Cinderella and the Masquerade Ball
An Erotic Fairy Tale
By
Leila Bryce Sin
“Aw, look at the pretty little princess!” Moira snickered, her shrill voice cutting my ears as her twin sister, Mayra, laughed at the clunky wooden shoes I was wearing and the sad drab grey dress they’d forced me to put on.
“Yes, she is a pretty little princess now,” Mayra agreed as she flicked lentils as me. I watched as the tiny beans bounced off of my corset and tumbled into the cinders at the hearth, causing small puffs of soot to rise in the air.
“Look at the mess you’ve neglected, Ella!” Moira yelled as she pointed a finger, sparking in greens and purples, at me. Her power shot out and struck me, wrenching a scream from me, bowing my back in pain. The twin witches cackled when I fell to the ground, twitching and trying to recover as I rolled onto my hands and knees and crawled over to the cinders.
“Pick every single one up; do you hear me, Ella?” Mayra demanded, a spark of power shooting out from her finger and striking me in the shoulder, burning a hole in my already tattered sleeve. I gritted my teeth, holding in my retort as I began sifting through the ash.
“Ella?” Moira snickered again, “more like ‘Cinderella.’”
“Oh, very good, sister!” Mayra laughed again and threw another handful of lentils into the pile of ash I had already sifted through. I closed my eyes and thought of my poor mother, imprisoned by their mother, knowing any outburst by me would only bring her more harm. The twins delighted in tormenting me and I could take it so long as they left her alone.
“Did you have something to say, Cinderella?” Moira asked, drawing out the new name. I kept my eyes on the hearth and my jaw set, refusing to rise to their bait.
“Come Moira, let’s have our tea in the garden,” Mayra said as she stood up, holding out her hand for her sister. Moira hesitated, I could feel her dark eyes boring into the back of my head, hoping that I would react and she could punish me again. Finally she huffed and stood up, taking her sister’s hand and walked out, but not before kicking a pile of the ash into my face. I coughed violently until tears stung my eyes.
“Horrible, horrible witches!” I cursed through gritted teeth, straining to keep my voice down. I dropped the handful of lentils I had already retrieved from the ashes into the bowl Mayra had thrown them from. It took over and hour but I eventually found every last lentil and as I was rinsing them in the sink the doorbell chimed long and loud through the house.
I rushed to answer it and was surprised to see a messenger from the castle standing on our steps. He bowed low to the ground before handing me a gilded scroll and turning to leave. I stepped back into the house and unraveled the parchment.
“Darling daughter, you know better than to answer the door,” my father said as he came up behind me. He smiled at me and I tried to smile back at him, but whenever I saw the blank look in his eyes it made my heart ache. The witch who had kidnapped my mother and enslaved me had cast a spell over my father, making him fall in love with her. My mother’s kitchen witchery was no match for her sorcery. My father thought my mother had died and that the shock of her death had driven me crazy, leaving me dumb and helpless. Now he had no idea how horribly I was being treated by his new wife and step-daughters and whenever I tried to break the spell over him either my step-mother or sisters would harm my mother.
“Sorry father,” I whispered and handed him the scroll.
“Ah!” my father said with a smile, “the prince is finally taking a wife! Girls!” My father called out over his shoulder and within moments Moira and Mayra were rushing in, their satin slippers and full skirts swishing over the marble floor.
“Yes father!” they called, smiling and batting their eyes at him. I felt heat rush to my face and had to clench my hands into fists to keep from striking out at them.
“Darling, did I hear you call?” my step-mother said as she descended the grand staircase that ended in the foyer we were gathered in. Her dark hair was pulled up on top of her head, spilling down in perfect ringlets around her fair face. Her equally dark eyes sparkled with power and her red, red lips curled into a small smile as she came to stand next to her daughters. The three of them were nearly identical in looks and height and if I hadn’t known what black hearts they had I would have agreed that they were quite beautiful.
“Yes, my love,” my father replied, making me cringe. “It seems there is to be a three day festival at the castle so that the crown prince may finally choose his bride.” The twins squealed in glee, jumping up and down, while their mother smiled, careful not to show any wrinkles as she did so.
