Dragons and Mages: A Limited Edition Anthology

by Pauline Creeden

  I stepped into the corridor, noticing a second sconce just within. That would probably be the one to close the door, then. Testing my theory, I tugged on it.

  The grating sound came again, and the two of us were shrouded in the surrounding darkness. Oops. That hadn't gone to plan, I still wanted to be able to see.

  I reached out with one of my hands and snapped my fingers, hoping it would be enough to form a small flickering flame. It wouldn't be much to see by, but hopefully, it would be enough to light a torch when I found one. More sconces lined the walls, though the ones I could see at the moment were all empty, I held out hope that one of them wouldn't be.

  My tiny flame created eerie shadows along the walls, but I ignored them. I had Dart in case anything went wrong.

  "Aha," I said aloud the moment I spotted a torch. I went up onto my toes to fetch it, letting the flame on my fingers flicker out. I didn't want the wrong part of the torch to set on fire while I was getting hold of it.

  With the course handle now in my hand, I held it out and tried to bring the small spark I’d been able to produce back. Nothing happened.

  "Dart, would you mind?" I asked.

  She chittered, and then opened her mouth. A stream of fire jumped from her to the torch. A little too late, I shielded my eyes, but the brightness had already stunned me. It was a good job we were the only two beings down here, otherwise, someone would have been able to take advantage of me right then and there.

  "Thanks." I scratched Dart's head. "All right, let's get to the end of this corridor and see what you want me to," I said to her.

  I all but ran down the rest of the corridor, eager to get out of the dark and into somewhere that explained this whole journey.

  And then it all made sense. The room I stepped into was huge. Light streamed in from the high windows, illuminating the particles dancing through the air. This room wasn't used very much if the amount of undisturbed dust was anything to go by. If the Matron knew about this, she'd have us all in here cleaning every part of the room until it shone.

  "What is this place?" I whispered as I set the torch in one of the empty sconces. I didn't want it to go out, I'd need it for my return trip, but with all the light in this place, I didn't need it to see anything else.

  Dart jumped from my shoulder and zipped over to one of the racks covered in old cloth.

  I frowned, but followed her anyway. If she'd brought me here, then there must have been a reason why, and I should trust that would make sense soon enough.

  As soon as she was out of the way, I tugged on the cloth, letting it fall to the floor.

  Without me meaning it, a loud gasp escaped. The rack was filled with dresses in all kinds of beautiful fabrics. They'd clearly belonged to a noblewoman before ending up here, and judging from the styles, it hadn't been the Duchess. Did she even know this room existed? And how did Dart know it was here? That was something I wasn't likely to ever get an answer for.

  I flicked through the dresses, my gaze lingering longer than it should on a beautiful grey dress in a silky fabric that felt like heaven to touch. I doubted it was in fashion. But then, I had no way of following what the trends were.

  "This one?" I checked with Dart.

  The small dragon dipped her head eagerly. She agreed with my choice. That was something, at least. Not that I should be relying on the fashion sense of a dragon.

  I pulled it from the rack and held it up against me. It looked as if it would fit. I should try it on, but I was anxious to get away from the castle and ride towards the palace. It wouldn't do if I was late to the ball. The last thing I needed was to miss my chance to warn the Prince about what was coming.

  "Come on, Dart," I said. "We'll go saddle one of the horses and be on our way. I'll get dressed once I'm there." I certainly wouldn't be the best-dressed woman there, but I'd still manage to look decent.

  She skittered across the floor, drawing my attention to a rack of shoes.

  I almost slapped my hand against my forehead. How could I have forgotten I'd need shoes to go with the dress. I crouched down and started sorting through them, dismissing several pairs which were clearly going to be too big or too small. I ended up with three different choices. I couldn't take the same chance as with the dress. If it turned out to be too big, I could do something about it with pins and tucking at the last minute. If the shoes didn't fit, then I'd have to go barefoot to the ball, which didn't sound at all fun.

  I pulled my boot off and tried on the first pair. They just about fit, but pinched my toes in a way I was certain would get uncomfortable after mere minutes. Not the best choice.

  The second pair were plain white leather. They didn't technically match the dress, but I figured having shoes suitable for a ball was more important than an exact match. The dress was long anyway, and would cover them. I pulled the shoe on only for it to slip straight off. I groaned in frustration. I had to hope the last pair worked, even if they were the ones I was least certain about. They glittered in the sunlight, almost seeming as if they were made of glass. Not the most practical choice for footwear, even if they looked beautiful.

  Despite that, I slid my foot inside the shoe. It fit perfectly. Almost as if it had been made for my foot instead of that of whichever noblewoman had left this room behind.

  "Glass it is," I told Dart.

  She nodded in agreement.

  "But we should get going." I pulled my boot back on, then rose to my feet.

  A medium-sized bag hung over the rail I'd uncovered. I grabbed it, slipping the shoes and the dress into it to keep them safe. What I'd said to Dart was right, we needed to go. But before we did, I was going to do one last sweep of the room to be sure there wasn't anything else I could use here, and to put the cloth back over the rack. I didn't want any of the dresses to get damaged by the dust or faded by the sunlight if they didn't have to.

