Lark (16 page)

             
Ah. Yes. The ball.

             
The ball I have been trying to avoid thinking about all day.
So much for getting lost in my book
. I’m not really a fan of getting dressed up anyway but throw in the fact that I’ll be meeting hundreds of elves and, well, I’m more than a little nervous. 

             
My silence brings a small smile to Isobel's face as she reaches for my hand and leads me to the cavernous closet. She heads straight for the rack in the very back that has at least a dozen ball gowns of all different colors and styles hanging in translucent bags. She paws through them all until finally deciding on a strapless green one that she insists will bring out the green in my hazel eyes. The floor-length satin gown is simple and elegant, but I’m almost certain I’ll trip over the train at some point tonight.

Isobel even styles my hair for me. She somehow manages to curl my stick straight hair into tight ringlets, pulling the sides up with loose tendrils framing my face. For the first time since arriving in Álfheimr, I actually feel like a princess, even if I’m just the illegitimate daughter of a King.

              After she touches up my make-up, she leaves to meet up with Finnegan. Even though they aren't guests of honor like me, their entrance still has to be announced since they are such important figures in the kingdom. I’m feeling a lot of pressure as the evening approaches because I know that Alberico is hoping that after tonight I’ll win the favor of the elves with my charm. Grey confided in me about Alberico’s hope to persuade the people to accept me as a possible heir. Not that I ever have any intention of ruling over the kingdom;. I mostly just feel obligated to try to please Alberico.

Though I was angry with him at first for abandoning not only me, but especially my mother, I realize now just how hard it was for him to do so. And that he really did believe he was acting in the best interest for all. He sacrificed his own happiness for the good of humanity for goodness sake. In the last week, I have really come to admire him. He is truly an honorable and selfless King.

              I’m only alone with my thoughts for a moment before the familiar light tapping on my door causes my heart to flutter, but then immediately knots up my stomach as I remember how he rejected me. I open my bedroom door this time to find Grey waiting for me in an elegant black tux. I don't think I will ever get used to the way his indigo eyes sparkle.

             
“Shall we?” he says, offering me his arm. “You look breathtaking.”

             
The blush that colors my cheeks is my only response to his compliment. As always, he leaves me momentarily speechless. I’m relieved that he is acting like nothing happened, that nothing has changed. I link my arm with his and allow him to escort me to the ball. After all, I’m definitely in need of a friend tonight.

             
“Are you nervous?” he asks me after a few moments of silence, but I know that he already knows the answer.

             
“No, not at all. Of course not,” I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “I only have to try to charm hundreds of elves I’ve never met into thinking that their king isn't totally crazy for wanting me to inherit the throne even though I have absolutely zero desire to actually do so, and even if I did, the next in line for it is a million times more powerful than me anyway. What is there to be nervous about?”

             
He smiles understandingly at my little rant as he escorts me down to the ballroom where I will be officially presented to the people of Álfheimr for the very first time. Despite the fact that I really do not have any desire to rule, I do actually want them to approve of me. My knees are shaking as we make our way down the grand staircase. I’m immensely thankful to have Grey to hold on to.

             
I have to keep myself from gasping out loud when I see the elaborate transformation the castle has undergone in preparation for the ball. Definitely no crepe paper or balloons in sight. Instead it looks as though the breathtaking castle gardens have been moved inside. Delicate ropes of white flowers cascade from the high ceiling, giving the illusion that it is raining freesias and gardenias. The sweet scent of the flowers reminds me of the freshness of springtime. I feel as though I have just walked into A Midsummer Night’s Dream. 

A deep and booming voice announces my arrival as I enter the ballroom. My face reddens and my heart pounds in my chest as I realize that everyone in the room has abruptly stopped what they were doing and all eyes are on me.
Alberico clears his throat warningly and suddenly all of the elves bow low to the ground. I am frozen in place by my anxiety. Grey must have sensed as much because he squeezes my hand reassuringly and my feet finally remember how to move. The room is silent except for the sound of our footsteps as Grey escorts me across the room to where the King of the Light Elves, my father, is waiting for me.  I take my place next to Alberico, whose face is beaming with pride as I am officially presented to his kingdom. As I take my seat, the rest of the elves go back to mingling with each other, and the music starts again.

             
“What do you think?” he asks me as he gestures grandly.

             
“It's amazing,” I answer honestly, because it is. It’s the most amazing scene I’ve ever laid eyes on. Complete and total fairy tale.

             
“Greyson tells me your training is coming along quite nicely.”

             
The skeptical look on my face must be quite comical because he laughs before continuing, “I am sure you are a little disappointed but rest assured, Grey is a great teacher. If you possess any power over the elements, he'll help you tap into it.”

             
“I don't know. I can't seem to do anything but heal.” So far, I think to myself.  More and more lately, I feel like I have only touched the tip of the iceberg. It's like I can feel the power bubbling inside of me just waiting to explode, but I haven't figured out how to access it yet. It's there though. I can tell. It's the same tingly feeling I get in my fingertips.

             
“You have only been here for a week. Just imagine what you will accomplish after spending some more time here? I have a good feeling about you Mia. A very good feeling indeed.”

