Golden Flower

Chapter Four

 Adara walked back straight, as Timeo accompanied her into the Ballroom located in the Royals Quarters. The puffy green dress she wore almost swallowed her, except for the top. The top was corseted and had gold stitching crossing under and over her rounded breasts. It was off the shoulder with sleeves that hung, they almost looked like petals. Just below the corset sat a big round emerald, dispersing two different types of fabric. One more sheer, and the other satin layered on top of each other.

Her father had already complimented it, knowing that it was certainly not something she had in her closet, but not questioning her any further. She was sure he already assumed who it was from.

Arm in arm, Timeo finally walked her over the threshold of the ballroom. Her fingers anxiously silhouetted the shape of the singular jade jewel hanging around her neck, while Timeo continued to lead the way into the crowd.

The ceiling was arched high, and gold outlined the inside of the tree bark, making it look expensive. Vines grew from the ceiling, and some even grew into giant bushes like chandeliers. Adara looked up to spot the prince standing from the second level at the balcony which wrapped around the entire ballroom. There were miles of space in between them, and each area was occupied. She had never seen so many people in one spot before.

A feeling in her chest rose, which Timeo must have felt. She seemed to be getting more and more anxious these days. With the impending marriage of her only friend and her birthday just a week away-it seemed as though time was slipping away like an ice cube in the palm of her warm hand.

"It's okay Dear, just stay close," He spoke. If only those few words would take away the frog that was lodged in her throat.

Adara gave her father a half smile in return and continued to be guided past the alignment of tables and onto the empty ballroom floor. She had spent plenty of time dancing alone in her room, or with Daimon. So, this was the easier part of the night. The music cued and Adara closed her anxious eyes hard, trying to push out the feeling of dread and replace it with notes and melodies. Thinking of light and warmth, birds and flowers, streams and waterfalls. In an instant, she was swifty getting caught up in the music, in another land far from her own. Her dream-like mind wandered, and her soft feet thought they were touching grass-whatever that may feel like. Her hands felt as if they felt heat from the sky. Reaching upwards, maybe even feeling herself start to float. Somewhere far, far away from here.

"Adara Wessex."

She opened her eyes to the sight of Daimon, a smirk on his face causing his dimples to pop. His eyes seemed to spark the way they always did under candlelight, but this time they shone a bit shinier. Adara stopped dancing immediately, feeling slightly embarrassed for getting carried away. After awkwardly rolling her shoulders and coughing slightly, she walked herself towards him, her eyes drifting for a moment to search the room for Timeo.

He was leaning on a pillar wrapped in greenery right next to the dance floor and began making his way to the king's throne-with an empty queen's throne next to him. She had a moment of happiness seeing her father trust her to Daimon, now he could enjoy the ball spitting banter with his friend Velkan.

Adara turned her attention back to her friend. "Hey Daimon, ready to find the woman of your dreams?" She said with sarcasm as she wrapped her hands around his neck, slowly swaying to the flutes and violins.

"Yeah right, at least in not pushing 25 and still haven't had their first kiss." He poked back.

"Pushing 25!" She scoffed, jaw dropping from the absurdity. Adara was 21, about to be 22, but Daimon often liked to joke at the fact that their friendship had a gap. A two year and 5-month difference didn't seem to matter to either of them, but Daimon liked to be dramatic for comedic effect.