The Ball

Regardless of how I felt about this evening, it was valuable opportunity.

With Elise's ability to understand emotions, and my ability to read auras we were able to understand a lot from simply people watching.

We loved to people watch.

"Oooohhhh, here we goooo" Elise squealed with excitement. Her sparkling eyes sweeping across the floor with anticipation until they landed on one person. I watched as her sparkle dwindled and she turned her head to the side in confusion. Her eyebrows began to bend in concentration, and with a frustrated huff she turned to me.

"I can't read him. I can't get a single fading emotion from him. Nothing." She disclosed over our mind-link.

"It's unsettling. Alura, I can read everyone- EVEN the Queen." Pausing she shot me a pointed look, and I knew it was because that was significant.

We had always known that Elise held great power...but even I didn't realize how strong she was until that moment. It would take a very strong female to be able to read a Queen, especially one siphoning power from companions, who did not wish to be read.

Unable to hide my shock, Elise began to regret telling me. I could read it in her aura.

It's a shit-ton to take in.

"Elise, that's a shit-ton to take in. There's the why haven't you told me before emotion, then the what does this mean emotion, then the why haven't you told me before emotion, then the how do you feel about it emotion, and the you know I'm here for you always and I won't tell another soul obviously emotion, and then the why am I JUST now finding out in the middle of a ball with lots of people around me and I can't glow emotion. Pretty much in that order. So don't you start regret telling me"

Giving me a guilty look I knew that she could see where I was coming from, and that we could talk about that little tid bit latter. Or that big bit latter.

Still in our mind-link she urged me to examine whether or not I could see anything from the aura.

Looking out where she directed me all I found was mister tall, dark, and everyone knows it handsome.

He was smoldering.

Not that I would ever give him the satisfaction of knowing it. That ego of his did not need to get any bigger. But whoever helped pick out that suit - that hugged him just right everywhere - could come and work for me.

Looking more intently I could see his aura he still had some anxiety over something, but he was mostly just enjoying the party.

"Elise I can read his aura just fine. Are you sure you can't pick up any emotions?"

"No. Nothing." she said with worry.

"We can keep an eye out if that would make you feel better, but I can read his aura and outside of some anxiety he seems to be quite content. Let's make our entrance, and find the best table to plunder for the night." I said gleefully with a small playful wink that got a weak smile out of her.

Standing in line to be announced into the ball we continued to watch everyone below. My mother really outdid herself. It was brilliant with the soft pastels, towering mainhall, the glass ceiling letting in the soft glow from the starts and the moon. In a corner the band played silky music that cascaded throughout the whole room without inhibiting conversation. At ever pillar there was hired dancers submissive to every note in sway, and stride. It was the perfect balance between erotic, classy, and lively. If ever there was such a thing. As names continued to get called, people began to gather at the bottom in conversation. Glancing up in acknowledgment when a name was called and resuming discussions. I could feel Elise tense with each name closer to the grand staircase. Approaching the edge, I gave her hand a tight squeeze as our names were announced.

Taking the first step down I felt my lungs squeeze as all the heads turned to acknowledge our arrival.

Surveying the crowd I made quick eye contact with the heads, but I fell into an electric purple haze when I met Prince Damian's eyes. They were such a rich shade of purple, but it almost looked like blue lighting roamed over those soulful pools. It was quickly becoming apparent that though my eye color was an unusual shade, I wasn't the only royal with unique eyes. I wonder if there is just as much attention on them as there is on me due to one element of their appearance?

Forcing myself to look away I continued to look over the crowd. Josephine stood upfront and center sending her usual friendly sneer my way. If possible, she had on even less fabric than she did this afternoon. To all the Fae! I tried to find Prince Bayu figuring that if Josephine truly did take him as a companion I would be able to tell by his aura. It would mean the difference of a war. Or more likely the start of a very long one.

Reaching the bottom of the step, I could feel how high Elise made her walls. She was on guard, and serving everyone who's gauze lingered a little too long for her liking a cold stare. Gone was the anxious girl at the top of the stairs. This was the warrior.

Making a path she lead me to an untouched table far enough inward that I would not be easy to reach, but not so far in the back that I'd have an uncomfortable time trying to get to the restrooms. It truly was the ideal location. Thank yooouuu, Elise.

"I'm going to do a quick round of the room. STAY here." Elise quipped in our mind-link before becoming a lavender blur.

Taking my seat, I once again began to look for Prince Bayu in the crowd. I kept trying to find the slender dark haired figure that took to the stage this afternoon. Unfortunately, that description applied to half of the male fae. Changing tactics I began to scan for the bright golden eye color that is characteristic of the Aither Fae. Interestingly enough I found those golden eyes looking right into the same electric purple ones I had fallen captive to earlier. Damian's strapping and athletic frame seemed to tower over Bayu, but it was Damian that totally lit up with anxiety. Bayu had a calm appearance, but his wrath was overpowering. I don't know what they are talking about, but I found myself being concerned for Damian and even more weary of Bayu.

My line of sight was disrupted by a tall, lithe approaching figure. One with luminescent green eyes. An individual that clearly lacked any common sense, because if he had it he would be anywhere but in my line of sight tonight. Standing from the table I was not supposed to move from I strode forward to cut off his unwelcome approach.

"You certainly lack judgment."

"Judgement? I ensure you I pass judgement quite fast and easily. I've spent a great deal of time passing judgement." he brazenly said.

"In fact I've already passed judgement on you. I did it a second flat. The minute I saw you at the top of those stairs. You look... delectable." he breathed out the last word, and despite my mind, my body had a reaction to the heat in his eyes.

It messed up my whole plan.

I wanted to take a step forward, intrude in his territory and set him ablaze with the fire from my mouth.

However the heat in his eyes, and the way my body reacted to that desire...he'd probably give a whole different meaning to what I wanted.

Instead, a took a step back and reevaluated my next move.

"You knocked out Elise"

"Who is Elise?"

"My maid"

"...and this matters to you?"

I couldn't believe him! He was genuinely confused over this. I could see it in his aura. Yet, even if I couldn't see it there it was written so clearly on his face. I could see it in the way his eyebrows squished up, causing the dusting of freckles to move on his nose. His eyes searched mine. Is he truly one of those individuals who believe they are worth more than another?

"She's my best friend, Prince Sullivan" I said crisply.

I watched as understanding joined his confusion, as well as his distaste. I watched as he struggled to bite his tongue.

"My apologies then..."

I couldn't tell if he meant it for his actions, or rather for my choice in friendship.

With a small cough his dismissed my lack of response," I don't suppose I'd have much luck getting you on the dance-floor?" he inquired with a rueful smile.

"No. I suppose you'd have to pull it out of your reserves leprechaun" turning away I heard him bark out a hard laugh.

"I'll see what I can find" he replied, and even though I wasn't looking at him I could hear the challenge in his voice.