“I now believe that I will,” she said, caressing the soft silk and golden embroidery. “Thank you.”
Her father looked at her, waiting for her to continue. “But?”
“But from here on out, we have to make an agreement. I know that I still have a lot to learn, and I need your guidance. But I also have to make some choices and mistakes on my own,” she finished, letting out a deep breath of air. She suddenly felt surer of herself and what she was saying.
King Theodore looked down at her and smiled. “It’s in moments like this that I see your mother in you. We’ll work together,” he agreed.
She felt comforted as his velvet robe wrapped around her, in a way she hadn’t since she was a child.
CHAPTER TWENTY
The next few weeks were a whirlwind of activity. Once news of her return circulated, there was hardly a corner she could turn or a hallway she could walk down without being bombarded with greetings, smiles, and warm wishes.
During this time, Madeline learned about the agreement her father had made with Prince Paulsen. While she wasn’t surprised, she was dismayed to hear about it. Relief was an understatement when she realized how close she had come to being handed over. Going from one captor to another, prince or not, was not her plan.
News had also spread about the new ball and her choosing of a husband. No one wanted to miss it.
On the day of the ball, the castle was in an uproar. Constant deliveries of flowers and food filed through the corridors as the ballroom filled with decorations. The stewards ran from stores to rooms, preparing, cooking, and planning. King Theodore, normally predictable, had surprised them. This ball was planned with specific input from Madeline.
Princess Madeline finished dressing in her room and appraised her image in the mirror. In a matter of weeks, the young girl had transformed into a beautiful woman. She tried to imagine how her mother had looked in the dress.
Fitting her like a glove, the green silk hugged her body and accentuated her bright eyes. The golden embroidery added a muted elegance and the pearls gleamed in the light. She smiled as she looked at herself in the mirror and felt the fabric roll against her skin. She felt like a queen.
Music and commotion drew her away from the mirror to her window. Looking outside, under the brilliant sunset, she saw sparkling dresses and groups of men crowding toward the door. Visitors and guests overflowed from the ballroom into the courtyard. She listened to the loud bursts of laughter and smiled. Tonight was a night for joy and celebration. She was ready.
After one last look in the mirror, she began the familiar path to the top of the stairway, stopping at the velvet curtain. One of her father’s favorite stewards guarded the curtain. She returned his warm smile.
She wasn’t sure which scared her more: being captured in the woods or facing a future of choices. Both were daunting in their own way, offering their own adventures. But suddenly, the adventure at the bottom of the stairs seemed enough for her.
The steward who stood guard at the top of the steps was having trouble holding in his smile as she peeked over his shoulders.
“You look beautiful, Princess,” he said.
Madeline smiled back and took a deep breath, letting her confidence rise. The butterflies started in her stomach as soon as she heard the trumpets blare. Taking deep breaths, she rubbed her palms over her stomach.
“I can do this,” she said, reaching for the handrail.
The trumpets resounded through the hall, announcing her entrance. A moment of stunned silence greeted her as she came into the full view of her father and their guests. The whole hall was quiet, silenced by her beauty before erupting with applause. She had never looked so beautiful, poised, or confident. Radiance surrounded her, and she glowed with every move.
She searched the crowd as she descended the stairs. Her father watched with a look of pride that she hadn’t seen in a long time, and Braden stood hand-in-hand with Sophia. She saw some men gathered together, elbowing each other and gawking. The women stopped their chatter and gossip to look at her with visible envy.
Tonight, instead of a crowd of eager suitors, her father greeted her.
After a deep curtsey, she wrapped her arm in his.
“Father,” she said with a smile.
His blue eyes beamed with pride. “Are you ready for this?” he asked, covering her hand with his. “You’re sure this is the choice you want to make?”
“I have never been so sure of anything,” she said with a radiant smile, stepping into position for their first dance.
The music started and Madeline danced with her father, in harmony with him and the music.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said. “When you came down those stairs, I thought I was seeing a memory. You look exactly like your mother.” She saw tears well up in his eyes and gave him a warm smile. He continued, “I saw you, but I also saw the woman you’ve become. You make me so proud.” He held out his arms and twirled her underneath.
Madeline smiled and continued to dance until the final note sounded. As the music stopped, she looked around the hall, feeling the butterflies return. She tried to hide her smile as Braden and Sophia disappeared into a darkened corner. Finally understanding, she laughed.
The music started back up, and a new dance began. Other couples joined in, twirling in harmony with the flutes.
She pressed her way through the crowds, seeing familiar faces intermixed with strangers. The knights from the surrounding territories, healed from the tournament, lined the outer edges of the hall. Soft candlelight reflected off their armor. Her eyes scanned the line but did not stop.
Turning around, she saw Prince Paulsen approach her, creating a wake in the sea of people. Everything about him looked polished, from his black boots to the shine of his hair. His smug smile lacked the charm that had previously impressed her.
“Princess,” he began, “would you please honor me with a dance?” he asked, bowing and holding his hand out for her acceptance. “I am sure you heard of my valiant attempts at your rescue,” he prodded when she hesitated.