             
We are interrupted by a commotion as people bustle to form a line before us. Everyone is anxious to meet Alberico's illegitimate daughter. Quite the scandal! By the time I meet every single elf in the kingdom, my face hurts from smiling so much. Everyone is very kind though, so that is something.  

             
During dinner, I help myself to a little wine. It actually tastes better than I thought it would so I drink a little more in hopes that it will numb the ache in my face. The food in Álfheimr is out of this world. Well, I guess that is to be expected since it actually
is
out of this world. Out of my normal world anyway. I have never tasted such culinary masterpieces before. I can't help but stuff my face, as much as I can while maintaining my proper manners. If I would have remembered what people are supposed to do at a ball, I probably would have restrained myself a bit. I’m too stuffed to move, let alone dance. So imagine my dismay when the tables magically disappear, the orchestra increases from background noise to full-blown dancing volume, and Grey offers me his hand.

             
“May I have the first dance?”

             
I feel a blush rising to my cheeks and at the same time my heart drops into my stomach. The memories from our last dance together come crashing back and I think I might get sick. I immediately look to Alberico to see if by any chance there was some sort of ballroom dancing protocol that would rescue me from this disaster waiting to happen. He just smiles his approval and nods us away before turning his attention to Duke Finnegan who is eyeing me warily.  He just doesn’t seem to like me much.

             
I look back to Grey. His indigo eyes are warm and he gives me a small smile as he leads me onto the middle of the floor where several other couples are already dancing away. He takes one of my hands in his and places his other hand around my waist. Definitely not the normal way high-schoolers dance. But Grey is not exactly a normal high-schooler, and here in Álfheimr he doesn't have to pretend to be. He pauses for moment, and then we begin to dance. It isn't a dance that I have ever done before, but I have watched enough Dancing with the Stars to know it's a waltz. I stumble through the first few steps but Grey is an excellent lead and I quickly catch on.

             
“I haven't had a chance to ask you, how are you holding up?”

             
“A little overwhelmed, and my mouth hurts from smiling so much.” You know it's bad when a cheerleader's mouth hurts from smiling. I’m supposed to be an expert smiler.

             
“Well, next time don't smile with your teeth,” he smirks.

             
“I'll keep that in mind next time I am at a fancy ball. Which will be never,” I add.

             
That actually got a full-blown, hearty laugh from him. I can't help but giggle a little in return.

              This dance is way better than Homecoming.

             
It isn't long before someone asks to interrupt our dance. Once the dancing begins, it shows no sign of ending, or even giving me a break, any time soon. There is always someone else waiting for the next song. I’m certain my feet will be covered in blisters, but I have to admit, it is a rather fun evening. Elves are naturally beautiful, so imagine dancing with a hundred supermodels all in one evening. You would think that would make me feel self-conscious, but it doesn’t because they all act like it is a huge honor to dance with me. Tonight is so different from what I was expecting.

             
“So you are the Half-blood from the prophecy?” my current dance partner asks incredulously.

             
To think I was actually excited when this spectacularly good-looking elf interrupted my previous dance with a particularly dull elf.

             
“That would be me,” I smile, trying to brush off his rudeness. But I am already looking around the room for an excuse to escape what is sure to be an unpleasant conversation with this ass-hat.

             
“Huh. Duke Finnegan isn’t too happy about you being here, but I don’t know why, you don't look like anything special to me. I'm Blaise. I'm sure you’ve heard of me.” He winks at me like I am supposed to find him charming or something.

Before I can come up with a retort, Grey swoops in and rescues me.

              “I believe the King would like a word with his daughter before he retires for the evening.” The words alone are perfectly pleasant, but the dark look in Greyson's eyes is dangerous as he stares down at him. Blaise actually looks shaken for a moment before recovering himself.

             
“Sure thing. See you later, Princess.” He spits out 'princess' like it is a bad word.

             
“Thank you for saving me,” I whisper to Grey as soon as Blaise struts off.

             
“No problem. Sorry about Blaise. He can be a bit of a nuisance”.

             
“That’s an understatement,” I mutter.

             
“Alberico really does wish to say good night to you though, and I figured you were probably ready to leave as well.”

             
Now that I’m done dancing, I realize exactly how tired I am and how bad my feet hurt. I will definitely be taking full advantage of my personal spa tonight.

             
Alberico is perched on his throne watching the festivities rather than participating in any of the dancing. Which I think is kind of odd. I mean, I know this sort of freaked me out a few days ago, but the fact of the matter is, Alberico really is quite good looking. I wonder why he never married. He would have a legitimate heir if he did. I file the thought away for now and smile pleasantly at my father.

             
“Did you enjoy yourself this evening, Mia?” he asks me kindly.

             
“Yes, thank you very much. Everything was perfect.” Well, everything except that brief dance with Blaise.

             
“Good, good. Well, I just wanted to wish you a good night. I will see you in the morning for breakfast as usual?”

             
“Of course. See you in the morning.” I curtsy, like a good sorta-princess, as my father rises from his throne. After he leaves I turn to Grey and he offers me his arm. We make our way through the still lively crowd. Apparently it doesn't matter that the king is no longer present, these balls have been known to continue all night long until everyone is too exhausted to go on.

             
“Grey?”

             
“Hmm?”

             
“Why did Blaise say that Finnegan isn’t happy about me being here?”

             
“Isn’t it obvious?”