My normally unkempt hair was slicked back, my face cleanly shaven. I checked out all the rest of my angles in the mirror. Somehow, without ever being measured, the all black suit in my closet fit perfectly. The matching shoes were a bit snug, so I decided to wear my leather boots. I'd rather be comfortable anyway. No telling how long this party would run. They've been known to last for days. Marcus left a while ago to get changed. He said someone would come to escort me. I had been pacing for hours. At the ball, it would be easy for me to pull my mother aside and get to the bottom of her decision. There was a small part of me holding onto a shred of hope that her offer might be genuine. But the rest of me knew there was much more to her decision. I had learned not to trust her a long time ago. She would turn on anyone if it benefited her. As soon as one of the knights showed up at my door, we made our way down the long hallway. The walls vibrated with the sounds of sensual, rhythmic music.
