Chapter Twenty Six: Jubilation

WISTY

When the witches and wizards had fully recovered, they spent the next couple of days in the realm doing whatever they wanted. For me, that meant playing games with Emmet, Ross, Byron, and the rest of my friends, exercising, going up to the clock tower or lighthouse to sing and dance, and hours of reading. Anna and Kristoff hung out together a lot in the garden, usually accompanied by Olaf and Sven. Whit filled up most of his time by working out in the training room and exploring the sea in a canoe with Janine.

My favourite activity was archery. I was pleased to discover Arendelle had a special space for it. When I practiced, I would stand on one of the four pillars positioned at intervals along the centre and aim at the coloured rings plastered on floor-to-ceiling columns dispersed throughout the room. Whether it was the outer ring or the bull's eye, my arrows struck exactly where I wanted them to no matter how far away the targets were. Sometimes Janine and the other City archers also came here. I didn't mind the company. The battle may be over and I didn't know when I'd be needing my bow and quiver of arrows again, but that didn't mean I had to stop practicing. The main reason I kept myself busy was because I wanted to avoid being consumed by grief. There were too many faces I knew among the corpses of the magicians, and if I reflected on the times I spent with them, the undeniable sorrow I'd feel would be too overwhelming. Exercising and archery practice were the best forms of distraction. They made me feel good afterwards too.

During the periods when I was bored, I would head out onto the ramparts to watch Byron and Emmet duel in their war hammers in the courtyard, or Kristoff and Ross coming to blows with their axes.

I had swum in the sea twice already in the week following the battle. On the morning of Anna's birthday, I opted to go again. Garbed in my swimsuit and wrapped in a towel, I padded through the hallways in my flip-flops.

The castle was a bustle of activity. Servants hobbled back and forth carrying trestle tables, chairs, or vases of flowers, stacks of tablecloth draped over one shoulder. Butlers carried pitchers of wine or rolled it in casks. Conveying them all to the courtyard, no doubt, since I was told that was where the celebration would take place. Lords and ladies mooched about in pairs or groups chatting and laughing while squires and knights, all of whom were off duty, helped Kristoff and Elsa set up the decorations. Guards stood at their posts to keep an eye on security as usual, occasionally assisting with preparations of the party. Cooks were hard at work making food for the banquet, and the wonderful smell drifting out of the kitchen was enough to make my mouth water.

Elsa and Kristoff oversaw the entire preparation. Anna had wanted to help, but because this was her birthday, Elsa insisted that she be exempt from the organizations and told her to just relax. And since the witches and wizards from the City were guests, our assistance was not required. The party wouldn't start until 5:30pm, so I got all the hours before then to myself. People eyed me funny and gave me weird looks as I passed. Not that I minded much. I got them in the City all the time owing to my notoriety, I had long since gotten used to it. I simply acknowledged them with a raise of my eyebrows and a smile. I was in my swimwear, after all.

The day was bright, hot, and sunny. Oh, how I loved summer…

"Wisty!"

I stopped my cheerful skip on the outermost rampart of the castle and whirled to see Anna jogging towards me.

"Wait up!"

I noticed the swimsuit she had on concealed beneath the folds of her towel, and grinned. "Are you swimming too?"

"Yeeeep!" Anna hollered.

"Come on then!"

I skipped to the lighthouse marking the end of the rampart and sprinted up the winding steps.

"Why are we climbing the lighthouse?" Anna's voice rang from not far behind.

I pushed open the glass door at the top and peered down over the railing at the deep blue waters sixty feet below.

Anna paused at the doorframe. "Oh," she said.

A warm breeze ruffled strands of my hair in front of my face, and I tossed my head back to flick them away. I kicked off my flip-flops, tossed my towel aside, tied my hair up, tucked it in my swimming cap, and put on my goggles. Anna did the same. I swung a foot onto the railing. I've learned diving before at a natatorium back in the City, so I could say I was confident, but balancing on the thin metal bar of the railing was making it just a little harder. I waited for Anna to get on as well, then bent my knees to brace myself.

Flicking her gaze sideways at me Anna said, "Together?"

I gave her a nod. Instead of counting down by numbers I said three words. "Here. We. GOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Anna and I kicked off into the air and somersaulted thrice before we raised our arms over our heads and straightened our bodies like boards.

Splash!

We dove into the gentle waves in synchronicity. The water was cool on my skin compared to the almost sweltering heat of summer. A perfect temperature for a swim. I let the splash bubbles fade before beating my limbs and breaking the surface. I swiped water from my face and stared at the clear blue sky. Two seconds later Anna surfaced several feet away, and we laughed in exhilaration.

Kicking my legs to stay on the surface, I craned my head back, squinting under the sunlight. The lighthouse looked so high from down here, the top so far away. I said, "Wow. That was amazing!"

"I know!" Anna cried. She blew out some air. "Whoooo!"

We eased into a gentle breaststroke, keeping our heads above water.

"How did you know I was going for a swim?" I asked.

Anna said, "I saw you. Twice. And the whole time I was watching you through my binoculars I was like 'How come I've never thought of that?!'"

I splattered her in the face. "You spied on me through binoculars?"

"I was watching you!" Anna protested, flinging a shower of droplets back. "Not for very long, though. You head so far out."

"I like going exploring," I said. "Feel free to come with me. I could always use some company."

Securing my goggles and settling on backstroke, I swam and swam and swam until the castle was no longer in sight. Whit and Pearce both told me their favourite and fastest stroke was freestyle, but for me it was backstroke. I loved the soreness it brought to my hips as I kicked, the exertion of my ankles flapping, the flexibility of my shoulders as they rotated, the reverse motion of my arms… But most of all I loved how you could stare upwards as you swam instead of looking underwater. And swimming out under the vast, open sky? Even better. Backstroke was my most efficient out of the four. It was elegant and graceful. Almost like dancing.

I circled and meandered around tall, steep mountains that jutted out of the sea, and Anna kept pace with her butterfly. Each kick of her legs and beat of her arms were powerful, and the energetic movements of her hips allowed her to propel swift and easy as a fish. It was impressive how long Anna could keep at it. I was quite good at butterfly as well, but even I couldn't keep it up for that long, not without seriously needing a rest in between.

I swam further than I did the previous two times, covering more area of the sea. Although Anna had never swum in these waters before, she knew them well, so she was able to tell me which directions lead to the most stunning views and which distances gave us the most exercise. I should totally do this with her more sometimes.

