Court Of Blood And Ivory

♤Help♤

We move swiftly together as the music plays, "I daresay I thought you weren't going to show."

"As did I." He says as his lips turn up in a smile. The music comes to an end causing his hands to fall from my waist. I curtesy as he bows. "You are quite the dancer," he praises me with a smile.

"I should be. My mother spent much of her time and money to teach me how to do so just for this occasion."

"Walk with me?" He questions. I give him a brief nod as his arm lightly loops with mine.

We start walking towards the patio doors, I catch a glimpse of a distraught looking Melanie with her date. A part of me feels sorry for her, but part of me hopes this humbles her drastically.

The cool night air brushes the curls away from face and kisses my flushed cheeks. I let out a soft sigh as I observe the other girls dancing happily with their partners and even being asked by other eligible bachelors.

"I don't fancy these types of events." I tell Alexander truthfully. He smirks, "nor do I, I usually avoid these as one would an illness."

I smile and place my hand on the cool railing. "The grounds are beautiful under the light of the moon, don't you think?" I ask softly. "I do." He says as his eyes fall on me.

I feel my cheeks flush once more as a small smile plays on my lips. "Alexander! Would you please do me the honor dancing with me?" A high pitched voice asks.

Melanie bats her thick lashes at him with intent. He looks to me before reluctantly nodding. A crooked grin breaks out on her face as she glances at me.

I watch them disappear into the crowd as I stanf on the terrace. "What are you doing out here by your lonesome?" A rich voice asks. I look to see a red haired man with sharp features staring at me. "Enjoying my thoughts and the still of the night." I tell him with a small grin.

His emerald eyes gleam as he gives me a smile, "would your thoughts like some company?" He questions. "I believe Miss Elena would swat me if I turned you down." I tell him softly as Miss Elena watched me closely.

He chuckles and stands beside me. "I'm Elijah." He introduces bowing slightly. I curtsey slightly as well, "Athena, it's a pleasure Elijah." I tell him as he places his hand dangerously close to mine.

I withdraw my hand from the rail and keep my eyes on the fountain water that gleams under the white light of the moon.

"Was that Alexander you were speaking with?" Elijah asks. "Indeed it was." I reply softly. "How do you know him?" He asks once more. "You're a very curious man aren't you? He is my escort to the ball." I inform. "How unfortunate for me. Alexander is upstanding gentleman." He tells me with a small smirk.

"He is indeed a gentleman." I reply as my eyes find Alexander and Melanie. She is chatting away, poor Alexander looks positively tortured.

"I shall leave you to your thoughts now. It was a pleasure meeting you." Elijah says as he bows. "The pleasure was all mine." I respond as our eyes meet once more.

They hold mischief and unknown emotion. My gut is telling me to be wary of this handsome stranger, that or my corset is too constricting.

I make my way back inside, I am instantly captured by my mother. She links her arm through mine as old friends do. "Hello my dear." She tells me softly. "Hello mother." I reply curtly. "You can't still be angry with me can you?" She asks as she looks at me with her best motherly eyes.

"I could never stay mad at you dear mother." Sarcasm drips from my tone. "Do not use that tone with me." she whispers harshly as her arm unravels from mine. I purse my lips and nod, "You sent me here to learn what I already know, what is the point of this?" I ask her. "Not here Athena, you know why we sent you here. Ladies need respectable partners and you being here assures that you will find one." she says matter of factly. 

I hold in the rude retorts that threaten to leave my lips. "Very well then." I say softly, if you'll excuse me, I think I shall retire to my room." I mutter. A frown encroaches on her perfectly rubied lips. 

I tell my father goodbye quickly, parting from him is like parting from a friend. I make my way out of the hall after doing so. I planned to Alexander farewell, but he has disappeared. 

The music softens the further I get from the ballroom as does the continuous chatter. My foot get caught causing my feet to fail and the ground to rush to my face. My heart drops as I fall to the cold ground, my arms take the brunt of the impact causing me to wince. 

I push the hair out of my face grazing my finger against my forehead in the process. Warm liquid is left behind. My brows furrow as I look at my hands. My stomach turns as my eyes widen. A red substance coats my fingers and arms. 

I slowly push myself up and notice my dress now soaked, my eyes meet the cold lifeless one of the girl laying in the middle of  the floor. How had I not seen her? 

Her head has been severed from her body in a grotesque way. Pints of blood now cover the floor as well as myself. My hands tremble as I find myself stumbling away from the headless girl. "Help!" I scream as my voice shakes. "Help!" I yell as my voice finds its strength once more. 

People spill out of the ballroom towards my cry for help. "What happened?" Miss Elena asks as she gasps. her eyes find mine and instantly soften. "Everyone back. George, please fetch the constable, take the horse." She commands. He nods before running off. 

"Liliana please attend to Athena, I know you two are close. Get her cleaned off then bring her to me." She says softly. "Come on Thea." Liliana whispers softly, avoiding the body. She helps me up softly and grabs the part of my arm not covered in blood. 

I look back at the shocked group of people, Alexander pushes through the crowd. His eyes harden as they land on me and a frown forms on his beautiful face. Why does he always disappear before someone ends up dead?

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~scarletbride30