The Pyramid Waltz by Barbara Ann Wright Read Free Book Online

Starbride’s long hair on top of her head, she took a small, flat box from the chest of drawers. “I dare any of the other ladies to match this.”
    Starbride gazed at the diamond and crystal necklace, a set of interlocking geometric shapes that resembled snowflakes from one direction and stylized dancers from another. It was a fascinating, eye-bending creation, and she loved it, but at the moment, she didn’t have much faith in it. “These are the richest people in the world, Dawn.”
    “Rich they may be, Star, but their fathers are not jewelers, and even if those fathers were jewelers, they wouldn’t have the skill of yours.” She fastened the necklace around Starbride’s neck and then secured the matching diamond earrings.
    Starbride touched the necklace and picked up a mirror so she could admire the glittering pinpoints of light. “You’re right. They don’t have his skill, but people from Marienne have commissioned pieces from him in the past.”
    “He wouldn’t give them the same quality he’d give his daughter. Remember that when they’re panting over it, and be smug.”

    Starbride had pictured a horde, but the sheer number of people swarming the Courtiers Ball exceeded her imagination. She’d glimpsed the ballroom on one of her forays and remembered it as cavernous. The glittering throng made it seem like a closet.
    She heard multiple strains of music but couldn’t spot the players. The people nearest to the doors stood and talked to one another, and beyond them was a hint of movement that suggested pockets of dancing. Giant chandeliers sparkled overhead, and four sets of doors on the other side of the room were thrown open to let the heat onto the balcony beyond. It was a huge palette of color, the women in the muted tones the queen favored, and the men in the bolder, grander jewel tones that put Starbride in mind of an enormous flock of birds.
    With a deep breath, she melted into the crowd. She couldn’t help but be jostled, and those responsible would glance at her with apologies on their lips that turned into varying expressions of surprise as they focused on her. Whether their surveys were polite, curious, or rude, she quickly grew tired of it, even the covetous glances at her jewelry.
    A quiet corner presented itself, though it wasn’t where she expected. A few people strolled on the outdoor balcony that ran the length of the ballroom, making long shadows in the light pouring from the room. Starbride moved away from the doors to watch the dim lights winking from Marienne below.
    “You look familiar.” The voice behind her eased her loneliness before she even turned.
    In the light of the doorway, Katya’s cobalt blue coat made her blue eyes shine. Silver buttons began at her right shoulder and curved nearly to the center of her chest before continuing to her waist. The coat fit tightly to her trim upper body and then hung loose and open to mid-thigh. Silver embroidery wound around her standing collar and then wandered to the buttons, descending in a vine-like pattern, with echoes of the same pattern at the hem and cuffs. Her tight white trousers gleamed between the blue coat and the black boots, and as she stepped closer, her sapphire earrings winked in the softened light, as did the slender sapphire and silver diadem that encircled her forehead, the ends of it lost in her loosely pinned-up hair. Starbride was tempted to ask her if she was a dream.
    Katya tapped her chin. “Yes, very familiar. Are you a new meringue at this court?”
    “You’re much mistaken, Highness.” Starbride held her arms out. “According to my mother, I am a frothy cup of cinnamon tea, heavy on the cream.”
    “Well, in your mother’s defense, that would be a good cup of tea.”
    Starbride fought to hide a smile. The dusty girl in the hallway seemed miles away from this dazzling creature. “Thank you, Highness. I’ll write her and tell her Your Highness said so.” She turned back to the night.
    Katya leaned