Soul Song ~ Book One

Chapter Twenty-Six

That night, the Chosen were invited to join the Elders and Klellen's family at dinner. As Mirabella inspected her figure in the gown she had been given to wear, she couldn't help but let out a sad sigh. There was no doubt she was not the first wearer of this garment and wouldn't be the last. She smoothed her hands down her stomach, checking for the fit as she glanced in the full length mirror in front of her. The shimmering green dress clung to her nicely, accentuating everything it should, and some things she didn't know she had. The blush that thought created brought out the green of her eyes.

She had never worn something so fine, or so revealing. The wrap around criss crossed over her breasts, leaving more cleavage than she was accustomed to, out where all could see. After several futile tugs at the edges, she finally gave up and opted to ignore it. It wasn't exactly indecent, just much more than her scoop necked tunic had ever shown in her entire life.

Scanning down beyond the bodice, she further inspected the hemline at her knees. While it went just past her knees, from there, it opened and spilled onto the floor with a short, elegant train. Each time she moved, one of her legs would peek out seductively, eliciting more furious blushing. She could at least appreciate the wide, silver brocade that followed every edge of the garment, shimmering with the same intensity as the green material. Even the long, pointed sleeves had the edging. She wondered if this dress was made by Michael. She'd have to ask him if she ever saw him again.

The low cut slippers on her feet matched the silver brocade. They were so light and beautiful; as if sunlight continually played upon their surface. Looking back up to her neck, she trailed her fingertips over the bright silver necklace. The intricate scrollwork of the silver looped and laced through emeralds, leaving behind delicate flowers until the tear drop emerald plunged down her neckline. Matching tear drop emeralds, as ornate as the necklace, danced cheerfully on her ears as she moved.

While she couldn't help but appreciate the handiwork of all the finery, she wondered about the reasoning behind trussing up food. Maybe it's like adding seasoning to meat, she thought, shuddering with revulsion.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. Gingerly, she opened the door, just enough to see a young boy on the other side.

"Would the lady please accompany me to the dining hall?"

Mirabella suppressed a smile at the formality of the boy, who couldn't have been more than six or seven. Composing herself, she silently followed the boy, her dress making excited swooshing noises as she walked. She'd never made this much noise in her life. While they walked, Mirabella took in her surroundings, just in case she needed a speedy exit. She had no intent to make these her last days...or to be food.

The others met her outside the dining hall, as cleaned and dressed up as she. When two Elders opened the wide doors to the hall, she could see several had already been seated, Dania being one of them. Oddly, Dania didn't seem to have any interest in anything other than her plate.

One side of the long table boasted six Elders with Klellen at the end and Lyla at the opposite end. Eyes and skin all identical, save Lyla's powdered brown eyes. The Elder's eyes were all a ghostly blue, and all had the translucent white; almost as though they were made of smoky glass. Across from Dania, one of the Elders leered at Dania in a most unsavory way. Mirabella resisted the urge to curl her lip in disgust. On Klellen's right, Lucas occupied the first chair, with Dania following, and four empty chairs for the Chosen. Mirabella avoided Lyla's eyes just in case they turned black again and held her captive like they had in town.

Poor John eased into the seat next to Dania, not allowing Mirabella to sit next to her. As they served the first course, he sat, his eyes glazed over, never touching the savory food placed before him. His breathing was erratic as he rocked slightly back and forth. Keeping her eyes low, Mirabella carefully took small bites as she looked around at her dinner companions. With the certainty of Dania being a Healer, Mirabella had the pressing need to protect Dania and always be able to see she's alright. The rocking John made that impossible.