Book 2 (Complete) - A game of Queen's conquest is set to be played across Elysium and in the four corners stand Elissa's suitors:
- The High King - he insists that they are a perfect match, but will she agree?
- The Dark King - bound by blood...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Elissa looks at herself in the mirror and grumbles, "I look like Dracula's bride."
Aldebaran's forehead wrinkles for a moment. "You do not have to wear the veil for the whole evening. It is representative of spring's dormancy."
"And what about the dead flowers?" Elissa asks, indicating the silvery-grey material flowers adorning her bodice and sleeves.
"They are symbolic that springs beauty has faded, but will be reborn anew."
Mind you it could be worse, she thinks eying Dawn's figure-hugging dress in shimmering gold, which only just contains her generous bosom.
Outside the sky is indigo fading to mauve, while the distant snow-capped mountains glow as if on fire.
Aldebaran urges, "We had better make haste."
They walk briskly across the grounds and pass under an archway of freshly cut spruce through into the White Palace.
The normally austere white marble hallway has been brought alive with boughs of spruce and pine which are hung with silver and gold painted pinecones and chains of coloured glass beads. Garlands of holly and ivy decorate the doorways and windows.
"Wow! It looks like a winter wonderland."
"Evergreens represent everlasting life and are brought inside to remind us that nature flourishes even in the depths of winter," Aldebaran explains and places a hand on Elissa's back guiding her towards the ballroom.
The ballroom is similarly decorated with evergreens, hundreds of bright red candles and hanging from each chandelier is a large ball of mistletoe.
"Elissa, I need to go and speak with Celestia. I will find you shortly," Aldebaran promises.
She nods and allows her gaze to travel about the room. Her golden eyes lock with Morpheus's silver ones and she finds herself unable to move as he strides towards her. The only concession in his black ensemble is the silver lining to his billowing black cape and a wreath of oak leaves around his head.
"My beautiful spring!" He leans in to kiss her cheek, his lips lingering as he whispers, "You smell so incredibly edible tonight."
She feels a little flustered as he pulls back and is glad when he turns his attention to Dawn, his gaze gliding over the Dragonite's shapely form.
"Welcome, my autumn." He takes Dawn's hand and kisses her knuckles. "You are looking particularly luscious this evening."
"You are not looking so bad yourself, Mr Sexy."
"Dawn!" Elissa hisses in an urgent whisper. "He's a regent."
"Oh, right. Sorry! Sir Sexy, then."
Elissa risks a peek up at Morpheus, who can be mercurial, but right now his silver eyes are sparkling with amusement.
Dawn places her hands on her hips and throws down her words like a challenge to the king, "Autumn comes before winter, right?"
