“Tonight is a very special night. You’re crowning means so much to us all. Even the gods have been patiently waiting for this divine day.” Bethany gave me a hug and a squeeze.
“They have?”
“Certainly they have. The gods love to see how their greatness is glorified. Always remember that without the gods, we are nothing, mere mortals –
imperfections. This celebration is as much theirs as it is ours.” Bethany proclaimed.
“Will I still be crowned even though I don't remember my past?” I asked apprehensively and already knowing the answer.
“The ceremony must take place on the Ischeros New Year,” Bethany said, confirming my fears.
“But I don’t remember anything. How can I reign if I’m not prepared?”
“I know that you’re nervous. We’ll all be there.”
“It’s not like I’m going to the prom, Beth. What should I expect?”
“If all goes as planned, which it will, you will be summoned at midnight by Athena. Then Zeus will ignite you with his bolt. It will strengthen the one that is already lit within you.”
“What do you mean by ignite?” All I saw was visions of flames. “He's not going to set you on fire, Delia.” Bethany said, looking as if she wanted to smack me for my stupidity. “You shouldn't be afraid.”
“You didn't answer my question.”
“Zeus will simply touch you.”
“And I shouldn't be afraid?” I said, imagining the larger than life King of the Gods – my father, actually tapping me on the shoulder. The vision was surreal.
“No, you should not.”
“Right.” I rolled my eyes and nodded. “Then why am I shaking with the thought of it? Look,” I said to Bethany, as I held up my hand. “I’m freakin’
shaking. I’m freakin’ out!”
“Try to relax Cordelia.”
“Are you kidding? How can I relax? This is way too overwhelming. Too much is expected of me. Too much that I know nothing about. Too much that I still can’t recall.”
“Don’t fret. We'll all be there with you. Evan, Nikolas, my parents, the elders, all of the members, and me. I'll be there – right beside you, all the while. I promise.” I tried to accept Bethany’s support but it wasn’t an easy task.
“I didn't realize the importance of the day. At first when you had mentioned a Masquerade Ball, I had thought that it was for Halloween.” I veered off into another direction in an effort to shut out my negative thinking. “Now it’s an anointment ceremony and a New Year.”
“Yes, Halloween happens to be our New Year, and the new governing goddess must be put in place.” Bethany noted.
“If the Masquerade Ball is for the New Year of the Ischeros, then why are the town's people invited?” This made no sense to me, and needed some clarifying.
“We've always tried to blend in with the mortals, but we haven't invited everyone, just the aristocracy, and the who's who, of Nickel City, Gold Hill, and Bedwyn City. The mortals have always accepted the year’s most coveted invitation, and wouldn't dream of missing the Masquerade Ball.” Bethany beamed her brilliant smile. The rays of the warm sun shone on her face making her look angelic. I couldn't help basking in her glow.
“We, the members, arrive an hour earlier than the mortals, and toast the New Year. Of course for obvious reasons they don't know that the celebration is for your crowning and our New Year. For the mortals it's just the grandest, most elaborate, and most magnificent Ball. The real celebration doesn't begin until every mortal has left. That's usually around two in the morning, when they’ve enjoyed themselves thoroughly.” Bethany giggled. I tried to smile, but it was a sad imitation of the smile that graced Bethany’s face. I knew it appeared fabricated and fake.
“Will everyone be wearing masks?”
“Yes, of course, it is a Masquerade Ball.” Bethany confirmed with a chortle, and then became real serious, furrowed brows and all. “No one is allowed to reveal their identity before supper is served at ten o’clock.” She added. “Once an invited guest enters Harper's Hall, their name will be checked off by Ischeros guardsmen. They are familiar with everyone who will be attending this evening. It will be impossible for anyone from Victor's coven to penetrate the security detail.” This bit of info calmed me considerably, but not totally because Victor had powers to appear without any warning.
“What if Victor decides to crash the party?” I asked, anxiously.
Bethany didn’t skip a beat. “That’s not going to happen. Victor would be grossly out numbered.” She said, confidently with her slim neck thrusting her head in the air. For the first time I felt somewhat relaxed, yet I still didn’t look forward to the soiree.
