Sinderella Read Online Free PDF Page A

“Milady.” I touched it and imaged it would make my eyes seem as though they had wings.
    I took it and smiled back, “Thank you.” He had no idea how much I needed the mask. I held it up to my eyes and gave the man, who had once been a mouse, a look. “Can you tie it for me?”
    He gave me a blank stare. My cheeks blushed when I realized he might not understand me. I looked at the man who had given it to me. He bowed slightly, “Of course, it would be an honor.” He stepped behind me and laced the mask to my face. “You have no escort?”
    I shook my head, “No. Mine got ill at the last minute.” It was a fast lie. Luckily, I had tons of practice in that, avoiding Drusilla’s violent temper. I touched my fingertips to the mask. It was small and covered only my eyes. The holes seemed small, but I could see everything. The lacy sides swept away from my eyes, like a butterfly’s wings.
    He stepped beside me and offered me his arm. “Allow me?”
    I took his thick arm and let him lead me to the grand staircase and up to the castle doors. They were opened wide and when we reached them I could hear the music. The evening smelled of wine and ale and delicious food and flowers. When he walked me inside of the castle, I stopped, stilled by the sheer size and beauty of the room. It was nothing but a foyer, and yet it was the most magnificent one I had ever seen. It was as if the architecture of it flowed like a song or poetry. Every angle was met with a soft curve or a decorative piece of trim. It made your eyes travel to the next wondrous thing.
    The whole room felt larger than our very large estate. I felt like a pebble on the floor, insignificant and tiny. The man led me down the hall to a small set of stairs. As I climbed each stair, the knot in my stomach grew larger. My hands shook and my breath became shallow. I was going to pass out, I was certain of it.
    But the moment I reached the top of the stairs, I was again stunned into stillness. I was captivated and awed by what I saw. The room below us moved to the music. The flow of impeccably dressed people was enthralling, and I was taken hostage by the colors of the vibrant gowns. They pulled me in, charming me as a snake charmer might in the alleys of the markets.
    There were tables of food laid out. Drink flowed from every vantage point. There were white linens and massive, brandy-colored drapes. The floors were shiny marble. The fires roared and the lanterns lit the room to create shadows.
    I got lost in the swirling dresses of the beautiful ladies being led by the handsome men. The masked faces only made for more intrigue and amazement. Each lady was wearing a white lacy mask and each man a black satin one, showing only their lips and foreheads.
    “So beautiful,” I whispered. My escort leaned into my nape. “Not nearly as beautiful as you.” He placed a soft kiss there.
    I blushed again, looking down at the stairs to the floor. He squeezed my hand. “Will you be all right from here, on your own?”
    I nodded. “Thank you.”
    He shook his head. “No, thank you. I have always wanted to escort a beautiful girl into a ball.”
    He turned and left me there at the top of the stairs. I gripped to the railing and started my slow decent to the bottom of the stairs. The huge bell of my dress and the crystal shoes made me nervous on the marble stairs. I didn't even want to think about the huge crowd of people; I imagined they were all staring at me. I closed my eyes and took a breath when I reached the bottom stairs. My hands clutched to my stomach.
    “I’m not sure that helps. Try this.”
    I looked up at the person speaking to me, seeing a glass of something amber-colored being offered. He had nice hands, very strong but clean. Not like the hands I was used to. I wrapped my trembling fingers around the glass and took it. “Thank you, sir.”
    He bowed slightly. I looked up into his dark-blue eyes. I knew him from somewhere. My dreams maybe. He had lips I could