The Key (#1 of Anna Kippling Series) Paranormal romance by A.D. Duling (13 page)

And sure enough when that night came around,
she looked absolutely breathtaking! The tailors had done a
wonderful job on her gown and it was beautiful! They had chosen a
pale pink taffeta fabric to use and layered on top of that a sheer
lace. Her hair was pulled up into a loose bun with wisps of hair
framing her face.

Hayden’s expression alone expressed his
thoughts and she smiled shyly. He as well looked stunning in his
attire and they were an envious sight! When they walked through the
doors of the palace they were not the only ones awestruck by the
Empress’s event! She had really lived up to the rumors! Everything
was beautiful!

A uniformed man announced them as they
walked in while another man took her coat. The music stopped and
every pair of eyes turned towards them. Hayden hooked her arm in
his and guided her down the grand staircase that led into the
ballroom. Ahead of them up on a stage awaited the Empress. The
crowd parted for them as they made their way over. Anna smiled
modestly at the friendly faces that greeted her along the way. When
they reached the steps to the stage, Hayden unhooked his arm from
hers and stepped aside. He then held his hand up for her to hold on
to as she climbed the steps. He then climbed them up himself.

“
You look very beautiful,
Anna.” The Empress complimented her as she walked up to
her.

“Nothing compared to your beauty, Empress.”
She repaid the compliment.

The Empress smiled and grabbed her gloved
hand; she guided her over to the table, where a mahogany box sat on
top.

“
Tonight we not only
celebrate the resurrection of our fallen hero! We also celebrate
the defeat of the fallen Chancellor!” She announced.

The guests cheered in response.

She looked back at Anna. “I would not be
standing here before you, if it had not been for Anna and her two
fellow companions!” she motioned over to where Hayden and Val
stood.

He gave a curt bow and Val executed a very
awkward curtsey. The Empress then turned to the little mahogany box
and opened the lid. She reached inside and pulled something out.
She held it up for everyone to see.

“
I have one for each of
our three heroes! To remind them always of our gratitude for their
sacrifices to not only save my life, but to also retain our freedom
and prosperity from someone who so desired to take it away!” She
turned back to Anna and pinned it on her dress above her
heart.

“
Engraved on each pin is
the symbol of Tatania. May they wear it over their hearts and
remember the love that we give in return!”

Applause filled the room and continued as
the Empress walked over and pinned one on Hayden and Valencia as
well. She returned to her place on the stage facing her audience
and waited for the room to quite again before she spoke.

“
Now please, dance, eat
and enjoy!” she encouraged and the music played again.

She turned to Anna. “Now go dance with him
before another girl snatches him away!” she glanced over to
Hayden.

Anna blushed and the Empress chuckled while
giving her a gently nudge in his direction. She walked over to
where he stood and took his outstretched arm. “The Empress has
ordered me to dance with you, but I must warn you I am
horrible!”

He smiled, “Allow me to lead, watch my toes
and you should be fine.” He teased.

She laughed and climbed down the stairs with
him.

He gave her a mischievous smile and guided
her across the dance floor. “Now be nice to me!” She threatened
him. He laughed and put his hand on her waist.

Hayden turned out to be a wonderful dancer
and regardless of how many times she did step on his toes; he kept
on. How long they danced, she didn’t know? She had long lost count
after the first five dances! With each song, Anna became more
confident and soon the pair danced in graceful sync around the
dance floor; oblivious to the other dancers around them.

Exhausted and a bit over heated, Anna had to
plead for a break. Cheeks flushed as well, Hayden guided her over
to a nearby chair to sit in while he fetched them both something to
drink. She sat down and watched the other dancers on the floor. She
tried to stifle a laugh when Val twirled by. She was dancing with a
gentleman much taller than she and they made quite a sight! But
regardless of their incompatibility, it was apparent that both were
having a wonderful time!

A torso stepped directly in her line of
sight and she looked up, expecting to see Hayden. It wasn’t;
instead stood a very handsome man with dark ebony hair. Surprising
against his fair skin, yet it suited him at the same time.

His deep green eyes stared down at her. “May
I have this dance?” he asked her, extending his hand to her.

