“Can we leave now?” Elowyn’s disembodied voice said. I jumped. I had nearly forgotten her presence.
Narcissa looked around the room warily. “Who was that?”
“Our transportation,” Ash said.
Of course. Elowyn could easily get us out. I was hit with a wave of relief. Magic was no longer off-limits to me above ground. Her hand grasped mine.
“Make it look like we escaped,” I said, pointing to the curtained windows. Narcissa nodded.
As the room twisted away, the last thing I heard was the crash of a chair smashing through glass.
ELOWYN, ASH, AND I appeared at the outskirts of town. The streets were dimly lit by the street lamps and all was quiet. I had never been more grateful for Elowyn’s charmwitch magic.
“Are you alright?” Ash asked me once we were safe inside Miriam’s shop.
After being lectured by the snail seller about being gone for so long, Miriam provided us with tea and blankets and retired to the back room, muttering something about reckless youths.
“I suppose,” I said, touching the throbbing part of my skull. “And you?”
Elowyn patted her own head. “I’m okay,” she said before Ash could answer. I chuckled.
“I don’t think it’d be wise for me to go back to the palace,” Ash said, warming his fingers with his teacup. “Not when it’s dark, anyway.”
Miriam’s voice came from the back room, “You’re more than welcome to stay here, sonny. As long as you don’t snore. I detest snoring.”
Ash assured her that he didn’t snore and thanked her for her hospitality. I expressed my gratitude as well, glad that he’d be safe. Heavens knew what would have happened if the duchess saw Ash after our escape.
“Elowyn and I should get back to the village,” I said, shrugging my blanket off my shoulders. “Rowena and my aunt are probably worried.” And I was in desperate need of a bath after my days in the dungeons.
“And I’m starving,” Elowyn said with a sigh. “I’ll wait over there.” She skipped through the beaded curtain, leaving me and Ash alone.
I stood. “Good night, then.”
Ash bit his lip, looking as if he wanted to say something. Instead, he briefly touched my cheek. “Good night, Amarante.”
33
When Elowyn and I returned to Lana’s cottage, Rowena demanded to know what had happened. I merely told her we did not get the manbane, but will.
Elowyn was bursting to tell the entire story, but I whispered to her it was better if Rowena didn’t know, lest we got another round of lectures. That convinced her to keep quiet.
After a simple dinner of bread and cheese and a long overdue bath, sleeping arrangements were made. But I could only lie awake in my cot, wondering at Ash’s unspoken words and hoping my haphazard plan would work.
It was nearing noon when Lana shook me awake.
“I have something for you,” she said. I didn’t have a chance to ask any questions before she swept out of the room.
After splashing water on my face, I found Lana in her own chamber where she had given me Mama’s crystal. A magnificent gown of the same color hung in the armoire, with a silken bodice and gauzy sleeves. Amaranth flowers of wine and gold bloomed down the skirts and brushed the embroidered hem. I recognized it immediately.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered.
“She wore this at her Debutante Ball,” Lana said, trailing her fingers along the fabric.
“You’re giving it to me?” I asked, touched.
“Who else would I give it to?” she asked gruffly.
It was clear Mama’s things meant the world to her. First the crystal and now this. Tears stung my eyes and I threw my arms around her.
“Thank you, Aunt Lana.”
Her stiff demeanor melted and she patted my back. “Of course.”
Evening came quickly enough, and after Lana instructed me on how to incorporate the manbane into her unfinished antidote, Rowena and Elowyn helped me get ready for the masquerade. Mama’s dress, to my surprise, fit perfectly. Elowyn weaved flowers into my hair and Rowena gave me a matching mask.
“There,” Rowena said, pushing me in front of a full-length mirror.
I pressed my hands to my lips, shocked to see how much I looked like Mama.
Elowyn sighed. “You’re as pretty as a princess,” she said. “Too bad Ferdinand has to change that.”
“Just to be safe,” Rowena said at my look of confusion, “I asked him to cast an enchantment to make you unrecognizable to everyone, except for the people you tell.”
I nodded, my anxiety easing. “Thank you,” I said, tears threatening to spill again. “Where would I be without you two?”
Elowyn smiled. “Worse off, I suppose.”
I ARRIVED WHEN THEY announced the crown prince.
“His Highness, Crown Prince Bennett!” The herald’s high voice was muted by the heavy tapestry I appeared behind.
“Good luck,” Elowyn whispered. With a wink, she vanished.
I crept out from behind the tapestry, making sure I hadn’t attracted the attention of the musicians. Luckily, they were busy playing a stately march as the crown prince descended the stairs. The music and chatter and glitter of the ballroom overwhelmed my senses, a stark contrast to the dingy dungeons and the muted surroundings of Witch Village I had gotten used to.
I hurried from the balcony through the archway and descended the narrow staircase that led to the ballroom floor. It was difficult to see out of a mask, but I managed to slip into the crowd without tripping.
The guests tonight were a mix of debutantes, their families, and courtiers who wanted to take part in the festivities. I touched the beaded border of my mask. Ferdinand’s enchantment would only last till the hour before midnight.
The crowd was still fixated on Crown Prince Bennett when I spotted Narcissa’s coppery hair. She was behind the front row of guests gaping at the crown prince, who was now making a stately trek to the dais.
I huffed. He was moving slower than one of Miriam’s snails.
It seemed an eternity until he sat. The king stood and began to give a speech about youth entering society. I tucked myself
