Glass Slippers & Jeweled Masques (an Erotic Cinderella Fairytale) (Twisted Fairy Tales) Read Online Free

and caresses held them entwined in a tempest of emotion neither of them fully understood. Michel drew away first, held her shaking hands in his as he tried to breathe through the near pain of his lust. She was dazed, her eyes dark with need. She looked up at him, expectant, her breaths hoarse and erratic.
    “Miss, your carriage has arrived, and the footman asked me to fetch you."
    The spell shattered and she tore her gaze from Michel's.
    "I have to go," she said.
    Before he could stop her, she was working her way through the crowd, and he was chasing her. Grasping arms and voices vied for his attention.
    "What's wrong, Michel?"
    He tore his masque off and looked at his father. "The woman you were with, the one in green, where is she, Father?"
     
    Cindi was almost tripping as she ran toward the door, and her second stumble encouraged her to stop and lean against a wall. She bent down and quickly slipped off the glass heels, then she gathered the heavy skirt of her dress and continued. She bumped into someone and opened her mouth to apologize, but the words froze in her throat. She was staring at Alana Lancourte, and the woman's masque did nothing to hide her irritation.
    Cindi glanced back, saw Michel looking frantically for her, and she continued to race for the door. The second time she bumped into a guest, she dropped one of her shoes and didn't bother to retrieve it when she spotted the coach waiting at the bottom of the stairs. She darted out the door and all but flew down the stairs. She could still hear Alana's shrill voice muttering to the women she was with about Cindi's rudeness.
    * * * * *
    "So, how do you suggest we go about finding this mystery woman?"
    Alenzo's annoyance was tangible, and Michel stopped his pacing long enough to scowl at the older man.
    " You insisted on this accursed Masquerade Ball, Father! Masques..." he growled the word with disdain so profound it became a curse.
    "We will go through the guest list, and begin searching. If this girl can inspire such passion in you, what choice do we have?"
    When Michel met his father's calm gaze, he saw only concern.
    "I know how crazy this sounds, Father."
    Alenzo's smile was understanding. "No, it is not crazy, my son. We will find her."
    * * * * *
    A week after the Masquerade, Cindi was sitting in her room, the emerald masque on her pillow, her mind alive with memories.
    Had she really kissed Prince Michel of Coranthis?
    A quiet knock on her door had her making a leap for the masque.
    "Miss Cynthia?"
    Deschamps' voice was low, but there was something urgent in his tone.
    She crossed the room and opened the door.
    "What is it, Xalvador?"
    "A visitor, Miss. I think you need to come to the sitting room." He paused, then looked intently at her. "Bring the masque, Miss Cynthia, and the shoe."
    "What?"
    "Please," he requested. "It is important, I assure you."
    She retrieved the items, then followed him to the sitting room. Her heart leapt into her throat when she saw Prince Michel standing at the fireplace, his expression expectant. He was quite alone.
    "Xalvador?" She turned to the butler.
    "Madam and her daughters are out, Miss Cynthia. I will not allow them to come in until you and His Majesty are done."
    The doors closed, and she was sure she heard a lock click.
    "Who are you? He called you Cynthia. The woman I'm looking for... her name is Louisa."
    Cindi nodded and bowed her head.
    "Louisa Butler was my mother."
    "Your servant said you had attended the Masquerade. That you would have proof you are the woman I've been searching for since that night."
    "Why would you search for me when there were so many?"
    He smiled.
    "Louisa was the only one who didn't attend with the intention of marrying me," he replied with cold, bitter, irony lacing his perfectly enunciated words.
    She placed the masque and the glass slipper on the gleaming coffee table and watched his eyes widen in recognition. He picked up the masque and examined it closely, then put it down