Fire Tongue

Chapter Two

As Hadrian had expected his week had been a total hell, he had to do everything from sewing to cleaning. His hands were devoid of most of his outer skin from all the cleaning chemicals. He had several new calluses and blisters.

It was finally the night of the first ball and despite all his hard work he was still forbidden to go to the ball. He sighed as he showed his Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin out the door before slipping into the kitchen. He stopped by the sink looking into the water and sighing. His face was covered in burn like scars. They started at his left cheek and went all the way up and around his forehead even part of his left eyes had suffered damage causing the eye to never open fully. Sitting down on his rocking chair, in front of the fire. He slowly opened his book using the letters as a book mark carefully maneuvering them as he read the book.

"Why are you not at the ball?" Hadrian jumped and turned to see a tall thin blonde standing in front of him. The man's white blonde hair was pulled back into a low ponytail and his silvery blue eyes shined mysteriously. He was dressed in a pair of clean white pants and a flowing white tunic that was edged with silver thread. His feet were clad in yet more white fabric that all of which seemed to be unmarred by soot, dust, and grime.

"W...Who are you?" Hadrian said softly his voice trembling as he stood carefully. That's when he saw it; the blonde's ears were delicately pointed and his eyes were slanted, "You're an elf..." The boy was stunned into silence.

The blonde smiled softly and nodded his voice twinkling softly, "Yes I am an elf and I am also here to help you, my name is Draco. Until now I could never intervene but now I know I must. Will you sweet Hadrian allow me to help you?"

"With what? This is my life to serve my family." Hadrian lowered his gaze and was surprised when a thin, pale hand was placed underneath his chin making him look up into the elf's eyes.

"Oh, sweet one you were not made to serve others. You have a beautiful soul and one day you will find someone who will love you."

"How could anyone love me?"

"The person who will love you will be the one who can see past your scars and look upon you real beauty...your heart. Now let's get you ready you need to go to the ball."

Hadrian looked on in confusion as the elf pulled a large trunk out of the shadows. He opened the trunk taking out a dark blue suit and silver dragon hide boots and mask. "These were once your fathers. I was told to hold onto them till the day you would require them. Each night a new suit will be worn each one more beautiful than the last. Listen you must not remove your mask till the third night of the ball do you understand?" Hadrian nodded, "Good I cannot tell you why, just know that you must not remove it till the third night. Now let's get you ready to go to the Ball."

They quickly got ready and brushed his hair free of any and all tangles before deciding to leave it down. "Oh and one more thing you must be back by the twelfth stroke of midnight. Now let's hurry and get you into the carriage."

Hadrian halted, "Carriage?"

"Yes it is mine and I am allowing you to use it now go! Remember the terms of the mask just remember no one knows it is you. Your scars are hidden and you look stunning now go!"

Hadrian quickly got into the carriage just as it began to lurch itself forward towards the castle. He hoped that this ball was worth it.