by Anna Santos
She curtsied. “Thank you. You look sharp, too.”
His eyes lingered on her face. “I like what the fairies did to your hair.”
Claire touched her braid embellished with small red and white flowers. “Kara helped with the hairstyle. It seems that fairies like to dress up for parties. Have you seen how gorgeous they look?”
He smiled and focused on the glass he had in his right hand. “Do you want anything to drink?” He looked up. “They have an assortment of sweet beverages, but I found wine and water. Which do you prefer?”
Claire was going to answer when a pink light flew past her and stopped in front of the prince’s face.
“We have a problem. You need to come with me,” Ming said, flapping her wings and leaking golden dust.
Claire understood that fairies let their magic slip through their hands when they were stressed. Humans perspired. Fairies sprinkled magical powder.
“What is wrong?” Claire asked.
Ming turned around. “An uninvited guest. Nothing that the prince can’t handle.”
“An uninvited guest?” Prince William’s eyes widened, and he gave Claire his glass and stormed out of the ballroom.
Alone, Claire observed the ballroom where the fairies flapped around in their most beautiful clothes and extravagant hairstyles. They twittered and giggled. Some leaped and twirled around the dance floor, following the pace of the tinkling music performed by a group of fairies tapping small hammers against metal plates suspended over wooden resonating blocks. She had never seen anything like that. When she attended the festivities in the capital, she saw pianos, violins, and harps. The instrument played by the fairies was one of a kind.
A group of fairies stopped in front of her and praised her performance. Claire thanked them, and they left. On her own, she felt like a giant and decided to eat and drink something. Finding a corner next to a table, she stood there eating while watching the fairies. They seemed happy and without a care in the world. She wondered if the prince had many parties like that. Not even in her wildest dreams could she imagine attending a fairy party. Besides the butler, who was nowhere to be found, she was the only human there. Eating crystallized cherries, she wondered who the uninvited guest was. The last time someone showed up uninvited, the prince wasn’t too happy about it.
She almost choked on the cherry. “What if he—” Without finishing her train of thought, she rushed to the exit of the ballroom and walked to the front door of the palace.
The door was half-opened. She circled it and collided with someone’s chest.
Hands caught her by the arms as she bumped and raised her head to face the prince. Even if she hadn’t recognized his royal white coat, she would recognize his scent of fresh rain and citric fruits.
“Where are you going in such a hurry?”
Claire gasped. “Are you okay?”
“Why wouldn’t I be okay?”
“Last time you had an uninvited guest, you got mad.”
The prince’s lips curled up. “I’m fine. I’ve sent them away.”
“To the dungeons?”
“No. To their home.”
Claire peeked behind his back. “Who was it?”
“Someone who doesn’t like me being happy.”
Nibbling on her lower lip, Claire hesitated.
“Were you worried I’d hurt someone?”
She shook her head. “No. You’re not a monster.” Gazing into his eyes, she added, “I was afraid they would upset you.”
The prince raised his hand, and Claire felt his gloved thumb stroke her cheek. Even if it wasn’t skin to skin, the contact sent butterflies bouncing inside her stomach.
His voice came out husky and layered with honey. It sent shivers up her spine. “I’ve promised you a dance tonight. Let’s show the fairies how it’s done.”
Resting her hands on his chest, she added with an excited grin, “I have so many questions for you. It’s my first time at a fairy party, and they are so interesting to watch.”
“I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”
Claire grabbed his hand and guided him through the empty corridors of the vaulted ceiling rooms and into the ballroom bursting with light and playful music.
Chapter 15
“Claire, wait for me,” the prince said as he skated after her on the lake. “It isn’t safe. The ice might be too thin today.”
“You just don’t want me to win. But I’m going to beat you this time. I’ve been practicing.”
Opening her arms, she breathed in the chilled air and gazed at the sky where the afternoon sun tried to offer some heat. Protected from the cold, she wore gloves and a long overcoat with a hood. Still, the sun barely helped keep her face warm.
“The foggy mist is gone. We can see everything around us,” she cheered as she skated on the ice with open arms. She dug her blades in the ice when a pair of fast-flying fairies came close to her and left a stinging sound in her ears. “Ugh, slow down, Kara and Ming.”
They chirped as they flew around her head. “There’s no frost on our wings. We are happy!”
Claire giggled.
“Hush! Go play somewhere else. Claire and I want privacy,” the prince hissed as he stopped beside her.
The fairies buzzed past his head, and he cringed at the magical dust left behind.
“I can’t have a moment of peace without them following us around,” he grumbled.
Claire covered her mouth as she laughed at his cranky temper. “They are the sweetest. You complain, but I know you like them, too.”
“Yes. I like them, but, today, I want us to skate on our own.” A lopsided grin showed at the corner of his mouth. He offered his gloved hand to Claire. “Shall we skate together?”
She shook her head. “You promised me that you’d let me do this on my own. I’ve been practicing, and I’m getting really good at it.”
“Very well, then. Show me your moves.” He crossed his arms over his chest and gave her a defying look.
