The witch and I stood atop the grand staircase waiting to be announced. My throat tightened when I saw him look up. The prince was beautiful. He stood a head taller than me in the crystal slippers that the witch forced me to wear year after year.
They made dancing awkward, because every time I stepped, the heavy shoes clacked against the floor. I half expected them to shatter under my weight, despite the witches reassurances that the glass slippers were stronger than any metal.
A smile spread across the prince's face as he turned from a dark-haired girl across the dance floor. My heart fluttered, as I looked away shyly. He was the only boy I'd ever spoken to. But, now he was a man. And in a room filled with beautiful women, his green eyes were still on me. The witch took my arm, snapping me out of my trance.
She whispered in my ear, The magic is working. He only sees you. But I didn't want that to be the reason he looked at me. The old witch didn't know what happened at these parties in the past. She didn't know that the prince favored me already.
That he spent hours talking to me, and at the last ball, he'd shunned everyone else to enjoy my company for the evening.
But then the eleventh hour tolled.
And I ran.
My mother and I stepped forward and the man in the gray wig announced us to the court. The king and queen nodded once, and we stepped forward into the grand room. Candlelight filled the space, casting a soft glow on the white marble walls. A massive golden chandelier hung high overhead.
The witch gazed up at it, breathing, In the garden, then.
She squeezed my arm hard and then disappeared into the sea of people.
For a split second, I thought about fleeing. I'd tried it once before, but she caught me before I had a chance. And then punished me severely. She'd said that I needed her. She kept saying that over and over again with every brand of the hot iron on my skin, trying to burn it into my memory. I shuddered at the recollection. I didn't think I needed her then at all. But now I wasn't so sure. Would these people truly destroy me if they knew what I was? Or would they accept me as I was?
Swallowing hard, I pressed back the thoughts and tried to figure out what to do. I had to be free of the witch, but I didn't want to sacrifice the prince. He was my only friend. As if he knew I was thinking of him, Prince Phillip touched my arm gently with his hand. I smiled and turned slowly toward him.
His voice was deeper than last I heard it. His shoulders were broader, too. May I have this dance? He bowed his head and held out his hand. I smiled softly and placed my palm in his.
Eyes were on the pair of us as we walked toward the dance floor. I heard whispers as passersby wondered who I was. It was as if they'd never seen me when I was a child. But, I'd been here. I'd danced with their prince. When we were ten, we both ran out of the ball and got covered in mud chasing frogs in the garden. I was the same girl, even if they didn't notice me then.
Prince Phillip smiled down at me, Ella. It's been too long...
I smiled faintly, both loving and dreading this moment. I didn't care that he was the prince. At that moment, I wished he was just a poor sailor. Then we could escape and my mother wouldn't pursue him. But she cared too much to let her precious royal blood run off with her daughter. And she was watching me. I could feel her eyes on my back, which made my skin prickle.
I answered, Yes, my Prince. It certainly has.
He grinned as we swept around the dance floor. His hand felt warm in mine. His arms were firm, leading the pair of us around the room with ease. I doubted to see you again after that exit last year. You ran out so quickly. Did I say something that upset you? Did I offend you, Ella?
Looking into his beautiful face, I said, No. Nothing like that at all. Please believe me when I tell you that I would have stayed, if I could. His grip on my waist tightened as he spun me closer to him. I gasped at the lack of decorum. Our bodies were pressed tightly together, and we stopped. He stared down at me, taking a loose curl between his fingers.
Will you stay tonight? Will you dance with me, Ella, and stay in my arms until the dawn? His eyes studied my hot face, blushing at the open confession of his intentions.
The corner of my pink lips pulled into a smile, If that is what you wish. I didn't know how to defy the witch, but the thought of staying in his arms all night drowned out my reasoning.
I do, he replied and began to move us around the room again. Everyone was watching, but the prince moved as if we were alone. His hand felt perfect in mine, strong and confident.
It pained me to lie to him. I have very few friends who speak to me plainly, as you do you. If there is something that gives you pause, please enlighten me. We turned with a flourish and the skirt of my gown billowed around my ankles showing off my crystal slippers. I kept step with him, with a clink, clink, clink, as the crystal struck the floor.
There is nothing, my prince. I fibbed. I felt the bitter taste of the lie thickly coat my tongue, nearly choking me. How could I save us? The memory of his brother's heart in the stone box filled my mind. My pulse pounded, echoing loudly in my head.
I didn't realize that the prince was waiting for me to answer until he dipped his head and whispered into my ear, Are you worried that I won't choose you? If that is the case, I could stop the ball now, and announce my intentions toward you. Ella? Is that what concerns you?
Hmmm? I asked looking up at him. A wrinkle formed between his eyes as he pulled me tighter.
The prince's dark hair fell into his eyes. His warm breath rushed across my skin as he spoke in a whispered hush. You make me crazy. I see you only once a year, and every year you grow more beautiful. More wonderful. And this year, the year I can finally announce to the world that you are the woman who has my heart, you aren't all here. Something's troubling you. I can see it. Please, let me help you, Ella. What is it? He held his arm up and I passed underneath with his hand on my back, still following the moves of the dance. The music continued. Other dancers passed us by, catching pieces of the conversation.
It was a conversation that I'd never expected to have. In my wildest dreams, I never expected him to choose me. Yes, he favored me, but I was always the girl who did things she wasn't supposed to. I ran through these halls, got him covered in mud, stole him from the parties, and got him into too much trouble over the years. Our governesses had many sharp words, usually to the effect of me ruining their perfect prince.
But tonight. I could see the worry on his face, but it was all I could manage to push him away. If he did not enter the garden with me, then witch could not slay him. That thought shaped my next words.
Though I am honored that you've chosen me, my Prince, I cannot marry you. I'm sorry. When I said the words, it felt like the world stopped. Prince Phillip was rendered motionless. He was about to turn me, but instead, his arms dropped to his sides.
A hurt expression flashed across his face and disappeared without a trace. He nodded once, as if he understood and agreed with my rejection of his proposal.
The young prince bowed to me, then turned and walked away.
I stood alone in the center of the ballroom. All eyes were on me, but there was only one pair of eyes that I feared. And when I turned, I saw her gray eyes raging with fire. The witch wrapped her gloved fingers around my elbow and led me off the floor, all the while hissing in my ear. I was trapped. There was no way out. And though my words wouldn't save the prince, they would push him away long enough to come up with a better plan.