Underground Royals

5

While Celestria started on wrangling her ringlets into thick, structured curls, I sit myself in the middle of the makeup vanity and take stock of what I have to work with. Mrs Lockington told me makeup was like my war paint. She said that in our world - a world of men in suits with lots of power and little sense - sexuality was an important weapon to master.

I tried to copy what she used to do when she got me ready for social events, as I painted both our faces, applying foundations, blush and contour with the detail of an artist and the precision of a scientist. Then Celest takes the reins, brushing through my blonde locks and pulling them into a dainty braided crown on my head. She then pushed Swarovski crystals shaped into snowflakes into the braids, causing them to glimmer in the vanity lights. By the time we had slipped into our dresses, it was time to leave for Wraith manor.

When we arrive in the ballroom, Mrs Wraith is the first to greet us. She waltzes towards us effortlessly, the clicking of her incredibly high heels adding its own rhythm to the classical music that resonated through the room. "Welcome, welcome, welcome." She murmurs as she kisses Celest and I and hugs Mrs Hall.

"The place looks exquisite as always." Mrs Hall remarks before leaving us with Mrs Wraith to join the ladies who had congregated on one side of the room.

I notice Daemon almost immediately after they leave, dressed in a crisp black suit that makes him appear almost golden. His eyes were scanning the room with determination in search of someone, and when his eyes meet mine he smiles; a smile so charming and pure that it was like snowflakes had decided to rest behind the soft cushion of his lips. I flash him a small smile back as Celest and I make our way towards him and the rest of our friends. I wrap Daemon in a hug and before he can plant a kiss on my cheek, two strong arms tackle me in a strong embrace - Thorne.

"Oi that's my sister Wraith." He scoffs as he squeezes me harder if possible. I peel him off me as laughter bubbles from my chest. His stark red curls had been gelled down to frame his pale freckled face, causing his ice blue eyes to stand out more than they usually did.

"I've missed you so much!" I cry before slapping him on the arm. "Don't ever decline my FaceTime calls you prick!"

"I'm sorry I'm sorry! I won't I promise." He retreats, a small smile still on his lips. "I promise I'll catch you up on everything." He swears. "But first, when were you going to tell us about Rubion!" He frowned playfully.

"I didn't need to tell you, you already knew!" I rolled my eyes, shoving him as I did so, admittedly harder than I intended. Orion laughed, nodding along in agreement.

"What is that tasteless dress Abbotsfield is wearing?" Celest suddenly growls, in an unladylike manner that would have appalled her mother. Sure enough Tiffany was at the other end of the room chatting up a boy who looked far too old for her in an almost transparent cocktail dress, with a neckline that ran down almost to her belly button.

"You should've seen Mrs Wraith's reaction." Orion chimes from his spot at Celest's right hand.

"I've never seen Mother's nose turned up so high." Daemon remarks, keeping his eyes trained on me, almost as if he was... scared to look at her. Scared to disappoint me?

"Even I think it's too vulgar." Thorne adds. "And after Mother dragging me around every fashion show in Italy I thought I'd seen it all." He laughs and we all join in, knowing Mrs Lockington was a sucker for a good fashion show. Suddenly I see Mrs Wraith walking towards us.

"Come now, you must get on the dance floor! It needs some new blood!" She cries, rolling her eyes.

Celest and Orion move off towards the centre immediately, their movements completely in sync with one another. I watch them dance for a moment, the way Orion looks down at Celest like she is the most beautiful creature in the world, and wonder if I will ever have that.

My mind is thrown from its course when Mrs Wraith pulls Daemon and I towards the floor. I giggle as Daemon groans at his mother's antics and places one hand on my hip and the other on the small of my back. I fight the blush that threatens to spill over my cheeks at the small action and instead place my own on his shoulders, letting me transfer some of my weight onto him, to save my aching feet, at least a little bit. We dance with practiced ease, swaying to each other's rhythms more than that of the music. I suppose it was practiced - after all we had been doing this together ever since we could dance.

"I forget to mention how beautiful you look tonight." Daemon murmurs as I smile into his chest. "I especially like the snowflakes." He grins as he lets his hand trace down my back.

"So it was worth the price?" I chuckle as he twirls me with a flourish only we know.

"I would pay any price for you," He murmurs as he reels me back in. "you know that, don't you?" I nod in agreement, letting my cheek rest against his chest. After continuing that way for a few more songs, I pull away. "Did I step on your foot again?" Daemon pouts, though I hear the hint of alarm.

"No of course not!" I laugh, as I step back towards him, if only to reassure him. "I wanted to go find my uncle, I haven't seen him since I got here." I confess, giving his hand a small squeeze. "I'll be back." I promise, rolling my eyes as he sticks his bottom lip out. He nods, seemingly pacified, and I leave for Alfred.

I find him sat at the head of a table in the Wraith's dining room, surrounded by other older men clad in expensive looking suits. They were all talking in hushed tones, some even pointing towards there chests where I assume their loyalties were tattooed. I know because it's where my uncle has a grand S inked into his skin - a symbol of the Sterling syndicate. We had been relatively quiet since my father's death in a turf war, but were still one of the most powerful gangs in Europe, and the unofficial leaders of England's crime groups. As I watch I suddenly feel a presence behind me.

"In a few years, that'll be us." Daemon whispers in a low voice, snaking his hand around my waist. I stiffen, not at the contact, but at his words. Unfortunately he interpreted it as the first, and immediately retracts his arm. I reach for his hand and interlace my fingers through it.

"But we'll do it together, right?" I murmur, ashamed when it comes out more as a whimper.

"Forever." He says far more confidently, though I can hear an undertone of fear in his voice. And understandably so. This life was not for the faint of heart, and we didn't even choose it.

We return to the centre of the ballroom, continuing to dance and chat to various associates, until people finally begin filling out of the room just after midnight. I hug Celest and wave goodbye to the boys before following my uncle towards out car, knowing that the next time I would see them all, would most likely be at Rubion.