The City of the Broken (Prince of the Broken) Read Online Free Page B

told anyone before now?”
    “ I wanted to wait a while because I didn’t think it would last. I’m overwhelmed he would want me myself” I giggle.
    “ Don’t be. You really are very pretty, although I’d have thought he’d go for the tanned, blonde type” she says.
    “ Me too. Not some mouse like me” We both laugh.
    On entering the first shop, we rush towards anything black or purple.
    “This?” Charlotte asks holding up a flapper number.
    “ Too long. I’ll end up falling on the floor”
    “ I didn’t think of your two left feet. Good point!” she giggles.
    We search around stacks of clothing. Most of the black dresses we come across are either drab or businesslike.
    “I want something glamorous yet comfortable” I tell Charlotte trying to point her in the right direction when she keeps picking dresses with built in corsets.
    “ We’ve looked through this whole store. Lets try another shop” she says sounding slightly annoyed that I didn’t like her suggestions.
    “ You’ve got it” I respond.
    As we walk towards the next shop it has sta rted to sleet, Winter is definitely here.
    Walking through the doors, we are greeted by a display of seasonal goodies, chocolate truffles, panettone ,German brand sweets and nougat. I ’m so distracted by the treats on offer that I forget I’m looking for the perfect dress. Charlotte hasn’t and is already searching manically through the aisles of clothes. I walk over to join her. There on the end of the aisle labelled ‘evening dresses’, I spot it. A black halter neck with a purple sash and not a corset in sight. I hold it up to show charlotte.
    “ What do you think?” I ask her barely containing my excitement.
    “ Oh its perfect” she says mirroring my expression.
    I try the dress on in the fitting room and open the curtain to show Charlotte.
    “Wow you look a million dollars” she enthuses.
    I have to admit it myself, the dress is flattering.
    “This is the one” I twirl around and beam at her.
    “ The perfect dress for the perfect man” she winks at me.
    If only she knew his one flaw.
     
    Next evening, dressed for the ball and in h igh heels, I realize Ill have to walk through the overgrown garden like this. This is going to be tricky.
    As I ’m applying my lip gloss, I hear a car horn outside. I look out of the window and  there is a Rolls Royce parked outside, with Calix waving at me out of the sunroof. I instantaneously join him. This is the first time I’ve ever driven to the city. And it’s the first time I’ve ever been in such a luxurious car.
    “ I’m so glad you picked me up. I would have taken forever to get to the city in these shoes” I smile at him
    “ I could always have carried you” he flashes his eyebrows and I nearly collapse with exhilaration.
    My face feels like its going to burst with joy I ’m smiling so much.
    “ Hey, don’t forget this is the City of the Broken so at least try to look unhappy” he says seriously.
    I try to look sombre but just the sight of those eyes makes me feel higher than I ’ve ever been before.
    Its paradoxical that the boy who wants to date me because of my melancholic attitude is the one person who has the ability to make me happy.
    We drive up to the ancient gate and Calix unlocks it. The car drives through and he returns. We drive along a narrow path that runs through  the tangled web of leaves.
    When we enter the city, there is a different atmosphere here tonight. There is excitement in the air, although still that morbid feeling. It can be likened to the anniversary of a death, a combination of sadness and celebration . It’s a heady mixture. Mounted police line the streets.
    We drive u p to the black palace and I see that the flag is up. Calix smiles at me and we hold hands. I hear loud trumpets and a band playing in the centre of the city. Its like a coronation, only the royal well-wishers are in mourning. The whole city slowly marching to the beat of their own out of time