepped in front of Cora, shielding her from him, and glared.
I did not like the insinuation that my daughter was anything but friends with the prince.
They were only younglings, for fate’s sake!
I had this happen to me when I was young as well.
Noblemen tried to make more out of relationships with boys my age than they were.
It always made me uncomfortable. My mother encouraged it, but I was not my mother, and I would not tolerate it.
Gabriel grabbed my hand, leading us away from the group. The sternness in my expression hadn’t softened.