30. Brielle
30
Brielle
Y ou’d think I would be used to seeing myself in gowns now but it is always startling to some degree. My hair, in perfect waves, brushes my bare back. It has gotten so long. This dress looks so similar to the one I wore at the first ball I attended here. Still very revealing but instead of black beads, there are gold, pale blue, and white beads with silver threading throughout.
I can’t help but think about the writing prompt we had in class during my freshman year of high school: “Where do you want to be in ten years?” Two years before I lost my mom.
I laugh as I recall writing about traveling. I wanted to travel to the places I read about in books with my mom. I wanted a life without hunting, without killing. Never would I have imagined this.
I brush the delicate beading on the mesh bodice of my dress. My mom would have loved this dress. She would have loved a potato sack fashioned as a dress on me. Giggling to myself, the memories bring tears to my eyes.
A small knock on the door causes me to jump, I quickly wipe the tears from my cheek that escaped.
“Come in,” I yell out.
Andrea peaks through the door, her curls pinned back on one side. She bites the side of her mouth while she slips into my room. Her light green tulle gown is fashioned in a bustier style top with delicate black lace intricately placed. A sheer black fabric lies atop the skirt, toning down the green in such an ethereal way. Pieces of lace and tulle hang off her shimmering shoulders. She must have used some of Celeste’s body shimmer she is always telling me about.
I haven’t seen her since our fight yesterday. Maybe I was a little too harsh on her. She has gone through a lot in such a short amount of time as well. I shouldn’t have treated her that way just because we disagree on the choices she has made.
I know she and Zach will work it out. We are family.
My features soften and her shoulders visibly relax. A small smile pulls at her brownish-nude lips.
“I got you this.” She extends a small wooden box to me.
“You didn’t have to get me anything.”
“I wanted to, you only turn twenty-five once.” She grabs my hand and puts it in my palm.
Unlatching the metal clasp, I lift the box open, revealing a small gold chain with a dagger charm. A small gasp escapes my lips.
“I know it isn’t the exact one you and your mother would wear but I thought something similar and new would symbolize a new beginning. A happy one. Happy Birthday, B.” She smiles, her eyes glossing over. Tears collect in my eyes as I pull her into a hug.
“It’s perfect,” I whisper. I pull back and tap the corners of my eyes so I don’t ruin my makeup. “I’m sorry for earlier. I just want you to be safe. I never meant to judge you or make you feel like your decisions meant nothing. I want what’s best for you.”
Andrea nods, “I know, I’m sorry for keeping things from you, I just didn’t want to stress you out more.”
“Don’t worry about that, I always have time to hear you out.” I turn and lift my hair. “Can you put it on for me?”
My best friend lifts the necklace out of the box and lays it over my neck, it drops when she clasps it and it falls at the perfect length. I grab the charm and run my thumb over it.
“Thank you,” I face her and tell her again. She smiles and nods. Her eyes widen when she sees the diamond on my hand. Andrea’s smile grows wider when she takes my hand and moves it in different directions.
“He did goooood!” she exclaims. Her eyebrows raise and pull together, her eyes soften when they meet mine. “You deserve this. There isn’t a man more perfect on this planet and all the realms for you.”
I look down and my ring finger and nod. “I know,” I whisper. I glance back at her through my lashes. “If Ash hurts you, I will still skin him alive.” I squeeze her hand. It’ll take me a while to trust him completely but I trust my friend’s instincts.
Andrea only clears her throat and nods hesitantly. Before I can ask what that shift in expression was she smiles.
“Good. Now let’s go have a fucking party!” She grabs my hand and pulls me to the door.
A deep breath fills my lungs while standing outside of the large golden doors to the ballroom. Footsteps halt at my side. Azra’s consuming aroma wraps around me. Andrea was told to bring me to the doors to wait for Azra so she went in ahead of me.
“Are you ready?” Azra asks, holding his hand up. I look over at him, his hair is pushed back to perfection. His black suit has intricately placed silver and gold threading on the lapels and my heart almost stops from how handsome he is.