When we were two hundred metres from the mountains south of the fortress, Anna and I went for a race: whoever touched the rocks at the base of the hills first won. To avoid unfairness, we both did freestyle.

I flutter-kicked fast. With each rotation of my arms I reached as far ahead of me as possible and pushed them back as powerfully as I could, slightly rolling my body side to side, tilting my head for inhalation once every eight strokes. I maintained the rhythm and focused only on the water and what was in front of me. Kicking, kicking, kicking. One arm after the other.

My hand slapped the rock of the foothills, and my head shot up from the water. Done! Anna's fingers hit the rocks two heartbeats later. Close one. We did a horizontal high five and Anna congratulated me for winning. We slowly drifted to catch our breaths.

I heard the distant chatting and moderate panting of a boy and girl in the distance and twisted to look. Cupping my hands around my mouth I called their names. "Whit! Janine!"

Two faces shifted to me. I waved my arms above my head, grinning. Anna also gave them a wave. How regularly did they go running?

They trotted in our direction. "Hey Wisty, Anna," Whit greeted. He gazed up at the sky. "Gorgeous day for a swim, huh?"

"And a sweltering day for a run!" I added, nodding at his skin which was shining with sweat.

Whit mopped his brows and wiped his sweat-drenched neck with the front of his T-shirt. Janine adjusted and tightened her ponytail. Both looked athletic. My brother had on a Nike T-shirt, pants, and shoes. He was Nike all the way. Janine's sports clothing was more varied. She wore Karrimor shoes and pants, a flamingo pink Nike headband, and a cool Adidas T-shirt. Seeing them hanging out and doing stuff together, it made me so happy.

I asked, "What happened to canoeing?"

"We were canoeing," Whit told me. "We rowed to the mountains and then went off running. We're going around in a huge loop."

Janine said, "We should finish back by that peninsula where our boat's parked."

"How far have you achieved?" I said.

Whit consulted his iPhone tucked into his armband. "Seven miles."

I raised my eyebrows and nodded congratulatorily. "Impressive."

"I normally do about ten miles on average, but today I'm cutting it to eight for Janine."

I smiled sweetly. "You're so kind, Whit."

"Don't say that just yet," he responded, nodding at Janine. "I'm making her run an extra mile. See if she could exceed her limit of seven rather than just maintain it."

Janine let out a heavy exhale. "I don't think if I can—"

"You've been combining your long distances with interval sprints. You can make it," Whit said. "And you will." Smirking, he tapped his girlfriend on the arm. "Come on. One more mile. Get to eight and we're done. Keep pushing." He trotted away.

Janine sighed and rolled her eyes in annoyance, although her expression suggested she was anything but annoyed.

Anna cupped her hands around her mouth and called to Whit, "Don't do too much, or else you're not going to be hungry enough for the feast!"

Not turning around, Whit gave us a high thumbs-up as if to indicate 'Got it!' Janine simply laughed, then ran after Whit. Waving, she shouted over her shoulder, "Bye!"

I waved back. Janine increased her speed to catch up with Whit. Their figures became miniscule not long after that. I stopped watching and dunked my head underwater.

"Did you know, Wisty, that exercise, especially regular and intense exercise, actually blunts your appetite instead of stimulating it?" Anna said when I resurfaced.

"Yes, I mean, with the battle and all the training we've been doing, my appetite is blunt all the time," I said. "I don't think I've been feeling particularly hungry lately."

"Me either," Anna said, then shrugged. "Oh well, it's not much of a big deal, isn't it?"

I chuckled. "Nah, it's not."

Anna's gaze travelled back to Whit and Janine's direction. "Eight miles…" she exclaimed. "That's crazy!"

I disclosed, "Whit can do a half marathon. That's, like, thirteen miles."

Anna shook her head in awe and marvelled, "Persist like that, and he's going to be outstanding enough to do a full marathon someday!"

"Wouldn't that be superb? He's been training for it back in the City. I didn't know until now he keeps it up no matter where he goes."

"Has your brother always been this sporty?"

"Oh, Whit's an athlete. He's excellent at a range of different sports. Running is one of his main activities. The other is football, but back home we call it 'foolball' because of its rules and the unique way it's played."

"I've heard about that," Anna said. "Wow. I don't know if I'll be able to run eight miles."

"Now, don't sound so admired. It shouldn't be too hard for you, considering that you were the one who trained most witches and wizards in our army into swordsmen." I tilted my head in invitation. "Want to try it sometime?"

"Let's just stick to swimming," Anna declined. "Swimming is great!"

"It is!" I agreed. "I love exploring the sea with you."

Easing back to our favourite strokes, we returned to the castle, then both took a hot, pleasant shower.

I closed my eyes as my maid caressed my cheeks by ripening them in gentle shades of rose. When she was satisfied with my appearance, she set down the brush and observed my reflection. The makeup applied to my face was light and soft. I looked…well, I looked like me. And I was perfectly content with it. Standing up from my seat at the dressing table, I walked to the full-length mirror. I twisted and turned this way and that to study myself in different angles.

The dress was deep purple. Attached to straps that wrapped around my neck, its sheer lace, sleeveless bodice bloomed into a chiffon skirt in various shades of boysenberry, mauve, and plum. Only a pair of lace sashes that met in a steeple covered my back. Before, when I went to parties, I never dared to wear something that showed so much skin; but now, staring at my widely-exposed arms, shoulders, and back, I couldn't adore the sight of it more. I was in a delightful mood today, and I wanted to appear attractive. Maybe even a little sexy. I paced back and forth in front of the mirror. The skirt fanned out gorgeously when I walked. Cool.

My maid, who was already dressed for the special occasion herself, observed my reflection.

"Girl, you look dazzling," she said.

I grinned, twirling a strand of my hair around my finger. "Are you sure I shouldn't do anything more to my hair?"

My hair seemed to stand out more than usual against the deep purple dress. It fell in gentle waves to my midback, and on either side of the part in the centre, sections of it were secured in identical patterns by pins. A long French braid ran down one side of my hair, dotted with tiny silver stones that sparkled. Matching silver earrings dangled from my earlobes.

My maid replied, "I believe it is fine as it is."

"Something's missing," a male voice commented. I turned.

