Page 51 of Ellie and the Prince

Even as she asked the question, she knew the coach was gone. The Gamekeeper would have to come back for these four. “I need to set up cages for you girls and your friends. Would you fellows like to have names?”

She gathered the impression that names would be welcome, but she was fresh out of ideas. “Maybe I will find a way to ask the children to name you. I hope they’re able to come say goodbye.”

More to the point, would Omar come? Of course he would. But what could he say or do to make a future together possible?

No, best to focus on the current situation. She sat on the edge of a chair in a puddle of frothy skirts, leaned her elbows on her knees, and focused on Frosti and Sparki, who stepped out in the open to inform her. Their little mouths worked and their slender horns bobbed as they earnestly squeaked their news. And as she listened, Ellie caught the drift of their meaning. Really, she must find a way to learn cinder sprite language.

“You want to stay with me?” she responded to a particularly impassioned speech, jumbled though it was, since both sprites talked at once. “And the boys too? But, girls, I’ve been dismissed from my position here and must leave the resort immediately.”

All four chorused in protest, and she completely lost the sense in their response. Hearing something about the Gamekeeper, she said, “This isn’t your fault or the Gamekeeper’s in any way. I chose to take the risk in attending the ball, and up until Geraldo—he’s a hobgoblin—caused a disaster at the buffet tables, everything was wonderful. I danced with Omar, and . . .”

Her voice gave out. She shook her head, lips compressed, trying to regain control. Memories of the evening flitted through her thoughts, including her dance with Briar. Strange, how dancing with him had seemed familiar.

“And he called me . . . Marielle,” she said.

Memories tumbled through her thoughts so quickly that she felt dizzy. “That is my name—Marielle. Briar is the boy I danced with all those years ago. Now I remember his face back then, and I know. He . . . he always found fault with my dancing and picked on me. But if anyone else criticized me, he sprang to my defense.”

Her eyes widened to the shape of saucers. “Briar is my twin brother,” she whispered. “And he knows!” she said aloud. “That rat, he knows! Why didn’t he tell me?”

The sprites scampered away, still chirping to each other, as she awkwardly stood up, trying not to step on her skirts. “Omar!” she whispered. “I must tell him!”

At that moment she heard a knock at the door and Omar’s voice. “Ellie? I know you’re in there. Please open the door. I have important news—good news—to share!” She spun around, nearly fell upon the door in her rush to open it, then jerked it wide open.

He stood there, his expression hopeful, tentative, concerned. Then he held out a sparkling glass slipper. “Might this be yours, my lady?”

She laughed in a nervous burst and snatched it from him with both hands. Unable to hold everything back, she exclaimed in a rush, dancing in place with excitement: “Omar! Everything has changed! I remember! I know who I am! When Briar called me Marielle—did you hear him?—I didn’t even notice at first. I knew it was my name without thinking. When we danced, it felt so natural, as if we had done it a thousand times—which we have! And just now I realized that he’s my brother! My twin brother who tormented the life out of me, but he was my best friend. No wonder I always felt so comfortable with him and never mistook his friendliness for flirting.”

Only then did she notice Omar’s lack of surprise. “Did you know already?”

“Briar just told everyone at the ball that you are his sister, Crown Princess Marielle. He explained how you were carried off by a griffin, and how, after years of desperate searching, your parents believed you were dead. But they, your parents, are coming here soon, perhaps tomorrow!”

Ellie listened with the slipper clutched against her chest, breathing hard. Then, with a gasp, she dropped the shoe, which hit the floor with a loud clunk. Covering her face with her hands, she shook her head. “It’s too much to take in! Omar, what shall I do?”

“I have a great idea,” he said, only partly joking. “You should marry me. May I ask you now?

She parted her hands to give him a glowing smile . . . and nodded.

Omar went down on one knee right there on her doorstep. “Marielle—my dearest Ellie—will you marry me? Please be my wife!”

He looked so hopeful and sweet and uncertain that Ellie bent down, took his face between her hands, and kissed him. “Yes! Oh yes, I will marry you, Omar!”

He stared up at her, dazed and startled, though he appeared not at all displeased.

Ellie stood up straight, took a step back inside, and laughed again. “My first kiss, and I stole it!”

He blinked, stood up, swallowed hard, then grinned sheepishly. “It was my first kiss too. And I didn’t mind having it stolen. Not at all.” He stepped forward, took her in his arms, and said, “But I’m stealing the next one.” And he proceeded to kiss her thoroughly right there in the doorway, making up for lost time.

After a few minutes, Ellie pulled back slightly and blurted, “But this changes everything. Now I must become queen someday, unless I abdicate and let Briar be king. And what will your parents think? They might accept me now, but I hate to think I’m acceptable only for my rank.”

He nodded soberly. “I suppose we can never know for certain, but my father told me, only minutes ago, that they had already decided to allow me to marry whomever I chose, and I believe them. They understand that their own happiness in an arranged marriage is a rare blessing and . . . well, while you and I danced, I saw my mother watching us, and she looked pleased, like the cat who stole the cream. I didn’t stop to analyze at the time, but now I think I understand: She recognized love when she saw us together.”

“Then we are officially engaged to marry,” Ellie said in wonder, gazing up at him. “Omar, I have loved you for so long! I want to marry you soon. I don’t want to be apart while you finish school. After tonight, I don’t think I could be comfortable working at the resort even if Madame would take me back.”

He smiled in mild amusement. “I expect you will travel to Auvers with your parents and spend the next few months learning how to be Crown Princess. Your life is about to change in major ways, my sweet Ellie.” He placed one hand on her cheek and kissed her forehead.

“I know, and that frightens me.” She turned her face into his caress, sighed, then slid her arms up around his neck and pressed close. “The only change I really want is to be with you all the time.”

“I want that too.” He rested his cheek on her hair and sighed. “But many other changes must come first. We could elope, but I don’t want to alienate your parents from the start.”

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