Page 55 of Potion of Deception (Potion of Deception #1)
“Tinieblas to be precise,” Violette suppressed a worried look.
Dante stared at her for some time and then finally responded, “It's an image of gloom and despondency. Not a good thing to see.” A line drew between his brows. “Why are you asking?”
“I was just curious, we have the same belief in my lands. Most of the tales originated from here, I was wondering if it's one of them,” she tried to sound nonchalant. Her eyes rushed to the window again. He only confirmed her fears.
She didn't know if she assured Dante with her calm wave, most likely not, but he didn't continue this conversation. Likewise, he switched the topic.
“Let's repeat your steps today.” He leaned back, crossing his legs .
Violette's eyes broke away from the altering landscape. Her fingers stuck into the delicate fabric of the dress.
“Well, I have to start a conversation with the Lord, be nice but a bit haughty.
Then smoothly change the flow of the talking to the magic objects and charm him to make him show me the trophy room.
Then I'll put him to sleep with the potion and take the map,” she finished, thinking if she forgot something to mention.
“Very good. Let's hope you won't tip over while dancing,” he said with a too serious voice to take his words as a joke and it made Violette pout.
“What are you going to do while I keep Lord Adrogans busy?” She raised a brow.
“I’ll make sure nobody will interfere with you,” he replied placidly.
The corners of Violette’s eyes creased, a silent question froze in her eyes.
“I'll take care of the guards,” he condescended to explain, “and will make sure the way to the trophy room will be clear so nobody will see the Lord in your company. We don't need any curious eyes.”
“How will I make my way back?”
“Signal me out of the window.”
“A window? Do you want me to climb out?”
He looked at her as if it was an obvious answer. Well, it wasn't a bad idea, after all she could just conjure a staircase out of vines or branches .
“And don't use magic,” Dante stated, as if hearing her thoughts.
“Excuse me?”
“It may attract unwanted attention. I'll bring the rope,” he said at last.
Violette's lips pursed – climbing out the window was definitely not on her to-do list this evening.
The trees began to change to lanterns, the winding road became wider and the stars in the sky began to fade from the bright light emanating from the large fenced house ahead. The road started to fill with other carriages, the noise of hooves mixed with the sound of spinning wheels.
Violette risked sticking her head out the window just a little to see the flickering lights of the estate. The enormous mansion surrounded by gardens and fountains towered over her head as they drove under the arch through the black ornate gates.
As her shoes stepped on the cobblestone her head rose to the sky, gazing at the magnificent palace, meanwhile other guests were passing by, reminding her that she was a duchess after all, she shouldn't look that impressed, it's probably not even the biggest estate on these lands.
The high triumphal gate was right above the grand marble staircase, fully opened to the guests. The figures in colorful costumes, illuminated by warm light from within, were disappearing behind the arch as Violette and Dante continued their way by the white stairs.
Violette's gaze wandered along the walls of the lengthy corridor. Her head followed a path from the dimly lit, candlelit painted ceiling, downward. Grand columns adorned the walls as they made their way to the main hall.
Her eyes stopped at the reflection in a gold-framed high mirror.
Her brows knitted and lips parted as she realized that the only reflection in the mirror belonged to her.
Only her. Dante, who walked along with her, seemed not to reflect in it.
Looking around, she grabbed him by the hand to rush them both to pass the mirror quicker before someone would notice it.
His fleeting confusion dispelled as soon as his head turned to the mirror.
“Relax, Little Witch,” he said nonchalantly. “Most people don't notice it as well as my mask.”
Her hand remained on his arm only for a few more seconds.
“How do you preen yourself if you can't see your reflection in the mirror? Knowing your self-esteem I don't believe that this hair styled itself,” she babbled as her eyes struck at him.
“My morning starts like any self-respecting princess, I go out to the lake at dawn and braid my hair in the water reflection while the birds around me sing early serenades,” he said.
“Do you also wear pantaloons?” She beamed .
“My situation is not that bad yet,” he frowned.
A loud chuckle escaped Violette's mouth she had to suppress. The corners of Dante’s mouth slightly got upward but the seriousness still remained on his face.