Byron Swain was watching me from the doorway, one arm leaning against the frame, the other on his hip. Greeting me with a friendly half smile, he stepped in and browsed the busy-looking room. Opening a random drawer from the cabinet revealed an assemblage of jewellery. Byron selected an intricate, glorious silver necklace and held it up to the rays of afternoon light trickling in from the windowpanes. "Ah." He clicked his tongue in approval. "The finishing touch." Turning to the maid, he asked politely, "May I?"

"Of course," she said, gesturing to me with an arm.

He came up behind me. I swept my hair over one shoulder and kept my gaze on his concentrated expression in the mirror as he fastened the necklace around my neck. There was a mixture of tenderness and fondness in his hazel eyes. Now that Byron got his girlfriend Elise, I thought he was over me a long time ago, but he had been trying to get close to me again lately. Not overfriendly or anything—he simply wanted to fill in the gap in my soul that Pearce had willingly vacated, knowing that I needed the comfort, and I was very grateful for that.

Byron pulled my hair from beneath the necklace and let it fall once more down my back. Squeezing me lightly on the shoulders he said to my reflection, "Now you are truly dazzling."

I turned to face him, my eyes sweeping him from head to toe, taking in his attire. Byron donned flax yellow brogues and a matching collection of cream suit and pants, embroidered in classic gold designs. His brown hair was neatly parted and combed. I commented, "You look pretty dapper yourself. Thank you, Byron." I rose on my tiptoes and gave him a light peck on the cheek. I pretended not to notice when he blushed.

In fact, when Byron and I arrived at the courtyard, I noticed that all men, regardless of their status, donned suits and pants that were either cream or black. The black suits were embellished in similar patterns to the creamy ones, and appeared just as expensive and imposing.

All banners hanging in the great hall and from lamps along the bridge were restored to the crest of Arendelle, and any that displayed the black and gold emblem of Hans had been burned. Mostly by me. Sections of the ramparts and many parts of the stronghold were in debris owing to the battle, and masons had been working on repairing those damages. It was incredible Kristoff and Elsa were still able to organize a celebration despite the construction projects going on in the kingdom.

The courtyard was teeming with chatters, laughter, and the milling about of Arendelle residents and City witches and wizards. I had never seen it so busy and lively. Almost every inch of the space had been occupied. Trestle tables covered in white cloth that was decorated with leaves and sunflowers were arranged in a rectangular border around the thousands of dinner tables and chairs. Atop each of the regular clothed tables sat a pot of orange and yellow blossoms, around which were wine glasses, utensils, and plates. An aisle cleaved the compact arrangement of seats and tables. Frozen sculptures that looked very much like stylish plants stood in the middle of the two fountains, transformed into ice by Elsa. Squirts of water ringing the lip of the fountains streamed into the bottom of the sculptures. A bunch of colourful balloons were placed at the four corners of the rectangular border that were the trestle tables. And at the front, strung between two icy columns and stretching from one end of the courtyard to another, hung a row of square papers painted with the letters: H-A-P-P-Y B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y A-N-N-A. They were written on both sides. I'd seen Kristoff drawing them earlier, dipping his brushes in buckets of paint dangling off Sven's antlers. Seriously, the reindeer and the ice harvester made a heck of a wonderful team.

Elsa and Kristoff stood to one side, observing the setup. They'd been organising all day and hadn't changed yet for the party. I approached them and complimented, patting them both, "Outstanding work, guys!"

"Thank you, Wisty!" Kristoff said.

"I wanted it to be perfect," Elsa added. "I'm so glad you adore it!" She surveyed the people. "Everybody else is dressed, which means: I have to go change. And so do you, Kristoff." She grasped him by the wrist and dragged him away.

"You already look sensational in that dress, Elsa," said Emmet, who was swigging a glass of juice. He swallowed deep. "It'd be a pity to take it off."

Elsa lifted the skirt of her crystal blue dress and examined it. She complained, "This outfit's a bit old. I've always worn this. I'd like to try something new."

Emmet downed the last of his glass in one gulp. He said, "By all means."

Walking backwards, Elsa called to me, "Help yourself with the food, Wisty. The banquet has officially commenced!"

By the looks of it, everybody had arrived, and at least a third of them were roaming around the trestle tables; hence, fetching a plate from the stacks at one end, I joined the mass.

The Queen informed us that the banquet would consist of three separate courses. I hadn't tried many British dishes in the City because almost all the cafes and restaurants were American-based, but the starters currently on display gave me the impression of English pub food. Perhaps the entire banquet would be English pub style as well. The thought of trying meals I rarely got to have in the City was exciting. I didn't want to pick too much lest I ended up with a full belly before the main feast had even begun; therefore, deciding on tiny portions of golden beetroot piccalilli, artisan sourdough bread with potato crisps, and apple and baby leaf salad, I mooched about the area until I found my allocated spot. Byron and Emmet were already sat down, enjoying their food. The stone holder containing the card with my name on it was placed next to Byron's, so it was there I took my seat, right beside him. In fact, to my delight, Whit, Elsa, Anna, and all my friends were allocated the same table, along with Derek, Sam, Gretchen, and Edwin, four other teenage magicians I loved to talk to.

I wasn't feeling very hungry because of the regular exercise I'd been doing lately, but when I took a bite of one of the potato crisps, some of my appetite returned. The food was delicious. Back in the City I never had three course dinners. If these were the kind of food we had for starters, I couldn't imagine how sumptuous the main feast would be. Edwin and Sam joined our table a couple of minutes later, followed by Gretchen, then Ross, and then Whit and Janine.

I couldn't stop paying attention to how remarkable everyone looked. Emmet, Derek and Sam were hot and handsome in their cream suits and pants and midnight blue ties. Conversely, clad in black suits and pants, dark brogues, and pine green ties, Edwin, Ross and Whit were the definitions of striking. Gretchen wore a lovely crepe pink long-sleeved maxi dress. And Janine…I was so used to seeing her in combat boots and military uniforms of the Resistance, her outfit and appearance blew my mind. Nothing deluxe that made you barely able to recognize her, of course. The orange gown she was garbed in looked formal but also made her appear carefree and juvenile. Petals of apricot flowers connected to form a heart-shaped bodice, covered by a sheet of lace that went up to her neckline, over her shoulders, and dropped in a wide dip, exposing her shoulder blades and two-thirds of her back. The bodice was joined by a long tangerine tulle skirt that hid most of her shining heels. Leaves and flowers were sewn along the hem of its organza outer layer and reached up to dot the rest of the skirt. Janine's wavy black hair, also down like mine, barely concealed her twinkling eggplant purple earrings, shaped like chandeliers and so big they scraped her shoulders.

