Once Sun Paw returned to retrieve my unfinished meal, she drew me a bath. After a long relaxing soak, I crept into bed. It was just passed eight, and I fell asleep before I knew it. The nightmares that flooded my head that night were of masks and faces in disguise. Some of the masks where jovial, while the ones that chased me, the ominous looking ones, looked like Gerald.
TwentySeven
Voyeur
The annoying and familiar racket of Sun Paw bustling around my room woke me the next morning. She was fussing specifically with my ball gown. It had been delivered this morning by Miss Cuttwright. Even through blurred and sleepy eyes, the gown looked stunning; fit for a princess, or in my case, an empress. Miss Cuttwright created an amazing work of art out of the luxurious bolts of fabric that Bethany and I, well mostly Bethany, had picked out in town just four days ago. Miss Cuttwright constructed the gown in record time, and with only one fitting.
Sun Paw hung the gown on the back of my embroidered dressing screen. I blinked excessively as I stared at the sumptuous layers of draped and embroidered champagnetoned gold and ivory satin and tulle. Bethany thought it perfect to design a gown inspired by the fashions seen in France. I guess that made sense since I had supposedly spent the last two years there. But the gown was as ghastly as it was beautiful. I wondered who I’ve become and who I’d been all at the same time. I hoped that I could pull this thing off, not so much the gown but being crowned the Empress of the Ischeros. I really wasn’t looking forward to the Masquerade Ball tonight.
My last memory of the night before was of kissing Evan. My heart raced with the thought, and I felt the rush of warm blood to my cheeks, and I wondered if Sun Paw noticed me blushing. Evan had made the first move by taking my face into his toasty hands and forced me to drown deep into the endless abyss of his eyes. Then it was as if I’d known him for a hundred years or more, the familiarity of his touch and the alluring scent of him were all comforts of a lover. I obliged him with the kiss that sealed the deal for me. I didn’t know how this happened or when exactly, but I dared not to even say it to myself.
How could this be?
I’ve started to believe it. I’ve started to believe that I may have fallen in love with him. I couldn’t remember anything about our relationship in the past, besides he and I being chased in the forest, yet I felt like I’ve known him forever. This made sense and no sense at the same time.
Strangely, I didn't remember him leaving my room or when I got into bed. I knew that I dreamt some disturbing dreams, but I couldn’t remember any of them. I continued to watch Sun Paw, who was engrossed with arranging things around the room to notice that I had awakened. I stretched a little; not ready to rise out of my warm covers. A long, sleep induced yawn made me contemplate throwing the covers over my head to steal a few more Zzz's.
After hearing my roar of a yawn, which had sounded much noisier than I had anticipated, Sun Paw realized that I was indeed awake. Great, I thought, now she'll start fussing with me. I didn’t believe that I needed a servant at my every beck and call. Actually, I never really ever beckoned her. She was just always there. I pulled by hair into a loose bun fastened with a jeweled comb, after getting into my floral embroidered, mint green, silk robe. A knock at the door startled me even though I already knew who it was. Sun Paw let Bethany in.
“Good morning, Cordelia. Oh look!” Bethany exclaimed loudly, sprinting in her lavender silk embroidered robe to where my gown hung. “Your gown arrived! I was worried that it wouldn't be ready in time due to all the intricate details, but honestly I envy you. Miss Cuttwright must have finished my gown in a hurry then devoted all of her time to yours. I'm definitely jealous; it is far more stunning than mine.” Bethany brushed her hand lightly over the luxurious gold fabric as she beamed her sunny smile. “You will look breathtaking in it.”
“It is beautiful. I hope that I can pull the look off.”
“Doesn’t it feel sumptuous?” Bethany asked, as I ran my hand over the fabrics. The gown practically glowed as it basked in the early morning sun’s rays cascading through the windows.
“Sun Paw, please give us a moment.”
“Yes, of course, Miss Bethany.” Sun Paw left the bedroom and exited the sitting room.
Bethany grabbed my hand, and walked me over to the sofa where we both sat down. She cinched her lavender silk robe a little tighter as she crossed her legs, allowing a healed lavender silk slipper to dangle off of her slim foot. I sat barefooted and anticipated what Bethany would say next.