  Dart leapt from the floor and glided up to my shoulder, settling there once more. I hadn't checked with her, but deep down, I knew she was going to be going to the ball alongside me. It felt right that way. She would be my source of comfort. And she'd help me warn Raynor, even if I had no idea how yet. All I knew was that we were going to succeed, I'd make sure of it.

  Chapter 11

  I pinned the last strand of my hair into the fancy up-do I'd created for myself and took a deep breath. This was it. There was no more wasting time. I had to go into the ball and find Raynor in an attempt to stop whatever the Duchess had planned. When put like that, it seemed like a rather simple thing to achieve, but I knew that wasn't going to be the case. It would be a gruelling few hours until the ball wound down around midnight.

  And it was only going to get harder with each minute longer it took me to find the Prince.

  Dart chirped from beside me.

  "I know," I assured her. "I need to get going. But how do I look?" I did a twirl, letting the soft grey fabric swish around my lower legs. In hindsight, perhaps I should have put more thought into which dress I picked, as this one wasn't going to be any good if I had to run anywhere.

  It was beautiful, though. With my hair pinned back, the dress gave me an elegant silhouette which would be striking once I reached the ballroom.

  Dart whistled, which I assumed was a good thing.

  "Time to get going, then?" I asked.

  She nodded.

  "Why don't you go and try to find the Duchess, I'll go find the Prince?"

  She cocked her head to the side in an expression I could only describe as disbelieving.

  "I know, I'm sorry. I know she's no fun. But if she recognises me before I get the Prince's protection..."

  A tiny ring of smoke escaped from Dart's nose. I was reasonably certain it meant she agreed with me. My theory was proven a moment later when she lifted herself into the air and flew off in the direction of the main hall.

  I stowed the bag with my previous dress, cloak, and boots, under one of the wooden seats in the cloakroom. I was lucky no one had come in while I was changing an
d getting myself ready, or I'd have had some awkward questions to answer. I needed to be back here before midnight to collect my things and set off home before the Duchess did. Unless everything went to plan and I ended up helping the Prince. Perhaps then, I wouldn't have to return to the castle. I certainly didn't want to if I didn't have to.

  The music grew louder the moment I left the cloakroom. I let the upbeat melodies guide me towards the ballroom. If I was here under different circumstances, I might have been excited. This was the first time I'd ever attended a noble function.

  If times had been different, perhaps this would still have been my first, but I'd have been introduced to the society by my Father. A young man, perhaps the Prince, would have asked me to dance. I'd have drunk too much champagne, and made myself dizzy with the dancing.

  I paused at the thought. Why would the circumstances have been different enough to have allowed that? I was a serving girl, it wasn't likely I'd ever have been able to attend one of these unless it was to hold my mistress' hat. But that wasn't the direction my mind had taken. It was almost as if I believed I had a place here. One that wasn't defined as being two steps behind someone.

  I shook my head. It was probably the remnants of a dream I'd had once and nothing more than that. I couldn't let a wish distract me from what I was supposed to be doing.

  The corridor opened up in front of me, revealing the grand ballroom of the palace, complete with twirling couples. The dresses were so bright, they almost hurt my eyes. I'd been right about the dress I was wearing not being in fashion. Most of the ladies were wearing jewel tones and skirts that belled out around them, rather than the smoky grey slim fitted gown I'd chosen. At least the flared fabric at the bottom of my dress would make it fit in a little bit better.

  I scanned the room, trying to find the Prince, the Duchess, or anyone else I recognised.

  A frown marred my face for a moment, before I remembered where I was and replaced it with a smile. Why would I recognise anyone? I only knew four people in this room, and three of them would be in the same place. And that was assuming the Duchess had brought Nancy and Jill in with her. She could very easily have dismissed them as soon as they'd arrived, or have pawned them off on nobles she wanted to gain favour with.

  My gaze locked on him, and the breath hitched in my throat.

  Raynor.

  He looked magnificent in his white military uniform, a small gold circlet on his head, but nothing more. He didn't need anything else to remind everyone he was the Prince, his whole demeanour did that for him.

  No one was around him. He stood apart from the festivities, watching them but not giving away his feelings. I wondered if there was a reason for that, or if he was looking for someone in particular.

  I had no idea where the Duchess or Lord Daryll were, though I'd never seen the latter in person, so he could be standing right next to me and I wouldn't know. But this was my chance. Raynor was alone, if I could get to him, then I could tell him what I knew and we could work out the rest together.

  At least, that was the theory. It would be easier said than done to get over to him through the mass of dancing nobles. There were also the young men without dance partners to contend with. I spied a couple of them watching me already. They weren't causing me any harm, but they could delay me getting to the Prince.

  And then I realised none of them mattered, because he'd seen me.

  Our eyes locked across the room. He dipped his head in acknowledgement, and I dipped into a curtsy, hoping I didn't give away how much I was shaking while I did it. I wasn't going to have to make my way over to Raynor after all. He'd do the hard work for me.

  Chapter 12

  "You came," Raynor said after he reached me.