When Elsa and Anna showed up, the atmosphere went from jovial to mirthful. With giggles and lots of jibber-jabbering, the two sisters joined our table.

It wasn't long before the starters were over. Servants cleared away the plates and cooks brought up the main feast. The food was lavish. There was a grand selection of dishes to choose from: roasted chicken with preserved lemon aioli and crunchy slaw, wholetail scampi, grilled sea bass served on fennel relish, fish and chips, mixed leaf, tomato, brown rice, and quinoa salad, sausages served with mashed potato topped with onion rings and gravy, and macaroni cheese pasta with garlic bread. And pies. Slow-cooked steak, amber ale and mushroom pie. Chicken, chorizo, and cider pie. Both encased in shortcrust pastry and came with seasonal greens and honey-roasted carrots. Sauce accompanied every kind of meat. BBQ sauce, samphire tartare sauce, tarragon-infused hollandaise sauce…so many types of sauces I wasn't even going to attempt to remember them all.

Adding to the list of dishes above were burgers and grill: vegetable burgers, steak frites, beef and chicken breast burgers in toasted brioche bun with aged cheddar sauce and triple-cooked chips, thick-cut gammon steak, grilled lamb chops, and those what the cooks liked to call 'Arendelle burgers,' claiming they were the 'best of the best' and that the recipes were 'top secret.'

Aside from those, we'd also got a variety of delicious sandwiches and appetizing sides and nibbles. The sides and nibbles comprised marinated olives, baked bread with herb oil and butter, triple-cooked chips, onion rings with sour cream, macaroni and cheese, dauphinoise potatoes, and heirloom tomato salad.

Gawking at the food placed in front of me as I walked along the trestle tables, I heard Byron say to Anna, "No offence or anything, but if these are the sort of meals you Arendelle people have on a regular basis, you're all bound to get very, very fat."

I had to cover my mouth to keep from erupting in laughter. Emmet and Whit, who were passing behind them, chortled. We quickly composed ourselves to prevent Anna any further offence, though I was pretty sure she had seen over the corner of her eye.

Emmet clapped Byron on the shoulder and said, "You are very candid to mention that to a princess on the day of her birthday, dude."

"Oh no, Emmet, it's OK," Anna said, then turned to Byron, "None taken, Byron. If you're worried about getting fat, you'll be pleased to know that we only have lavish banquets like these on special occasions."

"And how often are those special occasions?"

"Byron," I said.

"Nnnnnot that often," Anna answered in a singsong voice. "This is just for one day. It won't make a tad bit of difference. Besides, we've got dancing coming up. That should burn off a considerate amount of your calories."

Byron said, "I'm not a very good dancer."

"Then make yourself one," Anna snapped, "because I'm not going to be there when you come crying to me that you ain't losing weight." She stalked off, fed up with the pointless conversation.

I narrowed my eyes and shook my head. "You're so rude."

Byron shrugged. "I'm just saying."

Ignoring him, I ambled down the length of the trestle tables. Twat. So much for taking care of him after the battle.

Behind me, Byron chuckled.

I stared at the dishes in front of me. There were so many options I could select that I didn't even know where to start. Because every dish looked just as appealing as the other and I hardly got to taste food cooked in English pub style back home, I decided to try a little bit of everything. I had only taken half of the dishes on display when my plate had already been filled. I would have to go for seconds.

The food was delectable. We chatted as we ate. What did you do this morning, how had your week been, the sorts of fun things you liked to do, were you enjoying the birthday party…those kinds of topics. Everything was fantastic. I wished Kristoff was assigned to our table. It'd be good if he was included in our conversations. In fact, where was he? I observed the courtyard. Kristoff was dining on a picnic mat in one corner with Olaf and Sven. He and the snowman both loaded their food on a platter and shared them together. The reindeer fed on a pyramid—no doubt prepared by Kristoff—stacked with vegetables, a mixture of grains, lemmings, wild grass from the garden, berries, sage, and carrots. Lots and lots of carrots. I must admit that Kristoff's refusal to dine with other people was a bit lonely and sad, but the ice harvester, Olaf and Sven looked blissful enough, and that brought a smile to my face.

The chattering noise in the courtyard was occasionally interrupted by the guffaws of the kingdom's crossbowmen, who were all sat at a round table with Oaken, listening to him telling a set of intriguing tales. Oaken wasn't hard to spot owing to his stocky, towering frame.

Despite the substantial number of people attending the party, none of us had to fret about the food running out. The cooks had prepared all the dishes, sandwiches, and sides and nibbles in bountiful supply. Whenever they were finished, servants would replace them with more, fresh from the kitchens.

It was a quarter to seven when they brought out the desserts.

"The best part of the banquet!" Ross exclaimed.

The desserts were fabulous: lemon tart trickled in blackcurrant curd, sticky toffee pudding, rich and luxurious brownie, salted caramel profiteroles, vanilla pod ice cream, rhubarb, plum, and cherry crumble, cheese served with grapes, crackers, and pale ale chutney, and lastly, black forest chocolate roulade topped with whipped cream. Once again, I scooped a small portion of everything and savoured the sugary taste of each spoonful, letting the sweetness warm and melt on my tongue. Yummy. So yummy not even Byron could deny it.

The doors to the castle swung open, and out walked a manservant carrying a table draped in the same ivory cloth as the trestle tables. Two maids followed, bearing the weight of an arctic blue four-layered cake.

Anna's birthday cake.

Elegant swirls of snowy icing circled the bottommost layer, and green leaves and marigold yellow daisies with deep brown floral discs ringed the upper three layers. Tinier daisies, light peppers of sugar, yellow dots, and braid and curving dip patterns of white icing were also incorporated in addition to those decorations. On the very top was a frozen sculpture of Elsa and Anna posed in an ice-skating dance. The cake was humongous, it had to be at least five feet.

"Whoa," Emmet marvelled. "Now that's cake!"

"I know, right?" Kristoff said, suddenly popping up from behind and making Emmet jump.

Elsa and Anna rose from our table and sauntered to the front, whispering excitedly. Kristoff went up there too. The three of them looked amazing, and the sight of them standing next to one another was almost too much to take in at once.

