The rain was relentless that day, as if the sky itself had decided to cry for me, saving me the trouble. I watched it hit the window in small explosions, each drop a reminder of how small moments can collide and shatter into pieces. I used to think those moments didn’t matter—one look, one touch, one fleeting decision—but now I know how wrong I was.

It all started because I liked him.

Honestly, th...

My fans in the crowd, I don’t think you know just how many people I’ve had to eliminate to get here. Would you still be clapping had you known?

Tonight my dress feels heavy and seems to drag me down, but at least it looks splendid for the cameras. It cost a pretty penny, but I need to look impeccable. Would you still be clapping if I didn’t?

Fame is overrated. It’s just a reminder that the world...

I woke up in a room that smelled of broken promises and betrayal. The bed was soft, but like the one I always had. I wasn’t in my house though. Where was I?

I slowly opened my eyes. The room was dark. I could see the stone walls and the wooden wardrobe. There was a fireplace that wasn’t lit and a desk that was covered in papers. Where was I?

I sat up and winced. The world around me blurred and...

She balancées around him,

As he watches her in awe

Trying to catch her eye through her feather mask

She draws him in unknowingly

He does his best to keep up

With her swift and silent way

She blends into the music’s pulse

It’s safer inside the melody

They think she’s putting on a show

They say she’s such a pretty girl

On the dance floor, she is crying

Why must they all look at her?

The song...

Her body was sharp and angular, crafted from triangles and lines, her posture immaculate and unfaltering. She was the perfect puppet, a combination of delicacy and wit, equipped with the nimble, pale body of a child and the plump lipped, rounded face of a woman. Shockingly white locks spiralled from her scalp like a waterfall, picking up strange tones of light from the glittering chandelier and c...

All eyes are fixed on me. My graceful steps, elegant dress, and endearing smile. All the men adore me. All the woman envied me. Everybody tries having a dance, even if it’s just for a few seconds. As I glide from man to man, dancing to there hearts content, I see Rafael. I begin walking over to him until Vanessa spots me.

“Oh dear, you look absolutely stunning” she says.

I give her a transparent...

I practiced this dance a million times. I practiced my greetings and my words. Everything had to be right.

I had to act and speak just like them.

Thousands of miles separated me from my home town; a place no one on this strange continent knew existed. Nobody here knew what lay beyond the vast expanse of water surrounding this place.

The polish on the wooden boards shined as my foot took anothe...

“She is so beautiful and smart, liked by everyone. Good at everything. There’s no competition.”

“Indeed. It makes it difficult sometimes to stay neutral and not get consumed by jealousy, for being so adored by everyone.”

“I think it’s her stare. She looks in deep, deep into you till you go transparent. It’s scary. She sees through your body and gets a visual of your soul. She seems to be able...

One, two, three. Hair flashed like the pale sun. One, two, three. Brilliant sapphire eyes shone. One, two, three. Cherry lips curved upwards. Shimmering crystals dance on silken foxgloves. One, two, three.

The opulence of Lehár’s Gold and Silver waltz fades out as the lights dimmed. Sweet emotion pulled from the strings of violins, bringing in the Wiener Blut. She had always been impressed by S...

Prince Ameron may have kept perfect time with her, but Cecaylia commanded the attention of the ballroom. She glided across the floor, never missing a step. Her skirts shimmered and flowed around her ankles as the music slowly built to a climax.

Cecaylia smiled at the Prince, never taking her gaze from his. He smiled back, a mischievous glint in his too-warm brown eyes. She felt his grip at he...