The Viridian Ball

Cora wasted no time. Within minutes, she had Aria seated before the large vanity mirror, a boar-bristle brush in her hand. Cora dragged the bristles through the heavy mass of Aria’s auburn hair with surprising care. Aria sat completely still, the cool, sapphire blue silk of her dress clinging smoothly to her waist and pooling beautifully around her legs.

Cora chose to leave the long, voluminous