The Elemental Book 1: Earth (***UNDER SEVERE EDITING***)

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

The Queen's Ball, Which Sadly Doesn't Go Quite As She Planned...Or Wanted

We walked back to the inn with Aphrodite, and I sat down on the bed.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Your father sent me to help you get ready for the Queen's Ball tonight. And may I say, you really need my help," Aphrodite said, looking at my clothes in distaste.

"I'm not wearing this to the ball," I said.

"Oh, thank goodness. I thought I was going to have a heart attack," she said, putting her hand over her heart.

"She doesn't look that bad," Jake said.

"Thank you," I said.

Aphrodite turned to look at Jake. "Oh, you're the one he wanted me to look at. Hmm, you're going to be a good one, though I'd start apologizing now."

"What?" Jake asked.

"Nothing, nothing," Aphrodite said. "Forget I said anything."

"Um, how are you here to help?" Brendon asked.

"You need outfits for the ball, so I'm here to help you get ready. It's my job, since I am the goddess of beauty," she said.

"So where are our clothes?" Brendon asked.

"Don't rush me, I'm still deciding on what type of suit I want you two in," Aphrodite said. "Now, cashmier or silk?"

"Silk," Aphrodite and I said in unison.

"Ooh, I like your style. My gene in place, no doubt. Now, what color?" she said.

"A very dark red for Brendon and black for Jake. Better yet, make them both black, but have Brendon in a red bow tie and Jake in a black regular tie," I said.

"I was thinking the exact same thing," she said. "What about their hair?"

"Brendon's combed and slicked back, and Jake's combed and spikey."

"Well said."

"Thank you."

"Are you two done thinking how to dress us?" Jake asked impatiently.

"Quiet," Aphrodite said and took out her cell phone. She dialed a number and held the phone up to her ear.

I heard a voice, and she straightened.

"Hello? Yes, I need Mary and Amelia to come here immediatly. Yes, now. Tell Iris to send them by air travel. Thank you."

She closed her phone, and the air shimmered next to me. Two girls about thirteen with dark hair and blue eyes appeared, and they smiled at me.

"Lady Aphrodite," they said, bowing to the goddess.

"Hello girls. We've got a code red. Those boys need help stat. Mary, you help the curly haired one and Amelia, you help the hazel-eyed one," she instructed, and they nodded.

"Um, hi," Brendon said nervously.

The girls giggled and led Jake and Brendon to different rooms.

"Who are those two girls?" I asked.

"Oh, they're mortals who have been selected to be my apprentices. Only the prettiest and most beauty-talented girls get selected. I would've picked you, but I can't since you're all tomboy and the Elemental," she explained.

"So they're like you ladies-in-waiting," I said.

"Pretty much. The job is like a scholarship. After four years, they can choose to go get a job at beauty salons, or they can stay with me. Most go off on their own, but Mary and Amelia are my top students. They've stayed with me for six years now."