Hidden by Foam - Book 3 (Completed)

Chapter 1

Elaina's POV

I tried my best to hold in my laughter as I watched a lady of the court flirting with my brother, Eldrich. I could see him trying his best to get away without being rude, but he was failing miserably. My brother might've been one of the strongest warriors I knew, but he was afraid of women.

Ethan, the eldest of us triplets was sitting next to me, trying and failing to control his laughter.

"Shame on you! You should help him, you know how he gets amongst ladies," I told Ethan.

"And how would you know how he gets when he is near ladies? This is your first ball," he said.

"I might not attend these things often, but I'm not deaf and I have perfectly functional ears when it comes to court intrigue." Although Ethan was right about me not attending these types of functions, I still heard a lot of gossip as the servants are passing by. They were never afraid to share things in front of me. I sometimes knew more about what was going on in the servants' lives than in court.

The reason why I've been stowed away from prying eyes is because I have a rare muscle condition. My muscles are extremely weak and it takes a lot of effort for me to do the simplest things, like walking, eating etc.

Tonight was our 18th birthday ball and I told my parents that questions would be asked if I didn't show up for my own ball. They agreed but I only had to call them when I was tired and one of my brothers would have to stay with me all the time.

"Let him suffer a little longer," Ethan said in his usual jovial manner.

"Ethan." I said simply, but he knew I meant business. My brothers both had one weakness, me. They could not refuse me. I never really used this advantage a lot, but in times like these it was quite handy.

"Fine! I will save our dearest brother from despair," he said before he stood up and headed to Eldrich and the blonde girl who was hanging on his arm.

"Thank you!" I called behind him and he turned around to flash me a quick smile. Brothers. I loved them so much, they were my best friends and I knew how much they cared for me.

"I thought he would never leave," a voice said behind me, startling me. When I turned around I was faced with a handsome young man with brown hair. He quickly stood beside me.

"What is your name, beautiful?" He said and I felt heat rush to my cheeks. I've never had a man looking at me that way before. He took my hand and placed a light kiss on my knuckles.

"Elaina." I said as my eyes scanned the crowds for my parents or my brothers. All of them were to busy to notice my problem and none looked my way. The moment I needed them the most.

"That is a beautiful name," he said while flashing a smile.

"Thank you," I said absentmindedly as I willed one of my family members to look at me.

"Will you care to dance?" He asked as he held out his hand to me. I couldn't even walk a few paces before I felt my muscles burning, how would I be able to dance?

"Well I-" I wanted to say no, but he quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me up before I could even finish my sentence properly.

He pulled me towards the middle of the room and I had a hard time keeping up. My body was on fire as my muscles protested. This was to much work for them.

"Pleas-se st-op" I tried to say but I was out of breath. This was so much work for me. We were a couple of feet away from the centre when I felt the familiar ache in my legs. The warning that they were done working for now.