They followed the other couple a few feet away from them until their silhouettes disappeared in the passage flooded with bright light.
The archway entrance led right into the ballroom – the grand affluent room was sparkling in the aureate candlelight.
The high ceiling garnished with an elegant central chandelier was high above the polished to a shine floor.
Down there various silhouettes were gliding in exquisite gowns: women dressed in every possible shade, their voluminous floor-length skirts trailed elegantly along the marble and the expensive jewelry glittered, catching the light with every move; men wearing brocaded doublets and coats in an ensemble of meticulously polished high boots.
And the servants with trays were circulating between them, offering drinks and canapes.
The pleasant atmosphere intertwined with joy and clinking of the champagne glasses.
The resounding laughter and conversations bounced off the high walls sprayed with gold floral arrangements and crown moldings which gave the room special sophistication, along with the thick velvet drapes over the large windows in a color of burgundy.
Violette looked down as Dante offered his hand to escort her down the balustrade split stairs .
“Do you see him?” Violette didn't take her eyes off the ballroom as her legs were leading her down to the spotless marble floor.
“The owner doesn't show until the ball officially begins. When all guests arrive he'll be presented and open the evening with his first dance,” Dante explained evenly.
He looked tepid and casual, almost like this type of life was a common thing to him, however he attended his last ball a lot of years ago.
He was much more relaxed than Violette – her heart was racing with excitement and nerves all at once.
What was happening in the hall caused delight in her soul.
She'd never attended such a momentous evening.
She finally ripped her eyes off the crowded hall and looked at the vampire. “How will he know I'm the duchess then?”
“I'm sure his servants will tell him or already did. I saw how the guards shared a look when you were presented. He won't lose the chance to meet you.”
Dante dropped her hand as soon as their feet met the marble floor, and paced to the windows with people drinking and happily spending their time while other couples were flowing in waltz.
Violette's eyes ran around the room, contemplating the imposing clothes of those present.
Her gaze caught a beautiful teal gown tattered with golden embroidery and diaphanous sleeves, then one of the most extravagant hairstyles she'd ever seen – a bunch of feathers and glitter flowers braided into honey locks.
A berry blue glimmered before her eyes, taking her breath away – the silk skirt of the dress beaded with silver stars, a dark corset tightened around the young woman's waist laced with glistening ribbons.
Expensive jewelry was blindly sparkling in the candlelight from all sides: pearls, diamonds, sapphires, rubies and other peerless gems. The opulent fabrics were floating in the air with every movement of the dancing couples, beautiful coats embroidered with gold and silver were flickering before her eyes.
Golden bubbles were rising in the champagne glasses in every other hand.
One of the men, perhaps older by a few years, was attired in an emerald doublet with silver lining which resembled the silhouettes of the different forest animals.
Another looked less reckless and extravagant, dressed in a long coat of sky blue with white embroidery over the fabric sheathed in dark blue quadrangular stones.
The music – a melange of the violin and piano, wrapped around Violette until Dante spoke again.
“Make sure you'll be close enough to the stairs when he shows up, so he'll invite you for a dance. But don't be too close, act quite disinterested at first.”
“Why is it so complicated?” she sighed more to herself than him.
A soft chuckle fell from Dante’s lips. And then he extended his hand.
Violette's eyes widened in surprise, as if he'd done something blatantly strange .
“Are you inviting me for a dance or there's something on your sleeve?” Her eyes stared at his palm like he was holding a poison or his hand was simply poison itself. It felt as if he offered her something absolutely obscene instead of an innocent dance.
A complacent smile twitched on the corners of his mouth as his gaze trailed to her.
Her fingers squished the soft fabric of her dress. “You didn't tell me we'll be dancing together.”
“I didn't tell you a lot of things, did I?” His arm still extended, offering her his company for just one dance.
One dance…it's not hard, she can do it. Nothing will happen if she'll just put her hand in his and let the light absorb their presence between other silhouettes. Though she looked at him suspiciously.
“Let's practice one more time to not embarrass you in front of Adrogans,” he said with an encouraging smile.
“Oh, yes, because being embarrassed in front of all of these people is better?”
“Come on. Who cares what they say? They're not your goal tonight.”