Read Online Once a Pirate (Mystical Realm Series Book 1) by Sarah Snyder - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Sarah Snyder
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entered through the main doors. After several formal greetings, Char noticed those entering were staring past him toward the stairs. The vision of Anna descending the large, curving stairs was remarkable and Char smiled affectionately.
“Anna,” Char greeted her by taking her hands in his and placing a plutonic kiss on her cheek. “You look breathtaking.”
“Thank you,” Anna’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “There are so many people.”
“Yes,” Char looked around them at the throng of people who moved around the couple. “This is the event of the season. Meridelle is famous for our summer ball.”
Anna looked uncomfortable in the busy atmosphere and Char quickly tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. A protective instinct settled over him as he led her through the double doors into the ballroom. The ball, as usual, did not disappoint.
The room was decorated in streamers and beaded chains of silver, sapphire and black; the royal crest colors of Meridelle. Tables circled the room, their black covers contrasting elegantly against the silver dishes and glasses atop them. In the center of the tables was the dance floor, constructed from black marble tile. At the far end of the room was the stage, where a string quartet played classical music.
To the far left, near the large wall of glass doors leading to the courtyard set a large buffet table. The spread ran from one end of the room to the other with breaks between tables to mark appetizers, main dishes, desserts and beverages. Even with the buffet, servers wound through the crowd, offering appetizers and taking orders for drinks.
Char moved with Anna toward the center of the room, careful to keep her close and secure at his side. He knew the woman preferred solitude, but hoped such a diverse crowd would force Anna to forget about her loss for a short time. A few friendly guests came to greet them, affectionately welcoming Anna without hesitation. Char could see Anna’s uncertainty fade as more people and magical creatures showed her such warmth. He smiled at her growing enjoyment of the evening, leaving her to greet a particularly important dignitary from the Southern lands of the realm as a friendly shifter was describing its history.
When he returned, Char brought Anna a glass of cava, a bubbling, lightly alcoholic beverage he thought she might enjoy. Anna finished the glass and several others which were offered, each seeming to calm her further until Char noticed she was smiling. Not the half smiles she gave in the three weeks since her arrival, but a genuine, happy smile.
***
The music swirled around the mingling guests, but few bothered with the dance floor. Most were happy conversing with creatures and peoples from around the realm. Anna even admitted to enjoying her conversations with some of the guests. She heard stories about far off lands and magical creatures she never knew existed outside of fantasy.
The alcoholic drinks Anna was accepting blurred her mind, leaving her in a pleasant state of euphoria, but at the mercy of her indifference. Believing her quick reaction to be worsened by her empty stomach, Anna managed to excuse herself and claim a few small appetizers from the buffet tables. She stood near the glass doors, feeling her equilibrium and control returning as her eyes sought out Char. The Prince stood in a throng of regally dressed older men, their deep conversation leaving no doubt they did not wish to be interrupted.
“Good evening, my lady,” a tall, sandy haired man stepped to her side.
“Good evening,” Anna repeated, still feeling happy enough from the alcohol to greet him a bit too warmly.
“I am Sir David Marcus of Drivaria,” David extended a hand for her to claim.
“Anna,” Anna replied, taking his hand and allowing him to place a kiss on her knuckles. “Anna Blake.”
“It is a pleasure, Miss Blake,” David stood and released her hand, straightening his white and olive green dress coat as he
“Anna,” Char greeted her by taking her hands in his and placing a plutonic kiss on her cheek. “You look breathtaking.”
“Thank you,” Anna’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “There are so many people.”
“Yes,” Char looked around them at the throng of people who moved around the couple. “This is the event of the season. Meridelle is famous for our summer ball.”
Anna looked uncomfortable in the busy atmosphere and Char quickly tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. A protective instinct settled over him as he led her through the double doors into the ballroom. The ball, as usual, did not disappoint.
The room was decorated in streamers and beaded chains of silver, sapphire and black; the royal crest colors of Meridelle. Tables circled the room, their black covers contrasting elegantly against the silver dishes and glasses atop them. In the center of the tables was the dance floor, constructed from black marble tile. At the far end of the room was the stage, where a string quartet played classical music.
To the far left, near the large wall of glass doors leading to the courtyard set a large buffet table. The spread ran from one end of the room to the other with breaks between tables to mark appetizers, main dishes, desserts and beverages. Even with the buffet, servers wound through the crowd, offering appetizers and taking orders for drinks.
Char moved with Anna toward the center of the room, careful to keep her close and secure at his side. He knew the woman preferred solitude, but hoped such a diverse crowd would force Anna to forget about her loss for a short time. A few friendly guests came to greet them, affectionately welcoming Anna without hesitation. Char could see Anna’s uncertainty fade as more people and magical creatures showed her such warmth. He smiled at her growing enjoyment of the evening, leaving her to greet a particularly important dignitary from the Southern lands of the realm as a friendly shifter was describing its history.
When he returned, Char brought Anna a glass of cava, a bubbling, lightly alcoholic beverage he thought she might enjoy. Anna finished the glass and several others which were offered, each seeming to calm her further until Char noticed she was smiling. Not the half smiles she gave in the three weeks since her arrival, but a genuine, happy smile.
***
The music swirled around the mingling guests, but few bothered with the dance floor. Most were happy conversing with creatures and peoples from around the realm. Anna even admitted to enjoying her conversations with some of the guests. She heard stories about far off lands and magical creatures she never knew existed outside of fantasy.
The alcoholic drinks Anna was accepting blurred her mind, leaving her in a pleasant state of euphoria, but at the mercy of her indifference. Believing her quick reaction to be worsened by her empty stomach, Anna managed to excuse herself and claim a few small appetizers from the buffet tables. She stood near the glass doors, feeling her equilibrium and control returning as her eyes sought out Char. The Prince stood in a throng of regally dressed older men, their deep conversation leaving no doubt they did not wish to be interrupted.
“Good evening, my lady,” a tall, sandy haired man stepped to her side.
“Good evening,” Anna repeated, still feeling happy enough from the alcohol to greet him a bit too warmly.
“I am Sir David Marcus of Drivaria,” David extended a hand for her to claim.
“Anna,” Anna replied, taking his hand and allowing him to place a kiss on her knuckles. “Anna Blake.”
“It is a pleasure, Miss Blake,” David stood and released her hand, straightening his white and olive green dress coat as he
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