Above the Clouds (On Hold Indefinitely)

4. Dancing in the Dark

I may have been listening to this song when writing this chapter, and yeah I just love it, so I thought I'd share. It just gives me chills. It did some inspiring for this chapter as well. And I don't know, it just makes me think of the special someone in my life. Two years in and still going strong:) Haha and of course it makes me think of William and Sage, too :D

I'm met at the end of the hall by a woman in a green dress that is so dark, it's almost black. It is a very simple, elegant gown made of silk. Her brown hair is an elaborate updo going a few inches above her head. On her face is a black sequined mask in the shape of a bird head. Where her nose should be, the beak comes out, but her vibrant green eyes gleam when they see me. Those eyes are the only reason I know that this is Queen Rosetta. She isn't even wearing her crown.

I nearly forgot that this ball was a masquerade.

"My Queen-" I start to curtsy, but she stops me.

Rosetta pulls me into a hug, "Oh darling, you look beautiful! You already look like a princess if I do say so myself."

"Thank you," I laugh, my cheeks feeling hot. "You look unrecognizable."

She pulls back excited. "Yes, that was my goal! I am not the queen and Thorance is not the king tonight. Everyone here will be masked friends and strangers, but that's all part of the fun! Tonight it is only about you and my William. Aren't you excited?"

Nervous would be a much better way to put it. My heart feels as if it's about to leap out of my chest and my palms are already sweaty. My stomach feels as if it's going to be sick, but I don't tell Rosetta any of this. "Why yes I am," I say trying to match her excitement.

"Splendid! Now, I will go get Thorance, and we will announce William to the crowd first, and then we'll announce you. All you have to do is walk down the stairs where William will be waiting, and he'll take it from there. Easy enough, yes?"

I swallow dryly. Yes, easy for someone who is accustomed to being in front of crowds. It's easy for someone who isn't anxious about all eyes being on her, someone who is afraid to make one small mistake. I start to feel dizzy and breathless. Still, I smile, "Yes that sounds simple enough." Maybe if I lie to myself enough, I'll eventually believe it.

Down the dark hall, I hear footsteps echo as they come near. Rosetta claps her hands. "Yes, that must be Thorance and William now!"

Thorance is dressed in black pants and a matching coat to his wife's dress. The mask on his face is also one of a bird, but his has a much stronger presence to it. Unlike Rosetta, though, he is wearing his crown to show who he is.

Rosetta starts to pest Thorance about his crown, but when I see William, all other noise is drowned out. His shoes are shined, pants black, and normally semi-messy hair is swept to the side. The coat he wears is quite fitting and compliments my dress with its golden buttons and golden cuffs. His coat brings out the green in his eyes, his eyes that stare at me with such intensity that it makes it hard for me to move. They aren't angry or mad or anything close to that. They are full of yearning in an almost pleading way. We say no words to each other, not when our gazes say all that they need to say.

We are both sorry for last night.

While his parents continue to bicker, his mother seeming to be winning the battle, William slips his hand into mine, out fingers interlocking. He must feel the sweat from my hand, but it doesn't bother him. He also must feel how tense I am, which is why he gives my hand a reassuring squeeze.

Rosetta really have won the battle, because when I come back to reality, Thorance's crown is out of sight as he grumbles quietly to himself. Rosetta has a triumphant look on her face. "Oh you know I love you, Thor," she says giving him a quick peck on the cheek, "It's just that tonight is about them." She gestures to us.