"In peace awhile, I sit alone;

Though soon, at the appointed hour,

I shall myself be gone."

- Walter de la Mare, "The Railway Station"

*****

Soundtrack of the chapter: Cannon in D Minor ( play it! It's the song which Cady and Eli danced to!)

Media: A digital painting I found on DA which looks just like Eli ( credits to omupied on DA)

*****

Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Beltane Ball ( Part I)

"Sit still," Jo ordered through a mouthful of bobby pins. "I can't do anything right if you're fidgeting."

Cady blinked apologetically, earning her another scolding for messing up her mascara. Jo had spent the past hour trimming Cady's hair and applying so much makeup on her she felt like a china doll, painted over by thick layers of color and glitter. Jo twisted a few strands of her hair up into braids, painfully, and tied them to the back. The rest of her hair cascaded down her shoulders like a curtain. Whistling under her breath, Jo slid a few bobby pins into place and reached for the headdress Cady found along with the dress.

The headdress rested on her head, cupping the sides perfectly. It wasn't too tight, just snug for her hair to breathe and the jewels to tinkle. Once the headdress was in place, she rose, but Jo stopped her with an alarmed hand. "Wait, I need to fix the blusher. You're too pale, Eli's going to complain."

"I'm not dressing to impress—" she broke off coughing when she accidentally swallowed some loose powder wafting from the palette Jo had thrown open.

The brush kissed her cheeks, putting color to them. Holding the brush between her teeth, Jo stood back and arranged Cady's hair once more before she stood back, her heavily shadowed eyes appraising her handiwork with satisfaction. "You look amazing."

Cady didn't want to believe her, for she often made a mess of herself when it came to cosmetics. But Jo, most apparently, knew what she was doing. The girl in the mirror wasn't someone Cady knew, yet it was her. Her red hair was blazing under the orange lights, her face glowing with a gentle radiance. She tilted her head, and the girl in the mirror did the same, taking on the air and grace of a queen. The dress trailed behind her, veils fluttering with every slight movement. She looked like a bride, an Empress, a princess—everything she never imagined herself to be.

She whirled around, catching Jo by the arm. "Thank you."

Jo shrugged and placed the brush back onto the dresser. "Eli's going to love you."

Cady aimed a punch at Jo's arm, who danced out of the way in a flurry of black and silver silk. Grabbing her purse by her bed, Jo slid out of the room and gave Cady a cheery wave, much to her astonishment. "See you at the Ball!" The door slammed, leaving Cady gawping like an idiot.

She composed herself by taking in large gulps or air, feeling it fill her lungs before she released them, slowly. That helped chase away a few butterflies in her stomach, but that was quickly replaced with roaring rhinos when she stepped out of her dormitory and made her way toward the gardens where they had agreed to meet.

The moon rose, heavily pregnant; a brilliant sphere pulling in the gathering clouds. It illuminated the gardens with a silvery sheen of light. Cady hitched up the hem of her lovely dress, afraid that it might drag some mud and ruin it. Eli was standing under a tall, whimsically designed lamp post. She realized that it was the first time she saw him without his staff. He stood with his thin back against her, his dark coat flapping in the night breeze. He was wearing a handsome set of dark jerkin and doublets, embroidered all over the sides with gold, singing patterns. His golden hair was combed back neatly, but Cady could tell that the curls were fighting to spring back to their unruly shape. He looked like an angel, fair and graceful amidst the falling leaves.

As she made her way toward Eli, her high heels (which Jo insisted that she wore) snagged against a loose bramble. She pitched forward with a small scream. Eli whipped around, just in time to catch her in his arms. Fire exploded in Cady's cheeks as she looked up into Eli's green eyes, shining with amusement. The incipient awkwardness between them thickened when he brushed a fallen leaf off her shoulder.

"You look lovely." He smiled, offering her a deep bow.

Cady wasn't sure how to respond except by dropping into a small curtsey, like how she saw medieval women did on television. Eli held out a hand, encouraging her to take it. She did, rather shyly. He led her down the paved lanes, bursting with a myriad of Moonflowers. He still walked with a slight limp. Cady slowed down her pace to match his. Pairs of Oracles were already streaming down and toward the entrance to the main hall. A large metal arch was erected by the Feorhs, where silver links dangled from it. Flowers bloomed and twisted themselves around the intricate framework and larks sang from the green leaves.

