Chapter16: Dreaming of Him

*Bexley* The castle ballroom has an ethereal glow to it. Shimmery and clouded with a blanket of mist, I step into the center of the floor, my long blue ball gown billowing around me. The faces of the crowd around me are obscured by the mist. They don’t quite come into focus, but that’s okay. None of them are important. I hear their cheers above the sound of the orchestra playing in the corner, which I cannot see. It’s all so wispy and dreamlike. I feel like I’m floating on air. A man steps through the crowd, his face the only one I can see. His smile is genuine, his hazel eyes twinkling in the sparkling candlelight. He’s unbelievably handsome with his blonde hair tied back and a dazzling smile. His royal blue suit is fitted, showing off his rippling biceps as he extends a hand to me. I slip my fingers into his, and he pulls me close, and I can feel his heart beating beneath my palm as we begin to dance. “You’re so beautiful.” His breath caresses my cheek as he whispers in my ear. “You’