“It says all eligible maidens in the kingdom are to attend and that it is to be a masquerade,” my father chuckled at the end.
“Why is that humorous, husband?”
“I just can’t imagine why the King would want to cover the faces of off the eligible maidens if his son is to choose one for a wife.”
“It is curious, but the King has always been a bit eccentric.”
“Yes, you are quite right, my dear,” my father agreed, moving over to her to kiss her on her soft cheek. “So I believe that means we will need to head into town to buy some costumes for you girls.” Moira and Mayra squealed again and ran upstairs to fetch their traveling cloaks.
“Father,” I said, clearing my throat when he didn’t look away from his wife at first.
“Yes, darling?”
“May I go?”
“You?” he said confused.
“Yes, well, I am an eligible maiden,” I pressed, taking a few steps towards him, but before I could reach him my step-mother moved between us. She sneered down at me though my father couldn’t see.
“Oh, Ella, dear,” she crooned, her voice melodic and soft. “I am afraid that wouldn’t be appropriate.” She turned, transforming her face into a mask of concerned sadness as she faced my father and whispered to him, “Husband, dear, the girl is not mentally sound, how could we bring her?”
“Yes,” my father agreed in a low tone. “I’m sorry darling, perhaps the next time.” He patted me on the head and kissed my cheek before he walked out to prepare their carriage.
“Don’t push it, Cinderella,” she hissed at me, her power snapping in her eyes, before she spun to follow my father.
When they were all gone I walked out into the garden, sitting under the hazel tree my mother and I had planted when I was a child and began to cry. My tears splashed onto the roots, slipping away into the dirt.
As I sat crying I heard a rustling overhead. I looked up into the branches of the tree and saw the leaves glittering and glowing with power. I had the strangest feeling the tree was looking down at me. I had a vision of my mother petting my head and promising to always be there for me, watching over me.
“Hello?” I called out tentatively.
“Hello child,” my mother’s voice echoed down to me through the leaves and branches.
“Mother?”
“No child, I am sorry,” the voice came again. “But your mother bade me to look after you in her absence.”
“Why?”
“Because she worries about you, and rightly so from what I see. Now, I can grant you one wish for one night, what will you have?”
“For my mother to be free,” I said immediately.
“I am afraid the spells that bind your mother’s cage are not something I have the power to break. Only a witch or wizard of great power can do that.”
“Then where can I find someone who can free her?” I begged.
“The royal wizard could do it,” the voice said.
�
��How could I ever meet him?”
“I imagine the wife of the crown prince would be granted a meeting,” the voice said.
“I wish I could go to the festival to meet the prince!” I said hurriedly.
“Very good, Ella,” the voice said. I heard another rustling from above and watched as a beautiful dress of gold and silver and satin slippers fell from the golden leaves. I caught them; the fabric was warm and soft against the rough skin of my palms.
“Oh, oh my goodness, thank you,” I breathed, hugging the garment to me.
“In this dress you will be irresistible to the prince for he will see the true beauty of your heart and soul. And lest we forget,” the voice spoke and a lacey, delicate mask of sparkling black appeared in the air and I caught it before it fell.
“One last thing,” the voice called out, stopping me in my tracks. “If the prince has not proposed to you by the stroke of midnight, you must leave. The dress and slippers will be gone by then and you will be left in your rags. The King will not allow him to marry a servant girl.”
“But one night surely won’t be enough time for him to want to marry me!”
“Perhaps not, but the festival is three days, dear Ella.”
“So you will still be here?”
“I will, but remember, midnight, there is nothing I can do if you waste your wish.”
The next night I waited as my father and his new family dressed for the first night of festivities then I rushed to bathe, cleaning away the soot and ash that seemed to always cling to my body. I used Moira’s makeup and Mayra’s perfume after I bound my hair on top of my head, letting golden ringlets tumble down.
