Page 110 of As the World Falls

I pretty much blew my credit card on my dress tonight. It was a little out of my realm of comfort, but I seem to find that I’m always stepping out of it when it comes to situations involving James. It had a strapless pointed top corset and went down into a long skirt that had slits on both sides of the dress, exposing both of my legs a little too high up for my comfort. It was brightwhite glittery fabric and pretty risky for a ball gown, but as soon as I saw it, I couldn’t walk away. My mask was also pretty. It covered the top half of my face, was white with glitter and intricate beading, and had long diamond tassels hanging down each side.

My long satin black gloves and big updo, which I managed to do myself, were the final touches that made me feel like a seductive princess. It was messy and barely contained, but it looked elegant enough, so I went with it.

I walk up to the front door, handing the greeter my invitation. He looks down at it, drops it inside a box, and opens the door for me. Before heading inside, I touch my mask again, ensuring it is secure. I wobble slightly in my heels and stumble a step. Someone beside me stops and grabs my arm, helping me keep my balance. “Thank you,” I stammer, righting myself as I look up to whoever it is. “Oh,” I gasp in fear when I see his mask, which instantly unsettles me. It was black and gold but looked as if it had the profile of two other faces ripping from his face in the center. It looked monstrous but elegant enough for a ball with gold foiled accents.

He nods and lets go of me, going about his way as I float to the wall and lean on it. I was only inside for two seconds, and already, I knew I was out of my element.

I felt like freaking Cinderella.

I straighten myself and continue to walk down the hall, staying as close to the wall as possible. Not only did I need it for support, but I also wanted to remain under the radar as much as possible. I didn’t want James to see me right away. I still wasn’t sure what I was even doing here myself, but like always, I followed that magnetic pull. I also didn’t want Tobias to spot me because, for this, I was officially out of excuses that would keep him oblivious to this tango James and I have been stuck in.

I walk to the only open entrance leading onto a terrace and realize the ball is being held outside in the gardens. My gaze roams over the sheer beauty that lies before me, like a fairytale I always craved to be a part of as a young girl.

Ornate ballgowns and elegant suits dance around the stone dance floor in the garden's center. Everyone is wearing glamorous masks covering different parts of their face. Some have long noses jutting from them, and some, like mine, have tassels hanging down the sides. I much prefer the ones without the scary protruding noses.

I couldn’t help but smile, taking in everything around me. There was so much energy swirling about. People were dancing or talking, filling the air with laughter. Servers were carrying around fancy flutes of champagne and trays of fancy-looking finger foods. Soft, romantic music drifted through the air.

Several willow and red maple trees were glowing with twinkle lights, accenting all the tables covered in satin tablecloths in a shimmery champagne color. The chairs were swanky and cushioned, and the tables had scattered bronzed floral arrangements all over them, sprouting all kinds of colored flowers and draping greenery as if they wanted them completely covered. Pearl decor hung from every surface and entryway, and hundreds of faux candles flickered, lighting the outside with pure magic.

There were hedges and flower bushes around the party, where people were mingling and getting lost. Trees led far back to a small pond where some people gathered. The ground had golden glitter scattered everywhere as if it were perfectly part of nature.

Everything was as if it were pulled straight from a storybook…including him.

My eyes seem to find him instantly. He stood out with his icy hair and the dark yet vivid blue suit he wore. It wasn’t a color I’dever seen him in before, and he, of course, wore it painfully well. His hair was swept back, not a single strand out of place. Even from across the way, I could notice the shade difference in his eyes. He was by far the dreamiest man in the space.

His date had her arm looped through his as they stood and chatted with two men I didn’t recognize. They weren’t particularly cozied up together, but they were still touching, nonetheless. I didn’t like it one bit.

Seeing him with someone else made me feel like my insides were on fire, and they wanted to break free and consume anyone else who dared get too close to him. I felt unreasonably territorial and was already planning how to separate them, no matter how illogical it was.

I looked around the outside, trying to calm myself down, and spotted my brother by two double doors leading to another entrance into the building. One of the servers was standing with him, and I instantly recognized his expression as his flirting face. He was definitely working up one of the servers. And here I thought they were here for work, but nonetheless, he was distracted, so that was nice.

I shake my head, laughing to myself, just as I feel two hands wrap around my waist. My eyes dart back to where I’d seen James standing before and find him still conversing. My heart hammers in my chest as a presence makes itself known near my neck. I felt their breath against it, and I wanted to rip out of my own skin.

“You came,” the voice says.

I rip their hands off me and turn around, seeing a man looking down at me with a goading smirk on the bottom half of his face. His mask covered his face nearly down to his mouth, and I couldn’t see any other features behind it, not even his hair. The mask was black, matching his suit, but around his eyes wererimmed red and dripping down the mask. It reminded me of blood and was almost as off-putting as his roaming hands.

“Don’t touch me,” I say lowly, careful not to cause a scene.

He chuckles. “I thought I would be allowed to touch my own date.”

“What?” I breathe out. “I came alone. I don’t know who?—”

He steps closer to me, and I take one step back. “Who do you think left you your invitation?”

My heart sinks, and my stomach turns acidic. “What are you talking about? Who are you?”

He smirks again as he slowly lifts his hands and removes his mask. I gasp when I realize it's Chuck—the very man I should be staying away from.

“I’m sorry for all the secrecy. I wanted to surprise you. You look stunning, by the way.” His voice is dark and full of mischief as if he couldn’t get enough of my disappointment.

“You left me the invite at the library?” I ask again in disbelief.

He moves closer to me again, and I freeze in place despite wanting to move. I feel as if I am in shock. He lifts his hand, his thumb grazing over my mask just above my cheekbone. “Can you blame a guy for trying again? You’re very unforgettable, Cecilia.”

Finally, I smack his hand away, regaining some of my courage. “Stop it. If I had known it was you who left that invite, I would have never come.”

He mocks a pouting face, and I scowl at him in irritation. “Because it wasn’t your precious James?” He snakes an arm around my waist and jerks me against him. I flail in his arms, shoving against his chest. “What’s wrong, Cecilia?” he taunts. “I have just as much money as he does. I could help set your brother free. Stay with me, and I could give you more than he ever could.”

---