Page 38 of Magic & Mochas
I smiled.“Now I suppose you had better go try on that dress.”
Chapter fourteen
Arguments & Affections
Clove
“Hereareallthedrinks.”I magically floated over the four hot beverage dispensers to Mei, who was just clearing a spot for them at the drink table.
“Thank you so much, Clove!I never would have been able to handle both the food and the drinks in time.”She wiped her brow and flashed me a grateful smile.“I appreciate you coming early to deliver them.”
“I’m happy to help—though it’s been so long since I last visited the castle, I actually ended up getting lost on the way to the banquet hall.”The hallways and staircases were prone to moving, making navigating the castle something of a challenge.
The masquerade was being held in the castle that stood in the forest on the edge of Willowmere.It belonged to one of the original founding families, a vampire clan of a more peaceful and scholarly persuasion.They graciously hosted most of the town’s formal events in their grand ballroom.
Mei winked at me.“I get lost every year without fail.Quite embarrassing really, especially when you’re pushing a cart filled with food.”
“You’re telling me.”At least I could use my magic to carry the drinks for me.“You look beautiful, by the way.I love your dress!”
“Thank you!”Mei beamed, running her hand along her shimmering golden gown.It matched her eyes, and highlighted the gold tones in her red hair, which was put up in a half-bun.“I love your dress as well—is it also from Bubbles & Bobbins?”
“You guessed it!Coralyn’s craftsmanship is outstanding.”I loved how the fabric swished with every movement.Fortunately, I had found a set of jewelry made of onyx and amethyst that matched it perfectly.
“I go there for all of my dresses.”Mei arranged the branded cups I had brought next to the drink containers.“I can finish up here—why don’t you join everyone for the start of the ball?”
“If you’re sure you’ll be alright…” I trailed off uncertainty.
“Absolutely—I’m almost done, anyways.Just have to arrange the pastries Kana made on the platters.”Mei gave me a little wave.“Oh, but don’t forget to put on your mask before you enter!”
“Thanks for the reminder!”Now that I was a little more familiar with the landmarks, it was easier to backtrack the way I had come.
The vampires had taken exquisite care of the castle.There was not a single spot of dust on the oil paintings that lined the walls, and every suit of armor was polished until they gleamed in the gently flickering witchlights.The rich carpet kept the sound of my heels from echoing too loudly in the stone hallways, and there was not a single mischievous pixie to be seen.
I took the long way around to the main entrance, where a line of masked gentlemen and ladies were waiting patiently to be announced, so they could descend the stairs into the ballroom.Slipping my mask into place, I joined the line, scanning all the while for Thorne.Though the masks were magical and could conceal the wearer’s identity, I had a feeling I’d still be able to spot the shadowmancer.
However, as the line inched forward, I didn’t see him anywhere.I had told him to go ahead while I finished preparing the drinks and getting ready, and that I would meet him at the ball.Just as I was starting to wonder if he was already inside, I saw my shadow dance.
“You look stunning,” his voice purred in my ear as his hand went around my waist.
“Thank you.”I turned to take him in.Thorne looked especially dark and brooding in his pitch black suit.His goatee was neatly trimmed, and his dark hair was styled in a way that reminded me of a wave of shadow poised to crash onto shore.“You look quite dashing, yourself.”
“How did the delivery go?”he asked as we inched forward.
“Smoothly—for the most part.”
He chuckled.“Don’t tell me you got lost.”
I scoffed, “Of course not.”He simply raised one scarred eyebrow.How did he know me so well?“Okay, maybe a little lost.”
“I would have come to find you before long.”
I put a hand over my heart and tried not to blush too obviously.Thorne must have noticed, however, because his hand tightened around my waist.
Before long, it was our turn.
I whispered our names to the announcer, and his deep voice echoed throughout the ballroom as we emerged at the top of the grand staircase and began our descent.Lifting my ethereal skirts in one hand, I placed the other in Thorne’s hand as I scanned the room below.
The grand ballroom shimmered under the glow of floating jack-o'-lanterns, their carved faces smiling mischievously as they drifted lazily above the heads of the attendees.Velvet-draped walls in deep plum and midnight black hugged the walls, while charmed candles hovered near the ceiling, flickering with flames of ghostly blue and soft amber.A hauntingly sweet melody played from a string quartet in the corner, guiding couples across the polished obsidian floor.I saw faeries in gossamer gowns, werewolves in tailored velvet, and vampires with rose-pinned lapels.Even the shadows seemed to dance, swirling with the scents of cinnamon, autumn leaves, and old magic.
