The Selection: Bride Of The Dark Dragon

LARA

When Sandra was gone, I sent Lisa for my real dress. The one that the shop assistant from Lady Ria Solveig’s shop brought as my special order. It was of course possible that Demir already knew everything if he had received the bill for the dress. Yet somehow it felt unlikely to me since he had a lot of work as an emperor and hardly had time to pay attention to his soulmate’s expenditure.

It was something that I’d never consider wearing back at the White Archipelago.

The corset of masterfully crafted golden feathers was hugging my curves perfectly and there was a deeper cut than I initially asked for, but now when I actually had this dress on, I had to admit that it looked amazing this way. From under the golden feathers, wine red sheer fabric was flowing down to the floor with a slit starting at the middle of my thigh. There was also a thin light cape that was held by a golden clasp on my chest and two golden exquisite chains we’re going from it to my shoulders to help me keep the whole thing in place. It was so beautiful and so daring for someone from my background. But I loved it!

Lisa helped me to put on a small headband of golden feathers exactly like the ones on the corset but smaller. Yet the final touch was the golden feather mask, that was covering the upper half of my face. For the first time ever I applied deep red lipstick and I couldn’t even recognize myself. Especially now when I put on an illusion of ash brown hair. I couldn’t wait to check this soul mates’ theory in person. Let Demir find me without knowing how I looked today. It was probably dangerous, yet I couldn’t wait to see if he’d be able to recognize me in a crowd. Besides, my light was always with me and it seemed to be the best weapon against gerdians.

Also, I kind of hoped that no one else would be able to tell who I was.

Before walking into the hall where the masquerade ball was to be held, I took a deep breath. I was late and there were already sounds of music, chatter, and laughter. I squeezed Lisa’s hand and she wished me good luck. This girl was sincere, unlike Sandra. However, today it was Sandra who got her chance to shine at the ball. I even got her a second invitation to avoid trouble. Luckily, all I had to do was tell that I lost mine.

The heavy doors before me opened and I stepped into something absolutely unreal! The celebrations hall was very dark with only magical ardenia flowers and butterfly illusions illuminating the event. The flowers were spread over the high ceilings and the columns and their live petals were opening and closing, responding to the energy around them. Those were very special flowers. We never had them at the White Archipelago but I’ve heard legends about them and saw them in the pictures of our history books. Those flowers were sensing people who had strong feelings for each other, no matter what it was – love or hate … Those were the flowers that reacted to passion. And when they felt it, they were opening their petals and spraying their pollen over the heads of the two people who stood under it. It was considered a blessing of good luck and the ones blessed we’re supposed to either k**s if they were lovers or at least shake hands if they were enemies. Bad events were supposed to happen if people did not obey the naughty plants. But all those were old tales, of course. And nowadays ardenias were mainly used at weddings to get the blessing for the newlyweds. And even at weddings, they hardly ever were spraying anything. But at least they looked amazing and cost a fortune.

I was looking at all the decorations on the ceiling when I felt that something was off. I carefully glanced at my surroundings and noticed that everybody was looking at me. It was hard to read their facial expressions in this dimmed lighting condition so I decided that it would be best to move away from the entrance and pretend like I knew what the chaos I was doing.

A servant brought me a drink and I took a huge gulp, which unfortunately was too strong to my taste and made me cough. However, the plus side was the lightness that came to my head at once and I took another gulp. This time, it felt better.

I found a dark corner for myself from where I’d be able to watch the whole event and wouldn’t attract too much attention.

I couldn’t find Demir no matter how hard I tried. He either had a ridiculously good costume and mask or he simply wasn’t here yet. I managed to find Primrose almost instantly. She was wearing a pale blue dress with tourmalines all over it and looked as regal as ever. Her ginger hair we’re mostly down in perfect waves. As always. Without any exaggerations, she was the most beautiful woman in the room tonight. And the many suitors she had around her were the proof of that. I looked some more and I think I recognized Camelia, Demir’s ex. Her shrieking voice was a good clue as she was standing not far from me and chatted with her friends about how tonight would be the night for her and the emperor.

I wasn’t sure if she recognized me or if she was just oblivious, but I wouldn’t fall for the same trap twice.

I looked some more and was almost sure that I found Ryker, wearing all black with a silver mask. Just like me he was hiding in a corner and didn’t take his eyes off Prim. I noticed him throwing strange glances at the Princess before but tonight those glances were as evident as ever. She, however, wasn’t even noticing him. And somehow I felt bad for the poor emperor’s second in command.

“Would the lady be so kind as to agree to dance with me?” A man wearing black with a mask decorated with rubies, covering most of his face bowed before me and offered me his hand. At first, I thought that it could be Demir but I quickly realized that he wasn’t. They had the same height and built, yet I knew that it wasn’t my soul mate at once. Maybe there was something to all that legends, after all… The man’s hair was painted with silver paint and it was hard to say what his natural colour was.

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled, “I don’t dance.”

“It’s bad luck to refuse to dance when you are invited under the blossoming ardenia flowers,” the man smirked and took my hand in his without permission, pulling me to the dance floor.

“Wait!” I muttered but he already pressed me to himself by my waist and made sure to hold my hand so strong that I couldn’t move away.

“Just one dance,” he smiled, and I shrug my shoulders. I didn’t want to make a scene and it would be better to have a look from the centre of the crowd. So I just went with it.

Just one dance. What could happen?

The stranger moved firmly and it was obvious that he had been to many balls in his life. All his movements were In sync and he seemed to be a natural at this.

I, nevertheless, was not impressed and was just looking around carefully, trying not to give myself away.

I saw him at once as he entered the room. Demir.

It was like the whole atmosphere changed and he seemed to be looking for someone too. My heart skipped a bit as I was thinking that it could be me.

He was about to look in my direction, when my partner turned me forcefully and made sure that we stayed that way, completely hiding me from Demir’s eyes.

“Trust me, Lara,” my partner said all of a sudden, “the emperor will not bring you anything good. You’d better leave the palace as soon as possible. No one who is close to him remains happy for long. Not many who stay close to him even remain alive … You should protect yourself while you still can. Trust me.”

For the first time I really looked at him and for a second I was even afraid that it might be Gideon. Yet he didn’t resemble my brother at all.

“And who are you exactly?” I asked with a raised brow, which probably wasn’t visible due to my own mask.

“Someone who speaks from experience,” the man answered, “Someone, who doesn’t want for you to be hurt. Things are going to change, Lara, and you’d better be far away from here when they do…”

He looked me in the eyes and I wanted to ask him what he means exactly when dark flames appeared all over me again.

“Time for me to go,” the stranger smiled, “don’t forget what I told you today…”

I disappeared just for a second, only to reappear in Demir’s arms…

“Got you!” He smirked.