Once Betrayed Never Forgotten

Chapter 17: The Blood Moon Ball

The anticipation courses through me like a vibrant thread as Seraphina’s skilled hands work their magic, transforming me into a vision of elegance and allure. My hair, once a cascade of untamed golden waves, is gradually being shaped into a masterpiece of artistry, intricately woven into an elaborate updo dotted with tiny sparkling rubies, showcasing the graceful curve of my neck. Seraphina’s touch is as gentle as a whisper, and yet, with every brush of her fingers, she’s etching a portrait of transformation.

As I sit before the intricately carved mirror, watching Seraphina’s deft fingers weave through my hair in delicate braids, I can’t help but let my thoughts drift into the tangled web of emotions that have enveloped me since arriving at the Castle of Endless Night.

The reflection staring back at me is a mixture of apprehension and determination. Everyone around me seems to believe that I’ve relinquished my hopes, that I’ve come to accept the inevitable–the Blood Moon Ceremony that will transform my mother into a vampire. But little do they know, I still have one trick up my sleeve.

As Seraphina’s hands work through my hair, her touch gentle and soothing, I ponder the unspoken steps of my plan. It’s a daring gamble, a last–ditch effort to change the course of my

mother’s fate. No one suspects that I’m planning anything. All they see is a facade, the

appearance of acceptance. But beneath the surface, a tempest of thoughts churns, fuelled by a

determination I’ve never felt before.

A strand of hair slips through Seraphina’s fingers, and she deftly adjusts her grip, her silent grace a contrast to the whirlwind of emotions within me. My mother’s voice echoes in my mind, her words about tradition, legacy, and sacrifice, how she and Konstantin will save the world from ecological disaster- just a bunch of absolute madness. I can’t shake the belief that there’s still a

way to protect her, to steer her away from the irreversible transformation that awaits her under

the blood moon’s crimson glow tonight.

My heart races as Seraphina’s fingers continue their dance, braiding strands of hair together in intricate patterns. The pressure of time presses against my thoughts, urging me to solidify my plan, to take the steps that might just change the course of this night. I’m anxious, unsure, but determined to make my stand.

And as the mirror reflects my image, my reflection holds the secrets of a plan yet to be unveiled. The flicker of a smile tugs at my lips, a mix of nerves and anticipation.

I sit before the mirror, my reflection a marvel of change. The dark hues of eyeshadow emphasise the depth of my green eyes, making them shine like emeralds amidst the intricate landscape of my face. A sweep of mascara lengthens my lashes, and a touch of rose–red lipstick adds a flush of

Chapter 17 The Blood Moon Ball

colour to my lips. 1 murvel at the transformation, of the stranger staring back at me with a mix of trepidation and awe.

My hands brush against the fabric of the drous Beriphium has chosen for me a creation of red. silk that seems to shift with every movement. The inxurious material glides like liquid fire over my skin, its texture a sensation of opulence against my fingertips. The colour is an intense shade of crimson, reminiscent of rich, red wine.

The gown is a work of art in itself, a sheath of blood red silk that clings to my form in all the right places before ensending into a graceful train that sweeps the floor. The neckline is a delicate plunge that hints at allure without revealing too much, angl the dress is adorned with intricate beading that glimmers like stars against the night sky.

As I stand before the mirror, I can’t help but feel a mixture of exhilaration and nervousness. The dress transforms me, casting aside my mortal self and enveloping me in a world of beauty and mystery. The way the silk catches the light makes it seem as if the gown is alive, as if it pulses. with its own heartbeat.

With a flourish of her hand, Seraphina’s white dress transforms into a shade of red as vibrant as mine. She grins mischievously, her eyes twinkling like stars, “We shall match, Arianna. Tonight, we shall be the embodiment of the red moon.”

Together, we step into the corridor, our footsteps echoing in the stillness. The journey to the ballroom seems both too short and too long, my heart pounding with every step. As the grand doors swing open, I’m met with the breathtaking sight of the ballroom a space of opulence and

enchantment.

The domed roof painted with the night sky stretches above me, as if the heavens themselves have descended to grace this room. The chandeliers twinkle like stars, casting a soft glow that shimmers across the polished floor. The double spijal staircase leads to balconies that seem to touch the sky, and the entire space is alive with the melody of music and the rhythm of dancing.

Guests whirl around the ballroom, their dresses and suits a sea of red, a cascade of shades that mirrors the spectrum of a blazing sunset. My heart races as I take in the splendour of it all, the room pulsating with energy and life.

Beside me, Konstantin and Aleksandr stand, regal and commanding, greeting the guests with a presence that commands attention. Every pair of eyes is drawn to them, and the air seems to hum with anticipation. I feel a mix of exhilaration and vulnerability, my stomach twisting with a blend of excitement and nervousness.

The gazes of the guests are upon me, drawn by the unfamiliar presence amidst them. I sense their curiosity, their whispers like distant echoes that reach my ears in fragments. And then, I catch the

Chapter 17 The Blood Moon Ball

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are of a woman her eyes widen in shock, a gasescaping her lips. I can almost feel her attempting to subtly sniff the air, her expression a mixture of surprise and something else, something I can’t quite place.

“Arianna, Aleksandrs voice cuts through the crowd like a lifeline, and I turn to find him standing before me, dressed in red that complements the hue of my dress. His presence anchors me, his familiarity a reassuring balm.

“May I have this dance?” he asks, his hand outstretched, and I nod eagerly, my fingers slipping into his with a sense of familiarity. He leads me onto the dance floor, and the world around us fades into a blur as we begin to move to the rhythm of the music.

His touch is warm against my skin, and yet, beneath the heat, there’s an undeniable coolness that sends a shiver down my spine. I glance up at him, and a flutter of something akin to desire courses through me a desire that I both crave and fear.

As we dance, Aleksandr’s lips are a breath away from my ear, his voice a soft caress. “You’re the only mortal presence here tonight, he murmurs, his words a secret shared between us. “Your scent is like a beacon, drawing the attention of those around you.”

My cheeks flush at the thought, and I lower my gaze, my fingers tightening in his grip. “It’s a bit overwhelming, I admit with a nervous chuckle.

Aleksandr’s laughter is a melodic undertone to the music, a rich sound that resonates within me. “You’re handling it admirably,” he compliments, his eyes holding a warmth that makes my heart. skip a beat.

A pang of longing swirls within me, my desire for him warring with the reality of our

circumstances. My feelings are a maze of contradictions – an intoxicating cocktail of attraction.

and forbidden allure.

Amidst the grandeur of the ballroom, as the melodies of music and the twirl of dancers create a symphony of movement, a figure catches my attention from the corner of my eye. She is slightly turned away, so that I can’t see her face which I have no doubt is devastatingly beautiful. But it’s her dress that truly commands attention – a dark red creation that hugs her every curve and flows. like liquid velvet. The neckline plunges daringly, a cascade of fabric that hints at both vulnerability and power. The dress is a seductive dance of concealment and revelation, revealing just enough to ignite the imagination, leaving the rest to the mind’s eye.

As she moves, the fabric swirls around her, a dark red whirlwind that seems to hold the promise of danger and allure. Her presence is magnetic, drawing gazes in her wake. Her every step is a declaration of her intent, a challenge to the world around her. A chill runs down my spine as

recognition strikes.

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Chapter 17: The Blood Moon Ball

Goddamit. Not this bitch again….

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EJ

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ok now this is what always gets me. That would be the same woman who could not contain herself at the wedding. Knowing that Arianna would be at the ball with her nor…

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