Pandora's Box

Chapter 4: Part II

The moment Pandora took Malachai's hand, the orchestra faded to a lull. Malachai cursed under his breath and Pandora gently slipped her hand free. High Commander Cedrik entered the ballroom clad in full, formal military regalia. His crisp white uniform carried a collection of commendations at the breast and fit perfectly his aging, athletic form. A golden-hilted sabre bounced gently in its baldric beneath his steady hand. The jewel-encrusted handguard cast flecks of red on the cool marble surfaces.

Cedrik made for the empty dais and the crowd respectfully parted. He pivoted smartly and addressed the room with a booming voice.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I humbly present His Majesty, Highest-Soaring amongst all Dragon-kin, King Drake."

Attendants in uniform garb the color of spring skies, appeared at the arches flanking the ballroom's grand entrance. They pulled the great doors open by rings perched by wrought iron dragons.

Handsome King Drake entered, easy smile warming the room. His beard had grayed of late, a fact not lost on the young princess watching her father's entrance. Especially following the events on the road. Drake waved to the crowd and nodded his gratitude at the warm reception.

The King removed his modest crown and bowed to the door. "It is my eternal honor, to give once again to the fine citizens of our glorious kingdom, Her Shining Grace, and the great love of my life, Queen Adella. May her light always sustain us."

Drake swept his hand over the parted crowd to the ballroom's entrance. Queen Adella entered to a chorus of gasping ooh's and ah's. The elegance of her cerulean gown sparkled as she floated through the glowing candle light. Her platinum blond hair cascaded over her slender shoulders. The interwoven baby's breath glistened like crystal.

A little boy standing with his parents a few paces to Pandora's right, slipped free and rushed to the queen. The assembly politely laughed as he tottered. He plucked the little daisy his mother had affixed to his shirt. Standing on his tiptoes, he offered the queen his gift.

"For me?" Adella feigned a surprised gasp and placed a slender hand over her heart.

She slipped the flower into the waves of hair at her temple, curtsied, and then pulled the boy into a hug. "Thank you, little prince." She kissed the top of the boy's sand-colored head. The crowd swooned and applauded.

When the boy's mother finally lead him away, he looked back over his shoulder with a grin painted upon his face. Adella waved to him adding a delicate smile of her own.

She's an angel, Pandora thought.

I could never be her...

Drake took Adella's hand and guided his wife to her throne. He regarded the room, grinning. "I'll have to have a chat with young Lancelot later."

"Perhaps you could simply remember to bring flowers to your wife more often." Adella gave the king a coy wink.

"I think perhaps I'll just play to my strong suit," Drake said, stepping down from the dais and heading for the center of the dance floor.

Oh no... He's not going to—Pandora thought.

King Drake suddenly whipped his arm around, beckoning for Queen Adella to join him. He nodded to the orchestra's maestro. A soft, rhythmic beat rose in the ballroom. Adella strode gracefully over the floor and took her husband's hand. The couple settled into a elegant routine of turns and whisks. Adella leaned back into a dip, laughing, eyes bright and sure of magic.

The onlookers gasped as the burning wicks of the chamber's thousand candles broke free and took to the gentle breezes whispering in from the windows. The tiny flames swirled in ivy like patterns around the royal couple. The music built to a bold crescendo and at the strongest note, the dancing wisps of flame formed into a broad spiral staircase that reached for the high ceiling.