Page 37 of The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon
“This is your birthday,Ella.Youdidn’t think we’d forget, did you?”Lilliansaid, huggingElla. “Iknow it’s your old dress but?—”
“It’s beautiful.Butyou shouldn’t have.”Ellaran her fingers over the stars.Thegown was the last thing she owned from her past life, and now it, too, had been changed to fit into her new life.Nowit was her turn.
“Clara donated the beads from one of her wedding gowns.Sissymade them into stars.AndMotherandIreshaped the bodice.Doyou truly love it?”Lillianasked, fluffing the dress.
“It really is beautiful.”Thatwas allEllamanaged to say.Sheloved the dress as it was because it was from her old life.Akey to whatElla’slife must have been like.
“Come.Let’sget you ready.”LilliantookElla’shand, leading her to the small dressing table in the corner.LillianandAilithbrushed and pinned up her dark hair.Lilliantucked little silver stars intoElla’scurls and dusted her lips and eyelids with silver powders.Whenthey were done,Ellabarely recognized herself.
“You look like a fallen star.”AilithpattedElla’scheek.
“We better go.Wedon’t want to miss the opening.”LilliantookElla’shand.
Ella followedAilithandLilliandown the stairs.Theinn was empty except for one guest.
“Mr.Tenebris?”Ailithfrowned as he stepped out of the shadows. “Ithought you were leaving.”
Thane looked atElla. “Iam.I’mjust waiting for my carriage.”
“Mother, let’s go see ifDarbyis here.”Lillianpulled her mother out the front door.
“Ella, you look…”Thane’seyes raked over her. “Wordsdo no justice to how beautiful you are.Thenight sky will be envious.”
Ella ran her hands down her skirt.Sheopened her mouth to say something when the door burst open.
“The coach is here,”Williamcalled. “Ella, you look very nice.Weshould go before the lines get too long.”
Ella turned to faceWilliam.Hisjacket was black, not as black as her dress, and his vest matched the silver in the stars. “William, you rememberMr.Tenebris?”
“Oh, sorry,Ididn’t see you there.Yes,Ido.Iheard you were leaving.”WilliamtookElla’shand.
“I am.Ms.Moon, it was very nice meeting you.”
She forced a smile and looked one last time atThane.Allthe words she wanted to say to him melted away.Therewas no reason to say them. “Iwish you luck in whatever it is you are searching for,Mr.Tenebris.”
“I wish the same for you too,Ms.Moon.Ihope all your wishes come true.”Thanebowed as he slipped back into the shadows.
Ella’s eyes filled with tears that made no sense.Herheart broke asThaneslipped away.Thelast pieces of who she was left with him.Theyfloated away like ashes on the wind.Ellastepped away fromWilliam.Pleasedon’t go.Ididn’t mean it.
She spoke her truth into the darkness where it belonged.Thelast of her ash-light memories floated to the ground.Shetook a careful breath, afraid she’d scatter them.
“Are you okay?”Williamasked.
Thane was gone.Hehad left her as she had asked of him.Ellaforced a smile and turned toWilliam.Hersoon-to-be husband who didn’t take her breath away.Hedidn’t leave her speechless.Buthe loved her. “Yes.I’mfine.Let’sgo.”
Once at the fair,Williamled her through a dizzying maze of booths and festivalgoers.Thebrightly colored dress of the fair troupe clashed with the pale colors of theMoonFestival.Silverstreamers and glittering stars hung from tree branches and wires strung between tent poles.Keroseneand hurricane lamps filled with beeswax candles gave the narrow walkway a warm glow.Theair held laughter and the scent of roasted meat.
A brightly dressed woman called to her andWilliam.Shepromised to tell them their future.Ortheir past.Anotherthrust a paper flower inElla’sface, chirping toWilliamthat if he really loved his girl, he’d buy her a flower made of wishes.Ella’shead spun with all the noises and smells.Sheclung toWilliamas they pushed through the crowd and merchants peddling their wares.Theair felt too heavy and the night sky not dark enough.Shehad never been around this many people and this much noise.
“What should we do first?Shallwe see the fortune teller, or would you like some stardust champagne?”William’sexcitement leapt from him.Hedidn’t seem to noticeEllashrinking under the noise or chaos that he pulled her through.Hewaved to a group of his friends.Themix of men and women stood in front of a tent decorated with crudely drawn stars. “Comeon.”Williamtugged her through to the group.
Ella didn’t know any of them.Theirfaces shone brightly in the warm light.TheyteasedWilliamas he showed off his silk vest.
“So you’reElla,” one of the girls asked, stepping closer.
“Yes.”Ellaforced a smile.Thegirl's skin appeared flushed.Awhite flower was pinned to her dress.Ellatried not to stare at the glow that pulsed under the girl’s dress. “Andyou are?”
“Kate.”Thegirl watched the men pay for flutes of sparkling wine. “Williamsays you work at theBlindBadger.Sotell me, is it true what they say about the man staying there?”Kateleaned in closer. “Theysay he killedMr.McCoyand three others.”Kateclapped and blew a kiss to her date.“Isold my soul for him.”
