*****
Snow and The Seven walked the short distance to the castle—or at least it seemed much shorter now that she’d taken the trip a few times. The castle, normally brilliant on its own, was even more glorious lit up for the ball. Candles were placed across the expanse of lawn, giving the impression the stars had fallen from the sky and landed on the Earth. Lanterns lined the walkway to the doorway that spilled yellow light out into the night.
Snow’s stomach tightened as they neared the door. She’d never been to a school dance, let alone anything titled a ball. She could only hope no one expected her to dance and reveal her two left feet. Not that she was in danger of being asked. Other than The Seven who seemed to look upon her as a sister, none of the guys who lived in Fableton had taken an interest in her—maybe because they were almost all taken. She got along well enough with the women, but the men seemed to avoid her.
As she stepped into the castle with her arm linked through Dim’s, she gasped. Almost everything within the castle was blue and silver, lighting up in an ethereal glow in the thousands of candles that lit the interior. The flickering of the candles made it appear that everything was sparkling.
“Wow,” she breathed.
“Awesome, huh?” Dim asked, and Snow smiled. Dim loved everyone and everything—except the berries—and was never tiring to hang around. Not like Grouchy who could get on her nerves with his gloomy disposition or Medic who constantly analyzed everything. After living her life with the constant harsh judgments of Katarina, Dim was a nice break.
They were announced by a man at the door who Snow hadn’t met before, as if anyone needed to be announced. Didn’t everyone know everyone? They moved down the wide, curving stairway. Many people turned to stare and Snow felt self-conscious. She supposed it was natural since she was the newest citizen of Fableton—in a very long time, no less.
As they got to the bottom of the stairs, Dim tugged on her arm to get her attention. “Lookie,” he said, turning her to the right. There, Snow found herself faced with a large mirror that started somewhere above her head and ended at the floor. It was the first time she’d seen herself in full in the amazingly lovely creation Stitcher had made.
When Snow had picked up the dress, she’d been astounded. It was far more beautiful than any of the prom dresses she’d ever seen back home. It also had a cut that reminded her of a fairytale princess. But now, looking at it in the mirror, she realized she hadn’t given it enough credit.
The ice blue fabric was just sheer enough to give a hint of the sapphire blue beneath. But even better, it caught the light being thrown by the candles and glinting off the colors of the room, turning it into a prism. Dim lifted her hand and spun her in a circle. The dress threw off sparks of light that gave it the appearance of being covered in diamonds. It reminded her strongly of the waterfall, minus the music of course. She laughed, unable to help herself. Luckily it was Dim standing next to her, so he joined in her gleeful laughter without comment or question as to why she laughed.
Another man, dressed the same as the one who announced their arrival and another who Snow didn’t know, came up to them. He bowed and cleared his throat. Snow turned her attention from watching her dress in the mirror to the man.
“Excuse me, miss, but Prince Philip requests that I bring you to him.”
Snow glanced at Dim, who grinned and clapped as if it were quite the honor. She shrugged, telling him she’d see him later as she followed the formal man across the dance floor where a few couple waltzed, or what she guessed was the waltz. She’d never danced it and couldn’t honestly say she recognized it. It could have been anything, she supposed.
On the opposite side of the large, glittering room they came to a set of tall doors. A couple more formal men stood there and opened the doors at their approach. Philip wasn’t out with the crowd. He should have been. After all, he was the host of this shindig. The man with her indicated she should enter. She did so. The doors closed behind her, the man remaining on the opposite side of the doors.
Snow glanced around, at first thinking she was alone. Then she saw him. He stood in shadow near the window, only the ambient light from outside outlining him. He looked nervous.
“Philip?” Snow crossed the room toward him, wishing the floor weren’t so deeply carpeted to muffle her steps. As she stopped in front of him, he took her hand, not fumbling at all as she would have expected from someone who had no sight, and brought it to his mouth. From anyone else it might have been a cheesy gesture. From Philip it seemed just right.
“I’m glad you came,” he said.
Snow laughed. “Is there anyone who didn’t? Besides, I happened to have a free spot in my schedule tonight.”
Philip grinned. “I wish I could tell you that you look lovely, but . . .”
Snow laughed again. “Well, I can tell you that you look lovely,” she said. And he did. He was resplendent in black, his pants tucked into knee high boots. His jacket looked like what she imagined a prince should wear, with ribbons and shoulder cords, sapphire piping and silver buttons. Philip was already gorgeous, add the uniform into the mix and he was dazzling.
He lifted a brow at her compliment. “I’m not sure whether I like being called lovely,” he said.
“Trust me, it’s a good thing. There won’t be a woman out there who will be able to keep her eyes off you.”
He was silent for a long moment, then said, “What about in here?”
Snow blushed, but answered honestly. “Well, I’m still looking.”
Philip burst out laughing. “Good,” he said. “Now, I need to ask a favor.”
“Okay,” she said, wondering what he could need from her.
“I don’t know whether you’ve heard that I’ve never done this before, at least not here.”
“I heard something like that.”
He shrugged. “It’s a little . . . nerve wracking to think of standing in front of all those people, unable to see, possibly stumbling . . .”
