Ball

Ashton's POV
I have searched every room on the floor I found the scouts, but she is not there. Something doesn’t make sense about this, she was taken to the castle, but not the way the scouts were and is being kept somewhere different. I have lost track of time and where I am trying to find her. Panic clouding my mind. All I can think about is whether they are torturing her, or if she is suffering the same fate at the scouts and being taken advantage of. I don’t know if I’m more scared or angry. Imagining disembowelling anyone hurting her is all that is keeping me sane. Ezra was right, I should not have left her. Guilt, there is another one to add to my emotional rollercoaster.
I turn a corner and walk into another guard. I try to walk past quickly and avoid eye contact.
“Hey, where are you going? We have all been called to the ball preparations” He calls out after me. I freeze, I really hope that he does not suspect me.
“Thank you for informing me” I say, unsure what the etiquette here is. I turn and follow him, walking behind so that he can lead the way. Thankfully he does not talk to me again. When we arrive at an impossibly grander part of the castle, it is busy with people preparing decorations and musicians practicing. There are guards lining the massive hall and walking around the adjacent corridors and garden. Unsure of my role, I opt to parole the corridors. I can hopefully look for Ava and it’s probably best to be moving rather than have someone inspect me too carefully while standing still. I’m also so worried for Ava that I can barely stand still with all the adrenaline pumping around my body. I follow on the end of a troop of guards marching the halls. I drop behind them so that I can peak into rooms. I look in and see 2 men talking. One man turns to leave and I hurry to join the end of my patrol.
“You there” He says.
I turn around and grind my teeth. Kato stands before me and is only inches from my face.
“Go and escort the princess down to the ball room. Make sure she does not leave your sight. She is upstairs in room 210.”
I can’t answer without anger so I just nod and turn to go up the stairs that I passed a minute ago.
I go upstairs and follow the numbers until I find 210. I knock.
“Enter” a gentle voice calls.
“Princess I have been sent to escort you to the ball” I explain, bowing slightly.
“Hmm how strange, guards don’t usually bow to me” She says.
I look up at her slowly, clutching at my sword, worried she has caught me. The sight of her makes me drop my sword instantly.
“Ava?” I say confused.
“Oh I’m flattered dear, but my daughter is much better looking than me” she smiles at me.
“Daughter?” I ask confused
“Yes, now let me see, are you Ash or Ezra?” The woman asks
“Ash” I don’t know why I answer her, but i’m so shocked I don’t know what else to do.
“Lets see what your intentions are with my Daughter Ash” She reaches out and touches my head.

Ava's Pov

It was actually quite nice getting ready with my mum. I told her all about my life, how Ezra and his mum looked after me, how I came to find him and met Ash and how we had hoped to run away together. I have missed how she brushes my hair, how she looks after me. Having her back still feels like a miracle, so despite being blackmailed into staying with an evil man who wants to use me, I am happy with her. She fixed my hair and make up and dressed me in the least attractive dress we could find. She explained that the ball was to show me off to suitors and so it was best to try to hide my beauty rather than flaunt it. Looking in the mirror I still look better than I have ever done. The make up is nude and my hair is pulled in a tight bun. No one could accuse me of not making an effort, but it was subtle. The dress was cream velvet and floor length with black lace sleeves and a high neck. It hugged my curves nicely but didn’t show much skin. I had been adorned with various pieces of jewellery and everything matched flawlessly. I looked regal, I looked like a princess, I just didn’t feel like one.
A knock at the door makes me jump and I feel so nervous that I am convinced I will sweat through this dress. I spray some vanilla perfume quickly before answering. A guard meets me and gestures for me to follow him. As I walk I try to remember the plan my mother discussed with me:
Enter quietly, try to avoid contact with people.
Act like I love my grandfather and I am happy he has rescued me.
Do not even make eye contact with the tall muscly red head.
Try to catch the eye of Edwin a blonde vampire who will court me rather than take me.
Do not show my powers.
Wait 2 weeks until the king is next away hunting and then escape with mum.
2 weeks should be doable to pretend I hate my mother, love my grandfather, hide my powers and avoid getting raped by every powerful being in this country. Then I just need to get us to Ash and he will protect us. Even if his father doesn’t let us be together, he would hopefully provide sanctuary. If Ash even remembers me and hasn’t found someone else already. A pang of pain goes to my heart, but I shut it out. I need to be strong to get through tonight. I slip into the ridiculously high heels and walk carefully into the ball room.
I focus on each step trying to keep my posture right and appear confident. As I look around, I notice everyone has turned to look at me. I search for my mother, she has not arrived yet so there is no where to hide and no where familiar. I scan the crowd looking for who Edwin might be. Apparently he is about my age in looks but was born in a different era where courting and respect for women came before even a kiss. He was the safest to engage with to make the king think I was doing my “duty” to provide an heir. There are several possible men that matched my mothers description of him, but one is dressed in clothes that are plainer than the rest. I bet that is him and his style is a little different due to his age. I walk slowly around the room towards him, eavesdropping on his conversation with a woman as I get closer.
“Oh Edwin, you really must update your wardrobe” The woman says in a nasal voice.
“I think it suits him. Besides the clothes here are a bit too dressy for my taste” I interrupt seeing my opening now that I know it is him.
He smiles at me and flashes his teeth. The wolf in me wants to growl at him, but that might just be from the prejudice of being raised in an isolated pack. “Why thank you dear, I am glad someone agrees with me. What is your name?” He asks
“I’m Ava, and who are you?” I ask for introductions.
“I am Edwin and this is Lady Sybil. Tell me are you Princess Ava?” He asks curious
I nod shyly.
“My dear, welcome home! You are even more beautiful than your mother. Tell me, where have you been locked away all this time?”
I try to hide my blush with a curtsey “Thank you, well that is a long story. I was lost, hidden from my grandfather. I didn’t know I was a princess until our paths crossed by chance.”
“Excuse me” Lady Sybil bows and walks off to a group of near by women and starts chattering eagerly, undoubtedly glad to be the first to spread the gossip around. I’m just glad she has left.
“How terrible, if you were not raised as a princess, are you confused by all this silly etiquette?” Edwin asks, drawing my attention back to him.
“I have to admit, it is all a bit overwhelming. I don’t know why I’m here, I don’t even know how to dance” I explain honestly.
“Well allow me to be your guide, I am quite experienced” He winks and offers me his hand.
I hesitate. Ash had promised to teach me to dance and somehow this felt like a betrayal. “I think dancing in these heels might be asking for trouble. Perhaps not the best idea if you want to keep your toes in tact. I would be glad for your company though, I don’t know anyone here” I make my excuse, hoping he is not put off.
He laughs and I smile in relief “Of course princess, let me get us some drinks and then I can introduce you to the most interesting people here.”
I watch him walk away and sit down delicately on a chair to wait. I look around to see that my mother has entered and is using her plastered on fake smile to talk to several men while her eyes look dead. I want to run to her and drag her away now, but I know I need to keep up the act of hating her for the king to trust me. I turn to look for Edwin, but my view is blocked by a giant of a man, easily 6ft 8 with muscles that threaten to rip his dress shirt open and a head of long red hair. He is walking towards me a smirk on his lips. Oh shit. Not him. Not the dragon.