35The next few days were hectic. With getting ready, going shopping after shopping and fitting after fitting. By the end of this I was at the end of my rope.
"Why do I have to wear these?" I complain about the heels which were murdering my feet.
"Because you're wearing them for the ball," Emma calmly says while flicking through her magazine.
This takes me back a bit, "What these exact ones! Why?"
"Because they match your dress." Kat bluntly states, emerging in a stunning midnight blue strapless dress.
"You know it's the Solstice ball," I remark.
"So?" Kat questions.
"It's meant to be…wintery," I explain.
"It's blue and wait till you see your dress!" Kat looks excited at this prospect however I on the other hand groan outwardly and inwardly due to the lack of feminine taste, the choosing of my outfit belonged in the hands of Kat, Emma and Nousky. This meant unfortunately I have to be measured every single time.
"Can I at least sit down?" I whine while looking with envy at the couch Emma is sitting on.
"Why are you complaining so much?" Nousky says giving me a disapproving look.
"It's a ball," I groan trying to stress my point and to implicate that further I exaggerate with my arms almost making me topple over.
"So? It's better than running 20 times round the track," Nousky counters.
"I would rather do that," I grumble, "and anyway I don't have anyone to go with"
Now all three of them give me an exasperated look,.
"What!" I protest, "I have no one to go with!"
"We all thought you're going with James," Kat says confused.
"Oh," I say quietly at the same time the boys decide to walk in.
"Hey, what's up?" Chris casually asks taking the last place on the sofa, I glare daggers at him, and Ivan takes this as a time to jab.
"Bad day huh?" He gives a 'sympathetic' smile, "anyway you didn't miss much, we were just sparing."
I turn my gaze to Ivan; he knows how much I would prefer sparing to this. I wonder how much a mark a stiletto would make if I threw it at his head.
Milo burst out laughing.
"What's so funny, joker?" Ivan asks with steel in his voice.
"You don't realise it, do you?" Milo's eyes are full of laughter as he looks between me and Ivan.
"No, we don't," I say cautiously.
"That you're so alike."
"What!" Me and Ivan both exclaim in disgust ; we both completely disagree with Milo's idea.
"But you are, you're both strong headed, stubborn and strong willed."
"My best bits," Ivan boasts.
"And his worst," I mutter at the end, which everyone hears.
Before me and Ivan could start arguing again the fitting lady comes in.
"We need to decide a colour," the lady says, observing me carefully.
At this I cross my arms, and send a death glare Kat who had just got out of the changing and back in normal clothes.
Ignoring it, Kat starts discussing and quickly joined by Nousky.
Seeing the free space I run as fast as I can without killing myself and launch into the chair, however I misjudged.
"Oomph," went my pillow.
"Oh sorry," I quickly reply my face red as ever, since I landed on James lap instead of the seat next to him.
"It's okay," James says while I move over into the seat I was planning to land in. Taking off the murderous shoes and rubbing my sore feet, James starts to go slightly red.
"Um... Lenya," he says stammering a bit, and then taking a deep breath he quickly spits out "Wouldtouliketogototheballwithme?"
It takes me a moment to comprehend what he is saying but I get the message, "Um... Yeah I guess." I say in a silent room my face redder than James.
James nods happily a grin on his face while Ivan smirks. Subconsciously I grip the shoe to wipe that smirk off his face.
But luckily for him, the conversation about colours attracts my attention.
"I mean look at her eyes," the lady points out "Ice Blue, I mean we should focus on that."
"Hmmm…. they are significant," Kat ponders.
"Yeah really significant," Ivan says with ice in his tone.
This makes me grip the shoe harder, planning to throw it at Ivan's head hoping to leave a permanent mark.
Nousky seeing the way my hand gripped the shoe and the murderous look on my face quickly says "I think we're done here. Shall we go back?"
All of us agree, apart from Kat and Emma who need to finalise plans, they will be delivered tomorrow, the day of the ball.
