Page 38 of The Mirror and the Curse

“Well, you tried to be heroic, and that counts for a lot. I hope you don’t step on my feet tonight,” she added with a grin, “but if you do, it won’t kill me. It never has before.”

They had been drifting in circles and blocking other dancers for a while; Fidelio was at best a distracted dancer. But before Eddi could think of a way to ease them off the dance floor, there was a disturbance at the ballroom’s main entry. “They’re here!” someone cried.

“Who’s here?” Eddi asked, trying and failing to see over or between the other dancers.

“You don’t know?” Fidelio looked over the top of her head. “Princess Marielle and Prince Omar came for the Summer Ball.”

“Oh, cool!” Eddi didn’t know the couple personally but had read about them in society columns and magazines for the past two years. Not to mention the parental gossip she’d heard at that brunch in Vetricia. “Ha! I was here two years ago when the prince proposed to her, back when she was just a staff member.”

Fidelio’s dark eyes regarded her through the domino’s holes. “Really?”

“Yep. She came to the ball, and the director fired her publicly, in front of everyone. But then Prince Briar revealed she was his missing twin, the lost Crown Princess of Auvers. That was the same day Kammy and Tor got together. It was pretty much an epic ball.” Eddi grinned. “I wonder if Princess Marielle’s parents will ever give them permission to marry. They were still grousing about how stubborn she is just a few weeks ago.”

“I think just about everyone in the world is waiting for it to happen.”

“Ow!” Eddi hopped a step.

“Oops! Sorry.”

She offered him a brave smile. “I don’t think it’s broken.”

At the end of that dance, Eddi let Fidelio guide her to the edge of the floor with the other guests. Her toe might not be broken, but it still ached. If he stepped on every girl’s feet as frequently as he crushed hers, it was a wonder he ever got repeat dance partners.

Just then, the orchestra made a musical flourish, and Prince Briar of Auvers himself stepped onto the bandstand. Eddi sensed the collective sigh from just about every girl in the room, but for the first time she felt immune. Having him treat her like a cute little sister at that brunch somehow did the trick.

“Please join us tonight in a celebration.” His clear voice must have been magically projected—the crowd immediately went still. “As of this evening, my sister Marielle and Prince Omar Zeidan of Khenifra are officially engaged. The wedding date will soon be announced.”

The room erupted in cheers. While she clapped, Eddi had to peer between people to catch glimpses of the famous princess, a lovely young woman with golden hair and a radiant smile, and her fiancé, a striking young man with dark skin, glossy black hair, and an expression Eddi could only describe as pure joy. People spontaneously applauded this pair whose love had endured two years spent mostly apart, and cheers echoed off the high ceiling.

The engaged couple stepped onto the dance floor, the band started a lively samba, and they began dancing as if they’d practiced together for years. Other couples returned to the floor to dance along with them, but Fidelio shook his head. “I hate this kind of dance. If I attempted it, I’d probably kill or maim someone. Most likely you.” So Eddi remained at his side, people-watching.

She saw Prince Briar dance with a girl whose shiny black hair flowed to her waist. Eddi thought she seemed vaguely familiar, but a mask covered most of her face. The prince’s gaze seemed locked with hers . . . but maybe he was that way with every dance partner?

Recalling the magazine photos of his gorgeous smiling face she had kept hidden just a few years ago in the drawer of her bedside table, Eddi nearly laughed aloud. Sure, the golden prince was incredibly attractive, but for her the thrill was gone. This mystery girl could have him, as far as she was concerned.

But curiosity was still a thing. “Wow,” she commented. “Even Prince Briar came out of hiding for the occasion. Do you know who that is he’s dancing with?”

“Haven’t a clue,” Fidelio answered cheerily, peering around over people’s heads.

When the samba ended, Eddi asked, “Ready to dance again?” When he didn’t respond, she tugged gently at his sleeve, but he jerked it from her grasp. “Hey, what was that for?” she protested.

He turned with something like guilt in his eyes. “Oh, sorry! I’m sorry, Eddi, but, um, you know, we really should dance with a few other people. You know, mix it up a bit so we don’t cause gossip.”

An instant later, voluminous skirts appeared at his other side. A fabulous golden ballgown, a tall white wig, and a domino mask exactly like Fidelio’s . . .

No!

“Raquel Cambout,” Eddi said in a flat tone.

“Darling Del, I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” The Enemy’s husky voice penetrated crowd noise to jar Eddi’s nerves. “Why didn’t you wait for me where we planned?”

Fidelio grinned, looking sheepish. “You weren’t here, so I danced with Eddi. Did you see Princess Marielle and—”

“Everyone saw that ridiculous spectacle.” Raquel slipped her gloved hand through his arm. “The next is a waltz, and I’m claiming you.” She gave Eddi a passing glance, her expression smugly pleased. “A little angry bird? Cute costume.”

Fidelio cast a glance back over his shoulder as Raquel ushered him away. “Save me a two-step or something later, Eddi?” He looked pleased with himself.

Eddi coolly returned his smile but didn’t commit herself. Free to dance with her all night, was he? Maybe he hadn’t technically invited anyone, but just as she’d suspected, Raquel was the “friend” who’d provided him with a costume. A costume matching hers. Everyone in the room would assume he and Raquel had come as a couple.

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