The Queen's Mate

NINE

Eleanor stood in front of her floor-length mirror framed in antique, carved copper as she saw her own honey-colored eyes staring back at her with nervousness and anticipation.

Her brown tresses were tucked away from her face in a messy bun as a few unruly strands fell at the nape of her neck and cupped the sides of her face.

Her eyes were accentuated by a rose gold glow as a wine-colored lipstick covered her lips in the most enticing of manners, which matched the color of the dress which hugged her small frame around the waist before it flowed down into a glimmering skirt.

She looked exquisite and she knew that; however, she could not bring herself to ponder over her appearance for longer since the masquerade ball could very well end in her own death.

The diamond studs on her ears shimmered when illuminated by the lamp beside her vanity as she picked up her clutch from the dresser in front of her and placed her phone and the closet key inside. Somehow, she was still holding onto the rustic key since her it was the last thing she had of her father.

She could hear the bustling of the guests from downstairs as the party went on in full swing as if the same manor hadn’t hosted a funeral wake just about a week ago. She resented the fact that she was being urged to attend an occasion she wanted to take no part in; it broke her.

A sharp knock at her door caught her attention as she took a deep breath and walked over to it to find Adonis standing on the other end.

Somehow, her breathing got caught in her throat as she stared into his charming blue eyes. His blond hair was styled to the side sleekly whilst a silver mask sat on the bridge of his nose, further highlighting the hazel freckles in his cerulean irises.

“Well, you look positively dashing,” Eleanor complimented after clearing her throat as her eyes roamed over his broad shoulders and a stout chest clad in a tux that fitted him miraculously well.

Her voice caused the dazed look in his to break as he closed his hanging jaw which was a consequence of seeing her looking so marvelous.

“You flatter me, Ellie, especially since you look nothing less than a goddess at the moment.” He returned the niceties in a smooth tone but could not help the restlessness that his heart was under ever since he laid eyes on her.

She smiled warmly at his words, somehow knowing that he truly meant them. The two shared a moment gazing into each other’s orbs as he silently assured her yet again before he cleared his throat, “ready to face the music?” He asked with a coy grin on his face making her shake her head fondly as she nodded before placing a black mask on her own face and taking the hand he had offered her.

The blond angel then wrapped her hand around his elbow as the two made their way downstairs.

“No matter what happens, do not leave my sight, Ellie.” He reminded her in a concerned tone making her nod nervously. Even though his presence gave her immense comfort, she could not ignore the steel grip of paranoia that now surrounded her heart.

All heads turned to them when the two started to descend the stairs together. They gave off a dynamic aura as all of the denizens felt intimidated by their presence.

Cheers and applauds arose in honor of the hostess of the night as she smiled and greeted everyone who made their way to her as the evening went on.

The heiress was sipping on her champagne and talking to some guests when two arms wrapped themselves around her from behind as a squeak escaped her lips when she was being lifted off the ground and being twirled around unannounced.

Adonis who was standing by the bar saw this commotion and hastily made his way to Eleanor and the strange brunet man who had attempted the move.

The mysterious man chuckled as he set her down again giving her time to turn around and look at him with a flabbergasted expression.

“LIAM!” She shrieked, “how many times do I need to ask you to not surprise me like that?” She snapped at him playfully making him rumble in laughter as he wrapped her in an embrace which she heartily returned this time.

“I missed you, little dove,” Liam whispered in her ear lovingly as he squeezed her in the hug making her smile in delight when she breathed in his comforting scent.

Adonis stopped in his tracks and realized that there was no threat from the man who had just presented himself as a dear friend of the heiress. Their closeness was intimidating for the blond angel.

Liam pulled away but still kept his hands on her arms as she did the same before he lovingly kissed her cheek. “Happy birthday eve, Elle.” He whispered with a kind look in his forest-green eyes.

“Thank you, Lee.” She said with a grin before her face drained of color when she realized that the night could possibly end in c*****e and that she did not want Liam to be in the middle of it all.

“Elle?” He called out when he saw the change in her expressions, “are you alright?” He asked.

She nodded but did not speak for a few more seconds before shaking her head and giving him a tight-lipped smile. “I did not know you were coming to Italy this weekend.”

Liam scoffed. “It’s your birthday, Elle. When have I ever missed one of those?”

The brunette smiled nervously as her fingers twitched by her side. “Of course.”

He furrowed his brows and looked at her with concern. “You seem distracted, Elle. Is something wrong?” He inquired touching her arm softly.

She nodded her head, “don’t worry, Lee. Everything is perfectly okay. I was just missing them.” She spoke convincingly knowing that he would not ask further questions over her strange behavior. And in a way, this wasn’t even a lie. She truly was missing her parents, not because it was her birthday, no; she was missing them because they had left her in life, she knew nothing about, a world of which she had no clue. And right now, she simply wanted to make sure that whatever Anderson had planned would not end up hurting Liam in any manner.

She could not imagine being the reason that her best friend faced danger.

Liam bought her smooth lie and gave her a light hug once again before she the corner of her eye caught sight of a hooded figure wearing a blood-red cape standing just on the darkened corner of the ballroom, glaring at her with a malicious glint as her eyes widened and she began to look for Adonis in the swarms of people.

“Elle?” Liam called out again, his worry for her was growing by the second considering the fact that she was indeed acting strange.

She turned to look at him for a brief moment, “Lee, I have to find someone right now, but if you think that anything is out of place or see anything bizarre, leave. Leave this party at that very moment.” She commanded him in a hurried tone but her eyes spoke volumes on how worried she truly was.

Liam shook his head. “Eleanor, you are not making sense. What are you talking about?”

“I don’t have time to explain. Just do as I said, be safe.” And then the heiress disappeared in the crowds leaving Liam standing in his place with flabbergasted expressions.

Adonis was keeping an eye on the brunette right before someone accidentally spilled a drink on him and he had to divert his gaze; however, when he looked back up, Eleanor was no longer where she was standing with Liam and that struck a whirlwind of fear inside his heart.

The blond angel immediately made his way towards Liam before he gripped his arm and roughly turned him around to come face to face with him.

“Hey, what the hell, mate?” Liam snapped jerking his hand off of his shoulder.

“Where is Eleanor?” Adonis questioned hurriedly.

Liam looked at him with a pointed stare, “she went looking for someone, who the hell are you?” He asked.

“Where did she go?” The blond asked again ignoring Liam’s question.

“I am not telling you anything until you tell me who the hell you are and what you want from her.” Liam snapped at him gruffly making Adonis roll his eyes as he took a deep breath to control the rage he was feeling.

He looked straight into Liam’s eyes in all seriousness. “You do not want to delay this, my friend. Her life could be in grave danger so I would suggest that you tell me where she is.”