Madeline tried to think of a polite way to decline, and as she looked around for an excuse, someone caught her eye.
“Yes,” she stammered, pulling her hand away. “I heard about your attempts. While I respect your valor, I must show my appreciation first to the knight who did not give up hope. Please excuse me,” she said, turning away.
As she crossed the ballroom, she glanced back and saw Prince Paulsen’s glare.
“I can do this, I can do this,” she repeated, trying to quiet the tremors inside her stomach.
Once she saw Daniel, her eyes refused to leave his face. He looked so handsome and regal out of his armor.
Stopping within arm’s reach, she curtsied and tapped him on the shoulder.
“Sir Daniel,” she said, batting her eyes at him. “I am so glad you could join us this evening.” Hoping he couldn’t see how fast her heart was beating in her chest, she forced a confident smile to her lips. This was all so new to her.
“Princess,” he said, bowing. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she said, fighting with her fingers, trying to keep her hands still and at her side. “I’ve been looking for you.”
“You have?” he asked, surprised.
Taking a deep breath, she refocused and smiled. “Yes. You never gave up on me. Even when everyone else thought I was gone,” she said, looking away for a second to catch her breath.
Behind his shoulder, she saw a tear twinkle in her father’s eyes. No matter what lay ahead, she knew she’d made the right choice.
“Daniel, as my knight champion, it is your duty to follow me, protect me, and make sure that no harm comes to me. While that is the job of a knight, it is also the joy of a husband. Sir Daniel, if you will have me, I choose you.” She lowered her gaze and waited, feeling her heart pound out of her chest.
Madeline squealed as he took her in his arms and squeezed her tight.
“It
would be my honor and privilege,” he said, lifting her fingers to his lips. “I’ve wanted to give you this.” He placed something smooth in her hand. “I found it as I was searching for you. It reminded me of your eyes and gave me hope.”
Cupped in her hands was a polished green shell, round and scaled, flawless.
“It’s beautiful,” she said, turning the shell over in her hands, watching a rainbow reflect off its ridges.
“Not nearly as beautiful as you.”
Madeline smiled as Daniel lifted his hand to her face and leaned forward for a tender kiss. Looking at each other, they barely heard the music start a new dance. He held her in his arms and both were oblivious to everything around them.
EPILOGUE
Standing in a semi-circle on the shore of the lake, the wizards gazed into the depths of the mirror. Elias knelt in the water, letting the magic of the mirror cover him. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled with energy. Behind him, a quiet hum reverberated from their chant.
The lake’s surface filled with colors that both matched and contrasted with the sunset above. The collage of light and shadows swirled to create an image. The pictures formed clearly, and he smiled. Sir Daniel had found his princess after all.
“Perfect,” he said, moving to the shoreline. The scene in the water settled into faded ripples, and the images of Daniel and Madeline blurred until the water was smooth again. A smile filled his face, knowing they were back on track.
“Eleanor, your daughter has finally come into her own. Your sacrifice was not for nothing.” He clapped his hands together and addressed the wizards around him.
“Fellow wizards, it has begun. The time for action draws near. We must prepare for the changes to come. We will be needed.”
A line of green robes followed him as he walked up the steep trail leading from the shoreline back into the mountains. Their robes sparkled in the moonlight.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kirstin Pulioff is a storyteller at heart. Born and raised in Southern California, she moved to the Pacific Northwest to follow her dreams and graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Forest Management. Happily married and a mother of two, she lives in the foothills of Colorado. When she’s not writing an adventure, she’s busy living one.
Website: www.kirstinpulioff.com
Facebook: KirstinPulioffAuthor
Twitter: @KirstinPulioff
Amazon: Author & Book Page
Goodreads: Kirstin Pulioff
Published Works
Middle Grade Fantasy
The Escape of Princess Madeline
The Battle for Princess Madeline
The Dragon and Princess Madeline
The Princess Madeline Trilogy (box set)
YA Fantasy
Dreamscape: Saving Alex
Short Stories
The Ivory Tower
Boone’s Journey
THE BATTLE FOR PRINCESS MADELINE
Book Two of the Princess Madeline series
Princess Madeline rejected Prince Paulsen’s advances, but he’s not about to take it lying down. In the middle of Soron’s festival preparations, his obsession jeopardizes the kingdom. When mysterious figures from the kingdom’s past arrive offering assistance, Madeline will have to decide if she can accept it, or will their information about a family secret be too much for her to handle?
Can Madeline trust anyone or will saving the kingdom come down to her own bravery?
Available from Amazon for $1.99
THE DRAGON AND PRINCESS MADELINE
Book Three of the Princess Madeline series
Princess Madeline is ready to celebrate. With the foundation of her future in place, it seems nothing can hurt her. Then the return of a mysterious green dragon threatens her kingdom and king. Will this challenge prove to be too much for Princess Madeline and Prince Braden or will they find the answers they seek hidden in cryptic messages from the past?
Can Madeline save her kingdom from the dragon or is the real danger something else?
Available from Amazon for $1.99
The Escape of Princess Madeline Page 10
