Page 7 of Her Lion Lover

A box with a note on top that said:

One night off won't hurt. Have fun. You deserve it.

No signature, of course. She didn't even recognise the writing.

Sighing, Lily lifted the lid. And gasped.

The fabric shimmered between silver and pale blue, embroidered with a thousand crystals that caught the light and sparkled like diamonds, even in the light of her bare overhead bulb.

She couldn't resist. She lifted the dress out of the box and the gossamer fabric seemed to float as she held it against her. Instead of a skirt that puffed out like a wedding cake, this dress flared out delicately, begging her to twirl.

One night. Just one night...

Lily stripped off her clothes, and donned the dress.

Soft as silk, as light as gauze, skimming her body without being too tight, it was a perfect fit. Or it would be, if she was wearing heels. She hadn't owned many fancy shoes before, but this was the first time she'd regretted selling the ones she had so she could pay her tuition fees. If she'd only kept one pair for sentimental reasons...but no.

She'd just have to take the dress off and put it back in the box, Lily told herself.

Her eyes darted to the box, and what had been hiding under the dress.

Her fairy godmother, or whoever had sent her the dress, hadn't stopped there. Sitting in the box was a mask and a pair of heels covered in cloth and crystals identical to the dress, sparkling like a freshly washed lead crystal champagne flute. A pair of glass slippers. She really would be Cinderella going to the ball.

She gave one last, longing look at her final project. The power plant could wait until tomorrow. The last coach back to the Academy left the ball at midnight, so she'd be back with plenty of time.

Her dad wouldn't begrudge her this. Sure, she hadn't gone to a ball since he died, and every day since she'd spent her every waking moment either working or studying so she could get first class honours and carry on her parents' legacy in the Hea Sanctuary, and whatever other projects came her way, but she could go out dancing for one night and not derail her whole future.

After all, what difference could one night make?

EIGHT

The entrance hall was empty by the time Lily reached it, with no people or coaches to be seen. Her shoulders sagged. She was too late.

Just as she turned to head back upstairs, the front doors flew open, and a figure dressed in a fairytale ballgown staggered in.

"Arwen?" Lily gasped out, barely recognising the girl, she looked so haggard. "What happened to you?"

Arwen waved her away. "Nothing. Not to me, anyway. It's my dad. He's sick. I have to go home right away. I have to...pack..."

"I'll help you," Lily said instantly.

"No, I'll be fine. It's just the shock, that's all. I just spoke to him yesterday, and he was fine. To fall ill so suddenly...packing will help me get my head straight. You should go to the ball. The coach is outside. Don't let him leave without you." She stuck her head out the door. "Wait! Lily needs a ride up to the castle!" she shouted at the coach driver.

The doors hissed open.

"Are you sure?" Lily asked.

Arwen looked grim. "Absolutely. Have one of those fairytale cocktails for me while you're there. They looked like magic potions, with little clouds of spun sugar on top. I'd just grabbed one when I got the message about Dad, so I didn't even get to taste it."

"I'll drink one, and I'll bring you back the recipe," Lily promised.

"Just enjoy yourself. That's all," Arwen said, as the coach doors slid shut.

"Sit down, miss. I can't leave until you're safely seated," the driver said. He was one of the ubiquitous men in grey who guarded the gates, drove the coaches and lived in the gatehouse, separate from the rest of the staff, so Lily didn't even know his name.

"Sure," she said, tucking her skirts in as she took the nearest seat.

The short coach journey was just long enough for her to brush her hair properly and wind it into a chignon at the back of her head. Only then did she put on her mask, glad it covered most of her face so she hadn't needed to bother with makeup, aside from some lipstick.

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