Claire began skating backward with her hands folded behind her back. “Did you know that only men can ice-skate as a sport? There’s a game they play, and they think women can’t handle it. It’s sort of violent. I do have to confess that the idea of bumping into people doesn’t sound great.”
“I’m secluded, but I’ve not lost my memories. When I wasn’t cursed, my parents hosted a tournament, and people from all over the continent came to participate. They called it the Winter Games.”
“I don’t know what happened or how your life was before. I was three when the curse fell upon us. The villagers don’t talk about it, either, and… I guess I’m wondering if you didn’t want to share with me how you ended up here. Mother tells me that your family had powerful magic. How did a witch manage to curse us all, and why?”
He moved forward and glided next to her. “You are too curious, Claire.”
“And you are too secretive, Your Highness.”
“William, just William,” he corrected her.
“I tell you a lot of things about me. You could talk about your family, William,” she prodded.
“My story is sad and boring.”
“Sure it is. Being the daughter of a miner and a seamstress sounds exciting, doesn’t it?”
“Maybe not exciting, but you are all kinds of interesting.”
Claire made a serious face and mimicked his voice, “Stop prattling. Why do you talk so much? Stop questioning me. Eat your food in silence.”
“I don’t sound like that.”
“Oh, you do!”
His smirk made her heart leap inside her chest.
“Fine,” he said after a moment of concentration. “I’ll answer a few questions. What do you want to know?”
His decision made Claire halt abruptly, and the unexpected movement sent her stumbling forward. Attentive arms steadied her.
“How clumsy of me,” she whispered, her cheeks burning.
“I’m here to make sure that nothing bad happens to
you,” he said in a tender voice. “Are you unharmed?”
Claire nodded. “Did you mean it? I can ask you anything?”
“I’ll answer what I believe you should know.”
“It’s better than nothing, I guess.” Claire dusted her coat and looked him in the eyes. “How old are you?”
“I’m ageless. My kind barely shows signs of aging.”
Claire raised an eyebrow. “Your kind. Interesting.”
The prince pursed his lips as if holding back a chuckle.
“You said you weren’t a fairy.”
“I’m not.”
She raised her eyebrows and nibbled on her lower lip. “Perhaps, you are a powerful warlock or a shapeshifter? You can fly, and you have magical powers.”
“I can levitate,” he corrected. “It’s not the same as flying. Flying is much better.”
“How do you know?”
“I can’t tell you all my secrets,” he teased as his hands reached for her. “Ask another question.”
Claire’s chest felt heavy, and she lost her smile. “Why were you cursed? Did you do something wrong to someone, and the witch decided to punish you?”
He squeezed her waist and leaned closer. Claire’s vision blurred, and her eyes zoomed in on his plump lips. Despite the cold, they were a beautiful shade of pink.
“I can assure you, I didn’t do anything wrong,” the prince claimed.
“Then, why?”
“Answering your question will bring sad memories. Are you sure you want to know?”
Words left her lips, and her heated breath caressed his face. “I don’t want you to be sad.”
William grinned. “As long as I have you, I won’t be sad.”
His words made her heart beat faster. Am I falling for you?
Her lips curled up. “Maybe it’s best to not talk about it. The snow is melting, and the sun is shining. We don’t want the cold to return because of my curiosity.”
He arched an eyebrow. “You must be feeling proud of yourself.”
“About what?”
He caught her arm and circled her around. “It’s been a while since someone made happy, Claire.”
Dizzy, Claire giggled. “It’s my duty as the chosen one to make you happy.” She held on to his coat, so he stopped circling her.
“The Regent is pleased.”
“I couldn’t care less about the Regent and his spoiled daughter,” she claimed.
“What do you care about then?”
“My parents, my best friend, the fairies, and you.”
“I’m the last on your list,” the prince complained with a pout.
Claire sucked in a breath. “Who do you care about, William?”
The prince ignored her question. With a teasing glint in his eyes, he asked, “Now that you made me care about something, are you going to seduce me?”
“What?” Her eyes widened as heat rushed to her cheeks.
He smiled at her distress. “I’m teasing you. I know you’re here for selfish reasons.”
“What selfish reasons?”
William continued to skate with her by his side. “For one, you were forced to come here, and you feared for your life.”
“Yes, but—”
“Now you want me to be happy because you want the sun to shine and the crops to grow.” He nibbled on his lower lip as he glanced at her. “Though, I’m sure you’d choose to leave if you had that option.”
“I wouldn’t,” she promptly replied.
“Why not?”
“You need a friend.”
“I have the fairies. I’m sure they would be able to entertain me with their plays.”
Claire stopped in her tracks. “Are you saying you want me to leave?”
William stopped beside her. “Of course not.”
“Then, why are you saying those things?”
He heaved a sigh. “I want to make sure you want to stay here, and I’m not keeping you for selfish reasons.”
Skating forward, she turned to face him. “I can spare a few more months of my life to be here with you and the fairies. I like being here. Seeing you happy makes me happy. But…”
“But?”