Snow was surprised. He always seemed so confident. She hadn’t seen him stumble yet.
“I was hoping to have a beautiful young lady on my arm, to guide me and make sure I don’t.”
“Oh,” Snow said, disappointed. “Did you need me to go find someone for you?”
Philip scrunched his brows in confusion and tilted his head. “I would think you were kidding if I didn’t already know how low your self-esteem is, Snow. Katarina certainly worked her evil persuasion on you.” He shook his head. “I was talking about you. I want you to be my escort.”
“Me? Well, okay, but trust me there are a lot prettier people here than me.”
Philip smiled. “I’ve seen you, remember? Well, sort of anyway. Besides, I’ve heard the talk about you.”
“People are talking about me?” Snow asked, immediately wishing she could retract the question. She definitely didn’t want to hear what people were saying when she felt so good about herself in this gorgeous dress.
“They’re saying that the only thing more beautiful than your appearance is the goodness of your heart,” he said. “But I already knew that from our time together. There isn’t anything cruel in you, even toward Katarina who treated you so poorly.”
“That’s not true,” Snow argued. “I’m not fond of her at all.”
Philip laughed. “But you don’t hate her, do you? The woman who sent you to be murdered in the forest.”
Snow thought about it. No, she couldn’t say she hated Katarina. Something horrible must have happened to her at some point to make her such a cruel person.
“Come on,” Philip said. “I should join my party.” He held and arm out and Snow slipped her arm through, wishing for just one moment that Channy could see her now, with the most gorgeous guy imaginable, in a gown beyond belief, about to step into a magical room full of sparkling light. Channy would think it was so awesome.
As they neared the doors, they opened from the outside. How did those men know they approached? She shook her he
ad. Why did she even question anything in Fableton anymore? As they stepped out, the music stopped and every head in the place turned their way. Heat flooded Snow’s cheeks at the unwanted attention. She felt the tenseness in Philip’s arm and realized that no matter how nervous she was, he was probably more so. She relaxed to make it as easy as possible for him.
Every person in the room dropped into a curtsey, and Snow realized she probably should have done the same every time she saw Philip. But then, how could she know? She’d never met royalty in her life. She’d have to remember in the future. As soon as they all stood, applause broke out and Philip smiled a breathtaking smile--at least, Snow found it breathtaking.
“Welcome, everyone,” Philip said, his voice carrying across the room as if he wore a microphone. “Thank you for coming. Please, enjoy yourselves. Continue dancing,” he said with a wave and the music began again. The dance floor quickly filled, as if many of them had just been waiting for permission from Philip to begin.
“Can you see the chairs to my right at the head of the room?” he asked, leaning down so others couldn’t hear.
Snow looked the way he indicated. “You mean the thrones?” she whispered.
Philip chuckled low in his throat and the sound did funny things to Snow’s stomach. “Can you lead me that way without running me into anyone or anything? I can usually easily find my way, but not with all of these people and items filling the room.”
“Well, then let me lead the way.” She directed him toward the thrones, nudging him around others, trying to make it unobvious to anyone watching. Once they stepped up on the raised platform, Philip’s confidence returned and he then led her over. He stopped at the first chair and took her hand, indicating she should sit.
“No, Philip,” she said, panicked. “I can’t sit there. That’s for like . . . your queen or something.”
He smiled. “I don’t have a queen. So it’s only for my guest.” Snow still hesitated. “I can’t sit unless you do,” he said. “Shall we dance instead?”
“No! Let’s sit,” she said, quickly sliding onto the elaborate chair.
Philip laughed and moved to sit next to her. Immediately he was besieged by many of the townspeople. Snow watched and listened. It didn’t take long for her to see how much he was loved. It seemed he spent a lot of time alone, but still spent enough time with the people for them to have developed a deep and genuine respect for him.
*****
Food was brought to them. Snow assumed Philip prearranged it so that he wouldn’t have to worry about stumbling around the long buffet table. Snow was content to sit with him, laughing and talking. She was completely relaxed when she realized no one would ask her dance as long as she was sitting next to Philip.
And then he stood, holding a hand out to her. She put her hand in his, rising with him, thinking maybe he was done for the night and wanted her to take him back to the room she’d first met him in. Instead, he led her out to the dance floor, then bowed formally to her. Every muscle within her body tensed.
“What are you doing?” she gasped.
“It would be the height of discourteousness if I didn’t dance at least one dance.”
“No, Philip, I can’t dance.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll lead,” he teased.
“I’m serious, Philip, I have no idea how to dance like this. I’ve never done it before.”
He tilted his head curiously as if the thought hadn’t occurred to him. Then he placed one hand on her waist, lifting their joined hands to the side.
“All I need you to do is tell me if we’re getting too close to anyone or anything,” he said. Snow shook her head, pulling back. “Please,” he said. She paused. “Will you just trust me, Snow? I promise I won’t stumble or fall on you.”
Snow relaxed, placing her hand on his shoulder. “I’m not worried about you, Philip. I’m worried about me stumbling and falling on you.”