“What time will it begin?”
“The ball will begin around sundown.”
“So we have several hours.” I said, pondering that I had just a few hours to sike myself up for the charade. That's exactly what I thought of it, a charade, a mockery, a ridiculous spoof: The crowning of an average girl who they hoped to pass off as an empress.
“You will enjoy yourself. We'll dine like royalty and dance like –”
“Am I expected to dance... much?” My apprehension could be heard a mile away.
“Yes... and you'll be great. You were always so graceful in the ballroom. You've always commanded everyone's attention. Trust me, it will be as it was when you remembered how to ride Gypsy.” She assured, and I nodded although, I wasn't convinced, just hopeful that she was right.
“Upon entering the ballroom, Evan will procure a program for you, meaning he will introduce you to the members of the family, who will place their names on your card for the opportunity to engage in a dance with you.”
“Oh, so I’ll know who I’m going to dance with by the names on my card?”
“Yes. It’ll be your dance card.”
“Ok.” I agreed, yet I was already exhausted by the idea of being obligated to dance with strangers just because a silly card stated so.
“The actual dance will begin with all the couples lined up in promenade order.” Bethany said. I couldn’t help but think of everyone prancing, and galloping like stallions – as Christopher had put it, around the hall. “This is called the Grand March. Then everyone will commence with the First Waltz and dance and mingle and dance some more until about ten o’clock.” I guess that’s when all the revelers would gladly break for supper.
“Then we will eat a wonderful meal followed by scrumptious desserts, and wash it all down with our drink of choice. And if you haven't fallen out by then, it will be back to the dance floor until about two in the morning.” Bethany explained, animatedly.
I expected by then that the strains of the last symphony would finally echo into the hills and over the highest peak of the Sierras, and thankfully the guests would pack up their buggies and head home. It was to be a long and hopefully uneventful night – for my sake I hoped desperately. I had never danced in a gown. I loathed dresses; especially gowns made of layers and layers of itchy fabric, and despised dances even more. I'd never felt comfortable on a dance floor since I have an acute rhythm deficiency.
This dance would be that much more arduous than all the modern ones that I’d dodged in the future, being that the dances of this day were choreographed in precise steps. All it would take is one wrong footstep in the wrong direction, and both dance partners would be sent tumbling to the floor, entangled in layers and layers of itchy fabric, with the probable notion that many other couples would go down with them. I tried to block out all the ballroom casualties that would indeed prove that I was not their empress although, I knew better – I belonged to them.
I eyed Bethany closely. She wasn't trying to hide her joy and wallow along with me in my misery like a best friend should. She saw nothing wrong with my lack of memory, or my fear of being crowned and ignited by the highest god of all. She seemed jubilant, almost dreamy, with the thought of the night’s festivities. I really didn't want to ruin this for her, so I kept the rest o
f my skeptical thoughts to myself.
Although, I was still apprehensive about actually waltzing across the dance floor with Evan or with any other boy, Bethany felt it was necessary to brief me on ballroom etiquette a few more times. I understood all of the basics like waiting to be asked to dance, and then being escorted to the dance floor.
She expected my dance card to be quite full, since I would no doubt be the most popular girl in the hall. Bethany further explained the proper way to refuse a dance. She said that I couldn’t refuse the invitation of a gentleman to dance, unless I had already accepted that of another. If I did refuse, I would be guilty of an incivility. Rudeness was a no – no, and considered breeching proper etiquette. I sighed in defeat. There was no way out of this.
Bethany got up and sauntered over to where my gown hung. She admired it as she lifted layers upon layers of fabric. Then she walked to the door. Her silk robe flowed in the back, extended by a train.
“Breakfast is set. We mustn't keep Light Shine waiting. She detests it if we are late,” Bethany informed me, with an airy giggle as she left my room to get dressed.