Claire giggled and grabbed his arms, ice skating in circles with him.
“Claire, are you going to finish your sentence?” William asked, stopping them from twirling.
She leaned closer with a grin. “But I’m going to miss this place when I’m gone. It’s cold, but it’s beautiful up here.”
“I’m sure it’s also beautiful below the mountain. Especially now.”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s no longer any snow in the valley. Even the perpetual snow around the palace has been melting. The flowers are blooming. Don’t you miss spring?”
She shrugged. “I like the cold.”
His gloved-hands cupped her cheeks, warming her face. “We should go inside, though.”
“Are you tired already?”
“Even if the fairies placed a dome over the lake, it’s still too cold to be outside for too long. You are turning blue.”
“I’m running around. I’m not cold.”
“Your lips are turning purple.”
Claire shrugged. “We’re having fun. I like to be out here with you.”
“You can be with me inside the palace, close to a fireplace while drinking tea and eating butter cookies.”
“Then, will you tell me all of your secrets?”
He shook his head with a teasing smile.
Claire pouted.
“It’s game night tonight, and tomorrow it’s book club.”
Claire frowned. “You’re changing the subject again.”
“It has been a while since someone has brought so much joy into my life. I don’t want you to pity me after you know my true story.”
Claire covered his hands with hers. “Don’t be silly. I already pity you. You live in a huge palace, secluded from everyone and everything. Your only company is a grumpy butler and three fairies that treat you like their child. What’s not to pity?”
“I wasn’t always this pitiful. You would’ve admired me and been happy to have me as your prince.”
Claire lost her smile. “I was teasing you. William, even if you did something wrong in the past to be cursed, I won’t judge you. We are friends. You can tell me anything.”
“Is your face warmer?”
Claire nodded.
William removed his hands and glided backward. Away from her.
“Aren’t you going to share your secrets with me?”
“No,” he answered and halted one foot away from her. “The less you know, the better it is for you when you go back home.”
His words brought sadness to her heart. “What if I don’t want to go home?”
He pursed his lips, and Claire saw the conflict in his eyes. “Everybody leaves. One way or another.”
Claire narrowed the distance between them and placed her hands on his chest, where she hoped his heart was. “I’m here now. You aren’t lonely anymore. Unless you choose to be.”
His gloved finger stroked her cheek, but he didn’t say anything. Claire didn’t know if she should open up more or keep it to herself. It was too soon. She had no idea what he felt for her.
Averting her gaze, Claire turned around and sped across the ice to run away from him. Her arms moved back and forth to propel her faster. Pointless, since the prince caught up with her easily. His hands enveloped her waist, and he pulled her in against his chest, sending a wave of heat up her spine that covered her cheeks in red. Still, she couldn’t deny that she’d done it on purpose. She knew he would go after her. She would’ve been disappointed if he hadn’t.
“Grabbing is cheating,” she managed to say as she held on to his hands and didn’t try to escape. It felt nice. She hoped what was happening between them wasn’t her imagination, and the prince was growing as fond of her as she was of him. Something she hadn’t thought possible.
“Wh
at are you thinking?” His breath caressed her hair. “Your face became so serious all of a sudden.”
“Nothing worth sharing,” she said, turning around in his arms. “I told you it was safe to skate even if the weather is improving, and the ice is melting.”
“You should wait for me to test it next time.”
Claire bobbed her head in agreement.
Releasing her from his embrace, he held on to her hand, and they glided in silence, side by side.
Chapter 16
The days went by effortlessly for Claire since the snow began to melt. Game and book club nights were fun with William’s presence. The mornings were for long baths, snow-fighting battles with the fairies, and learning new, delicious recipes. Mother would be surprised by the embroidery and sewing techniques she had learned from the fairies.
The afternoons were for ice skating, exploring the gardens with their eternal crystal plants, and talking to William about her home, her parents, and her dreams of traveling the world. He often gave her books with pictures of faraway lands, filled with mythical creatures and breathtaking scenery. The books had details about the different species of fairies, dragons, flying horses, dryads, nature spirits, and gods that took animal shapes. William often showed her magical tricks, which weren’t tricks since he had real magic that could transform water into beautiful ice flowers, floating clouds, and cloud-shaped animals. Spending time with him was exciting. He was filled with knowledge about history, art, music, and geography.
Even so, there were nights when she peeked from the window of her bedroom and felt nostalgic as she gazed at the small villages scattered along the valley. They seemed lively now that the snow was gone. The night chandeliers created a glowing effect that seemed to be a protective dome. She wondered how the subjects of the Diamond Kingdom felt. Did they still hate the prince? Were they celebrating each night?
She often saw the fireworks illuminating the skies. She loved them. Some were loud and scary, but the bright and sparkling ones painted the sky with bursts of colorful ink that competed with the stars. When she was little, Father often bought her sparklers when they went to a festivity in the capital. She had fun running around with it. Myka was often with her since their parents were neighbors, and her friend looked after her like an older brother. Those were happy times. It wasn’t so cold all the time.