Leaning against one of the ancient building, a guardian catches my eye. He isn't doing much, just guarding the area, but it's the fact that there are a greater number of guardians by the area next to the forest near the wards.
A security threat the bells ring off in my head, and making my mind up, I'm about to go over but Kat and Emma come out of the shop carrying shopping bags.
When we make it back to the apartments it's almost diner but none of us are hungry.
"What shall we do?" I say completely bored.
This causes everyone to think and surprisingly Ivan comes up with a good idea.
"What about we go and spar?" he suggests.
I find myself nodding, which makes Ivan light up in a smirk knowing he's right. Rolling my eyes, I gather up the bags and head to the lift.
"Down here in five," I say. "Don't be late," I add the extra warning for the girls.
To say the least I was impressed by the training centre.
"How did you get access to this place?" Kat says impressed.
"Oh, my mum is head for the training of Moroi," Milo says, I nod in appraisal. His mum is Mia Rinaldi who was one of the first people who taught combat for Moroi.
"Magic or no magic?" I ask tying up my hair ready to fight, immediately this causes conflict; the three Moroi want to practice but the rest of us, which are the majority, don't want to be burnt, drowned or suffocated.
"Come on," Nousky insists, "We never get to use it against dhampirs."
"But when will we need to fight Moroi?" Ivan says cockily but a death glare is quickly followed by Kat and I.
Being the peace maker, Milo comes up with an agreement, "What if we alternate the days so magic is on one and non-magic is on the next." This seems like a reasonable decision so we start setting out the mats for sparring and buckets of water in case things set itself on fire, even though James said he would be careful.
To be honest I didn't expect much of a fight from Milo but I was surprised, he hadn't told us his element, to keep as a surprise, but I pinned him down as a water user but I was wrong.
Jumping onto a wooden bench to escape a hit a feel the wood weakening, widening by eyes I leap off the object just before it breaks.
Milo couldn't do that much since earth wasn't that present in the Gym plus anything greater than weaken wood and moving a vine slightly tired him out too much.
This meant that his hand to hand combat was almost as good as a Dhampir and that he was one of the most fun people to spar with.
After gaining many more bruises, foreshadowing of sore muscles, it is time for dinner, once the mats are put away, I drink the rest of my water in one go.
"Thanks for saving some for us," Chris says sarcastically, sweat gleaming on his dark skin.
"Should have brought your own," I say flippantly.
I swing my bag over my shoulder and walk out of the door, after a couple of breaths of the crisp air I regret not bringing a jacket.
Across from the Gym are two figures arguing in the shadows obviously not wanted to be seen.
"Rose, I insist," the voice says sternly which I quickly deduce as Queen Vasilisa.
"Liss it's dangerous. There have been Strigoi sightings near the forest," Rose says frustrated and worried
"Are the wards in check?" she asks calmly.
"Yes, of course," Rose sounds slightly insulted that she had to ask.
"Then it's fine, I'll be safe," Visalia's voice is calm and soothing. "This is a small ball. Only two hundred people are coming."
Two hundred people sounded large to me but the Queen probably had bigger parties than that regularly
Trying to convince Rose that it is safe she adds, "Other Moroi don't have the guardians on them all the time."
"Other Moroi aren't the Queen," Rose whisper-shouts, "Remember how Tatiana died. She was murdered by someone unexpected; it could happen again!"
Shivers run through me at the mention of my mother, I'm about to step forward to hear better but a tap on my shoulder makes jump.
"Eavesdropping are we?" James says a mischievous look on his face.
I hit him "Shush" I whisper angrily but Vasilisa and Rose have heard a commotion and start walking towards the direction we're at.
"Shit," moving as quickly and quietly as possible, we thankfully get out before they find us.
A person coughs behind us making both of us spin round with guilty faces.
"Exactly, what were you doing?" Kat asks hands on her hips with the rest of our group.