I dressed quickly in one of my day dresses, which I once thought was fancy with way to many woven ribbons and bows, but not anymore after seeing my ball gown. I proceeded to head down the stairs, and there he was at the top of the stairway looking so incredibly handsome. My heart literally skipped a beat, which meant that I had to concentrate on my breathing just to be sure that I did breathe. He was talking to Bethany and wasn't looking my way until he heard my doors close shut. Evan turned and gazed at me with the kind of smile that woke the sleeping butterflies in my stomach. I walked toward him as he took me in with his eyes, appraising me indulgently. Bethany smiled at the both of us, kissed her big brother on the cheek, and made her way down the stairs.
“I was hoping to have a moment alone with you before breakfast,” Evan said.
I wasn't sure of what to expect but I allowed him to take my hand, and lead me back into my room. I guess Light Shine would be pissed but I couldn’t care less in the company of such perfection. Once we were in my sitting room, Evan began.
“I wanted to wish you a Happy New Year. Actually, I wanted to be the first to do so.” The depth of his eyes went on and on. He held both of my hands in his and feathered a kiss on my forehead.
“Happy New Year.” My eyes were closed as I waited for his lips to reach mine. A short moment had past. Once I realized he was watching me and not going to kiss me, as I had wrongly anticipated, my eyes fluttered open. To my chagrin, the flow of blood to my cheeks was rapid and impossible to hide. I owned up to it, redfaced, and smiled and watched his eyes reciprocate the smile.
“Happy New Year to you,” I said, just above a whisper.
“I smell sausage. Light Shine makes the most delicious sausage, and I'm famished. Let's join the rest of the family.”
I followed Evan out of my room, and we walked side by side down the wide stairs. I paused inconspicuously at my portrait. It no longer looked foreign and alien to me. It was me. If I didn't know where the dining room was, not to worry, I could just follow the chatter and laughter as well as the aroma of fried sausages which filled the house. Everyone was already seated and heaping forks full of Light Shine’s famous links, scrambled eggs, and buttermilk biscuits into their mouths. They all appeared thoroughly rested, and prepared to take on the grandest of parties. Thaddeus watched both Evan and I carefully, and then began talking.
“My apologies to the love birds, on behalf of everyone,” Thaddeus said, motioning to Evan and me, as we entered the brightly, sun lit room. “Honestly, we did try to wait, but had no choice, but to surrender to Light Shine’s succulent sausages. Somehow, we managed to save you both a few links.”
Thaddeus admitted laughing while almost choking with his mouthful.
“It all looks and smells yummy.” I said, sitting down in the chair Evan pulled out for me. He sat beside me, and started filling his plate immediately. I wasn't hungry but piled my plate as well. I guess for some unknown reason, I felt the need to prove that I was as excited about the sacred day as they were.
“You have quite an appetite this morning.” Alexandria remarked as she scrutinized my plate.
Evan's warm cheek brushed mine as he whispered into my ear. “You don't have to eat that much if you don't want to.” I followed his gaze to the heap of eggs on my plate.
“I know.” I whispered back, before quickly stuffing a forkful into my mouth.
“Delia, I've got dibs on your last piece of sausage!” Nikolas' usual deep and crisp voice was gruff due to a mouth full of food.
“It's yours Nikolas!” I squealed, not realizing that I had until it was too late. Everyone laughed while they all observed the lonely sausage link on my plate.
Nikolas got up, leaned across the table, and stabbed his fork into my sausage, causing it to explode its hot and savory juices into my face through the perforations in the sausage casing made by his fork. Everyone gasped and Nikolas looked deflated. Meanwhile, I laughed at all of their shocked expressions. Once they realized that I found the explosion to be amusing, they all relaxed and chuckled as well. Using my linen napkin, I dabbed at the warm juices, which had begun to stream my cheek.
The kids were beaming. They both ate rapidly as if they expected the banquet of food to disappear at any given moment. Christopher practically inhaled his food as Phoebe battled to show that she could keep up with her older brother. I giggled at my little brothers’ and sisters’ victorious finish. It was a tie!
