Chapter 10. Birthday.
The soft waltz intruded upon my sleep, scaring away the last remains of my nightmare. My eyes stayed shut as I listened to the melody traveling all the way from the ballroom. Each press of the piano keys filled me with peace I had long forgotten.
I drew a careful breath, so as not to dispel the facade that horrors only haunted me in my sleep and the Moon’s realm only knew peace and freedom.
Then my eyes opened.
The reality of my being crashed down on me like an avalanche.
I closed my eyes once again, longing for the peace I was granted a mere moment ago, yet the magic was gone.
No matter the beauty of the piece, it brought me nothing but distress. My heart tore apart at the sound of the piano, my mind filled with memories of her hands over the keyboard. Whoever was playing, I wished for them to stop.
The music persisted when I got out of the bath, the music grew stronger when I braided my hair. Perhaps a ball was happening at the castle tonight, though I cared not to go investigate.
I lay on my unmade bed, my fingers playing with the flint Francis had left in my room last night; the upcoming conversation with William Barren ran through my mind stopless. Confidence left me with each passing moment.
There was only one way of successfully merging our forces: let William believe he was the one giving out orders, while pulling the strings behind closed doors, let him believe he was making the choice in favor of this alliance.
“Cordelia?” A knock on the door echoed through the room before Florence made her appearance at the threshold. “Will you join us?”
I hurried to put my ivory gloves on, sending the flint down my pocket. The burns had not bothered me anymore, yet the dark brown spots were still visible.
“I am not feeling well,” I lied, unsuccessfully it seemed, for Florence made her way into my room, her head crooked to one side.
“Come now, it’s Francis’ birthday.” She stood by the footboard of my bed.
The dark blue dress sat on her with perfection, small gems reflected the candlelight, glowing as bright as her brown eyes.
Dozens of long, small braids reached down her waist, the dark brown ends curled into spirals.
“It’s a small gathering, he would be happy if you joined,” she added.
“I don’t have a present.” I shrugged, pulling the blanket higher.
“Oh, I’m sure he wouldn’t care,” Florence chuckled, offering me a hand. “Let’s go. You can’t stay in your room forever.”
When I didn’t move, she sat on my bed, her hand wrapping around mine. She eyed my gloves, but refrained from saying anything about my fashion choices. A sad smile stretched her lips. “I meant to apologize for lying to you then—”
“You have nothing to apologize for,” I interrupted, averting my gaze; my hand went limp in hers.
“Of course I do.” She squeezed my hand, and it took everything in me to hide the discomfort of my healing injuries. “You were right to be upset with me,” Florence’s voice broke. “I knew of Francis’ plan all along and let it happen. I am so sorry.”
“You were protecting your family. I understand.”
“You are my family too,” she whispered as tears filled her eyes. “Will you please forgive me?”
“I am not upset with you, Florence. I would do the same.”
“Tell me you forgive me,” she wouldn’t give up.
“All right.” I sighed. “I forgive you.”
Her full pink lips stretched into the sunshine smile. “Thank you, I won’t let you down again, I promise.” Florence let out a sigh. “Now let’s go, you can't hide here forever.”
“I really don’t—”
“No excuses!” She dragged me out of the bed. “I’m not letting you stay alone while all of us are enjoying ourselves.”
“I don’t—” I trailed off when Florence’ hands reached for the unbuttoned part of the dress at my neck. Her fingers swiftly fixed up my appearance until she beamed, looking me up and down.
“Perfect!” she exclaimed, nodding. “Let’s go.”
“I won’t stay for long.” I gave up as she pushed me out of the room.
“Of course.” She grinned from ear to ear. “I wouldn’t expect any more!”
Three—no, four—pairs of eyes landed on me when we entered the ballroom of the castle, which now looked empty compared to the last time I was in here.
Francis’ fingers still flew across the keys of a grand piano in the center of the room, stumbling only for a moment before he averted his gaze back to the music sheet, smiling.
Roxanne, Simon, and a mysterious guest I had never met before, sat on the settees next to the piano; a circular table held their drinks while they enjoyed the music.
Florence pointed at the settee closest to Francis’ bench, gesturing for me to take a seat. It would be pointless to argue with her, so I abided by her demands. She filled my glass with wine, and I thanked all the Gods that it wasn't blood.
Francis stole a few glances at me when the slow and mournful melody turned into a fast and joyful piece. Every time his eyes landed on me, my skin prickled against the tight fabric of my dress.
