Chapter 25
Enchanted
Raven
This bed is a literal cloud. I sink deeper, cocooned in layers of soft, luxurious sheets that practically hug me back. If someone told me the Egyptian gods wove this fabric themselves, I’d believe them. I could stay in this bed forever and die happy.
Unfortunately, Rachel has other plans.
“Today is the day!” She declares, launching herself onto the bed like a human cannonball. I grunt as the mattress absorbs the impact and my little bubble of bliss officially shatters.
I pry an eye open. “The day for what? My untimely death?”
“The sky's awake, today’s the day,” she sings.
I groan, shoving my face into my pillow. She’s lucky I love her.
Rachel grabs my arm, tugging at me. “Come on, we need breakfast before we start getting ready for tonight.”
Holy shit! I almost forgot what today was. That gets my attention.
“Fine.” I stretch lazily, reluctant to leave my paradise but tempted by the idea of fresh pastries and hot tea. “Want to go to that little cafe down the street for breakfast?”
Rachel grins. “That’s exactly what I was hoping you’d say.”
The second we step inside, the smell of warm cinnamon and fresh coffee wrap around me. The energy in here is bright, cozy, and buzzing with life. It’s busy here this morning.
We grab a table by the window and Rachel immediately dives into the menu. I look around and freeze.
It's Mike Wazowski.
He’s at the counter, laughing with an older man, and his posture is completely relaxed. He looks nothing like the polished formal businessman I met the other day.
I lean over and nudge Rachel, keeping my voice low. “That’s Mike. The guy from work. The one in the white shirt.”
Rachel looks up and completely goes still. Her eyes narrow slightly as she leans toward me. “Wait, that’s him?”
“Yup,” I tilt my head. “Not bad-looking, right?”
She raises an eyebrow, nodding slowly. “Oh, for sure.” A pause. “So do we like him? Or…?”
“Eh.” I drag the sound out. “He’s definitely attractive, but he came off… very formal. So I'm not sure if he's my type, but maybe that’s just the job. I guess emails and suits aren’t exactly thrilling.”
I look over toward the counter again. He doesn’t look like emails and suits today.
“Although…” I continue, tilting my head. “He was kinda sweet. And he did offer to show me around.”
Rachel is watching me like a hawk. “So… he’s totally flirting with you. Is that even appropriate? Remember no men.”
“Was. Past tense.” I correct quickly.
The look she gives me says she doesn’t believe me for a second.
The second Mike spots me, he smiles and heads straight over, stopping at the table with that charming grin he pulls out like a party trick. Confidence looks effortless on him, which is…annoyingly effective.
“Well, well… fancy meeting you here,” he says smoothly. Then, his attention shifts entirely to Rachel. “Who’s your lovely friend?”
“Rachel.” She studies him for a beat too long, her expression is unreadable, but calculated. It's the kind of look that makes men lean in without realizing they're doing it. “I'd like to know more about you.”
Mike chuckles, clearly intrigued, but whatever curiosity he spares Rachel dies fast—his attention returns to me like it never left. “I’m just a work friend.”
Rachel lets out the faintest hum, like she's filing the moment away for us to talk about later.
“What brings you two out this way?” He smiles, looking between us. “A bit of sightseeing?”
“Pretty much.” I shrug.
“We needed breakfast before our big plans tonight.” I pause, curiosity tugging at me. “Do you live around here?”
“Oh no.” He waves a hand casually. “Just in the area checking on a friend.”
He straightens slightly, adjusting his watch. “Well, it was a pleasure meeting you, Rachel.”
Then, he turns back to me. “Good seeing you again, Miss Taylor. Enjoy your breakfast… and your ball.”
And just like that, he’s gone.
Rachel and I exchange a look and then the laughter starts.
“He’s kinda fun, don’t you think?
She smiles, giving me a pointed stare. “Too bad you're on a no men kick.”
The bathroom is a war zone of curling irons, mascara wands, and colorful chaos. Rachel and I share the vanity as we attempt to work our magic. The air crackles with energy while our ridiculous commentary bounces off the walls, making it impossible to focus.
Rachel’s half-done curls keep hitting me in the face while I carefully apply my lipstick. I pause mid-stroke, dodging another close call before snapping, “Oh my God, Rachel, if you whack me with your hair one more time, you’re going to for sure get lipstick on it.”
She snorts, completely unbothered. “Relax, you’re about to look like a goddess, you’ll survive.”
