On the night of the Second Ball, Charlotte helped me add the finishing touches to my costume. My sheer butterfly wings hung close to my shoulders, not extending too far, just enough to show. My hair was up and mostly hidden under a sea of brightly colored flowers. My mask covered most of my face,
Nicholas held my gaze the longest. He finally glanced away when a girl tugged on his arm. The music started and she pulled him toward the dance floor. It seemed that anonymity made everyone feel a bit bolder than usual tonight. Myself included. I stopped by the drink table to grab a flute of
Tonight at the Second Ball felt like a night where anything could happen. As Nicholas pulled back from our kiss, I immediately wanted him to return for another. I had butterflies in my stomach, remembering the way he said my name. He said it again now. “Piper.” “How did you know it was me?”
Terry waited through the length of my indecision. When he motioned a second time for me to sit, this time I joined him on the couch, sliding down onto the spot he indicated. “Tell me about the girl in the black dress,” I said. “Uh, uh. Demanding is not very becoming, Piper. Here, have some champ
Nicholas I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Terry, my uncle and advisor to the King, and his hands on Piper as if he intended to touch her intimately. And Piper was practically passed out beside him, unable to give consent, unable to do anything more than cry. Red hot fury burned through my v
I could stare at her forever. I used to, back when we had been dating, on the rare occasions that she stayed the night. We didn’t do anything sexual. We just liked to hold each other. I would wake up earlier than her, just as the sun was creeping in through the windows. It would shine on her, cove
In sleep, I felt safe and warm, like I was rocking in a boat on gentle waves under a bright sunny sky. Here, my troubles seemed so far away. I was at peace, distant from those who wanted to hurt me or bring my family harm. Once, I had thought myself to be in Nicholas’s embrace. I almost recognized
By the next morning, the drug had worked its way through my system and I felt like my old self again. I went down to breakfast, where I was reunited with Elva, who had stayed with Susie the night before by order of Nicholas. I was grateful for his foresight. Mortified as I was by my actions and so