Fly or Fall

Chapter Sixteen

It was finally here, the night of the Dello ball. Anna stood in front of her mirror in an eggplant floor length tulle gown. She twirled with a wide grin on her face and the gown fluttered and frilled. "I feel like a princess," she said.

"You look like one," Samma said, as she stepped forward with a rose gold floral tiara. It was embedded with tiny amethysts that matched her dress. "And every princess needs a tiara."

Anna absolutely beamed before curtsying for Samma to place the tiara in her hair. This would be her first ball, and probably her last, she wanted to make it count. Tonight, she'd dance and talk and do whatever it was people did at balls. She just wanted to have fun. She'd spent the last few days fretting about not being able to go on the mission to save her aunt. It made her angry. She wanted to do something, she hated sitting in her room waiting for someone to tell her what was going on. But tonight, she'd decided she would at least try.

A knock sounded at the door and she checked her hair in the mirror one last time before she turned to Samma. "Thank you for helping me get ready," she said and hugged the older woman.

"It was nothing, lady Anna," the woman said before Anna let go of her. She adjusted her head scarf before gesturing to the door. "You shouldn't keep your prince waiting."

"Have fun," Samma said and Anna opened the door.

Standing on the other side was Prince Kolan. He was dressed in black trousers, a puffy sleeved white shirt, a cream doublet with gold embroidery and a gold slash at the waist. Over his shoulders was a black, cream lined, knee length cloak. Anna's cheeks flushed as their eyes met. "You look amazing," she told him and he smiled.

"I think that's my line," he said and chuckled.

"Sorry," she said unapologetically, "I beat you to it."

"I'll be faster next time," he extended his arm for her. She hooked it with hers. "But you do look amazing. How did I get so lucky to get the most beautiful date?"

"You tell me," she said and they were off.

The ball room had a canopy of sparkling lights by the entrance. It was like walking under a million stars. Anna stared in awe, her eyes wide as saucer plates as she took everything in. Crystal chandeliers hung from the tall ceiling, their light reflecting off the marble floor. Hundreds of guests floated about the dance floor, moving so fluidly Anna wondered if their feet even touched the ground. Her eyes scanned the room for familiar faces, but found none. Andy wasn't here.

A small ping struck her heart. It wasn't as if she expected him to be here but she hoped he would be. It'd been days since they last spoke. After the anger and frustration had finally faded she'd realized Andy had been right, her plan was stupid. She felt horrible for the things she'd said but she didn't know how to apologize just yet. Tonight, wasn't about that, though.

"Hey," Kol said. "Are you okay?" They stood at the top of the staircase leading down into the ballroom. Couples held hands as they descended.

She laced her fingers with his before she smiled and nodded. "I'm fine."

They stepped forward. A man with a long scroll of names announced their arrival. "I present to you Prince Kolan Valkerie' Orgon son of the house Von, the house of the Iron Oak and lady Annabel Anesu Echowood, daughter of the house Eqott, the third house of the Ruby Sparrows." Everyone turned their eyes to them and her grip on Kol's hand tightened.

"Everyone is looking at us," she whispered to Kol.

"Does that bother you?" he asked.

She bit her bottom lip. "A little," she said. A lot, she thought.