  "I promised I'd try," I pointed out. "Though if you recognised me from across the room, my disguise isn't very good." I glanced at the floor, concern over the Duchess spotting me twisting in my gut.

  "Not at all," he countered. "If this were a masquerade you wouldn't be hidden better."

  "That's just flattery."

  "I promise, it's not," he assured me. "I'd have known you anywhere, Tanwyn."

  "Hmm." I raised an eyebrow at him. He could promise all he wanted, but that didn't mean anything.

  My gaze shifted from Raynor to the couples spinning and moving in time with the music.

  "Would you like to dance?" he asked.

  "I don't know how," I admitted, staring wistfully at the dancers.

  "I can teach you as we go," he promised, then leaned in so his lips brushed the shell of my ear. "I'm known as a terrible dancer anyway, you'll only make me look better."

  I tried not to let the shiver of anticipation show.

  "Fine. But if anyone laughs at me, I'm holding you completely responsible," I joked.

  Raynor chuckled. "I'll pay whatever forfeit the lady requests."

  "I'm not a lady," I pointed out.

  "Maybe I'll make you one."

  "Can you do that?" And did I want that? Not that I was going to voice the second question. When it came to royalty, I imagined it didn't much matter what I wanted.

  "Not if you don't want me to. Now, shall we?" He gestured to the floor.

  I gulped down my nerves.

  Raynor held his hand out, and I took it, gladly. I was going to enjoy this, no matter what anyone else said. I might not know how to dance, but I'd do my best.

  I placed my hand in his, enjoying the soft touch of skin against skin. Small goosebumps sprang up along my arms. How was he having this effect on me? It hadn't been as pronounced when we were at the Duchess' castle.

  People stopped mid-dance as we made our way to the centre of the floor. A thread of guilt thrummed through me, but I pushed it to the side. This had nothing to do with anyone but Raynor and me. It was our moment, and I was going to make the most of it no matter what anyone else said.

  He gestured towards the musicians and they stopped playing the song they had been, and began the opening chords of the next.

  Was this normal? Could a Prince simply decide he didn't like the song and have them start another? It didn't seem like the best idea to me, but then, what did I know?

  Raynor dipped into a deep bow. Instinct told me I should curtsy in return, and I did so, but kept my eyes locked on his. A smile stretched over his handsome face, and I knew I'd done the right thing.

  He took one of my hands in his. "Put your other one on my shoulder," he instructed. "I'll place mine on your waist."

  I nodded ever so slightly, not wanting anyone else to know I needed this much coaching. I rested my hand on his shoulder, unable to ignore the flex of muscles under his jacket. This was a man in peak health.

  "When I step forward, you step back. Move with me," he instructed as the music began in earnest.

  "That's it?"

  "If you count to four, it might help," he told me.

  I started counting in my head, but was surprised to discover his instructions actually seemed to work. It helped that he was guiding me, his sure footwork moving us around the dancefloor, just like I'd seen the other nobles doing.

  "You're a natural," he said. "Are you ready to spin?"

  "Spin?" I squeaked.

  He nodded. "Trust me?"

  "Of course."

  "Then let go of my shoulder and follow my lead."

  I did as he instructed, and he guided me into a graceful spin under his arm. I let out a light laugh, enjoying the freedom the movement brought. I'd never imagined dancing could be like this.

  "I thought you said you were a bad dancer," I accused once I was back securely in his arms.

  He chuckled. "I'm far from the best. There are lords and ladies here who would put me to shame if they danced with you."

  "Then it's a good thing I have no intention of dancing with them," I said without meaning to.

  "You're very forward tonight," he observed.

  "You're the one who asked me to dance."

  "And that now makes you an expert on me?" Amus
ement shone in his eyes, assuring me I hadn't gone too far in my teasing.

  "Only you can answer that," I countered.

  He spun me again, and I landed back in his arms.

  "Tell me, Tanwyn, was it worth sneaking out of your castle home to come to the ball?" he asked.

  My eyes widened at the reminder of what I'd done, and of what I needed to tell him.

  "I came here for a reason," I whispered.

  "I hoped it was so you could see me." Though his words were teasing, I could tell he was worried about what that could mean.

  "That was my first reason," I promised. "But can we go somewhere to talk?"

  He nodded and drew me off the dancefloor with practised ease. None of the other dancers even seemed to notice we'd left. That was fine by me, I didn't want to draw attention to us, especially when I hadn't found the Duchess yet. And, even worse, I'd forgotten all about her to a certain extent.

  One of the servants offered us glasses of champagne from a silver tray. Raynor passed one to me before getting one for himself and moving us on to the open windows of the ballroom.

  "Where are we going?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

  "To the gardens. We'll have some measure of privacy there, but I'm afraid it won't be too much, we'll still have to be careful with what we say."

  Relief flooded through me. Not because I'd get to spend more time with him, but because he seemed to have understood the gravity of the situation. I wasn't trying to create problems where none existed, I was simply doing my duty as a citizen of his country. At least, that was what I was going to keep telling myself. In reality, several of my decisions were coming from the place that liked Raynor as a person as well as my Prince.

  "Will this be all right?" he asked, indicating a rather cosy looking lovers' seat covered in late summer flowers.