Page 72 of A Lie so Pretty and Poisonous

“The chandeliers were my idea,” Cora practically shouted.

“This ball wouldn’t be half as beautiful without them. Good thinking, sweet girl!” I gushed.

She smiled, eyes darting around at the overwhelming exuberance of the room.

Prince Percie tapped Cora’s shoulder, and he bowed as we turned, taking her hand into his. “You look pretty tonight, Lady Cora. Can I escort you around the ball this evening?”

If the sun were a smile, it would have been Cora’s. I nodded to let her go explore and have fun with the prince, ever the gentleman, and her new best friend. They took off in a flash, and Anya and I giggled.

“I am going to mingle and get a drink. I see Gabriel just over there,” Anya pointed and walked in the opposite direction toward a table with crystal flutes filled with golden liquid. Gabriel was standing in a large group, wearing his military uniform of blue with a gold riband resting from one hip to the opposite shoulder, denoting his rank. Medals hung from the right coat breast.

Am I supposed to go to him? I thought gentlemen usually approached ladies. I turned and followed Anya to the drink table. I might need one to get through this evening. My eyes darted around the room, taking in the seraphs, the band, and the guards who lined the walls of the room.

“You’re looking for him,” Anya smirked.

“Gabriel?”

“No.” She handed me a crystal flute and walked away.

I tipped the entire contents of the glass into my mouth and picked up another from the table.

“Lady Aurora,” a grating voice said behind me.

I turned to find Devoruh wearing a gold silk dress, her hair let down in soft chin-length ringlets. It was a stark difference from her soldier uniform, but she wore the dress well, and the colors enhanced her stunning features.

My eyes widened. “Devoruh, you look incredible.”

She ignored the compliment, face stoic as ever. “I was sent to bring you to Gabriel. Come.”

She hadn’t let a few days between us make her lose her charm or distaste for me. I followed her through the crowd. My attention still danced around the perimeter of the room, looking at face after face.

“Lady Aurora.” A voice snapped my attention to the group of seraphs staring at me. Gabriel looked me up and down. “You aren’t wearing the dress I sent up to your room.” He frowned but pulled me close to him, his hand resting on my low back.

“Yes, Your Highness. The dress ripped when I put it on. I had to be resourceful and wear this one. My apologies.” That noble mask slipped right back on, though I hated it. I was tired of pretending I was someone I wasn’t.

“No matter. You still look breathtaking,” he whispered into my ear.

I curtsied. “You flatter me, Your Highness.”

Gabriel introduced me to four of the men standing around him. Their names left my mind as soon as he said them. Dolus tipped his head in acknowledgement.

“Nice to meet you. Dolus, lovely to see you again. Devoruh was just here a moment ago.” I realized as I looked behind me that she had vanished.

Dolus shrugged. “Oh, she is probably off in a corner, glaring at people. She’s good at that,” he joked.

The seraph nobles chatted, occasionally asking me questions about Edenalee or human society, and all the while my focus roamed from seraph to seraph, guard to guard.

Gabriel’s thumb started stroking circles along his position on my back. I stiffened, but he didn't notice. I was an ornament for him tonight. Full of fake laughter and pretty smiles through stifled eye rolls. My feet started to hurt from standing so long, listening to the drivel of men trying to impress each other.

“Mom!” Cora put her hand on my arm, and I sighed at an excuse to turn my attention elsewhere, but the circle of nobles also turned their sights to her.

“Cora! How pretty you look in that color,” Gabriel cooed at her.

She curtsied. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Everyone, this is Cora Alwine, Lady Aurora’s daughter,” Gabriel introduced.

They all smiled as Cora leaned into my side. A seraph whose name I couldn’t remember, Gostrin or Gisler, perhaps, knelt to Cora’s level, inches from her face. “Cora, I have heard so much about you! What a lovely pair you make with Prince Percie.”