I was not convinced. Morgana wasn’t the type to back down. If she wanted the book, she would find a way to get it.
“Now,” he said, getting back to business. “I want to discuss what we are going to tell the council.”
Aunt Serena looked over at her father. “Do you really think it’s a good idea? Once the council knows, we cannot go back.”
Uncle Gabriel shook his head. “It is already too late for that. The time has come to start building alliances. I’m afraid we may soon see a war.”
“War!” gasped Aunt Serena, her hands flying to her lips, unsuccessfully covering her horrified expression.
“Yes,” said Uncle Gabriel grimly. “Andrysia is not strong enough to withstand Morgana’s army. I spoke to Queen Maya; her sons are hotheads and want to go to war. Andrysia is already readying their troops in anticipation of an attack. If the threat of Eldoren attacking from the south does not deter Morgana from her plan to rule the north, then we will have to make good on our threat and go to war against her. We cannot let Morgana’s rule continue. If and when we do stop her, we need someone to put on the throne, someone who has a blood claim.”
“But what do I do until then?” I asked. “I can’t go back to the academy. Everyone knows who I am now, and they are scared of me too.”
“You will go to Elfi,” said Uncle Gabriel. “Izadora, your grandmother, will teach you the ways of the fae. Only when you have mastered your powers will you be ready to remove your amulet. Tomorrow night at the ball, we will announce you to Eldorean society as the king has said. The king will also publicly state that he supports your claim to the throne of Illiador. That will keep you safe from everyone else in Eldoren, but not from Morgana.”
Uncle Gabriel opened the door and looked at me. I got up, and so did Aunt Serena.
“Make the most of your time in the Summer Palace, Aurora. I have some work I need to finish in Eldoren, and then in a few days we will leave for Elfi.”
I raised my eyebrows. “You’re coming with me?” I hoped that he was. I always felt safe when he was around, and I was also apprehensive about meeting my fae grandmother and the rest of my fae family.
My granduncle smiled. “Yes. We can’t have you traipsing around Avalonia on your own, can we? Who knows what trouble you will get into?” He chuckled to himself.
I smiled, too, as I followed Aunt Serena out of the room. It was time to reveal my true identity to the world. But first, I had a royal ball to attend.
The Royal Ball
The grand hall was brilliantly lit with enormous crystal chandeliers that hung low and were interspaced along the length of the great ballroom. Rainbow-colored specks of dancing light wove along the marble floors like dancers in the midst of a crowd. One whole wall along the length of the massive room was decorated with gilded mirrors and elegant brocade settees. Huge cream-and-gold, silk-covered, high-backed chairs were placed tastefully and strategically around the room just in case one of the many dancing couples wanted to rest their tired feet.
The opposite wall hosted magnificent arched French doors that opened out onto a white marble balcony, which overlooked the pristine manicured gardens of the Summer Palace. The gardens at the front of the palace descended in tiers down to the very edges of the white cliffs, which dropped hundreds of feet down into the azure depths of the Bay of Pearls.
The royal herald stood at the top of the grand staircase, announcing the guests. He had been instructed what to say when he introduced me.
I walked forward on Erien’s arm, my Lady Charlotte creation swirling around me in a deep cobalt-blue, satin confection. Penelope had reversed the glamour the old fae lady Magdalene had put on me, and the color of my hair and eyes were back to normal: glossy black curls and shining emeralds. My hair was elaborately styled with a cascade of silver flowers woven expertly through the tumbling waves, which reached my waist. Aunt Serena had given me a beautiful diamond diadem to wear in my hair, and it looked lovely.
Kalen, who had arrived that morning, walked behind us, leading Mrs. Plumpleberry.
“His Lordship, Erien, Earl of Everdale!” announced the herald.
Everyone turned to look at us.
I started panicking. My heart raced and my palms became clammy. I looked around at the sea of faces that swept across the grand ballroom of the Summer Palace. I felt faint; I hated people looking at me.
“And,” the herald said in a deep, booming voice. Everyone was quiet. “Her Royal Highness Princess Aurora, heir to the Firedrake dynasty of Illiador, and Princess Royal of the kingdom of Elfi.”
I heard gasps in the crowd. Everyone was looking at me and whispering. Garbled chattering broke out, and people moved forward to try to get a better look at me. I felt like a gallery exhibit.
I glanced around the room once and walked carefully down the great marble stairs, holding onto Erien’s arm for dear life. I tried to gather my thoughts and concentrated on not falling down the stairs in an embarrassing heap of satin and taffeta.
I had a whole load of titles, which was pretty cool. But now people had started swarming toward me like a pack of flies toward an uncovered pizza.
The ballroom was already packed to bursting. All the nobility of Eldoren were there, and they all wanted to meet me. Aunt Serena had briefed me on the etiquette of attending a ball. We had also gone through a whole list of people whom I was supposed to meet to get their support. I had met a few of
