Page 34 of Once Upon a Midnight Clear

Taking Ella to the castle might not be the best idea, but it was the only one he had and the only place he thought she would be safest. He was aware the moment he stepped onto the castle grounds, the concealment spell his mother put on him to hide his identity would be reversed. His true identity would be visible to all those in the castle. When they arrived, how would he explain the servants calling him highness?

He shoved away the thought. He’d worry about that later and instead turned his thoughts to the young girl Malvina kidnapped. Perhaps Ella was right. They should rescue her. The thought of her being a prisoner at the hands of the dark queen didn’t sit well with him. But they couldn’t exchange the slippers for her. There had to be some other way to get the girl back and keep the slippers out of Malvina’s hands.

But how?

The cold pressed into him and with a shiver, he stepped back to the door. He twisted the knob and opened it, peeking through to make sure she still slept. She hadn’t moved at all. The fire was starting die. He closed the door behind him and stepped to the fireplace. Picking up the poker, he pushed the logs around until the flames reignited. He sat on his cushion staring into the fire, determined to find a way to rescue the girl from Malvina and get Ella home.

How, he didn’t know yet.

Ella woke with a start. Disoriented, she sat up, her heart pounding a wild beat. It took several moments to realize where she was. Next to her, Nicholas still slept in front of the fire which was now nothing more than embers.

She had personal needs to tend and pushed to her feet. As she turned to the small kitchen, she gasped and gaped at it. She rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn’t seeing things.

But no.

The small kitchen that was nothing more than a few empty cabinets was now a full kitchen with a spread of food. She glanced back at Nicholas who slept on.

She crept into the area trying to understand. A silver tray was piled high with biscuits. Another with scones. There was a wheel a cheese, a loaf of bread, and even out of season fruit.

Behind her, Nicholas yawned and stretched. She spun to face him.

“Did you do this?” She waved to the food.

Confused, he got to his feet to see what she was talking about. He took two steps then halted, staring at the food. Confusion passed over his face before he controlled it.

“I’d like to say I did, but no.”

“Then who?”

He cracked a smile. “Ella, surly you believe in magic by now.”

He reached up and brushed her cheek. As a reflex, she jerked back. He dropped his hand back to his side.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “You have something on your face.”

There was no looking glass to be found. “I-I do?”

He reached into his pocket and brought out a kerchief. “On your cheeks. It looks like you were too close to the fire.”

She took the kerchief and wiped at her cheeks, hoping she got it all. When he chuckled, he gently pulled the material out of her hand.

“May I?”

Her heart thudded. She nodded.

Taking the kerchief, he brushed her cheeks with gentle pressure. She kept her eyes off of his for fear of looking into them and seeing something she wasn’t prepared to see. He was kind and gentle and it was something she wasn’t used to. When he finished, he tucked the soiled kerchief back into his pocket.

“There. All gone. Shall we eat? We’ll need food if we’re to go to Malvina’s lair and rescue the girl.”

A broad smile crossed her lips. “We’re going to rescue her?”

He nodded. “Yes. I thought about what you said and you’re right. We have to do something. Do you know her name?”

“Ingrid,” she said. “I think her name is Ingrid.”

She thought of Agnes, then, and wondered how she was taking the news her granddaughter had been kidnapped by the dark queen. For a moment, the fear Agnes would give her up crossed her mind, knowing she had the glass slippers. But then, would she betray her in such a way? She wasn’t sure, and it was a real cause for concern.

Shoving that thought aside, she decided worry about something out of her control was senseless.

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