Where the High Priest's throne once stood, a large altar was erected in its place. Standing like avenging angels on the altar, were the statues of the Founders, minus Yana. Their stony eyes seemed alive, reflecting the bright Celeslights by the sides, perusing the crowd carefully. A bolt of anger leaped inside Cady, for discriminating the Fifth Founder once again. She held it down with a deep breath, and squeezed Eli's hand.

The Feorhs have outdone themselves. An endless patter of soft petals drifted from the magical ceiling, vanishing when they touched the floor. The stained windows were washed and the floor polished to the point of blinding. Above them, a huge chandelier hung, groaning with armfuls of glittering crystals and Celeslights, taking the shape of a great swan in midflight.

A large orchestra sat by a corner of the hall, playing soft music that hummed in the background. Couples danced and twirled on the dance floor, earning applause all over. Cady's eyes flitted over the Hall, trying to catch a glimpse of a familiar face. None greeted her, all were the heavily powdered faces of older Oracles and honored guests across Esvanira. She caught sight of a man in a scarlet coat, along with a flash of blackness of his eyes.

"Jasper," she said, reaching out and tugged at his sleeve. The man turned around with a surprised frown. Cady felt her heart drop, he wasn't Jasper. Mumbling a quick apology, she made her way back to Eli who was busying himself at the punch bowl. He passed her a glass of the pinkish punch, a wide smile splayed across his features.

"This is probably the grandest Beltane Ball the Hall had ever thrown." He raised his glass which met Cady's with a small clink. Cady bobbed her head in neither agreement or disagreement, for this was her first time as a Ball guest. She took a sip of the punch. The drink fizzled against her tongue, at the same time releasing a sweet fruity taste. Cady guzzled the rest of it in one go, earning a sideways look from Eli.

"Take it slowly, you don't want to get drunk," he cautioned, putting away Cady's empty glass. Cady blinked at him. "It's alcoholic?"

"A bit, not enough to give you a hangover. But enough to make you feel tipsy."

Cady decided to stay far away from the punch bowl for future precautions. Wine didn't settle well with her stomach. She spotted Jo near the cake table, laughing as though there wasn't a single care in the world. She smiled when she saw Jo's arms hooked through Thomas', who was thoroughly enjoying himself by holding a lengthy conversation with Jo.

A part of her wondered where Jasper was. She hadn't gotten a chance to talk to him ever since their return from the Hall of Shadows. He had kept himself locked away in his part of the tower, brewing his potions for Eli as well as potions to keep the Mandrake curse from gripping the Hall ever again. Cady looked forward to their next lesson, a day after the Beltane Ball. She looked down at her hands, running a finger absently over her amethyst bracelet.

Eli took her hand, a simple and modest gesture which made her feel awkward, again. She couldn't understand why she went all skittish around Eli, floundering like an injured animal. His eyes shone, like emeralds melted down. "Would you like to dance?"

Cady stared at her feet and then at Eli's. She wasn't a dancer, the toes of the last person who danced with her could affirm with her. Josh had gone home, complaining about his maimed toes to their dad after a small dance during middle school. He refused to walk outside or help Cady with any chores because he wanted to "rest his toes."

"I think it's a very bad idea, Eli," she gulped. "I'm not kidding you."

Eli laughed. "I couldn't dance before, but now I can. You're my first dance partner. If we're going to make a fool of ourselves on the dance floor, we do it together."

Without giving Cady a chance to object, he guided her toward the dance floor. He placed one hand on Cady's waist, and the other met hers. His fingers were smooth and warm, each one sliding through hers easily. She laid her left hand on Eli's shoulder, just like how Josh taught her many years ago.

He took the first step, swaying to the music. It sounded nothing like the music she had ever heard back at home, sweet notes sprang from the violins while the timpani drummed out a steady and powerful beat. Like magic, the woodwind section threaded luscious sounds to the song's rhythm. Mesmerized, she found herself dancing to it, clumsily at first, but she eventually caught up with the other dances.

