He walked to the podium and sat in his chair beside his father. He was the last to arrive, his mother scowling at him, his brothers smirking. He sat, staring with empty eyes, watching the guests dance fluidly across the marble floor. He couldn’t recognize anyone since their masks hid the part of them that showed their souls… their eyes. He could tell that some of the guests had to be students from Sagewood, their actions more outgoing, their voices rising above the rest. Nobody’s glass was ever empty, the servants keeping the Bluesha flowing freely. Human pets clung to their masters, their bodies wrapped in the finest of fabrics, their limbs decorated with the most precious of jewels.
He heard a soft clicking noise and turned his head toward the noise. His mother held a thin crystal wand and was tapping it against the armrest of her throne. All activity in the ballroom stopped and all eyes turned towards them. The queen stood and smiled at her minions.
“I want to thank all of you for attending this joyous occasion for my dearest first born, Gaijryc. As you all may know, the high ranking prince has yet to choose a female to mate. Many of you have made your desire to be in the running very clear, but as you all know, the females that were chosen are of the highest position of the DarkShine society. Very shortly, those particular females will present us with their skills and attributes, and Gaijryc will choose which female will be your future queen.”
Gaijryc watched as his mother dismissed her audience and took her seat next to his father. The guests parted and the main doors opened wide. Gaijryc grabbed another glass that was offered and quietly told the servant to bring him a bottle of Crown. The servant looked at him, startled, his mouth opening and closing twice before he nodded and left.
A servant walked in and bowed at the waist. “Your royal highnesses, ladies and gentleman, may I please present the females chosen for the mating selection ceremony.” The servant stepped to the side and held his hand out, toward the open double doors. “May I present Shoshanna, daughter of the Bruick family. Her talent is pointe.”
Gaijryc sat back and watched as an impossibly thin female walked in, her blond hair spilling down her back and moving against her hips. Her pale blue gown touched the floor and was modestly cut, no skin showing that was unnecessary. She walked up to the podium and bent slightly at the knees. She rose and met his eyes, her blue ones almost as pale as her hair.
“My lord. It is a great honor to be chosen for this event.” She smiled and turned to stand to the side, her hands clasped in front of her, her head bent slightly in the traditional submissive position.
“May I present Ezabell, daughter to the Van Bloom family and skilled in vocals.” The servant once again held his hand out toward the door, a female walking through it with impossibly huge breasts and full hips. Her auburn hair touched her shoulders and was pin straight, her black eyes seeming darker than the night. The dress she wore was as black as her eyes and barley covered her body. Her large breasts spilled over the top of the dress and her nipples stabbed through the material.
“Good evening, my lord. I want you to know I am here for whatever you desire.”
Gaijryc raised an eyebrow at her comment, knowing it wasn’t a mere dedication of her loyalty, but more of a sexual guarantee. The very idea of this female offering herself to him made him sick. How was he going to mate a female when all he wanted was a human that was forbidden to him? How was he supposed to protect her when he was forced to be with another? The thoughts raged war inside of his head, causing his head to pound in pain.
“May I present Pressiya, daughter to the Scraughbourgh family, and talented in the violin.” She walked through the door, her hair a deep red that resembled merlot. She wore a shimmering silvery gown made up of a gauzy material that was almost transparent. She bowed before him, her breasts sliding against the fabric as she lifted only her eyes and smiled at him. It was the same smile as the one before, wicked in its intent and meaning only one thing. It held no appeal to him, made him hate his mother even more for this ridicules ball. Pressiya moved in line with the other two and he wanted nothing more than this nightmare of a night to be over with.
“For the final female, may I present Iena, daughter to the Crystile family, and talented in the art of gymnastics.”
The bitch sashayed in the room, her white dress making her seem pure when she was anything but. He took a large drink from the whiskey bottle, relishing the sweet burn that followed the smooth liquid. He could see all eyes on her, everyone knowing she was the queen’s favorite. Iena watched him the whole time, a secretive smile across her lips, a devilish gleam in her eyes. None of the four females wore masks, their appearance not to be hidden in a mating selection ball. She stood before him and curtsied.