Cinder's Rising by Jenika Snow

Author:Jenika Snow [Snow, Jenika]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Fiction
Publisher: Jenika Snow
Published: 2015-04-01T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

‡

Cinder stared in wonder at the scene around her. The gala was being held in the ballroom of the Art Institute of Chicago. It was a wondrous, huge building, and so lavished with extravagant decorations it was like money dripped from the ceiling. She stood at the top of the double staircase staring at the room before her. It was packed with people dressed in expensive gowns, ones like she wore. Their masks were intricately made, with feathers, crystals, and beads. They were gorgeous, but she felt hers was even more so. The mask that Ryder had given her before they exited the limo was the same shade of blue as her gown, and had the same crystal and beadwork that was inlaid in the material of her dress. She glanced at Ryder, who spoke to a man in a black tux with a matching satin mask over his eyes. Cinder couldn’t help but feel warm at the remembrance of what they had shared in the limo, of how Ryder had touched her, spoke to her, and held her afterwards. She wrapped the shawl he’d given her more firmly around herself, trying to hide the few scars on her inner forearm, and glanced around the room again.

There was balcony seating above, tables covered in black linen on the flooring before her, and the music was soft and classical. It was a gorgeous atmosphere, and she felt lucky that she was able to experience it. Ryder moved closer to her, took her arm and slipped it in the crook of his. He led her over to the row of tables placed around the room, and once he found the one he’d been clearly searching for, he held the chair out for her. She felt special, loved even. Never had anyone, man or woman, done something for her like this, or just treated her so well before. Only two weeks had been spent with Ryder, and they had been the best two weeks of her life.

“Thank you,” she said, and took the offered seat. The fact Ryder kept his mouth by her ear, and she could hear him breathing heavily, as if he were still affected by what they had done in the limo, had her body becoming heated and chilled all at the same time. He took a seat beside her, and before too long waiters in black and white livery were setting plates of food in front of them. The whole atmosphere was whimsical, fantasy-like, and she felt as if she was high, just floating above it all. It was hard to believe that in the short time since coming to Chicago, she was part of something magical and incredible. She glanced at Ryder, who spoke to the man sitting next to him. Everyone kept their masks on, and as wonderful as this entire experience was turning out, there was a part of her that felt a little out of place. She kept the shawl wrapped around her, making

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.