"It's not really my thing."
I frowned, unable to work out Topher. Why was he here if he wasn't interested in the Fright Festival and didn't seem to want to spend time with his friends? It made no sense.
"Can I ask you something?" he interrupted my thoughts.
"Of course."
"Why isn't there more magic in the room?"
"What do you mean?" There was magic everywhere. I could see it in the way people had styled their hair, and the way their jewels shone and the fact no one's white clothing was stained despite the soup starter.
"Everyone's wearing a wand, but no one is doing any spells. I kind of expected the whole room to be full of them," he admitted.
"Oh. No, that won't happen. Magic is banned at feasts. There have been too many accidents involving sparks, fire, and spilled wine." And a couple of assassinations a hundred or so years ago, but I keep quiet about that one. “Besides, if a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing by hand.”
"That makes sense." He glanced away, but not before I caught the disappointment on his face.
"There'll be plenty of magic on other days," I promised, even though I didn't know that for sure. I never paid much attention to what people were doing with magic. Like I'd told Adam, there were more important things for me to focus on.
"I hope so. I heard talk of there being spell competitions here in the capital." The excitement was back, though maybe it was just a front. It was hard to tell.
"I can find out and send you the information in the morning, if you'd like," I offered.
"I'd like that if you don't mind."
I smiled as I picked up another piece of bread. I needed something to do with my hands right now. "Of course, it's not a problem."
Even as I said it, I realized I had no idea how to find any of that information on my own. But I wasn't the kind of princess who went back on her promises. He'd have his information, no matter what it took for me to get hold of it.
The banquet ended much too quickly. I’d spent all day readying myself for the dance that would follow, but I’d not pictured standing at the sidelines watching Jake and Lyss dancing like they were made for each other.
“His left foot is not quite in step,” Topher whispered in my ear as I watched a traditional Enchantian dance being performed.
The way Jake spun Lyss around was almost magical, but now as I lowered my gaze to their feet, I saw that Topher was right. He wasn’t quite in step like the other couples were.
The music changed, and Topher took my hand.
“What are you doing?” I asked as he whisked me into a line.
“In this dance, we all change partners. Here is your chance.” He winked at me and I swallowed back the trepidation I felt. I knew the moves. I’d had plenty of dance lessons over the years, but this was the first time I’d actually had to put them into practice.
Topher pulled me toward him as all the other men did with their partners. We circled each other, and then I moved back into line facing him. After a minute of dancing, I found I was enjoying myself. Topher was not the best dancer, but he made up for it in enthusiasm, sashaying me across the hall, intertwining through the other couples. I was almost sad when the men took a step to the side, and I found myself in the arms of one of my father’s oldest friends. He was at least six inches shorter than me and spent most of the next minute face deep in my chest. The men took a step to the side again, and I came face to face with Jake. He stepped forward and took me in his arms. Further down the line, I caught Topher giving me a wink and a sly thumbs up as he danced with one of the ladies. I closed my eyes and rested my head on Jake’s shoulder, inhaling his aftershave.
“You’re not a bad dancer,” he remarked as he spun me around. I opened my eyes and looked into his.
“For a kid, huh?” I couldn’t help myself. When would I learn to keep my mouth shut and just enjoy the moment? I’d been daydreaming about it long enough.
“You heard that, huh?”
I nodded, not trusting myself to say anything else.
“You are a good dancer, period. You fit into my arms like you were born to be there.”
My heart looped the loop, and I almost tripped over my own feet in shock.
“What about Lyss? You were dancing pretty well with her.”
To my surprise, he shrugged as though I wasn’t just talking about his girlfriend. “She’s ok, I guess. She knows all the moves.”
“Do I know all the moves?” I asked
He laughed and then spun me back into the line. My turn dancing with him had ended. I didn’t get a repeat performance for the rest of the night.
10th October
The forest was back. The trees moved without any wind to cause it. I hugged my arms tightly around myself, trying to ward off a chill that didn't stem from the dream world itself.
"Why am I here?" I whispered to the woods, trying not to let the stress and oppression get to me any more than it already had. This wasn't the kind of place I wanted to spend my sleeping hours in.
My feet were still bare, and this time, the stones on the path tickled the underside of them. I carried on down the path, drawn to the same place I had been last night. At least, I assumed it was the same place.
A whistling sound filled my ears. It still wasn't the wind. I hugged myself tighter. I tried to turn back, but whatever was causing these dreams wouldn't let me go.
I sighed and sped up.
