A Girl in a Dress: Memory #7 1/2

There was a small party going on, and I already knew the outcome of it.

Eaden was going to ask me to escort her. It was inevitable.

The master of the house, Eaden’s father, Percival, was hosting the party here in the castle.

There was a rough knock on my door, and I frowned. I knew it.

I simply stood there, and the door opened anyway.

My gaze went to the door as I stared at Maccon.

“What is it?” I asked.

I was honestly a little surprised that it wasn’t Eaden.

He closed the door as he entered my room.

“Are you going to the party tonight?” he asked me.

I shrugged, “Am I supposed to?”

“You should,” he stated, “For Eaden.”

“She never asked me,” I stated.

It made me wonder why she didn’t ask me.

“She wasn’t allowed to,” Maccon stated, “Percival is having another man escort her.”

Why did that frustrate me as much as it did? Who was taking her?

“You just assumed she would ask you?” Maccon asked.

I shrugged, “She usually does.”

“She is going with some royal,” Maccon stated, “He seems like one of those eccentrics I’ve heard so much about.”

“Eccentrics?” I asked him.

“A man who fornicates with other men,” he stated.

I made a face. It wasn’t something I had ever heard of.

I didn’t realize that there was a word for it.

So then why was she allowing him to escort her?

Maccon looked at me, “Does it bother you?”

“Why would it bother me?” I asked.

I didn’t want to let him know how much it bothered me.

“Eaden going to the party with another man,” he stated, “If it were Lucia, I would be in a rage.”

“Like you said,” I stated, “Percival is having him escort her.”

If it were her, she would have had me escort her. Wouldn’t she?

“Still,” Maccon said, “You should go, make the eccentric feel nervous.”

If this royal man really did like other men, then what would happen if he took a liking to me? Would Percival make me leave?

I wouldn’t leave even if he were to have me locked away and beaten again.

I was much stronger now.

“I’ll go,” I said.

Maccon grinned at me, “Your devotion to her is obvious.”

I glared at the taller male, “At least I don’t follow her around like a dog.”

“I choose to follow her,” he stated, “I am Lucia’s Guardian. It is my duty to keep her safe.”

“She is perfectly capable without you,” I stated.

He glared at me, “Not while she sleeps.”

“So, you never sleep?” I asked.

“You know nothing about them,” he hissed at me, “You are merely being tested now.”

Being tested?

“What the hell for?” I demanded.

“You don’t even know what Eaden is,” he stated, “She is looking for a Guardian.”

“Why does she need a Guardian?” I asked, “She can protect herself. I’ve seen it.”

“When she was younger, did she have control of her fire?” he asked.

I made a face, “No, that was why all those kids died.”

“You helped her learn to control it.”

“How?” I demanded.

There was no way I had any part in helping her learn to control her fire.

“You didn’t die when she burned you,” he stated, “She practiced her abilities on you.”

She did?

I know she was continually surrounding me with fire, but I had no idea it was just for practice. Part of me was insulted.

“From there, she was able to develop her other abilities.”

“Like the mind-reading?” I asked.

He looked at me and nodded.

“Can she read your mind?” I asked him.

“Not anymore.”

I nodded slowly as my gaze dropped to the floor, “So what is Eaden?”

He chuckled, “That isn’t for me to tell you.”

“But you know what she is?” I asked.

“Of course, I do.”

“So why do you know, and I don’t?”

“Because I will always look after Lucia, and Lucia will always look after Eaden.”

Then why was he even here? Couldn’t they just look after each other?

“Then what about Lucia?” I asked, “What is she?”

“That is for Eaden to tell you,” he stated, “She has to trust you.”

Didn’t she already trust me?

“So, get ready,” he said, “I have to go make sure Lucia has a man on her arm when she enters the ballroom.”

I nodded as he walked out and left.

So, I was going with the sole purpose of making the eccentric royal back off?

I don’t know why it bothers me that she didn’t ask me anyway.

I just rushed to the bath, I had to hurry and get myself ready.

…

I stood outside the doors, and I could hear the music playing. I suddenly became nervous.

My hands went down to smooth out my jacket, and I ran my hand through my hair to keep it out of my face.

Once my hair was smoothed back, I pulled open the door. I could feel too many eyes on me.

I scanned the room until I saw Lucia and Maccon dancing, then I made it a mission to look for Eaden.

My eyes looked over the dresses, and I thought they were all overdone. The women wore too much makeup and tried to show as much skin as possible.

Then my eyes landed on Eaden.

Her hair was up, and I could clearly see her neck. The dark-colored dress brought out the pale color of her skin.

The man in front of her trying to lead was covered in every possible color. He was adorned with far too much gold.

Now I think I understood what Maccon meant.

I simply watched as he kept stepping on her feet, and she looked like she was trying her best not to get mad.

It was my chance.

I made my way through the crowd and stopped right next to them.