“You wear a lot of gold, now.” I smile as I brush the thread and slip my hand into his. My nervously tense body instantly relaxes at his touch. Azra’s other hand reaches over, his knuckles brushing my cheekbone close to my eye.
“It’s my favorite color.” His small dimple shows with his perfect smile. Heat fills my cheeks at his insinuation that gold is his favorite color because of my eyes and the golden powers that swirl in them. “Now stop trying to avoid going in there, they are all waiting for their queen.”
“Almost queen.” I tilt my head and smirk at him while twirling the large engagement ring around my finger with my thumb. I gaze toward the door once more before blowing out a slow breath.
I have done this before, I don’t know why I have this eerie feeling in my gut about this ball. Every year on my birthday, I have such a sense of sadness that my mom isn’t here to celebrate with me.
I nod more to encourage myself than to signal Azra. He gives my hand a reassuring squeeze and the doors suddenly open on a phantom wind.
The crowd silences as the music fills my ears. Small gasps come from either side of the walkway they have moved to the side to make. I scan the crowd and find Andrea, smiling with her hand over her heart. My heart is beating rapidly but the familiar faces ease my worries.
I have grown to love these people. I will protect them with my life if needed.
I will be their queen.
We reach the dais that now holds a golden throne similar to Azra’s. There are detailed daggers carved into it and replicas of the necklace my mom gave me that I haven’t worn in six months.
Azra helps me step up and sit before doing the same. I have to admit, it’s comfier than it looks.
A few moments pass after the crowd has started to mingle again and the air shifts. I readjust my position on the throne and the pain in my gut dissipates. My brows pinch as I scan the crowd, finding nothing unusual.
Azra stands and chimes a champagne glass to get everyone’s attention. The music stops, and the room falls quiet as it did when we walked in.
“Azra, what are you doing?” I whisper out the side of my mouth. I give a tight smile at all the eyes staring at us.
“We have an announcement we’d like to make.” Azra leans over and grabs my hand.
“No, no, no,” I whisper as I reluctantly stand and fake smile.
“Yes, how could I not claim you when you look this devastatingly divine?” he whispers back. His lips press against my temple and his arm wraps around my waist and pulls me closer. I roll my eyes and smile a real smile this time.
“Someone has been reading too much poetry lately,” I whisper back with a giggle.
Azra’s hand slides down to my ass and gently squeezes as an answer.
“I would like to first wish Brielle a happy birthday.” The beings clap and wish me a happy birthday while some cup their mouth and woo. “As you all know, Brielle has been by my side in the Forsaken for some time now. Although that time may seem short, I know wholeheartedly that she will make a great queen over this realm we graciously get to call home. You all have welcomed her with open arms. So, we are happy to announce that we are now officially engaged to wed and she will reign as your queen.” Azra raises his glass, the crowd following suit.
A slow clap begins to echo throughout the crowd. My stomach turns as the air thickens around us. I squint my eyes and scan the entire room. Beings turn their heads toward the back of the room and move as the clap gets closer.
The crowd parts and someone with a cloak walks through, only their smooth milky arms and hands peeking through. They continue the clap until they are a few feet from the dais.
I recognize that cloak, it’s the same one from that day at Willow’s shop when they knocked the pie out of my hands. The delicate hands reach up and push back the hood, revealing their head that angled down.
Her head.
I tilt my head as I examine the woman’s features that seem so familiar to me. I can’t quite say if I have met this person face-to-face before.
A smirk pulls at her full lips as her head rises and her eyes land on mine. My chest immediately feels like it will explode as her green eyes stare into mine through her golden brows.
I can recognize that eye color anywhere.
My mother’s eyes.
I study her face and the familiar features, features I miss so deeply.
They are my mother’s features. Her sharp cheekbones, her golden blonde locks. But my nose and my chin make up the rest of her face.
My heart aches as it beats rapidly against my rib cage.
“Nice to finally meet you, little sister .”