Anna wore her strawberry blonde hair high in a stylish concentric bun, tied by denim blue, light and dark green ribbons that trailed down behind her head. A thick, neat plait crowned the top of her forehead, which, as usual, was covered by bangs parted nicely to the left. Anna told me she'd worn this hairstyle hundreds of times to extraordinary events and formal occasions, and even though it was my first time seeing her in it, I had the impression it was the sort of hairstyle you'd never grow bored of looking at. The bodice of her dress was pale yellow at the short sleeves, neck, and chest, but from the breasts downward it was midnight blue, its brown trim ending in a pointy heart where it met the skirt. A green butterfly with red wings decorated the chest. Over the bodice, Anna wore a tiny chartreuse green vest adorned with patterns, leaves and flowers in yellow, red and green. The turquoise blue skirt of her dress stopped halfway down her calves, and was ringed not only by huge orange and yellow gerbera daisies but additional magenta, teal green, and yellow leaves and petals as well. The princess also donned plain juniper green slippers.

Stunning choice for a birthday outfit.

Elsa kept her usual coiffure of a loose braid sweeping over her left shoulder, except she'd also pinned a glittering royal blue, magenta, and lilac flower in her hair above her right ear. Green was Elsa's colour today. The floor-length gown she was clad in was pine green that transformed to shamrock green near the bottom of the skirt. There was also a touch of that same shade of green over the breasts of her bodice. The bodice itself was flecked in parakeet green oval dots that faded in a spear-like point as they got to the skirt. Elsa's gown was sleeveless, I noted. The sleeves, plus the flowery veil covering her chest, belonged to her transparent green, almost colourless cape that trailed gracefully on the floor. Green, fuchsia and taffy pink clematises embellished the cape, which flashed silvery sparkles whenever Elsa moved, even at night.

With their party and ball attire, the Queen and Princess of Arendelle were the epitomes of splendid.

Kristoff was garbed just like Whit: black brogues, dark pants and suit, and a pine green tie. Although Kristoff's blonde hair was how it always looked, he was fine and handsome without needing to change it.

Chatters diminished. Evening had approached, and despite the phosphorescent blue arches of the fortress, the row of glowing crystal pillars on either side of the area, and the firelight provided by sconces along the far walls, the courtyard was rather dim. Hmm…I believed this needed fixing.

I awakened my witchy mojo, directed the powers to my cupped palms, and generated a golden yellow luminous ball. Mentally visualizing the form I wished to transform it to, I stood up and tossed the ball skywards. Like a brightly burning star, the sphere exploded into a carpet of bulbs in the shape of Arendelle crocuses that suspended above the tables and chairs, showering the courtyard in yellow gold light. All heads swivelled up to gawk at it, and I knew it wasn't just because of its sheer gloriousness, but because it moved. The crocus bulbs gradually floated up and down, up and down, each at a slightly different pace to the other, so that the whole carpet shape it formed seemed to ripple like calm, undulating waves of the sea. This wasn't magical—it was magic.

As if that ornamentation was not enough, I flicked my left wrist dramatically and, on that half of the courtyard, the pots of orange and yellow blossoms placed in the middle of each table turned into red, green, or blue lamps lit by candles from within. Flicking my other wrist, I transformed the pots of blossoms on the right half of the courtyard as well.

The area was now aglow in colourful lights. Just the right mode for celebration. Much better.

"Wow, Wisty, that was sublime!" Anna praised.

Many residents of the realm, along with a lot of magicians, nodded and voiced their assent.

"Stupendous!" Elsa remarked. "Give Miss Allgood a round of applause, everybody!"

I started to counter that there was no need when cheers and claps filled the space as people of the kingdom and City adults, witches and wizards showed their appreciation, so I just grinned and curtseyed to thank them. I reclaimed my seat when the claps died down.

Elsa cleared her throat. "Um…hi everybody. I hope you all enjoyed dessert!" Gleeful cries from lords, children, and squires in response. "I am thrilled to announce that the moment has arrived for…"

"CAKE!" Anna sang, 'gliding' in front of her sister, eliciting titters from some of the young kids. She went on, "This has probably got to be the grandest, most wonderful birthday I've ever had. I appreciate you all for…well, for uniting to kick Hans's butt, obviously," she giggled somewhat nervously, "but also for taking care of me, protecting me, playing with me, letting me have fun, and seeing me through eighteen years of my life. I'm still having a hard time processing that I'm not eighteen anymore! Even though being eighteen is more significant and special than being nineteen." Oaken, Kristoff, Emmet, Whit, and lots of other wizards and knights laughed. "Anyway, massive thanks to the witches and wizards from the City for your unflagging support, and to the people of Arendelle for always being there for me. Again, thank you, thank you, thank you all for attending."

Claps from guests began resounding when Anna added, "Oh, before you start whooping or cheering or shouting hurrahs and stuff like that, I want to give credit to Kristoff for making the cake! Kristoff and Elsa, actually, but mostly Kristoff."

As we applauded, the mountain man grinned humbly and sketched a refined bow. No doubt Anna taught him that.

Elsa took a deep breath and then disclosed, "Anna, I have a present for you."

Anna gasped animatedly. "Ooh, can I see it? I mean, may I?"

"Of course," laughed Elsa. A bloke who must be the royal blacksmith stepped forward and offered an ivory box. Elsa took it and handed it to Anna.

Anna untied and removed the bow and opened the box. Her gasp was even more ebullient than the first. "It's a tiara!" Anna squealed and bounced buoyantly on her feet.

I rose on tiptoes to get a good glimpse. Crafted from shining, glittering silver, it was carved in elegant whorls, curves, and twists that intertwined seamlessly and formed the shapes of leaves and flowers. In addition to those the crown was also adorned with diamonds. At its centrepiece was a gleaming, majestic sapphire.

A gorgeous tiara for a gorgeous princess.

Anna commented, "Oh, my goodness, it's beautiful!"

"Put it on!" Kristoff urged.

Anna tried to place the ornamental headdress atop her forehead but couldn't do it properly somehow. It either didn't sit right or kept falling off. We watched, holding our breaths, as the princess endeavoured to correctly position her crown. And failed. Whether her struggle was due to giddiness or clumsiness, I couldn't tell.

Elsa hurriedly caught the tiara before it slid off. Her expression was distraught, but she shook it off and then laughed to lighten the mood. "Take it easy, birthday girl."