“Tonight is a very special night. You’re crowning means so much to us all. Even the gods have been patiently waiting for this divine day.” Bethany gave me a hug and a squeeze.
“They have?”
“Certainly they have. The gods love to see how their greatness is glorified. Always remember that without the gods, we are nothing, mere mortals –
imperfections. This celebration is as much theirs as it is ours.” Bethany proclaimed.
“Will I still be crowned even though I don't remember my past?” I asked apprehensively and already knowing the answer.
“The ceremony must take place on the Ischeros New Year,” Bethany said, confirming my fears.
“But I don’t remember anything. How can I reign if I’m not prepared?”
“I know that you’re nervous. We’ll all be there.”
“It’s not like I’m going to the prom, Beth. What should I expect?”
“If all goes as planned, which it will, you will be summoned at midnight by Athena. Then Zeus will ignite you with his bolt. It will strengthen the one that is already lit within you.”
“What do you mean by ignite?” All I saw was visions of flames. “He's not going to set you on fire, Delia.” Bethany said, looking as if she wanted to smack me for my stupidity. “You shouldn't be afraid.”
“You didn't answer my question.”
“Zeus will simply touch you.”
“And I shouldn't be afraid?” I said, imagining the larger than life King of the Gods – my father, actually tapping me on the shoulder. The vision was surreal.
“No, you should not.”
“Right.” I rolled my eyes and nodded. “Then why am I shaking with the thought of it? Look,” I said to Bethany, as I held up my hand. “I’m freakin’
shaking. I’m freakin’ out!”
“Try to relax Cordelia.”
“Are you kidding? How can I relax? This is way too overwhelming. Too much is expected of me. Too much that I know nothing about. Too much that I still can’t recall.”
“Don’t fret. We'll all be there with you. Evan, Nikolas, my parents, the elders, all of the members, and me. I'll be there – right beside you, all the while. I promise.” I tried to accept Bethany’s support but it wasn’t an easy task.
“I didn't realize the importance of the day. At first when you had mentioned a Masquerade Ball, I had thought that it was for Halloween.” I veered off into another direction in an effort to shut out my negative thinking. “Now it’s an anointment ceremony and a New Year.”
“Yes, Halloween happens to be our New Year, and the new governing goddess must be put in place.” Bethany noted.
“If the Masquerade Ball is for the New Year of the Ischeros, then why are the town's people invited?” This made no sense to me, and needed some clarifying.
“We've always tried to blend in with the mortals, but we haven't invited everyone, just the aristocracy, and the who's who, of Nickel City, Gold Hill, and Bedwyn City. The mortals have always accepted the year’s most coveted invitation, and wouldn't dream of missing the Masquerade Ball.” Bethany beamed her brilliant smile. The rays of the warm sun shone on her face making her look angelic. I couldn't help basking in her glow.
“We, the members, arrive an hour earlier than the mortals, and toast the New Year. Of course for obvious reasons they don't know that the celebration is for your crowning and our New Year. For the mortals it's just the grandest, most elaborate, and most magnificent Ball. The real celebration doesn't begin until every mortal has left. That's usually around two in the morning, when they’ve enjoyed themselves thoroughly.” Bethany giggled. I tried to smile, but it was a sad imitation of the smile that graced Bethany’s face. I knew it appeared fabricated and fake.
“Will everyone be wearing masks?”
“Yes, of course, it is a Masquerade Ball.” Bethany confirmed with a chortle, and then became real serious, furrowed brows and all. “No one is allowed to reveal their identity before supper is served at ten o’clock.” She added. “Once an invited guest enters Harper's Hall, their name will be checked off by Ischeros guardsmen. They are familiar with everyone who will be attending this evening. It will be impossible for anyone from Victor's coven to penetrate the security detail.” This bit of info calmed me considerably, but not totally because Victor had powers to appear without any warning.
“What if Victor decides to crash the party?” I asked, anxiously.
Bethany didn’t skip a beat. “That’s not going to happen. Victor would be grossly out numbered.” She said, confidently with her slim neck thrusting her head in the air. For the first time I felt somewhat relaxed, yet I still didn’t look forward to the soiree.
“What time will it begin?”
“The ball will begin around sundown.”
“So we have several hours.” I said, pondering that I had just a few hours to sike myself up for the charade. That's exactly what I thought of it, a charade, a mockery, a ridiculous spoof: The crowning of an average girl who they hoped to pass off as an empress.