"Umm, eavesdropping," I say but the way I said it and the fact that both our faces are red, it isn't very convincing.
"I'm guessing it was more than eavesdropping," Kat raises her eyebrows.
I just get what she was suggesting but by that time she's walking away, "What? I'm telling the truth!" I exclaim.
This just makes her roll her eyes "Come on we don't want to be late."
Dinner is a large affair; we are all there, including Dimitri and his family, Milo and Mia, Chris, Nousky, me and the Queen and her family.
I find this odd, but apparently it is a normal occurrence, that everyone is worried about the food; Rose's cooking isn't meant to be the best but thankfully Babushka is helping meaning it will be delicious.
The argument from the shadows carried on over diner.
"Liss, I'm not going to let you enter a ball unguarded," Rose says pointing a fork straight at her.
"Rose, there will be guardians surrounding the hall on the edges, I don't need you to shadow me," she snaps her green eyes flaring; the two husbands smartly stay out of the conversations.
"There is never too many."
"Other guardians will be taking an evening off and joining in, you can join in too."
"That's because they're not needed."
"You are not needed as well," to be honest I'm surprised that she hasn't compelled Rose yet.
Both friends are staring at each other not backing down until Mia comes up with an idea.
"What about Rose stays on duty during the meal and joins in for the ball?" They both reluctantly agree, but a factor catches my attention.
"There's dinner?" I ask in surprise.
"Yes of course, weren't you told dear?" Rose says kindly without any malice but I flinch at 'dear', I don't deserve to be called that, but a sharp pain stops me thinking that.
I make sure that there is no sign of the pain on my face. "No, someone left out that detail." I death glare Kat "So will there be time to spar tomorrow?" I ask, hopeful.
Kat gives me a sceptical look. "Maybe for the boys but for us the answer is no." My face must be hilarious since everyone bursts out laughing especially Ivan.
"At least I won't be in a Monkey suit," I jibe at him, Kat groans.
"At least I won't be dressed up like a Barbie doll," he retorts before I can release a witty retort I get a sharp kick in the knee and a warning look from Kat.
Rubbing my aching shin, Dimitri sighs and gives an approving look at Kat. Luckily for everyone else, an argument doesn't appear again, even though dirty looks are being shot between me and Ivan.
I would have gone up and crashed on the bed but Babushka makes us clean-up for our rude behaviour, which is calming and helps me sleep for the tiring day ahead.
I'm woken up by the door slamming against the wall; this annoying wakeup call makes me bury my head in the pillow and murmur. "I'm sure that would have left a dent."
"Come on wakey, wakey," Kat says standing over me.
I open one eye and look at the clock "It's eleven Kat! The ball doesn't start until six. You have seven hours. Just give me two of them."
"No way. Rhea managed to get us appointments at the spa and it took ages and a lot of effort so I'm not wasting them," Kat pulls me out of bed making me land on my hip which is now bruised from yesterday.
"Ow," I complain rubbing the sore spot.
"You deserved that," Kat says not sympathising. "Be down in two minutes."
I grumble the whole time, I just brush my hair into a ponytail, slip on new clothes, letting my night-clothes slide onto the floor and run down. I happen to miss breakfast.
"You're late," Nousky says,;she woke up thirty minutes before me. I shoot her evils which she ignores.
"By one minute," I exclaim, they don't wait and I have to run to catch up.
Rhea is waiting outside nervously. I guess we are pretty intimidating, but Kat sweeps her up in a sisterly hug which make her at ease.
What I wanted was a massage, but we got facials and manicures, I fell asleep in both leaving me a bit less bleary eyed than before. I examine the colour of my nails, knowing Kat she would have got them colour coordinating our dresses; mine was Plum. Seeing my expression Kat grins mischievously.
To my surprise it really does take seven hours to get five girls ready, including the two hours we spent at the spa.
