Scald

Shadows // Lindsey Stirling

The night is cool, cooler than it's been in quite a while. The carriage Mrs. Naimer sent to retrieve Ellete, my father and I, pulls up to her grand estate. I haven't been to visit her since the fateful lunch a few weeks ago, not that I ever would. I am shocked by the sense of anticipation that washes over me as the driver opens the door. I have been dreading this night since last year's party. Even more so since learning that Mrs. Naimer was to be our host. But here we are, the night has arrived, and rather than dread, I'm feeling anxious about the possibilities.

I smooth my hand over my skirt after stepping down from the carriage steps. The dress is beautiful, I must admit. Ellete chose the fabric and design on her own, after I abandoned her to do all of the party planning without me. The blue she chose is the perfect compliment to my skin tone and dark brown hair. She knows I hate ruffles and embellishments, so to honor that she actually kept the dress quite simple. Delicate cap sleeves are paired with a fitted bodice and scoop neckline, modest while still being elegant. The skirt, however, is my favorite part. The blue fabric has just enough flow and just the right amount of gathering to give it volume without being overwhelming. The fabric swishes as I walk and I couldn't be more pleased. I feel more beautiful then I have ever felt.  It is the perfect blend of style and simplicity.

Ellete's dress, like everything else about her, is the polar opposite of mine. Brightly colored in a yellow hue with gathers and bows, beads and sashes, she has the look of a princess. Or perhaps a fine Lady perfectly suited to be paired with her favorite Lord. All she is missing is a tiara and a diamond necklace. Although she and I rarely agree on anything, and there is no way she could ever get me to wear such a dress, I do have to admit she looks lovely. Her blonde hair is swept up in a twist and her cheeks a slight shade of pink due to the cool temperature.

I trail behind my sister and father as they take the lead. Ellete hasn't been able to sit still all day and I'm actually relieved to finally get her here. If I had to check how she looked or reassure her that the party would be perfect one more time... I shake the thought away because the door is opened and one of the servants takes our coats. Then Ellete practically dances down the entire hallway as she seeks the hall in the back. Music gently floats in the corridor just outside the doors of the party room and sounds of cheerful guests can be heard mingling within. Father looks back at the two of us, giving us a smile and a wink then opens the door to reveal the celebration in our honor on the other side.

I breathe in deeply. My hand flies to cover my mouth on its own accord.

"Ellete..." I whisper. The glow of the hall, lit with candles and reflected light, is magnificent. It's so warm and welcoming. There are shades of blue and yellow flowers throughout the hall, complimenting our attire. I'm not sure how she was able to pull that off considering the season. The light, mixed with the decorations and table settings, casts a mix of shadows along the walls. A trio of musicians plays quietly in the corner as the guests who have already arrived talk and laugh. I want to hate it, I really do. But I'm not able to, not after how miserable I've been feeling. This room is too bright, too joyful for me to hate it.

"You are finally wearing something other than rags."

That voice is something I hate, possibly the only thing at the party making me feel such a way. I look to my left and see Nicandros standing in the shadows, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He's alone, as if he's just been standing by the door waiting for me to appear so he could begin with his insults. I watch as his eyes take me in from head to toe and back again. His smirk doesn't falter even as I see his breathing hitch. Whatever he sees when he looks at me must cause a major reaction, judging from the dismissal I see in his eyes, the way he swallows in a large gulp. Bile no doubt. I disgust him, quite obviously, and I must say he normally does the same for me.

Tonight, however, I plan to ignore what he does to my stomach because I want to eat the chocolate cake that Ellete ordered. And I don't want my Nicandros-induced nausea to interfere with my enjoyment of the rich dessert. I say nothing to him, just cock my head to the side and give him the look. But I can't seem to hold my tongue.

"I know it seems shocking, scandalous even for me to look so ravishing. Deal with it." I refrain from flipping my head as I turn to walk away, but it does take all of my effort to do so. I've hardly taken a step away from the insufferable man when I feel his hand grasp my arm, the heat from his touch forcing an audible gasp from my mouth. I have felt that heat before, but it has never ceased to shock me.

"You are no stranger to scandal, why stop now." Nicandros says this while still holding my arm, his grip relaxing ever so slightly, daring me to wrench myself free.

I look back up at his face, a scowl planted firmly on my mouth, but I am made captive by his eyes when mine lock with his. In the past when I've looked at him, I have seen darkness, even despair. But tonight, the depth of the darkness causes me to take a step back. If eyes are the window to the soul, his must be an inky black, darker then the darkest night. My heart feels as though it might burst, although from...what I am not sure. I should be running away from him as far as I can with the look in his eye. But I don't, I can't. Something about it is heartbreaking. It's tragic.

While his words confuse me at first, I don't force myself free. I continue to look in his eyes with my own questions bubbling to the surface. "What does that mean?" My snappy voice is gone. It's as though all of my energy has been drained from my body right to the spot where his hand touches my arm.

My question causes him to step back, glare at me and nod in the direction of the door. Mrs. Naimer stands there with her devilish smile. Then I remember his presence at our lunch, the words he heard Mrs. Naimer speak about my mother and what I may have inherited from her. The story I told him against my better judgment. I should take his reminder as an insult, but for some odd reason it amuses me instead. So I laugh.

My eyes shut I use my free hand to cover my laugh. I have the sense that people are beginning to watch me, the baker's shrew of a daughter completely losing her composure at her own party. But I don't care. Nicandros even has a glimmer in his eye, something I've never seen on his person before.

And I like it.

That thought alone is what finally causes me to take his dare and free myself from his heated grip. My glare returns, the look, and my laughter ceases. Squaring my shoulders I finally reply to him. "Only great fools would use someone's painful past against them." Then I turn to walk away. Three steps later, his response hits my ears with such force it is almost a physical blow.

"Only blind bakers believe I would."

There is so much I love about this chapter. I'd love to hear your impressions and if they mirror my own! Thank you so much for being here and reading!

Here is another Lindsey Stirling original that I love, so perfect for the shadows that follow Daralis...and Nicandros. Even Drue is shadowed by his absence.

https://youtu.be/JGCsyshUU-A

I appreciate you so much!