Footprints

Twenty-Five Years Okd (Part One)

Five years to the day later at the age of twenty-five, Jessie was to get ready for the same Ball, celebrating Hyberns defeat. This was to be the fifth time Jessie attended this Ball.

After the first one, her parents did indeed have questions for her, which Jessie answered to the best of her ability, which wasn't much, given she didn't know a lot of what they were asking her. That was when she asked her own questions, refusing to drop the subject until she got answers herself.

Jessie had received all the information about the Spring Court, and Tamlin, and what had happened. Nothing was left out, which was only confirmed when she decided on a late night drink of water, always her excuse these past few years, upon hearing her parents talking about it.

This was the only ball she looked forward to each year. Each year they would arrive, keep together until it was time to socialize. Her family would then mingle, her parents going to dance, which left her alone.

Jessie was surprised at first, but Darnall had always found her, each year, upon being left alone. He always came and asked to be her dancing partner, before Priam ever got the chance. She was always grateful for it.

Currently she was looking at what her mother intended her to wear that night, deciding she did not want to wear it.

"What's wrong with it? I think it looks nice." Her mother said looking at the pink gown in-front of them. Jessie looked at her, ready to answer before she heard her brother interrupt.

"Jessie wants to wear something that will make Darnall want to kiss her." Her brother said in a teasing voice.

Jessie turned to him, looking at him, annoyance rising. She looked in his eyes, the exact same russet colour as their fathers, though he hadn't managed to have the look in them that made her stop talking like her father did.

"Aidan, get out! You don't know anything." Jessie said to him, trying to keep calm.

Aidan looked up at her, his golden brown hair unusually messy. For being nine years old, Jessie's brother was the exact opposite of her, especially when she was nine as well. While he still played and had fun like the child he was, he took to his role a lot easier than she ever did. He had to. He was the one in the line of succession, she wasn't. He was growing up with many more responsibilities than she had.

"I do too know stuff! I'm not like you where I have to eavesdrop. Beacause you talk to mum about stuff when I'm in the room. You act like I'm not there, but I'm still there. I hear stuff. I do too know stuff." Aidan looked as if he were incredibly pleased with himself.

Jessie turned to her mother, wondering if her mother would have anything to say about it, but all her mother did was give her a look that said her brother had a point. "Get ready Jessie. I'm putting your brother to bed, and then we're leaving."

Before long, Jessie was standing in the same place she was five years ago, standing alone. She hadn't seen Darnall yet, but it was still early. She had only been alone about thirty minutes, which wasn't long at all.

Jessie used the time to think of the past few years. Each year Darnall had found her. They eventually ended up telling each other more about themselves. Jessie mentioned how, while she was living in the Day Court, with her grandfather being the High Lord there, two of her uncles were also High Lords and even her aunt was a High Lady. Everyone knew this, so Jessie wasn't surprised that Darnall knew as well. But he at least appeared interested to hear information he already knew.

In turn, Darnall mentioned that he wasn't from Prythian at all. In fact he was from the continent, and how his father was one of the few Fae who came back to the war with her human grandfather, that was when Jessie learned that Darnall was thirty-two years old.

The pair had learned more about each other the past few years, trying to learn as much about the other as they could, given they only met during this Ball each year.

She looked around the room once more finding each family member. They were all talking with someone Jessie didn't know, nor did she recognize them. She was glad she wasn't with her family members then. The only one who was not present, for reasons she did not know, was her cousin Nyx.

"Again, you look as lost as I feel."

Jessie turned around to see, getting a sense of déjà-vu, as she saw that Priam stood behind her.

"Don't worry, I won't ask you to dance again. A few years ago, I didn't realize the uncomfortable position it might have put you in." Priam said, looking down at her.

Jessie didn't know what to say, so she chose not to say anything wondering if he would keep speaking. It took a few moments, but offered her one of the drinks he held. She took it with a small smile, sipping from the drink slowly.

"That night, was the first time I had ever attended this Ball. I was told—"

"Jessie! There you are!"

Jessie turned around, after finishing her drink, to see Darnall on his way over to her, his blue eyes observing, yet a warm smile on his face. He was wearing a deep red suit, which really made his eyes appear darker.

"I have been wondering where you were. Oh, hello Priam. Thank you for keeping Jessie company." Jessie smiled a little bit, before looking up to Priam to see his eyes had narrowed slightly, before a glance at Jessie, he nodded and wished the two of them a good evening.

Jessie turned back to look at Darnall, who was now smiling down at her. "I'm sorry for my tardiness. Allow me to make it up to you with a dance." Jessie smiled herself before taking Darnalls hand, as they made their way to the dance floor.

The rest of the night passed by in a blur.