Anna let her arms fall to her sides. Setting the tiara over Anna's bangs and in front of her plait, Elsa adjusted and secured it so its sapphire centrepiece sat right above the middle of her forehead between her eyebrows. The silver tiara shone even more against Anna's strawberry blonde hair. A perfect fit.

Elsa smiled. "Done!"

Anna turned to face the crowd.

"Happy Birthday, Anna!" Kristoff and Elsa chorused.

As if on cue, all of us stood up and cried, "Happy nineteenth birthday!"

We gave her a standing ovation. Several people whistled, including Byron and Ross. Well, I supposed Byron was only kidding when he made that remark about the food. Kristoff was beaming and clapping so vigorously it was almost as loud as Oaken's. Oaken punched the air with his fists and shouted, "Yeah!"

Kristoff lifted the cake from the table and held it out before Sven. Then I witnessed what probably had to be the most stupefying scene ever. With several swift, sharp bobs of his head, the reindeer divided the entire cake into slices using just his antlers. Thousands of perfectly neat slices.

"Holy cricket, Sven!" A City wizard marvelled.

It was not Anna who got the first piece but Olaf. It turned out the snowman had been greedy and a bit careless and naughty, he had already eaten a tiny portion of the cake during midday before Elsa caught him. Surprisingly, the queen hadn't been angry but gently told Olaf the cake was for Anna and he wasn't to touch it before her. Unsure of how to make up for his blunder, Olaf had guiltily and secretively spat out the fistful of half chewed cake from his mouth and restored it, albeit not very well, onto the bottom layer where he'd earlier dug it out. Now I noticed, upon closer inspection, that there was indeed a squashed bunch of cake looking like it'd already been chewed stuck to the side of the bottom layer. Oh, my days. Anna simply laughed when she found out.

After Elsa carved out the section with the chewed part in it and gave it to Olaf, she served a nice, big slice to Anna, who barely muttered a thank-you before proceeding in devouring it with her bare hands, unmindful of her manners. Kristoff had to hand her a fork.

Then he and Elsa transferred the slices onto plates and distributed them across the courtyard. Anna set down her own unfinished slice to help them.

The cake was incredibly flavourful, its exterior sweet icing, its interior cookies and cream ice cream laced in chocolate brownie.

Whit confessed, "I rarely give in to the temptation of a dessert like this, but I guess it's OK to allow yourself to indulge in it once in a while."

Too absorbed in the cake, everyone just nodded. The taste of the outer icing plus the rocky and smooth texture of the brownie and ice cream were heavenly. When had I last eaten something this wonderful? Beside me, Byron kept nodding in contentment and chewing enthusiastically. Of all the people at our table, he seemed to be the one savouring the pure deliciousness of the cake the most. Twat. I felt half tempted to turn him into a rodent again. See if he'd still enjoy the cake as much in that form. He probably would.

Seven thirty—an hour before the ball was to commence.

Some squires, families, cooks, and servants were finishing off the last of their desserts, but most people had left to go for a relaxed evening stroll about the realm. Those who stayed continued to chat, tell jokes, and exchange tales. Anna, Kristoff, and Sven had gone to the village to play with a group of kids, Elsa had rambled to the garden with six lords, knights, and ladies, and Derek, Sam, Gretchen, and Edwin had vacated to saunter along the parapets of the towers and turrets. The remaining four teenage friends seated with us were currently participating in an intense, competitive card game with Emmet, Ross, and Janine. Thus, having nothing to do, Whit, Byron and I decided to roam the faraway hills. Olaf tagged along.

Talking, laughing and joking around, we climbed along the kingdom's outermost rampart, past the village, and walked up the slopes of the mountains, coming to rest at a rocky promontory situated between two waterfalls. I could hear the rush of falling water behind me as well. We were directly opposite the curving rampart we just climbed and the village it partially encompassed, separated by the calmly lapping waters of the fjord. The fortress of Arendelle lay to the right.

Whit said, "This was one of the places where Anna and Hans danced the night they met, wasn't it?"

"Yes. It was also where Hans had proposed," I said, remembering.

Whit let out a melancholy sigh. "I wish he's a good man, you know."

"Perhaps someday, he will be," I said. I hoped that saying it aloud would make it happen.

Silent, the four of us stood under the full moon and the clear, starry sky, gazing at the distant glows of the village and the even brighter lights of the castle, listening to the roar of the waterfalls on either side, feeling the cool spray of misty droplets on our skin.

Whit said to me, "Mom and Dad might want us to return to school." I had to strain my ears and lean my head towards him to hear him better because of the sounds of the waterfall. "When The One Who Is The One conquered our home, terrorized children gifted with magic, and threw them in prison, the education system in the City pretty much stopped, replaced by his brutal totalitarian regime. Now that the New Order and The One are defeated, kids are going back to school again—"

"Not all of them," Byron pointed out.

"No," Whit said, "but a lot of them are. It's likely our parents will want us to do the same."

I scowled. "Are you saying you actually like school?"

"Like?" Whit stepped back, looking at me as though I'd just poked him in the chest. "Hell, no, Wisty. I never liked school. School forces you to conform to what they want you to do. They want you to learn and learn and learn, to keep gaining knowledge, to acquire an impressive college degree, then a master's degree, and then a PhD. You've got to study for tests over and over, revise for exams that become harder and more challenging year after year. It puts you constantly in a dark mood, a whole load of pressure, and a massive amount of stress. After taking a summer vacation that you believe are too short and wish could last forever, the grim cycle repeats. It's almost as if you're trapped in a cage. They do give you Christmas and Easter breaks off, and that's good; but as you get older and move up to higher grades, you get busier, so busy that even your holidays are spent revising. That's when your holiday isn't much of a holiday anymore."

"Yeah," I agreed, a sour taste in my mouth. "It is depressing."

"What happens next?" Olaf asked, eager to hear more, like this was all an intriguing story. Maybe to him, it was.

"Next," Whit carried on, "you start getting worn out by the demanding level of studying, homework, and workload. You're almost always tired. You begin wishing for it to end. And when that happens," he shrugged, "it's only a matter of time before you feel you're done. Done with school. Done with learning. Done with education."

"Well said, man," Byron commented, nodding at Whit. "I haven't even finished high school—thanks, and no thanks, to The One—and I already know that those years were definitely not the best years of my life." He added, "Or the most important ones, to be honest."