The dress was incredible. The bodice skimmed the curves of my body while lifting the milky mounds of my breasts. The skirt was both full and flowing while being light as it swirled around my bare legs. The slippers were so soft I felt as though I was walking on clouds. When I turned to the mirror to tie on my mask I caught my breath. I looked so different; the dress shimmered making my skin glow. The mask made my cheekbones sharp and dangerous and the line of my neck was inviting as tiny golden curls fell along my jawline. The blue of my eyes sparkled behind the glittering black lace of the mask. I wouldn’t even recognize myself; I had no fear my family would.
The castle was alive with fires and lanterns hung everywhere, leaving no corner in shadow. I tried to catch my breath, feeling my breasts pressing against the boning of my gilded corset. There were thousands of people here, how would any one girl ever reach the prince, let alone stand out to him? I walked through the crowd, smiling as I realized the men’s gazes were following me as I went. I felt their eyes lingering on my flesh, I felt them admiring the hint of my legs through the sheer skirts of my dress and with every appreciative glance I felt braver, more confident.
By the time I reached the grand ballroom I had no doubt about my ability to steal the prince’s attention. I moved through the crowd, letting the hands and arms of the men all around me guide me and lead me to the middle of the room until I was twirling with the music and I spun out in front of the prince himself. I smiled up at him before dropping into a low curtsey at his feet.
“Your majesty,” I said and smiled again when I saw his eyes slip momentarily from my face down to the mound of my breasts and he swallowed. A spark of heat lit his eyes as he reached a hand out for me, drawing me up and pulling me against his body. Every girl in the kingdom pined after this man with his wavy, chestnut hair, his hauntingly dark eyes and his luscious mouth. Seeing him smiling at me made my heart pound against my chest. The simple black mask across his eyes made him dangerous.
“My lady,” the prince said and I was pleased to hear the rich baritone of his voice, thick as velvet. Without another word we were dancing. The prince led me expertly around the dance floor, the crowd flowing around us, moving out of our way when they saw us coming. I felt his hand pressed into the small of my back, a flare of heat building between us. His other hand held mine and I could feel the strength in his fingers even as he kept his grip loose so as to not crush my fingers. My other hand rested on the swell of his round shoulder and as we moved I could feel the muscles bunching under his coat. My head was spinning, making me giggle the faster we moved.
“You are simply beguiling,” the prince spoke softly against the shell of my ear, making a shiver of excitement run down my back. I pressed against him, letting a soft noise of pleasure slip past my lips and I felt his body respond to me. Maybe it wouldn’t be that difficult to entice the Prince into a marriage proposal, after all, that’s what the festival was for.
“Your majesty,” I said, my voice a little breathy, “perhaps we can take a break?”
“Oh, of course,” he obliged and as the song ended he led me to the edge of the dance floor, signaling a passing waiter. He plucked a fluted champagne glass from the serving tray and handed it to me before taking one for himself. I sipped the crisp, bubbly wine, scrunching my nose when the bubbles popped and ticked me. I could feel the crowd pressing closer to us, the women eyeing him and the men me.
“Perhaps we could go somewhere more,” I hesitated, taking another sip of the champagne to strengthen my resolve, “Private?” I had never had champagne before, but it swirled in my belly making me feel warm and impulsive.
“Well,” the Prince blinked at me in surprise, making me worried I was being too forward. I smiled up at him, letting one hand fan my face slowly until my fingers drifted to a stop, resting on the curve of my chest, dragging my nails along the swell of my breast. A slow smile spread over his face and I knew I had him. I threw the rest of the champagne back in one swallow. He took my hand and led me away from the grand ballroom until we were hurrying down a deserted corridor hung with massive portraits with elaborate frames, interspersed with floor to ceiling windows their lush curtains trailed along the floor, pooling in rich red velvet.
I could feel the champagne swirling through me, making me lightheaded and giddy. We were both laughing and panting when he swirled me around, pushing me against the wall of a hidden alcove. The corridor stretched long and empty to either side of us and with us pressed into the cutaway no one would see us until they were right on top of us. My shoulders were pressed into the wall, my hips pressed into his as he loomed over me. In the shadow of the alcove with his black mask I could no longer see his eyes and my heart fluttered in my chest.
