Page 41 of The Mirror and the Curse

A muscle worked in his jaw. “I can’t, Eddi.” He moved on.

With a burn of rejection compounding the ache of jealousy, Eddi headed back toward the dance floor. Just then, Fidelio and Raquel walked directly across her path. The prince, flushed and beaming, passed her without noticing, but Raquel, her tanned shoulders glowing nearly as golden as her gown, paused to ask, “Enjoying your solo evening, angry bird?” Triumph glittered in the pale blue eyes peering through her mask before she continued in Fidelio’s wake.

Eddi stood as if frozen for a brief eternity before a quiet voice spoke over her shoulder, sending a thrill down her spine, “Fifteen minutes, at the gazebo.”

It wasn’t as difficult to slip outside unnoticed as Eddi had expected. Being short had its advantages. Several couples danced on the deck, but it was easy enough to skirt around them without attracting attention. She caught the perfume of roses before she saw them draped over the deck’s railings, lush and almost glowing in the fading twilight. Every nerve in her body felt alert and tingling.

When she stepped onto the shadowy lawn, she could see the white gazebo clearly against a backdrop of hedges and trees. Halfway there, she glimpsed motion to her right, stopped short, and shifted her gaze that way, nerves on edge. “Kai?”

A rosebush grew randomly in the middle of the grass. And beyond it stood a large topiary shaped like some large animal. A little chill ran down Eddi’s spine. Tales of the topiaries and shrubs that fought in the battle against the Sleeping Princess last summer flashed through her mind. Could this be . . .?

Eddi about-faced and returned to the deck stairs in a rush. When she paused to look back at the lawn, she saw only a smooth sweep of grass in the twilight.

“What’s wrong, Eddi?”

With a little gasp, she spun around to see Kai looking down at her from the bottom step. The white of his shirtfront and sleeves appeared bright in the dim twilight. Needing something solid to hold onto, Eddi reached for his hand and felt his fingers grip hers through their gloves. “Thank you,” she sighed on a breath.

He stepped down beside her and offered his arm. “What happened?”

They took a slow promenade across the lawn while she described the bush and the topiary. “Did I dream it?”

A quick flash of his white teeth confused her further until he answered, “You didn’t dream it. Tonight, the resort’s head gardener is Prince Briar’s date. He has danced with her most of the evening. And wherever Rosa goes, her plants tend to follow.”

Eddi knew about the enchantress gardener, but— “How do they even know each other?”

She heard the smile in Kai’s reply, “That’s their story to tell.”

“But he is the Prince of Auvers!” Eddi exclaimed. “And she’s a gardener.”

“Briar could not care less about any of that.”

Suddenly suspicious, Eddi gave him a close look but was unable to read his expression in the dark. “You talk about Prince Briar like he’s your friend. Does he come here often to visit Rosa? If so, why have I never heard a hint of gossip about it?”

“Again, that isn’t my story to tell, Eddi. I’ve already said too much.”

She closed her mouth, feeling uncertain of everything. Especially of herself.

Kai waited a few moments, then asked, “Did you need to meet me out here for a particular reason?”

“Um, I . . .” She had trouble breathing in the stupid mask. He must have heard Raquel’s verbal jab. Having no desire to discuss her Fidelio issues, she said, “We’ve been friends all these years, yet we’ve never danced together.”

A brief pause. Then he spoke lightly, “Again, thiscouldhave something to do with the rules against staff associating with guests.”

“I know, but surely they wouldn’t fire you for something this minor. What would they do without you, after all?”

“You really want to dance out here? With me?”

She gave his forearm a squeeze. “Please.”

“I’ll take the chance if you will.”

Relieved, yet so nervous she couldn’t speak, Eddi towed him toward the gazebo. “Watch it with the wings,” he grumbled, his tone light.

“Sorry!” She let go of him to climb the wooden steps but tripped on her skirt, bashing her knee on the second step. A moment later she felt his hands at her waist and elbow, helping her back to her feet. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.” She tried to laugh it off, hoping he didn’t notice how breathless she sounded. “I’m not exactly graceful tonight!”

He kept one hand under her elbow as she lifted her skirts and climbed those few steps. “If you’re sure.” He sounded concerned.

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