prologue gilded cage

A million stars shone brightly against a dark blue, velvet sky. It was the perfect backdrop for the busy Avenue des Champs-Élysées as it made its transition from day to night. As the moon rose higher in the early evening sky, the tourists and families that ruled the street during the day began to disappear. The locals ruled the street now. Claire Lyons watched wistfully, her body leant against the wrought iron railing of her private balcony. Girls not much older than she walked the street arm-in-arm, stable and graceful even on their sky-high heels.

Her heart twanged, as it often did, to see such scenes of friendship and freedom. Would my life be as carefree as theirs, Claire wondered, if I'd never become a musician?

A passing group of boys hollered at the girls appreciatively; in turn, the girls giggled at their rambunctiousness. The sound drifted upwards on the air, along with the delicious scents billowing from a nearby restaurant. Could I ever be like them?

"Clarry?"

Claire kept her sad, blue eyes trained on the street beneath her. "Aunt Gregory."

"What are you doing out there?"Millicent Gregory crossed Claire's bedroom but paused at the open French doors, not daring to step out onto the little balcony. In the short time that the Lyons and their entourage had been in Paris, Claire had commandeered this small outpost and turned it into a sanctuary.

Orchids – Claire's favorite flowers – bloomed amongst the pre-existing gardens; her favorite Jo Malone candles were burnt around the clock so that Claire could always take comfort in their scent, and Claire's favorite Anthropologie throw cushions were scattered along the many low-slung patio chaises.

"I'm admiring the beauty of Paris," Claire replied, pulling her kimono dressing gown tighter around her waist.

Millicent's brow furrowed deeply. "I see."

Claire sighed, finally turning away from the street scene that played out beneath her. "Well?" she murmured, allowing herself a cursory glance at her Aunt Gregory's face. It was deeply lined; creased by age and worry.

Millicent followed Claire as she made a beeline for her dresser, her hawkish eyes clouded with doubt. "I made mention of your request during the meeting."

"What did they say?" Claire asked, both impatient and miserable, as she rummaged through her drawers. She selected a pair of dark jeans and a crisp white shirt and shimmied into both quickly, not bothering to pick up her dressing gown after it dropped to the floor. She'd had a wretched day, which was certain to become worse: tonight, she would have to sit through business discussion over salad (no dressing) at a noisy, over-priced over-crowded restaurant du jour.

Millicent averted her eyes as Claire slipped into her jeans. Her eyes lingered on the pool of silk that rested on the thick cream carpet, but she stopped herself from chastising her young niece. Instead, she turned her attention to helping Claire dress. "Here," she said, lifting a pair of platform snakeskin sandals from their bright red shoebox. They had had been sent from a designer earlier in the day; the latest style, with a wait list of at least seven months. "These."

Claire took them with uttered thanks and perched on the end of the king-sized bed to fasten them. Though she'd only received them today, Claire was already sure she hated these shoes. They took a long time to fasten, and were fiddly and impractical. She considered arguing with her Aunt's choice, but that would only mean more time spent dressing for a dinner she was less than eager to attend. When done, she stood, and threw her hands up with a sigh of frustration. "You're delaying. They must have said no."

"On the contrary," Millicent insisted. She spared Claire a final look and, pleased with her appearance, maneuvered her from the bedroom. "They said yes."

A beauteous grin spread across Claire's face, illuminating her skin as though it were the finest faceted diamond. "Yes?" she repeated, breathy. In a rare show of obedience, Claire allowed herself to be shepherded from the bedroom to the foyer. "But how will they choose?"

"It's already been decided," Millicent assured her young charge, glad for her suddenly compliant nature. "You needn't worry about a thing."

any initial thoughts? i'd love to hear them!