Elysium [Army of Lucifer #1]

Chapter Three

© Stephanie Anne and Dee Atkins

Chapter Three

The dress pulled tight over Eleanor's chest, making it nearly impossible to breathe, let alone move. The servant who helped her dress said nothing, merely kept her head down and her mouth shut. But Eleanor was used to it. All of Lucien's servants were the same. And if they stepped out of line... Eleanor brushed the thoughts away and looked at herself in the floor length mirror, at the sparkling gown she'd been forced into. Her engagement gown.

The red and gold russets of the gown brightened in the late afternoon light, the gold infused pearls glinting silver. The bodice itself was of immaculate make; the bones in her sides felt invisible to her, the lace sleeves like silk against her skin, and the diamonds at her ears as light as a feather. She felt so light, so invisible in this gown, so washed out and so unheard, that she could bask in the beauty of it. The shock and grief of the day had finally settled around her, turning into a pool of nothingness in her belly.

Upon hearing the knock on the door, Eleanor knew she had no more time. No more time to mourn her freedom. Her heart felt heavy in her chest, weighing her down like it was made of lead. With a shuddering breath, she straightened and schooled her features into neutrality, acting as if everything was fine. Acting as if she wasn't breaking on the inside.

Annabeth and Cynthia, two other girls who lived under Lucien's care, stood together in the doorway, their dresses - both deep blue and silver - almost like the deep abysses of the ocean. They both held themselves in a regal manner, their eyes settled on Eleanor, who took a deep breath, and spoke:

"Annabeth, Cynthia," Eleanor said, nodding curtly to both of them. "You both look lovely tonight." They both smiled sweetly, in unison, as if they were twins, but Eleanor knew the gesture wasn't genuine. She couldn't help but wonder whether they knew of her soon to be engagement to William... She brushed the thought away, when Cynthia replied.

"As do you. Lucien mentioned a rather large announcement would be made tonight. We cannot wait to find out what it will be." Both turned their backs to Eleanor and swept out of the room without saying another word.

That was... odd, Eleanor thought, gulping. They were acting very strangely, as if they already knew what was to happen tonight. Perhaps everyone knew. Everyone except Eleanor. Only... she did know. She pursed her lips, closed her eyes and prepared herself to walk down the hall towards the music. Only, when she opened her eyes and started walking she almost ran into a hard body, making her breath catch in her throat as she stumbled, a hand catching her at the last second.

William stood before her, powerful and darkly handsome. His caramel coloured hair swept across his forehead, barely covering his crystal blue eyes. His cheeks were flushed red, almost like he had been running, or out in the cold. But it was his hand, warm and firm on her waist, that kept her quiet.

Only when he pulled away did the breath enter her body again. And she remembered exactly who he was, and what had to happen tonight. At the thought she tensed and stepped away from him. "We're going to be late," she muttered tersely as she brushed past him, heading for the ballroom. But he called her name, halting her in her tracks.

William still stood behind her, disheveled, with his hands out as a sign of peace. He didn't take a step towards Eleanor as he spoke. "I apologise, for not telling you sooner."

She clenched her jaw. "Telling me what, William?" She glared at him, hostile, fuming on the inside. But she just shook her head, looking him over, seeing the tortured look in his eyes. What an act, she thought to herself. He didn't care about her. He never would. He didn't care about anyone. No one but himself, anyway. Whatever he was playing at... Eleanor knew it couldn't be good.