Philip grinned. “Well then, let’s see which of us can make it the longest with doing so.”
“Okay,” she said. “Just remember you asked for it.”
He laughed as the first strains of music began. Philip began moving. Snow was tense, trying to follow his feet. He gave her waist a little shake. “Relax, Snow, and trust in me.”
Snow blew out a breath, forcing herself to relax and allow her feet to follow where he led naturally. And suddenly, without having the slightest inkling how she did it, she waltzed effortlessly across the floor with him. It was as if her feet knew the steps whether her brain did or not. Once she quit worrying about it, she found she was having fun.
“I’m dancing, Philip,” she said exultantly.
He laughed. “So am I. How about that?”
“This is amazing,” she said. “If only Channy could see me now.”
“Who’s Channy?” he asked.
“My best friend,” she said.
“Do you miss her?”
“Desperately,” Snow said.
Philip nodded. “I know how you feel.”
Snow remembered Philip telling her about his friend Dmitri who had come here with him originally. “I haven’t met Dmitri yet,” she said.
A shadow passed across Philip’s face. “Dmitri isn’t here anymore.”
“I thought no one could leave . . . or get old and die,” she said.
“No one can leave,” he said. “And no one will die . . . not of old age anyway.” He paused. Snow tried to imagine how he died, but didn’t want to ask. “He took his own life,” Philip finally said.
“Oh, no. I’m so sorry.”
Philip shook his head sadly. “It just got to be too much to him, the idea of never leaving.”
“Is he . . . is he the only one?” she asked, sure that there must have been others who couldn’t take it either.
“The only one,” Philip confirmed. “I think once he died, the grief was so overwhelming to the entire town that no one wanted to cause that again.”
Snow could understand that reasoning. Then something occurred to her. “Was Dmitri his real name?”
“Of course,” he said.
“Why doesn’t anyone else use their real names?”
“I do,” he said.
“Besides you,” she concurred. “And me.”
Philip shrugged. “No one remembers their real name.”
Snow’s jaw dropped. “Seriously?”
“Seriously,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s part of the enchantment, or a defense mechanism for them, but they honestly don’t remember their names or anything from their lives before. Only myself and Dmitri could remember, which might be why it was harder for him.” He paused, thoughtful. “And now you. You remember your name and your entire life.”
“Yes, I do,” she said. “But other than Channy, there isn’t anything I miss. I only had Katarina for family, and you know how that was.”
“But you want to go back.” It was a statement, not a question. She considered.
“I suppose I do, but I don’t know if I can. Not because of the enchantment, but because I’d have to spend the rest of my life wondering if Katarina would finish what she began when she sent me into the forest with the hunter.”
“Well,” Philip said, “If we can figure out how to get you out of here, I suspect Katarina won’t be an issue any longer.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because if you can get out, it will mean the enchantment is broken and she will lose her power.”
Snow thought about his words. She glanced around the room at the magical quality of the place, which went along with the rest of Fableton. It wouldn’t be horrible to stay here. But if she could break the enchantment and cause Katarina to lose her power, it might save someone else in the future from being her victim. Snow didn’t know but suspected she wasn’t Katarina’s first target in the past five-hundred years.
She brought her gaze back to Philip. His eyes were on her, as if he could see her. Warmth entered her heart. Philip was good and kind. His hand o
n her waist was firm and strong. His hand beneath hers was warm. Her heart beat a little faster when she remembered him holding her next to the waterfall, vulnerable in his need for something as simple as a hug.
“Maybe we can have a picnic by the waterfall tomorrow,” she said.
A smile lit Philip’s face. “I’d like that very much. And if you promise not to tell anyone, I’ll show you more of my paintings.”
“Deal,” she said, deciding talk about breaking the enchantment could wait another day.
*****
“No one else ever comes in this room,” Philip said, opening the door and standing back so she could enter ahead of him. “They don’t know Katarina. They’re unaware of the name of the one who caused the enchantment on Fableton. I prefer they don’t know since she can’t hurt them if they don’t. At least, I hope she can’t.”
Snow stepped into the cavernous room. The floors were marble, white with silver veins like the ballroom floor. However, in here there were mirrors floor to ceiling between tall marble columns. The ceiling was arched and depicted cherubs and angels in pastel colors.
Philip stepped forward and took her arm, guiding her to the back corner. She glanced at him. Today he wore a loose white shirt that laced up the front, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and beige pants tucked into his black knee-high boots. He looked like a hero stepped out of the past. He looked good.
When they reached the corner, he stepped forward and pulled the sheet off of a pile of paintings. When he moved to the side and Snow caught a glimpse of the first painting, she choked on her laugh. Philip grinned back at her and said, “That isn’t even my best one.”
Katarina looked back at her, erasing any doubt that Philip’s Katarina was the same as her own. Only this Katarina had a red clown nose, a tall rounded hat, powder white face with grotesquely bright red lips, and a huge ruffle around her neck.
Philip leaned it forward and pulled another from behind. She didn’t even try to hold back her laugh at this one. Katarina’s face was clearly recognizable in spite of the dog snout and furry face, floppy ears hanging to the side.