Although they weren't allowed to attend the Masquerade Ball, they seemed in the highest of spirits. Maybe they were happy that they weren’t attending the ball – I should be so blessed. I knew for a fact that Christopher was ecstatic at the prospect of staying home. Tonight, while the adults will be out enjoying the divine festivities, all the children under the age of thirteen will be in their respective homes, guarded by Ischeros guards.
Everyone finished eating and retired for a quick nap. We would all be awakened later that afternoon, ultimately feeling rejuvenated and ready to begin dressing. I couldn't rest. My mind was whirling with all of the fears that I was consumed with at the moment. I was still worried about the threat of being killed by Victor of course. His vision was engraved in my psyche. Even though I’ll be surrounded by the entire empire of members, I was terrified. I didn't think that I'd ever feel totally safe until I knew for sure that he was... dead. Evan said that after tonight everything will be better. I dreaded the thought of Evan being wrong. Being wrong was not an option.
I'll be crowned the Empress of the Ischeros tonight. I was intimidated by the idea of meeting the members, which would be like meeting them for the first time since I couldn't remember them – more than likely, an awkward situation. Maybe I was afraid that I wouldn't live up to their standards of what they believed an empress should be. I really don't know what an empress does or what they expect. I definitely need a tutorial on that.
I had hoped that Winston would've tried to make contact with me by now. He had promised to tell me everything that he knew. I really didn't want to go into this party tonight feeling like I’d been blindfolded. He had made it seem like there was something imperative that I needed to know. Then he disappeared and I hadn't heard from him since. I knew that he wasn't confined to just haunting his house because I'd seen him on my veranda. I closed my eyes, and tried to take a nap, finally feeling tired.
“Cordelia... Cordelia... Cor –” I must be dreaming I thought, as I heard my name being called over and over again in a faint whisper. It had to be a dream if Gerald was kneeling at my bedside right now. He spoke in a whisper, “Are you awake?” I realized then that Gerald was indeed in my room, and that I had finally fallen asleep, and it was still the day of the Masquerade Ball.
“What... time... is it?” My words were caught in a yawn.
“A quarter past three,” Gerald answered. The house was quiet. Everyone must still be enjoying their afternoon nap
s. Then it dawned on me. What was Gerald doing in my room?
“Cordelia –” Gerald said, slightly above a whisper as he rubbed my shoulder.
“What are you –”
“Shhh,” Gerald placed his index finger gently against my lips. I crossed my eyes to look at his finger as he let it remain on my lips for a moment.
Then I pushed myself up against my head board. “What are you doing here? How did you get in here? Does anyone know that you're here?” I was louder than I had wanted to sound, still recovering from the shock of Gerald kneeling beside me. Gerald inched his face an inch or two closer to mine, and I could smell his sweet breath.
“I wanted and needed to speak with you. I didn't think you would visit me if I sent you an invitation. Therefore, I snuck in through the garden, and once I found the kitchen, I hid in the pantry until I knew it was safe to come out. I waited as everyone retreated to their rooms.” He placed his hand over mine. Impulsively, I yanked mine away a little too abruptly as if he had burned me to the touch.
“Ok so...” I lightly prodded. I could tell from his change of expression which went from eager puppy to shock and confusion that he was stressed out about something. I might as well let him get to it. Suddenly, the icy chill embraced me, and ignoring Winston was proving to be difficult since my teeth were already beginning to chatter from his frigid presence. I tried to focus on Gerald.
He cleared his throat. “Would you do me the honor, and allow me to escort you to the Masquerade Ball this evening.” His eyes were opened wide and beckoned me to answer, but my throat shut down, I was unable to speak.
I didn't expect him here next to me and I sure didn’t expect an invite to the ball. I hadn't realized that Gerald would be attending the ball, until now. His question was bold but his demeanor didn't exude confidence. Instead his face looked timid, and his caramel toned eyes appeared unsure.
“I'm sorry, but I can't accept, I'm already going with Evan.” I blurted out. “I would have liked to… go with you but I already promised –”
“Of course, I understand. I’m an idiot for waiting until now to ask. Forgive me if I have bothered you in any way. I shouldn't have come here.”
Betrayal Page 42