A few minutes passed before the flow of the piece came to an end; the last note lingered in the air, echoing throughout the ballroom. Francis spun on the bench, facing his small audience as everyone clapped—everyone but Roxanne, who theatrically rolled her eyes, fighting the smile off her face.
When the ovations quieted, Simon cleared his throat. “Cordelia,” he addressed me. “Please meet Ash, the blacksmith of Faris.” He pointed at the vampire sitting next to him. “They sometimes help me to run the Tavern and—”
“And they clearly have bad taste in men since they chose you as their companion,” Francis snickered, to which Simon slipped his shoe off, throwing it straight at Francis’ head. The room erupted in laughter.
“Hey! It’s my birthday, must I remind you.” Francis threw the shoe back at Simon.
Simon shook his head, catching it with one hand. “Ash makes the best caramel fudge, you should definitely come and try it,” he continued.
“It is nice to meet you, Ash,” I offered them my gloved hand. “I’m excited to try your caramel fudge,” I said through the growing ache in my heart.
“It is nice to meet you too.” They shook my hand, oblivious to my odd reaction over some dessert.
Their hand was warm to the touch, save for all the rings they’d decorated their fingers with.
A big red stone shone bright, illuminating with the candlelight; my eyes lingered on Ash’s ring, reminding me of a similar stone my mother used to wear.
“Do you like it?” Ash caught my gaze.
“It’s beautiful.” I nodded.
“Take it.” Ash slipped the ring off, handing it to me. At my hesitation they added, “I have at least a dozen in my collection, take it.” They slipped the ring onto my index finger over my silky glove.
“It suits you,” Florence chimed in.
The red stone sat heavy on my hand, the golden band wrapped around my finger as though it was made for me.
“Thank you,” I nodded at Ash.
“All right,” Francis finished his drink, setting an empty glass on the table. “I am ready for presents!”
“It’s not even midnight.” Roxanne shook her head. “You must wait until morning.”
“So what if it isn’t?” Francis shrugged. “My birthday—my rules.”
“Fine.” Roxanne reached for the wrapped rectangle underneath her settee, offering it to Francis. “Happy early Birthday.”
Francis beamed like a child, unfolding the pieces of parchment.
Dimples, I’d never noticed before, decorated his bright smile.
“Where did you find this?” Francis glanced at Roxanne when her present was freed from the parchment.
She shrugged, fighting the smile off her face, though it was clear she was proud of her findings.
“This is incredible.” Francis flipped through the pages of—what I guessed—was a collection of musical pieces.
“This was the very first piano book my mother had brought me to study. I never told you that.” Francis’ eyes narrowed on Roxanne.
Roxanne shrugged in reply. “A lucky guess, then.”
“My turn!” Florence jumped off her settee, rushing to retrieve her oddly shaped present that sat atop one of the tables usually used for the big gatherings.
“What in the Kingdom is that?” Francis’ brows furrowed, pulling on the black ribbon.
“I hope you like it.” Florence took a sip of her drink.
Francis struggled with the ribbon, turning it into a knot.
“Let me,” I teased, unable to hide my amusement at his struggles.
Our hands touched when he passed the present, the thin fabric of my gloves was our only barrier. Though it did nothing to stop the goosebumps from spreading across my arm.
Untying the knot in gloves was more challenging than I’d expected, yet I supposed I needed to get used to my new alterations.
The ribbons fell to the marble floor, revealing the mysterious present Florence had prepared.
“Now you don’t have to borrow Roxanne’s bow,” she beamed as I passed the new, shiny weapon to Francis.
“Thank the Moon.” Roxanne rolled her eyes, chuckling.
“Thank you, Florence,” Francis said, studying his wooden weapon.
“Happy birthday!” Simon passed the present he hadn’t bothered wrapping. An old bottle of wine, with a label that fought to stay in place.
“It’s seventy years old.” Simon winked. “That was the first bottle I ever sealed.”
“All of you decided to spoil me this year, huh.” Francis’ expression turned serious. “You do know this might not be my last birthday?”
Everyone’s face went pale as a dreadful silence fell upon the ballroom.
“Dear Moon,” Francis shook his head, laughing. “You should see your faces.”
“Stop it, Francis, this isn’t funny.” Florence huffed; Francis put his hands up in defeat at her annoyed tone.
Ash cleared their throat, breaking the tense spell in the air. “I didn’t have time to find you a proper gift.” Ash offered a small box to Francis, glaring at Simon. “Because someone forgot to mention your birthday.”
“I already apologized.” Simon sighed, giving Ash a kiss on their temple.
“You didn’t have to bring anything,” Francis said. “But I greatly appreciate the thought.”