A sweet scent permeated the air, the smell of cherry blossoms. She looked up and saw them raining from the shadowed ceiling, each one shimmering like butterfly wings. It rose and fell, matching the steps of the dancers. Heels and dress hems brought the resting petals into the air, where they floated, suspended for a brief moment before it vanished. A few landed on Cady's hair, she didn't raise a hand to sweep it off, caught up in the melody.

The song rose to its apex before it fell to an end. Eli held up Cady's hand as she did a small twirl before landing in his arms. The crowd burst into thunderous applause, throwing more petals at the dancers who returned with large smiles and generous bows. Gently, Eli led Cady outside the ring of dances.

Raphine Sanguinis stood in front of them, holding a titled glass of wine carelessly in his hands. Next to him, stood Stellium Amueh. Unlike Raphine who was clad in the richest shade of gold and white, bedecked with intricate patterns stitched to the sides of his coat, Amueh was comfortable in his white travelling cloak. Beside them, Daeguar's eyes darted around the hall, as if he couldn't believe seeing such a grand spread.

"Eli!" Raphine boomed, signaling to him. "May I have a word with you?"

Eli's glanced at Cady, his smile didn't waver, but his eyes registered regret. "Wait for me outside, there is something I want to tell you later." Cady nodded. Eli suddenly leaned forward and gave her a peck on the cheek, stunning her. By the time she had recovered from her shock, Eli had already disappeared into the stream of people.

His kiss was still burning against her cheek when she exited the ballroom. She tried to rub the tingling sensation from her skin. It just...didn't feel right. She had never really envisioned Eli as a lover, but rather as a friend. It scared her, the way Eli had taken lead just now. Cady flopped down on the sides of a stone fountain, kicking off her heels. Her feet sighed in relief when the tight shoes slipped and landed on the wet grass.

She gazed up at the silver moon, shining steadily in the distance. Cady counted seconds in her head, which gradually became minutes, and finally stretched out so long, she gave up counting. Where was Eli? she wondered. He said he would meet me here.

Barefooted, Cady rose and wandered across the gardens. It was quiet, save the melodious stridulating crickets and the soft hoot of a nearby owl. Everyone had gone into the ballroom. Getting frustrated, she kicked a stone. The stone flew a good few feet away before rolling toward the statue of a smirking Trael by the gazebo.

"Looking for someone?"

Cady whipped around, seeking out the owner of the deep, velvety voice. Jasper Silverbird emerged from the shadows of the gazebo, his eyes meeting hers. All of the sudden, she couldn't breathe as she took in the man before her.

His dark curls were wild. His eyes, black and eternal, shone like the universe and the stars. The dark, simple suit he wore complemented his slender frame, accentuating his pale silvery skin. The few faded scars on his face glittered, silver crescents under the moonlight. He smiled, sending a wild swarm of butterflies fluttering in Cady's stomach.

"Jasper...hi!" she found herself at the loss of words, and very self-conscious. She patted her hair, checking if her headdress was still in place. He took a step forward, his eyes running over Cady, drinking her in. Cady did the same, admiring the way a loose curl hung around the nape of his neck, his cheekbones so prominent, she wanted to reach out and touch them, to trace them with her fingers.

"You're beautiful."

His simple compliment was enough to make Cady's cheeks burn. Cady opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She grasped frantically for words, while Jasper encouraged her in silence, his smile widening into a grin. "Uhh...thank you, I guess? And you look—"

Jasper took a step forward, closing in the distance between them. "Charming? Dashing?" he suggested.

Cady shoved him in the chest. "Idiot."

"You don't mean that," he said, pretending to look hurt. "I know you don't."

A soft stream of music poured out from the hall. Jasper's attention shifted toward it for a second before it came back to Cady. He bowed low and held out an inviting hand to her.

"May I have this dance, milady?"

*****

A/N

Cali AND Casper feels for the chapter! I was silently squeeing when I wrote this ( is squee a word? Probably not). This chapter was originally super long, but I cut it up into two parts which I think flows very well. 

Regrettably, Raphine called Eli over at the most inappropriate moment ( poor dude just wants to dance) but it gave Jasper a chance to walk in Cady's heart!

As usual, remember to hit that star and this Friday, we shall find out whether Casper is official or not! ;)

A bottle of mead,

Stef