And What I Found There - Book Two

4. How the Kingdom Lights Shined

For my birthday ball, I'm wearing a gorgeous gown. There're three different textures to it starting with the white lacy straps on my otherwise bare arms, and there's a glittering champagne colored silk bust that wraps snuggly around my torso. It's covered with an ultra-fine 3-D pattern of golden whimsical flowers. My skirt is long and flowing and is a pale turquoise color and steadily gets darker till my train is a vibrant shade of blue.

I don't know how long it takes me to dress, so I decide to take a short cut and do my makeup with some magic. If I can do this, that is, I've never tried to do makeup before. But how hard can it be? I close my eyes and try to feel the magic within me and once I get a good connection, I hold my hands over my head to see bright white light sparkle from my fingertips.

They burn as I quickly wave my hands before my face. I really don't know where to begin but I just...imagine myself looking brighter, a little more colorful, and my eyes detailed, and now the mirrors in front of me briefly gleam as if a light bounces off them and now that I lean closer to see my reflection, I'm amazed to see I have a full-face of light, breezy makeup dusted over my face.

This is certinally the best I've looked it awhile!

I can't help but to laugh at my face. I am pretty sure this is the prettiest I have ever been.

And I kinda wish Mom could be here to see me...or Vyndren.

***

Quill is certainly surprised to see me, his eyes are wide with amazement as I carefully move down the stairs, trying not to trip over my long skirt and heels. "Adara, you look magnificent! Just like a star, absolutely glowing with radiance." He takes my hand and helps me down the last few steps.

I blush. "Thanks."

"And I am thanking you on behalf of the whole Court for allowing us to bask in your lovely glow."

"They probably won't even notice me," I roll my eyes. "Which actually wouldn't be too bad," I reason with a shrug as we make our way down to the ballroom.

"Rubbish. They'll notice you, everyone will. And everyone should. You're our magnificent Alice after all." He smiles as he meets my gaze. "You're truly beautiful, Adara."

I grin with a blush as I look away, my heart flutters. He really likes me. How crazy is that? Handsome, funny, smart and super sweet Quill -a prince for the love of God- actually likes me. That's amazing. And I really like Quill. I never have to think of anything to say around him, I feel comfortable around him and I'm normally too awkward to ever feel comfortable around people I barely know. But it feels like I've known Quill since forever, and I love this feeling.

But unfortunately, my thoughts are still really muddled and keep going back to that scary place in my Blood Dreams, where Vyndren is... Something is obviously out of wrack in my head, and I need to fix it. Quickly. I live a double life, one in the waking world and the other in my dreams. I hate how these dreams make me feel one thing for one guy when I'm trying to focus on how I feel with the one right beside me.

The lights and sounds from the huge Ball Room bring me out of my messy emotions and I widen my eyes at the sight of the Ball Room. If possible, it is the most beautiful room I've seen of the Palace yet. It looks like the inside of a jewelry box. Everything is a gem, is shiny, is gorgeous, and so majestic... Chandeliers bathe the spherical room in an ethereal golden glow and the doors that lead out to the balconies are thrown open so the view of the sun setting on the rolling ocean in on full display. Music fills the room like a heartbeat and is honestly the only thing that makes me willing to stay.