CINDERS (Of Myths & Beasts Book 1) by K. Rea

Author:K. Rea [Rea, K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kreative-Books, LLC
Published: 2023-07-26T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

The car to take Sybil, Lydia, and Morgana to the ball arrived as I made my way to the kitchen. I took a shortcut around the outside of the manor to the open servants’ door letting fresh air into the kitchen. Heat from the stove radiated throughout the kitchen, and hanging beside the stove was a beautiful navy dress. The bodice was a simple corset, but the skirt… the skirt was made with layer upon layer of soft, sheer fabric. A gentle breeze in the room caused the dress to sway. A box with a pair of ballet slippers sat on the counter beside a pair of white ivory gloves. I heard the familiar cadence of Poppy’s steps as she wandered through the kitchen door from the house.

“There you are, I went looking for you. I was worried I had missed you, and you had already left for the tavern. What do you think of the dress?” Poppy asked eagerly.

“It’s beautiful, Poppy, but this is too much,” I said even as I reached out to feel the delicate fabric between my fingers, its texture smooth and silky. “When you said you had a dress, I wasn’t expecting a corset. Isn’t this a ballet dress?”

“It is. It was for my next performance before the king, and it wasn’t exactly a traditional ballet performance. Well, he wasn’t king then… but regardless, that day never came. I kept the dress… I couldn’t let it go.” Poppy trailed her fingers over the ballet slippers. “It might be a bit old-fashioned compared to today’s dresses, but it should suit you for tonight. The corset will be more forgiving than any of the other dresses I have.”

“It’s a masquerade ball,” I whispered. Between Hank’s gift and Poppy’s dress, I was actually looking forward to the occasion.

“Even better, though I don’t have a mask for this gown.” Poppy frowned.

“I might have something in my mending baskets that will work. What about the tavern, though? Someone has to run it tonight. Not everyone is going to the ball.”

“Don’t be daft, Vera. I can handle the tavern for a night. I even arranged you a ride. The bard is going too! You best get ready. He’s probably already waiting for you. He has to leave at sunset.”

There was no holding back the grin that broke across my face. I gently removed the dress from the hook on the stove, draped the dress over my arm, and took it back to my room. Before I slipped into the beautiful dress, I pulled Hank’s note from my pocket, where it had been burning a hole all afternoon, and unfolded it.

Cinderella,

I hope you enjoy the poetry I sent. A few of my favorites are marked, especially in the blue book. They are yours to do with as you see fit, but I hope we can read some together. Perhaps we can find some common ground between fact and fiction, or at least a ballad or two. I hope so.

Sincerely, Hank

P.S. It would be best if you keep the blue book away from prying eyes.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.