I huff out a laugh, shaking my head as I finish. She’s not wrong. Anticipation hums around us, all jittery nerves tangled with excitement.
This isn’t just some event. It’s the solstice, a full moon, and somehow, we’ve found ourselves going to a ball. All in one night!
It’s like the universe hand-delivered every childhood fairytale we've ever had on a silver platter. Except the dresses are better, the men are hotter, and the stakes feel impossibly high.
Rachel spins dramatically, her gown catching the light as she strikes a pose.
“How do I look?”
“Like you’re about to ruin some poor bastard's life.” I grin. “Damn, you look good. Now hurry up before we’re late… and not in the cute way.”
I slide into the dress and meet Rachel's wide-eyed reflection. She's looking at me with her mouth half open like I just reinvented fire in front of her.
“Holy fuck,” she whispers.
When I finally look in the mirror, I have to blink a few times. Nephi's work was impressive at the fitting, but under the glow of these lights, it's something else entirely. The dress fits like it's conspiring with me. The liquid fabric flows in ways that feel almost dangerous.
Rachel nudges me, giving herself one last once-over. “Yup, we look amazing.”
She’s right. We do.
But as I look back at my reflection, something tugs at me. I wasn't planning on wearing my necklace, it doesn't really match the aesthetic I was going for. But suddenly, that feels irrelevant.
Without thinking, I cross the room, slipping it from the pouch. The metal is cool against my fingertips, but the moment it touches my skin, warmth spreads through me.
Rachel's phone pings, letting us know the car is outside, and right on time.
We grab our stuff, lock the door, and head outside. I’m practically vibrating with excitement. The car hums along the road as the city slowly gives way to the countryside. Rachel sits beside me, uncharacteristically silent, with her eyes fixed on the passing landscape.
I blink and the next thing I know, a sharp bump rattles me upright. My head snaps toward the window. Somewhere along the way, the world outside shifted.
Where are we?
Recognition tugs at the edges of my mind as the car takes another turn. The sound of gravel crunching beneath the tires fills the silence, and a large iron gate looms ahead. As the car rolls through the entrance, the castle comes into view.
A sharp inhale slips past my lips.
“This is the same castle.”
Rachel snaps to attention, blinking as she finally registers where we are. “Wait, what?”
I can’t take my eyes off the massive stone structure, it's lit like something out of a dream.
Rachel vibrates beside me, her excitement suddenly radiating off her in waves. “You mean… the same castle we were at with the guys?”
I huff out a small laugh, shaking my head. “Unless you’ve been sneaking off to castles behind my back, I’d say yes.”
As the car rolls up the long drive, the full scale of the event unravels before us.
A steady stream of vehicles moves toward the grand entrance as the valets guide the guests in a rhythmic, effortless dance.
The warm glow of chandeliers spills out onto the courtyard, flickering across the cobblestone path.
Music drifts from the entrance, weaving through the night like a spell. The entire scene hums with anticipation and I seriously cannot wait to get out.
I reach into my bag, pulling out my mask. “Let’s hurry and put these on.”
Rachel nods, shifting closer as we take turns fastening the delicate straps. There’s something thrilling about the anonymity of it all, it's like slipping into another life, another version of ourselves.
A gloved hand slips into view, and when I look up, a valet is already there, smiling as he swings the door open. “Good evening, beautiful,” he says smoothly, offering his hand.
Rachel's already stepping out on the other side, laughing as her own escort assists her. “Well, this is already turning into a night to remember.”
The valet straightens, keeping his expression polite. “Would you like to leave your things in the car, Miss? Your driver will stay here until you're ready to leave. Your things will be safe.”
It’s an easy choice. Nothing ruins a look like a clutch weighing you down all night.
“That’s perfect, actually.” I smile, looking at Rachel. “I think I'll leave my phone too. Let's just keep an eye on each other.”
Rachel nods, already slipping her phone into her bag and setting it inside the car. “Deal.”
The castle at dusk is breathtaking. Its towering stone walls glow under the last traces of fading sunlight. The last time we were here, storm clouds clawed at the sky, twisting the castle into something out of a gothic nightmare. But tonight, it’s something else entirely.
The courtyard thrums with life.
Guests move in clusters while their gowns sweep across the stone. The soft light catches on all the masks and shimmering fabrics. Laughter and conversation intertwine with the music, and it's an intoxicating blend of excitement.
No names. No pasts. Just the company of strangers, and the promise of a night where anything could happen.
Rachel loops her arm through mine, her voice hushed with awe. “I feel like this is going to be the best night ever.”