“Someone could catch us,” I whispered, blinking up at him.
“Yes,” he grinned down at me. “Someone could.” My heart raced as I realized what he wanted. The thought that someone could come down the corridor at any moment and see us, catch us, made my body trembled in anticipation.
His hands were pressed against the wall just above my head and I caught the gleam of his white teeth before he lowered his face towards mine. His lips were as soft and warm as I had hoped they would be. I curled my fingers into the lapels of his coat and pulled, pressing my body into the curve of his. My stomach was in knots and my heart was pounding in my chest, I had never done anything so impulsive. I had hoped to seduce the prince, but he had seduced me and now I wanted nothing more than to wrap my body around his.
As if reading my mind I felt his body shift as he dropped his hands and ripped off his coat. I was tearing at the buttons of his shirt, frantic to get to the flesh underneath. The panes of his chest were smooth and broad. I dropped my head to his neck, dragging my lips down the curve of his collar bone, across his chest until I could take his pert, pink nipple into my mouth. I lashed at it with my tongue, feeling it harden in my mouth just as I bit down. He moaned above me, his hands reaching for the ties of my corset, pulling them free.
My dress fell away from my body, pooling at my feet in a puddle of gold and silver, leaving me naked before him. I fell to my knees, my dress a cushion against the cold marble floor, and I undid his pants, pulling at fabric until he was bare before me. His cock was full and ready, swaying gently before my face.
I glanced up at him as I licked my lips and w
as pleased to see his eyes flutter in anticipation. I wrapped my fingers around the smooth shaft, gripping him as tightly as I hoped I would with my body soon. He made a small, pleased noise before I slid my hand down until I hit the base of him, pressing into his body. I opened my mouth and slid my moist lips over the tip of his cock, my tongue circling around it.
The prince groaned appreciatively and I felt his body shake as his knees went weak. He braced himself against the wall with one hand and slid the other into my hair, his fingers tangling with my curls. He gripped hard enough to make me gasp, my hand flexing around his cock. I sucked on his head, pulling harder and harder on him as my fist moved up and down his shaft until he was moaning for me. I hesitated at the edge of his head, my tongue massaging the soft skin on the underside before I moved forward, taking the length of his hard cock into my mouth, my lips hitting the circle of my hand.
He cried out for me as I began to move my head back and forth. His hand flexed in my hair and his hips began to shift until he was fucking my mouth. I opened my eyes and watched his golden, round hips pump, pushing him in and out of my mouth. I moved my hands to those hips and dug my nails into his skin until he cried out again, shivering at the pleasure-pain.
Just when I thought he was about to fall over the edge he stopped and bent to pick me up. He was much stronger than even his muscles made me think; I was suddenly airborne, crying out in surprise as he pressed me against the wall, holding me under my ass. I wrapped my legs around his waist, opening myself to him, feeling how wet and eager I was for that slick, hard cock.
He slammed into me, but I was so swollen with anticipation it was still difficult for him to enter me. When the sharp edge of his hip bones pressed into me I cried out, my nails digging into the muscles of his shoulders. I begged him to fuck me, wanting it hard and fast. He spread his legs and pressed me into the wall, leveraging himself to force his cock in and out of me, bouncing me on his cock as he did so.
My pussy gripped and quivered around him, feeling him growing thicker inside of me. I dropped my hands from his shoulders and took my breasts, kneading and caressing them for him to watch. I pinched my nipples until they were red and hard. I moved one hand down between us and began to massage my clit as he continued to pound into me. He bent his head forward, resting it on my shoulder as he began to grunt and curse, his cock swelling inside of me as he came closer and closer. I pressed my fingers harder against me, swirling around and around as I gripped his cock so that he was fighting to get deeper inside of me and all that could be heard was the wet slap of skin on skin, his curses and my cries of ecstasy as we came together.
Cinderella and the Masquerade (Erotic Fairy Tales) Page 1