Mesmerized and forgetting her thirst, Anna
found herself taking it and allowing the man to escort her back
onto the dance floor.

“
You are a very
interesting young woman, Anna Kippling.” He commented.

“
Thank you, I think?” she
responded.

He laughed. “Perhaps I should restate that;
what I had meant was, I just find it very amazing that a young and
delicate woman such as you… could defeat such a powerful man as the
Chancellor.”

“
Well, looks can be
deceiving, Mr.-?” she asked, feeling slightly offended.

He smiled and pulled her a little closer,
making her feel uncomfortable. “You poor stupid girl… to really
think you could destroy such a man as easily as you did!” he hissed
into her ear. She tried to pull away at his comment, but he held
her tight.

“
Who are you?” she asked
him.

He sneered. “Oh, I think you know who I am!”
He growled into her ear.

She scanned around the room looking for
Hayden.

“
Don’t bother to look;
your partner has been detained.” He gripped her hand in his and
gracefully twirled her. When he pulled her back, he held her
tighter than before. He smiled as another couple danced past
them.

He then pressed his cheek against hers. “Did
you really think I would reveal myself so soon and so easily
without first sizing up my competition?” he sneered.

She shuddered.

“
I must say however, I was
very impressed with your sacrifice! What women do for the love of a
man! You also did me a great favor; I never did like the General
much!” He snickered, sending hot breath into her ear.

She tried to push him away, but his hold was
strong. “So what is it that you want then, or are you here just to
gloat?” she hissed back.

His laughter caused both their bodies to
shake. “Very good Anna; I do have a reason!” He reached his hand
inside his jacket pocket and pulled out a sealed envelope.

“Inside are your instructions and you must
follow them exactly Anna, no cheating!” He teased and turned his
face so his lips softly brushed across her cheek. “I will know if
you do.” He finished and kissed it.

She tried to jerk her face away from his,
but his hand reached up and clasped her chin.

“
Ah, why fight it Anna!”
He whispered. “Deep down inside regardless how you might want to
deny it, you
are
attracted to me.” He harassed.

“
You wish!” she spat
out.

“
Keep a close eye on the
ones you love Anna, keep a real close eye.” He spoke
back.

He leaned his face close into hers bringing
their lips inches apart, his hot breath hit against hers. He stared
hard at her for a moment before he kissed her. And as quickly as it
started, it also ended with him leaving her standing there in the
middle of the dance floor, watching his back as he quickly
exited.

After a moment of temporary confoundedness;
Anna quickly returned to her senses and tried to chase after him.
But trying to dart through the dancing couples in a ball gown was
easier said than done and she quickly lost sight of him! She
quickly changed her direction and headed towards the cloak room;
just as Hayden came walking up, with their drinks in his hands.

“What’s wrong Anna?” he asked, noticing her
distress.

She grabbed the drinks from his hands and
quickly sat them down on a nearby table. “Never mind that, follow
me!” She told him and continued towards the cloak room.

She went inside and started searching
through the racks filled with coats and capes.

“
Quickly help me find my
coat!” she yelled to him.

Without hesitation he quickly helped her
look. Thankfully she found her coat on the third rack she searched
and grabbed it out of the pocket.

“Anna, please tell me what is going on!” he
implored her.

She turned around. “He’s not dead!”

“
Do you mean the
Chancellor? He asked.

She nodded and opened her book. “Where is
the Chancellor?” she asked it.

He walked over to her and grabbed her arm.
“Anna, how do you know? Did you see him?”

She looked up at him. “I didn’t just see him
Hayden! I danced with him!”

S
omething at the bottom of the page caught Anna’s attention
and she leaned in for a closer look. It was a picture of four
symbols;
a leaf... a swirl... a
flame and a rain drop.

“
What is this?” She
pointed to it.

The Empress looked down at
it, “Those are the Tokens; the one who possess the powers of the
Tokens will have the symbols burned onto their wrist.”

“What does each of the
symbols mean?” Anna asked.

The Empress pointed to the
symbol of the leaf, “This token represents the power of the trees;
the next one represents the power of wind, the third of fire and
the fourth of water. The beholder of these powers can manipulate
each element.”

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