I didn't do much; I was trusted into holding brushes, curlers and straighteners while everyone else bustled around me.
About four I see the boys return back from the Gym, slouching a bit I immediately get rewarded by Emma tugging at my hair
"Ouch," I keep on getting injured today, I think to myself.
"Stay still," she warns.
At 4:30 Kat starts panicking.
"There isn't enough time," she mutters to herself. The solution is to hire a makeup artist which she isn't happy about.
I get my makeup done by Kat, who I think is better than the artist; during that, the dresses is delivered.
"Eyes on me," Kat commands drawing my gaze from the bags that are lying on the bed.
Afterwards Kat shoves the bag into my hands, "Change in there," she pushes me into the bathroom "and don't peek," she hands me a blindfold.
For once I obey orders since Kat's wrath does scare me more than any of my teachers; I manage to successfully slip the dress on with a blind fold, without ruining Kat's or Emma's work and step out without ripping the hem line.
I hear Nousky take a breath in, "Lenya you look stunning."
I smile but I'm still frustrated "Can I take this off?" I ask pointing at the blindfold.
"Sure," Kat doesn't complain all she does is move me in front of what I think is a mirror and carefully takes the blindfold off.
I widen my eyes at the person reflected, since I am wearing a beautiful Chiffon. A symmetrical Grecian plum dress which makes my lanky athletic body look like I have curves.
My hands go up to my hair which is pinned up in an elegant up do with tendrils of curled hair framing my face and my face is natural looking except where there is a wash of colour of eye shadow which compliments the outfit beautifully.
When I look around I see I'm the last person to get changed.
"Thanks for waiting for me," I say sarcastically.
"And the fairy tale moment is over" Nousky says; her red hair is in curls which tumble over her shoulders and is wearing a line strapless emerald dress.
"Come on its quarter to six," Kat says, still looking intimidating in the dress I saw back at the shop.
"I'm tripping on these ridiculously high heels!" I carefully manage my way downstairs with Emma holding my arm for support and me concentrating so as to not step on her sky blue halter-neck dress.
When I look up I almost lose my balance since everyone is waiting apart from the Queen and Prince who will make a grand entrance.
Dimitri who has his hand on Nicolas' and Lucas' shoulders eyes shine with pride as he surveys the procession, even Rose wearing a black oriental style dress manages to look slightly bleary eyed.
And for the boys, well Ivan and Chris have managed to clean up better than I expected. Milo has dressed up pretty nicely as well.
James looks stunning, well, more stunning than usual.
I mentally slap myself and pain goes through me, what was I thinking? My mother made those mistakes and look what happened. It would be dishonouring her if I let myself get carried away.
Even though the ice was thick and we were in high heels none of us died even though the meal portions could have killed us. I gawk at the tiny portions even though Moroi Dhampir relations are getting better they do serve Moroi portions.
After three courses and a toast my stomach is still complaining about the lack of food, but the butterflies have got worse so I'm secretly glad that I didn't get much to eat.
"I can't dance," I whisper in his ear.
"Then I'll teach, but with your amazing reflexes you should be fine," James softly says.
Despite myself I blush, Chris must half told him the story; James chuckles.
"You're cute when you blush." This makes me blush even more but I fix him with an icy glare.
"Don't ever say that again," I warn.
"I promise." This makes my heart flutter.
What the hell is wrong with you, I mentally scream at myself, you have enough on your plate you don't need this. I suddenly can't breathe but then it's gone.
Only, James notices, "hey Lenya," he asks softly pulling her back, "are you okay?" His face is full of worry that it makes it hard to lie and even harder when his head is coming towards mine and I put a finger to his lips.
"James stops this," I whisper. "We both know we're doing this just to please the others , let's stop this now before it goes any further," and before he can say a word or let what I say register across his face I'm out of his arms.
Well done, dear, it was for the best, I hear someone say but I ignore it since I'm running away like Cinderella but this time without my Prince Charming following me.