Keep Your Enemies Closer

A Club Of Intrigue and Myths

To me, beauty is natural beauty. If you're naturally yourself, you're beautiful." — Young M.A.

It was the evening when Everly burst into Reyna's room unannounced looking flushed. It almost gave Reyna a heart attack who was about to go to bed. "Everly? It's quite late for a midnight visit." She yawned as she flopped into bed, embracing the warmth and silkiness of the fabric. 

"Never too late, Rain." Everly replied with a sly grin, tossing her dark blonde plait over her shoulder. "Besides, you're not sleeping tonight." She dumped an outfit onto Reyna's bed who didn't bother to look up. "Oh?" Reyna teased, trying not to laugh and failing. 

Everly laughed too. "You know that's not what I meant." She paused. "Unless you wanted me to." Reyna could hear the banter in her voice and she shot up, hugging a pillow to her chest as she looked at what Everly had brought. "Funny!" Reyna said in response to her friend's joke as her eyes settled on a short, not very Princess like dress. She groaned, falling back onto the bed. "Ev, what is this?"

Everly lay down next to her. "Surprise. We're going out tonight." 

In half an hour, Everly had convinced Reyna to put on the short navy blue dress and a pair of heels. She had explained Reyna was to be her clubbing partner tonight at the exclusive underground club, The Hydra. It was a myth in Muiri, where all the elite people were granted access - through connections or mounds of money. Everly had found it a year ago and had become well acquainted with the Club's owner. The Princess had quickly become a regular. After the dress and heels were on, Everly had insisted for her to do her hair and makeup as well to complete the look. She had tied Reyna's dark hair back into a half braid ponytail and had dusted on some powder and a heavy layer of kohl that brought out her dark eyes.

Everly herself was wearing an ombre white and pink dress,  eyelids dusted pink and glittery. "Won't we freeze on the way there? We're basically wearing nothing."

"It'll be fine." Everly dismissed. "It's hot in there anyway."

"I don't know how you managed to convince me into this." Reyna frowned, realising something. She spun the chair towards Everly. "How will I be allowed in? I don't have a pass or anything." 

Everly grinned. "They always let me bring a plus one. They wouldn't dare turn down the Princess." She winked. "Today is your lucky day. I usually bring Gladys but she has her own pass now. Besides. She and Donovan are at the theatre."

Great.

"You're still his favourite though, I think." Everly added hastily.

"I hope so." 

Ten minutes later they were out in the feezing cold of the City, teeth chattering as they hid themselves with cloaks. It was the only way for people not to recognise them - mostly Everly. They'd slid out from the Palace by a secret back entrance which Reyna committed to memory. It was useful as the first time she'd snuck in from a side door hadn't been particularly successful. She didn't know whether to laugh or grimace at the memory. 

"So. Where did you and Gladys go at the Ball? Did you get the croutons?" Reyna's teeth chattered so much she could barely get the words out as she wrapped her icy cold hands around herself. Everly nodded, also shivering. "We stole a bowl full and ran off to my room. Sorry we left you. There was something we needed to...discuss." 

"Oh. Right."

A silence fell between them, the only sounds the clack of their heels on the stone. Various people hurried past them, giving them strange glances at their choice of clothes. She didn't blame them. The City looked rather spectacular at night, lit up by glowing yellow orange flames in lanterns and a few drifting fireflies. "I heard you and Donovan shared a dance."