“We’ll be fine.”
I watch as Ellen nudges Silas out of the door. He looks delicious in his black tuxedo. And grim. Almost as grim as I feel.
“You know that if I could guarantee your safety, you would absolutely be there.”
I nod, slowly.
I do get it. I understand why I can’t attend the ball where they’re going to take Ella down. In public.
Silas sounds vaguely pleading. “Stasi.”
“Silas,” I mimic. “Go. Bring me her head.”
He hesitates. “Metaphorically, you mean. Because she’s probably going to—,”
“I know,” I snap. “And I’m annoyed that I don’t get to see it. But it’s not going to happen unless you get a move on.”
He offers me a small smile. “Rafe is going to record it.”
The man in question presses a kiss against my cheek as he passes me. “We can watch it in bed. With popcorn.”
I feel slightly mollified. Kit cups my cheek, and then he’s gone too.
And we’re… left behind.
Ellen turns to me, clapping her hands together. “Right. What are you waiting for?”
I stare at her. And her mouth curves up into a mischievous fucking smile that I’ve never seen on her face before.
“Do you want to go to the ball, or not?”
My mouth opens. And closes again, as she raises one eyebrow at me. “Ellen. They’re going to be furious.”
And she shrugs. “They’ll live.”
“I don’t have a dress,” I say weakly.
But Ellen only grins at me.
“Yes, you do.”
***
I can’t stop smiling. “I feel like a princess.”
Ellen taps my arm. We’re squeezed into her small red car that she uses to do the grocery shop every week. “Don’t forget. I’ll be there at midnight. Just in case you need me.”
My eyes threaten to fill, and I swallow them back. “Thank you.”
“No need to thank me,” she says primly. “As long as that woman gets what she deserves.”
Her voice softens. “I’m very glad that you came to us, Anastasia.”
“Stop it,” I wave my hands in front of my face. “I’m leaking, Ellen.”
She snorts, and I stare up at the palace as she hands me a piece of paper. “Rafael’s invite. But it doesn’t have his name on it, so you’re fine.”
I bite my lip. A mixture of excitement and nausea swirls in my stomach. “This could go really wrong.”
“Pfft.” Ellen waves her hand. “Those boys won’t let anything happen to you. Keep your mask on, and go. Enjoy yourself.”
I slide out of the small space with a bit of effort, fluffing up my skirt as I turn around. “Do I look okay?”
Ellen gives me a thumbs up, but her eyes look damp. “Like a princess. Now go. Or you’ll miss it.”
I take a breath.
And then I move, hustling up the steps.
It’s a very different experience to the last time I came here. Nobody is waiting to throw fruit at me. There are no jeers, no nasty laughter directed my way.
No. Instead, I receive several appreciative glances from the soldiers on duty. The men at the doors barely glance at my invite before waving me through.
I make my way through the hall, down towards the throne room. Ella’s portrait stares down at me from the wall.
This is it.
And I breathe in, bracing myself as the men guarding the doors look me up and down.
They step forward, opening both doors.
And I step inside.
