Page 7 of Glass Hearts
I look to Lo, who obviously can not hear the animals. “It’s a big hit, Lo!” I look back on my little family. “I cannot thank you all enough. These tarts don’t do justice to how appreciative I am of all of you. I hope to one day gain my freedom and buy a big cottage for all of us to live in. I have a feeling it starts today with this ball.”
“Speaking of,” Lo interjects, “I was able to pull a favour with our ol’ buddy Valak. He and Carliegh agreed to play carriage drivers for the evening.”
“How?! Valak never wants to leave his bar?!”
“Let’s just say he was VERY appreciative of the stunning dresses I made for his wife. Though he did also curse me, that he foresaw even more littles in his future… regardless, he should be here any minute.”
And as if on cue, he pulls up in a large pumpkin-looking horse-drawn carriage. The orange carriage has gilded vines intertwining along its side, and the large wheels gleam in the moonlight. Valak and his wife are patiently waiting on the outside in the driver’s seat, waving excitedly. Well, his wife is waving excitedly.
“I tried to make it one of those fancy carriages that all those noble people ride in, but of course I couldn’t get it quite right.It still functions, though it may have a slight pumpkin smell… sorry.”
I can’t help but laugh in delight at my friend’s quirky magic. “I love it, Lo, thank you so much.”
Lo gives me a quick hug as I feel Kip and Bert find their place in the clutch. I also triple-check that the stolen invitation is in the clutch. Taking a quick look back at everyone, I nod my gratitude and leave to tackle my biggest job yet.
Valak hops off to open the carriage door.
“Hello, dear!” Carliegh sing-songs before I get in. “Thought we would make it a date night while we wait for you to be finished with the ball. Finally, he takes me out on the town away from the pub!”
I chuckle as I catch Valak rolling his eyes.
“Thank you, Carliegh. I hope to get quite a haul from this mission. I will be sure to share the wealth!”
“Nonsense, keep that to escape the clutches of step-bitch dearest. Your last mission still provides for us. Enough to hire a babysitter and get a reservation atLa Crudtonight! We are good, dear.”
I chuckle as I get into the carriage, which does have a slight pumpkin odour to it. The inside has lush orange velvet seats and a fabric interior lining.
We leave the suburbs, heading through Harsekeep to get to the capital city, Eldor.
I smile as I look out the pumpkin shaped window. Harsekeep may look grimy and dingy to the average eye. But they don’t see the beauty Lo and I see. Love, not just poverty, fills the old stone houses where families live on top of each other. The old cobbled streets make the carriage bump slightly as I continue watching the smiling faces of the locals.
Yes, this evening is a step toward my freedom. But with that freedom comes the potential to do better by these people. More time to write the wrongs of our selfish society.
Further into the city, the old worn streets begin to flatten. The houses go from unkempt to immaculate. They have pristine lawns without a blade out of place.
As we get closer to the castle, my anxiety reaches its peak. The castle sits atop a hill overlooking the whole city of Eldor. Tying the mask around my face, I take a deep breath.
I am The Shadow, and she never gets nervous.
“Ready, boys?” I whisper.
“Born ready, Arabelly!” Bert and Kip squeak back in excitement.
Valak expertly reins in the horses; the carriage sighs to a stop at the main entrance, and with a knowing glance, he strides around to open my door, fulfilling the expectations of a lady of high society. I nod to my friend and turn toward the front doors, where the guards stand, imposing in their presence.
I take another deep breath and make my way up the grand stairs, ready to hit the rich folk where it hurts the most. Their pride.
Sylas
Balls are a nasty thorn in my side, especially when the events encompass making a spectacle of us. Of course, we royal pawns have little of a choice to attend these things. The council gets what the council wants, ultimately. Including making a mockery of finding us wives. The only reprieve is that I get to go through this with my brothers. Brothers not by blood, not by duty, but by choice.
Koi and Archer are off to the side discussing their latest conquest they shared the previous night while Grayer shamelessly makes out with the brunette he just met twenty minutes ago. Idiots, always thinking with their dicks. We have all been rebelling in our own way after getting the order to marry, including finding random bed mates as a subtle ‘fuck you’ to the council. Not that they would care. I, however, chose violence, fighting in fight clubs to feel the rush of adrenaline and pain.
The older woman doing my makeup to cover my shiner, tuts as she tries to cover the purpling bruise forming around my eye. That, or she is tutting at the sorry state of our group.
I feel sorry for the ladies who have to marry us.
The girl with Grayer makes performative moaning sounds. I can tell that he knows this as well by the bored look on his face. Grayer has always been the type to have multiple bed partners, not wanting to settle down. They can’t say no to his psychotic charm, as Koi would say. Koi is Grayer’s actual half-brother byblood. Although they look alike, they are so different. They could be twins, yet all of Koi’s golden and sunny features contrast with all of Grayer’s darkness.