Whit said, "How many times have I handed in homework either half-finished or late?" He did a tally on his fingers. "Hang on, it happened so many times I've long lost count!" He chuckled, and Byron and I chuckled too.

"At least you actually bothered to hand them in." Byron jerked his thumb at himself. "Me? I often avoid them completely. They're boring, difficult, give me headaches…" He held up his hands. "I just can't."

"Assignments and projects are so time consuming," Whit complained.

"I know!" Byron said. "I mean, why would I want to dedicate hours and days to completing them when I've got so many other fun and worthwhile things to do? Like reading comics books, playing video games, dot, dot, dot."

"Escapism," I said, "what teenagers and young adults all love."

"Very much," confirmed Whit.

"People always see studying as the only option for you to accomplish remarkable things," I stated. "But they couldn't be more wrong. It's not like you can really talk about these sorts of feelings with your friends or other classmates, because whenever you do have a conversation with them, all you ever talk about is work."

"Exactly!" Byron said.

"And that makes you cringe," I carried on. "Because you want to stay away from work, not talk about it, which only leads to worry and guilt for how much studying you've got waiting for you."

Whit sourly shook his head and said, "Studying is not my thing. I resent that everyone's forced to do it. You won't ever find interest in something if you're forced into it."

I admitted, "I try to study, but my mind kept wandering and I end up daydreaming instead."

Whit said, "At high school, every year close to the end-of-semester exams, I'll be sitting there going over my untidy class notes, and the whole time I'd be thinking, 'Damn. I could come up with a hundred better things to do right now and studying won't even be the last on the list!'"

We all tossed our heads back and laughed.

I acknowledged, "I've never excelled at school. I would usually get distracted by my hobbies because it's way too easy to get caught up in them. I didn't get the best grades. I was such a bad student. Always procrastinating, always getting in trouble."

"Bad student?" Whit frowned, then corrected, "You were a truant."

"And a notorious one too," Byron added.

"Yeeeep," I sang. "I love skipping classes. Chemistry, biology, physics…I skipped them all."

"Nasty subjects, those ones," Byron said with a cringe. "Chemistry, aside from the basics of the Periodic Table and balancing chemical equations, is plain hard. Biology goes into way too much detail—so many names of body parts and functions to remember. And physics? Physics is impossible. Science is so not for me. Honestly, I would've preferred math. Definitely not my favourite subject, but more straightforward and easier to handle than science."

I thought of Janine and turned to my brother. "Whit, your girlfriend works as a trauma nurse at the City Hospital. She's great at science, especially the biological side of it. She said she really likes her job."

"She does," said Whit. "But Janine didn't have her medical training at school; she had it in that hospital. Janine didn't sit in a classroom, do homework, and read large, heavy textbooks on biology all day. She actually volunteered, went out there, and did the practical work, which to me sounds a lot more interesting and useful than being at school. Not that I would want to do anything related to science, hell, no; but if that's Janine's thing, however different it is to my interests, I won't object to her carrying on with it."

"Whit, you enjoy writing songs, composing poems, and making up stories, right?" I said.

"I do," he said with a beam of pride.

"I heard that you don't necessarily need a major in English or to ever have gone to college or high school to be able to write."

"And I heard, Wisty, that you don't need to achieve top-notch grades to be able to sing and strum a guitar."

"Obviously." I smiled and rolled my eyes. "You aren't required to go very far into education if you want to work in the entertainment industry. Poetry and story writing included. Isn't that awesome?"

"Totally," Whit assented. He spoke again after a while. "Life is about so much more than just obtaining a degree and going to work. It's about explorations and adventures, finding moments of joy and then cherishing and living in them." Whit turned to Byron and me. "When I arrive back to the City, I've no intention to return to high school, let alone progress to college. I'd much rather pursue my interests in sports and writing."

"Do that," I said. Whit nodded to tell me he would.

Byron mentioned, "I heard Michael—one of my friends, not a magic user—is considering becoming a teacher."

I scoffed, "Teaching: worst job ever."

"True," Byron agreed. "Although I guess teaching little kids in kindergarten isn't too bad."

"Guess not." I shrugged.

Whit said, "Chase your passions and dreams, and then catch them. That's my word of advice and encouragement to anybody who seeks it. Have an aspiration, a goal, and work hard towards it. There's going to be people who will tell you that you aren't cut out for it, that you aren't good enough. Parents and teachers will try to talk you out of it, and they can make it sound very convincing, because they want you to think like them, to see things the way they do. But their words are nothing but rain endeavouring to quench your fire. Don't listen to them. When they, or anybody, says that you don't have it in you, it makes you that much more determined to prove them wrong. They persuade you to switch to a different route, and you say no. Jab a finger at their chests and tell them, 'I will show you what I'm made of. I will show you what I can do.' Tell them that. You want to achieve your passions and dreams and make a difference in the world? Do the work. Don't just talk about it, do it. Believe in yourself. Don't give up when times are tough. Keep going."

Whit stopped talking to give Byron and me a minute to process what he said.

I stared at the warm, inviting lights pouring out of the windows of the village houses. "Perseverance…" I said softly, quietly. "It's so, so hard."

I caught Whit looking at me out of the corner of my eye, but I fixed my gaze ahead. With an equally quiet and soft voice that matched mine, my brother said, "But it's so, so worth it."

I did allow myself to look at him this time. I nodded.

"Knowledge is limited, but imagination and creativity are boundless," Whit continued. "I read in a book somewhere that logic doesn't always lead you down the right path. It causes you to ignore the what-ifs. And I wholeheartedly agree. Logic gets you from A to B, yes, but imagination takes you everywhere. Follow your heart. It's your life. You're the one who gets to choose how to live it, and not anybody else."

"The One Who Is The One controlled us and coerced us under his rule," I said, recalling the older days. "That was why I abhorred the New Order so much. I hated their policy, their propaganda, their press, their ideas…I hated everything about them."

"And to think I had been an N.O informer once!" Byron said mortifyingly.

"Yeah, and pissed off a considerable number of Resistance kids too," Whit said.

"I loathed you for it," I added. "Banning books, music, movies and art, snatching them away, burning them…" I shook my head angrily. "Just bringing those memories to the surface of my mind makes me want to resurrect The One so I could kill him all over again!" I allowed myself half a minute to cool down before I elbowed Whit teasingly. "Not going to lie, but school is better than a New Order controlled society. At least our school days were normal."

