**Reika/Zara**
I swallowed, my body going stiff at the flash of cameras that nearly blinded me.
Stephan’s hand rested at the small of my back as he guided me forward.
I curled my hand around his biceps, forcing a stiff smile as we walked past the throng of paparazzi that lined the entrance.
The double doors of the ball room swung open and light swallowed us. Chandeliers glittered overhead, their lights like tiny diamonds across the polished marble floor.
My fingers dug into Stephan's arm, my eyes trained ahead while my ears picked up the side comments from the guests we passed.
Without turning, I took in the women dressed in satin gowns and dripping in jewelry to cover up their imperfections, their eyes narrowed as they spotted me and their lips curled in displeasure.
I wasn't even
