Chapter 41: The Mephisto Waltz

Gabriella

The Palace - Moments Later

Still entranced by the magnificence of the classically built keep’s front hall, Sophie had yet to notice the best part. Gabriella drank in Sophie’s reactions as she waited for the inevitable.

She noticed Sophie’s head tilt suddenly when she saw one particular couple. And then she looked at another couple, and another. She watched as Sophie directed her eyes up to see exactly what was drawing so much of the couples’ attention.

There, to the left of where they stood, Sophie saw the entrance to the ballroom, where the true party was taking place.

The entryway to the ballroom was enormous at 50 feet across and 30 feet high. Tear dropped shaped chandeliers hung in a line along the top. Etched into the marble floor—leading guests into the grand ballroom—were shapes made to look like the wind.