“You will enjoy yourself. We'll dine like royalty and dance like –”
“Am I expected to dance... much?” My apprehension could be heard a mile away.
“Yes... and you'll be great. You were always so graceful in the ballroom. You've always commanded everyone's attention. Trust me, it will be as it was when you remembered how to ride Gypsy.” She assured, and I nodded although, I wasn't convinced, just hopeful that she was right.
“Upon entering the ballroom, Evan will procure a program for you, meaning he will introduce you to the members of the family, who will place their names on your card for the opportunity to engage in a dance with you.”
“Oh, so I’ll know who I’m going to dance with by the names on my card?”
“Yes. It’ll be your dance card.”
“Ok.” I agreed, yet I was already exhausted by the idea of being obligated to dance with strangers just because a silly card stated so.
“The actual dance will begin with all the couples lined up in promenade order.” Bethany said. I couldn’t help but think of everyone prancing, and galloping like stallions – as Christopher had put it, around the hall. “This is called the Grand March. Then everyone will commence with the First Waltz and dance and mingle and dance some more until about ten o’clock.” I guess that’s when all the revelers would gladly break for supper.
“Then we will eat a wonderful meal followed by scrumptious desserts, and wash it all down with our drink of choice. And if you haven't fallen out by then, it will be back to the dance floor until about two in the morning.” Bethany explained, animatedly.
I expected by then that the strains of the last symphony would finally echo into the hills and over the highest peak of the Sierras, and thankfully the guests would pack up their buggies and head home. It was to be a long and hopefully uneventful night – for my sake I hoped desperately. I had never danced in a gown. I loathed dresses; especially gowns made of layers and layers of itchy fabric, and despised dances even more. I'd never felt comfortable on a dance floor since I have an acute rhythm deficiency.
This dance would be that much more arduous than all the modern ones that I’d dodged in the future, being that the dances of this day were choreographed in precise steps. All it would take is one wrong footstep in the wrong direction, and both dance partners would be sent tumbling to the floor, entangled in layers and layers of itchy fabric, with the probable notion that many other couples would go down with them. I tried to block out all the ballroom casualties that would indeed prove that I was not their empress although, I knew better – I belonged to them.
I eyed Bethany closely. She wasn't trying to hide her joy and wallow along with me in my misery like a best friend should. She saw nothing wrong with my lack of memory, or my fear of being crowned and ignited by the highest god of all. She seemed jubilant, almost dreamy, with the thought of the night’s festivities. I really didn't want to ruin this for her, so I kept the rest of my skeptical thoughts to myself.
Although, I was still apprehensive about actually waltzing across the dance floor with Evan or with any other boy, Bethany felt it was necessary to brief me on ballroom etiquette a few more times. I understood all of the basics like waiting to be asked to dance, and then being escorted to the dance floor.
She expected my dance card to be quite full, since I would no doubt be the most popular girl in the hall. Bethany further explained the proper way to refuse a dance. She said that I couldn’t refuse the invitation of a gentleman to dance, unless I had already accepted that of another. If I did refuse, I would be guilty of an incivility. Rudeness was a no – no, and considered breeching proper etiquette. I sighed in defeat. There was no way out of this.
Bethany got up and sauntered over to where my gown hung. She admired it as she lifted layers upon layers of fabric. Then she walked to the door. Her silk robe flowed in the back, extended by a train.
“Breakfast is set. We mustn't keep Light Shine waiting. She detests it if we are late,” Bethany informed me, with an airy giggle as she left my room to get dressed.
I dressed quickly in one of my day dresses, which I once thought was fancy with way to many woven ribbons and bows, but not anymore after seeing my ball gown. I proceeded to head down the stairs, and there he was at the top of the stairway looking so incredibly handsome. My heart literally skipped a beat, which meant that I had to concentrate on my breathing just to be sure that I did breathe. He was talking to Bethany and wasn't looking my way until he heard my doors close shut. Evan turned and gazed at me with the kind of smile that woke the sleeping butterflies in my stomach. I walked toward him as he took me in with his eyes, appraising me indulgently. Bethany smiled at the both of us, kissed her big brother on the cheek, and made her way down the stairs.