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been here once, but once was enough. My father practically spent his life here and even owned this building. Mother and I had our own quarters for times when we had to stay with him, but they were always kept locked up and secretive. The only ones allowed in and out wer e the Floor K eepers.
    “ You ’ re nervous, ” Noah whispered. I nodded, but didn ’ t remove my eyes from the fortress . “ They ’ re all for you, you know? They love you. ”
    I looked at him and frowned. He ’ d said it as if it were a good thing, something to be proud of. The horseman hopped out of the carriage and came around to open the doors. Noah got out first and held my hand as I emerged after him. Almost immediately, we were swarmed with scrutinizing woman and newspaper journalists.
    My mind swam and my grip on Noah tightened as he rushed us through the crowd. Just as we were about to enter through the grand doors, I caught sight of a group of girls who stood hidden in the shadows. Their dirty clothing and tattoos told me they were Hunters, maids probably. It wasn ’ t their appearances that gave me pause, though, it was the look they were giving me. As if my presence was an evil thing , they stared at me with disdain. I tried to tran slate it into something less horrible, hoping to alleviate my guilt, but their message was clear as day: you should be ashamed.
    And I was .
    A push on my shoulder got my feet moving again, but not as fast as I would have liked. Once inside, the guards shut the door and the finality that all those people wouldn ’ t even get to come inside after hours of waiting to see the Princess hit me hard.
    “ Your jacket, Princess, ” said a guard. I stared at him for a moment, still stuck in a stupor.
    “ Excuse her, she ’ s just a little anxious, ” Noah said, sliding my jacket off my shoulders and handing it to him. He took my hand and led me further into the huge fortress that was the central building of Siphon ’ s City, the place my father made laws that dictated everyone ’ s lives. It was only then that I realized how anciently beautiful the place was, the way the murals stood in your way and craved for attention. Chandeliers that looked about retired with only an ounce of life still kindled within them hung from the golden ceilings. Halls as wide as our streets forked every corner and furniture made for appraisal adorned the rooms. With every step we took, I made sure to stop and take in my full of it all.
    Though, along with awe, came contempt. What did they have to be proud of , a voice whispered in my mind.
    Nothing.
    I forced the thoughts out of my head, desperate to think about anythin g but Ayden. Though, I knew thoughts of him waited for me, anticipating the moment unconsciousness would take hold of my mind and I ’ d have no other choice.
    “ You ’ re going to love this, ” Noah suddenly whispered into my ear , as we stopped at another set of grand doors that grazed the ten foot ceilings.
    The guards whispered something to each other and then slid the doors apart, revealing a giant ballroom with thousands of busy bodies dancing and eating happily in outfits that made mine seem like a pawn.
    It was overwhelming. With all the shiny gold drapes, marble flooring, and huge statues that seemed more like a part of the party than accentuating it, I found it hard to keep my eyes on one thing at a time . Wome n with big wigs and intricate hair pieces sat in one corner of the room, sipping their wine and laughing about things not half as funny as their makeup . The men stood on the other side, as tradition went , waiting till a decent enough woman caught their fancy. I…well, as for me, I stood hand in hand with Delentia ’ s Prince, my soon-to-be husband, while all eyes fastened solely on us.
    “ They love you, ” Noah reiterated. He led me past the gawking stares to a table surrounded by what I guessed were his friends and family. An angelic harmony created by a band of harps, flutes, and pianos