A/N: Thank you for the reviews! And yes, I rated this M because things will get too dark for a T rating.

The duke was correct. There was much to do the day after the ball. Not only was I tired, and wanting to just spend a quiet morning in the lab with Cedric, I felt the faint tinges of a headache from the wine I had imbibed the night before. I had rarely had anything of the sort, and though I drank in moderation, I wondered if I needed one of the healing potions.

We still had guests to entertain, and though breakfast was held as more of a buffet than a definite mealtime, Amber and I were intended to be there to welcome everyone as they came and went. Lord Ian arrived soon after Amber and me, and he made sure to find a seat next to her, though he winked my way. I could not help but smile and blush. He was very good looking, even the morning after a party.

The servants scurried around, looking tired but dressed in their best. I knew they were up late cleaning, and then early to see off our guests. The Duke came to breakfast at his usual time, sitting at the head of the table. He thanked everyone again and then kept looking around to take note of who was there. I met his eyes and he smiled, though I was not sure if it was a true smile from where I sat down table. Nonetheless, his smile was returned before I began to answer a question from my other side.

Midafternoon was when our last guests left the castle grounds. By that time, everyone was exhausted, and many people, servants and noble alike, disappeared for our rooms. I napped for a time, then woke and quietly made my way to Cedric's laboratory.

He did not answer when I knocked, but I knew sometimes he would be in his bedroom, so I entered anyway. He was not in the lab. Hesitantly I walked around the room, taking in every detail. There always seemed to be clutter, but in an organized fashion. Not knowing exactly what to do with myself, I grabbed a leather-bound book from Cedric's desk, sat in his chair and opened it.

It was a book about magic. I did not understand all of it, some of the words were so foreign, but I was intrigued. It listed spells, why they would be used, how they worked, and possible side effects. In the back of the book, I saw one could look up a person's condition, then it would tell you the best spells to use. "That's genius," I murmured.

"Isn't it?"

I jumped, slamming the book on the desk as if trying to hide what I was doing, in plain sight.

Cedric just laughed.

"You scared me! I didn't hear you come in!" I stood from his chair.

"Sit," he kept laughing. "You should have seen your face." His face had a broad grin. And it was handsome.

He pulled up a stool next to me in the chair. "So, tell me what was genius."

"Well, in the front of the book, spells are listed, and then in the back you can look up by condition."

Cedric nodded. "It helps to locate information quickly."

"I didn't get to see you last night," I said quietly, pouting at him as I changed the subject.

"Sofia! Don't lie. You saw me."

"From across the room!"

"But you saw me."

I huffed. "If you are going to keep picking at me, I'm going to leave."

"No, you are not." He glanced out the window. "Soon everyone will be back to work, and the quiet will be over and you'll have to leave anyway, so let's make the most of this time."

He stood, pulled me up from his chair, and then next thing I knew, he was in the chair with me on his lap. "Hey," I laughed as he wrapped his arms around me.

"Are you comfortable?"

"I guess."

"You guess?"

I slipped an arm behind his neck. "That is better." My lips found his.

The kisses were sweet but eventually I rested my head against his and we just sat there together. Breaking the silence, I said, "Duke Roland says he will find me a husband once Amber is settled." Cedric tensed. "Do you think I can stall him?"

"Why would you want to? I'm sure he could find you a suitable...suitor." The last word was nearly spat.

"I don't want him choosing for me. I-" I could not put my feelings into the right words. "Maybe… sometimes I feel like…" Cedric waited for me. "Sometimes I'm afraid. I know, I've always been afraid of the duke. He's got power and he's not always kind…"

"Has he hurt you?"

"No. No. I just feel like…something isn't right."

"Don't ignore your gut instincts, Sofia."

"But he's the duke. He's always been intimidating to me. I'm probably just overthinking things." I snuggled into Cedric further. "He could drive me away from the castle, and I would never see you again. I don't have any other friends." Cedric knew that I was forbidden to see or communicate with my childhood friends once Mother and I moved into the castle. For Mother, it had not been a problem. For me, it was devastating. It was likely why James, Cedric and I had become close. We each had a need for each other.

"He won't drive you away, and if he does, I'll leave as well."

Kissing his cheek, I glanced at him to see if he was serious. "You can't lose your employment over me, Cedric."

"I can find another."

I raised my eyebrow. There were few occupations more prestigious for a sorcerer than to work for nobility. They often were given a home, meals, room to work and study and research. He squeezed me and found my lips again. "It's nearing supper. You should go or I might keep you." Still, his arms did not release me.

"What if I don't want to go?" Our noses touched.

"You can't be late for supper."

"I know." I unlaced his fingers, then removed his arms from my waist, giving him gentle kisses. "I will see you tomorrow morning."

Cedric just nodded and I slid from his lap. When I glanced back at him, he was not looking at me, but was staring out the window, his face in a serious frown.

Amber was joyous the next few days as invitations for other balls began to arrive. I thought she would immediately respond with our acceptance to each, but she clicked her tongue at me when I asked. "Sofia, some invitations are more important than others."

I understood when an invitation arrived from the royal palace. This invitation was accepted immediately and Amber made it clear that this ball would be the highest priority for the rest of the year.

"There are no eligible princes," I told her.

She laughed. "Don't be so daft. Anyone who matters will be there. And we were invited, so we matter."

I shrugged off her comment. Once she accepted that invitation, we sat down to sort through the others. Amber was to meet with the duke the next day for his permission and ideas on the rest. "You will be there too. You need the practice for when Father finds you a husband next year."

"Do you think he'll wait until next year?" I asked, a little hope blooming.

"Of course. This is my year, and its only so long."

I could not stop the smile from appearing on my face. More time for me to…well, I was not sure what I would do, but at least I would not have to do all this.

Travelling to other parties, I found, was much less hectic, though there were still preparations. Lord Hugo's ball was the next that we would attend, and Amber was making sure our clothing was packed correctly and that every accessory we could ever need would be on hand. Duke Roland was to accompany us this time, as we would be travelling a couple days to and from the duchy.

Before we left, I made sure to stop by and see Lord Michael. He was growing so fast and as I had been busy, it seemed he was bigger every time I got away to see him. Then, knowing I was running behind, I hurried to the lab, opened the door, and surprised Cedric with a kiss.

I pulled away and started to leave. "Wait, where are you going?" he reached out to grab my arms.

"I'm late. I have to leave. I just couldn't leave without seeing you for a second."

"Give me one more second." He pulled me into his arms and kissed me, then leaned his forehead against mine. "Don't drink too much."

I laughed. "Yes, sir."

"And no dancing."

"I cannot promise that."

"And don't accept any marriage proposals."

"Amber has already made it clear this is her year."

Cedric smiled. "Come back to me."

"We'll be back in a few days." I kissed him quickly and left.