Her gaze met mine, and she quickly averted her eyes.

She knew she didn’t ask me, maybe that was her way of trying to avoid me.

I held my right hand out to the man who gazed at me curiously.

“My name is Boone,” I said, “And you are?”

His gaze dropped to my hand before his own hand met mine to shake it.

“M-My name is Charles.”

I gave him one of my best smiles, and his gaze went back at Eaden.

He was nervous, so I think Maccon was right.

“Do you mind if I cut in?” I asked him.

He shook his head quickly and backed away so that I could take her hand in mine.

“I’m not supposed to be dancing with you,” she whispered.

“Well, it would be a shame to turn me down” I stated, “Do you even know how many eyes are on us right now?”

She looked around, and her wide eyes let me know she noticed, “O-Okay.”

Her voice was shaky as she placed her free hand on my shoulder.

I placed my left hand on her side, and I led her.

“You really shouldn’t be here,” she said.

“Why not?” I asked, “And here I thought you were going to beg me to come.”

Her face flushed red, “Why would I do that?”

“Did you want me to ask you?” I asked.

“No,” she hissed, “I didn’t want you here at all.”

I felt a little hurt by her words, but part of me knew she wasn’t being completely honest.

“Tell me the truth.”

“I am,” she growled.

I just glared down at her. She was still shorter than me by quite a bit.

The top of her head didn’t even reach my shoulders.

I led her a little faster before circling around.

“After this dance, you are to leave immediately,” she said.

“And what if I don’t?” I asked, challenging her.

“Then you will be punished,” she seethed.

“Are you going to punish me?” I asked.

She looked furious.

“I hate it when you disobey me.”

“I am a man of simple pleasures,” I stated, “Going against what you say has to be my favorite pass time.”

Her eyes changed to orange.

“Not here,” I said, pulling her closer.

“Let me go,” she hissed.

“I’ll leave the party if you promise me something.”

She looked up to meet my gaze, “What?”

“Promise you’ll answer some questions I have.”

“I don’t know what your questions are, and maybe I don’t feel like answering them.”

“Promise me,” I said.

“I promise I’ll meet you after the party,” she said, “We can go from there.”

“That isn’t good enough,” I just above a whisper, “I need you to promise me.”

“I will do no such thing,” she pulled her hand out of mine before stepping away, “Leave the party, Boone.”

I wasn’t going to leave. I needed her to promise she would answer my questions.

I needed to know what she was, and I needed to know what Lucia was. Why does Maccon think he is going to follow Lucia to the ends of the earth? Why hasn’t he aged?

Why hasn’t Lucia aged? Why is Eaden aging?

I hated that I was forcing her to tell me, but it has been over seven years since I arrived. I deserved to know more than I do. I was here for a reason, so what was the reason?

I lifted my gaze to search the room until I laid eyes on a woman in a bright red dress. Her breasts practically squeezed out of the top of it.

I made my way over to her, and her eyes lit up once she saw me.

“Might I have this dance?” I asked her.

She gave me a smile that showed some of her teeth, and I led her to the dance floor.

I wasn’t sure exactly what she was, but I knew that she wasn’t human.

I could feel Eaden trying to burn a hole in the back of my head with her glare, but I wasn’t going until she promised.

I put up with being left in the dark for far too long, I couldn’t handle it anymore.

The woman pressed herself tightly against me, and I felt sick.

Her pheromones were making me nauseous, and I didn’t understand why.

She was a good-looking woman, so why wasn’t I attracted to her?

I just continued to lead her until I felt a light tap on my back.

I dropped my hands before I turned around.

Eaden stared up at me, and her deep mixed blue eyes made me feel lost.

“I promise,” she murmured.

The words left her mouth, and I felt relief. I didn’t want to stay here, but at the same time, I didn’t want her to stay here either.

“Why can’t we both leave?” I asked her.

“I don’t have a choice,” she said, trying not to raise her voice, “Father is throwing this party for me.”

It was for her fourteenth birthday. It’s been a few days since the actual day.

I could only sigh, she wouldn’t leave if it meant displeasing her father.

“Alright,” I said, “We’ll meet in my room once the party is over.”

She hesitated before nodding, “Alright.”

I wanted to place my hand on her head, but I didn’t want to ruin her hair. So I smiled at her, to show her that I was happy.

“Hurry up and go,” she said, looking around.

I gave her a quick, polite nod before turning around to take my leave.

The woman in red stopped me, “Where are you running off to?”

“My master requested me.”

Her expression changed from interest and desire to disgust, “You’re a slave? How dare you dance with me!”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her, “You enjoyed that dance far more than I did.”

“Get out of my sight scoundrel,” she hissed.

I pulled open the door, and I walked out.

The loud sound of the instruments was barely a murmur now, and I could actually feel how hard my heart was beating.

So, all I had to do now was wait.