"They were. But just because the N.O is gone, it doesn't mean I'll choose to return to high school," Whit said. "Before The One, I didn't particularly like school back then. I don't see why I'd prefer it now."

Byron tapped him airily on the upper arm with the back of his hand. "Dude, you're not alone." He gestured to me, then at himself. "We don't, either." His lips formed a mischievous smile.

"What do you think, Wist?" My brother asked.

"Huh?"

"Do you think Mom and Dad will reenrol us into high school?"

"No." The answer came out quick and without hesitation. I didn't even need to ponder the question. "Look at us, Whit. You're a wizard, and I'm a witch. We're magic users. How can we resume our old lives, return to education, and expect things to be the same again when we possess supernatural powers? What would be the point in doing loads of revision for a big test when someone could make you drink a potion that causes you to forget everything you've learned? What would be the point in studying hard when you could use spells to enhance your memory? Or sit in an exam when you could simply bewitch a pen so it makes you write down all the correct answers? Heck, we could even send our textbook flying into the back of a teacher's head if he or she makes us mad enough. We'll be messing around like a bunch of naughty kids."

"Yeah." Whit tittered. "We would be such troublemakers, wouldn't we? What I said about lots of parents sending their kids back to school? I was referring to ordinary kids, the ones without powers. Not kids with magic. I swear, in the three months after peace was restored in the City, I haven't stumbled across a single witch or wizard who has claimed they've gone back to school. All of them are free to do whatever they want with their lives, and nobody's stopping them. You're right, Wisty. Things won't ever go back to normal for magicians like us. Not anymore. Magic is the new normal."

I gave him a half smile. "Besides, Mom and Dad both believe we're doing an exceptional job in our roles as governors and Speakers of the Council. I'm positive they're content with the two of us as we are. I don't think they'll want to change anything."

"No," Whit echoed.

Olaf piped up, "It's fantastic that you're all bitching about how gloomy school is. I don't know how school works. I haven't even heard of the word 'school' until a few minutes ago. What does that word mean? Is there, like, a definition for it or something? I'm a snowman, and snowmen don't go to school, right?"

Whit laughed. "You want to know the definition of 'school?'" Olaf bobbed his head. "Here it is." Whit crouched before him so he was at eye level. "Unfair."

"That's it?" said Olaf.

"That's it," Whit repeated. "School means unfair. If you're a person and attended school, Olaf, I don't think you would've liked it."

Olaf lowered his head and said to the rocks, "Yeah, probably not. I can't write. Or read." Covering his two upper teeth with his stick hands, he uttered a silly giggle.

Byron said loudly, "How did we even end up discussing this topic, guys? Come on. Let's talk about something jollier."

"It's a hot, tranquil, and beautiful night," I said, staring up at the starry sky and the twinkling stars.

"It is indeed," said Whit.

The musical ensemble was just done setting up on the low stages at the front and back of ballroom when Whit, Byron, Olaf and I arrived. Through the row of entrances along the wall, more and more people were filing in, all immensely excited. My eyes did a rotational sweep of the area. Elsa and Kristoff must have been too involved in perfecting the courtyard to put effort into decorating the ballroom, but the place itself was so palatial and ornate I didn't think it needed decorating. Everywhere you glanced—the carved stone patterns, the columns—was either ivory, buttercup yellow, white, or glimmering gold. The dancing space was monumental. Servants had polished and cleaned the wooden floor almost to a superfluous level of shiny, and just staring at it made me itch to glide daintily over the elaborate tiles.

The ballroom was spacious and airy, with big windows lining the wall on one side, all of which were open. Despite the luxuriousness of the area, Whit and I still felt it could use more style. Anna once told me, during the predawn hours when we'd watch the sunrise atop one of the City's dilapidated buildings, that she loved the visualization and idea of infinity, because with infinity came limitlessness and freedom, and she could totally lose herself in them. I explained this to Whit.

And we came up with an idea.

Whit and I rounded up as many witches and wizards as we could and got them to enchant the ceiling so it darkened to the vast space of the universe. Meanwhile, we both pictured the most wondrous galaxy. When the magicians were done, Whit and I leaped up and soared to the ceiling, ensuring we were far enough apart. Reaching an arm over our heads to touch the stone, we glided along the roof, trailing it with our fingers. As we floated from one end of the ballroom to the other, we magically 'painted' its pitch-black roof in a system of stars, gas and dust, held together by gravitational attraction. They resembled so close to the real ones in space, they were virtually alive, forming the universe's most sublime galaxy. All the colours of a rainbow, plus any of the ones you could ever think of in between, were there, dotted with millions of twinkling, sparkling, various sized, brightly shining stars. The enchantment we cast on the ballroom ceiling made the florid, opulent chandeliers appear as though they hung from space. What was more spectacular was that the galaxy didn't stay still but drifted and moved. This wasn't something from a video or a film—it was pure, undiluted magic.

Satisfied and pleased with our art, Whit and I floated back to the floor.

Gaping at the wonder above, Anna was almost crying in elation when she said to us, "This is magnificent!"

I grinned at her gleefulness. "You're welcome. I know how much the infinity of the universe means to you."

The ensemble may be spread across the front and back of the ballroom, but it played as one. The moment the music started, men and women formed pairs and began sweeping onto the dance floor. A lord from a noble house asked for Princess Anna's hand. She gladly accepted, and off they went. Elsa, who never had much of a passion for dancing, had just started waltzing smoothly with a tall and lean knight.

"May I?" A lord of the realm requested, offering me his arm.

My expression brightened and my face lit up. "Sure!"

I linked my arm in his, and together, we headed onto the monumental dancing space, easing into a relaxed waltz. Not that I practiced on a regular basis, but as I moved to the melodic tune, I discovered I was actually pretty good at it. With each rhythmic turn of my body and step of my feet, I began to relax in the arms of my partner more, and by the time everybody was out on the dance floor, I was completely relaxed, twirling in a grace more natural than I thought I had in me.

When the music gave the signal to switch, my partner inclined his head at me politely before rotating to pair up with a City adult. I turned away as well and ended up face to face with Whit. Back home we'd never done anything like this—we hung out with our own friends and did our own thing. But right now, dancing with Whit had to be one of the most wonderful brother-sister moments we'd shared, and I was delighted to make the most of it. Couples made the next round of shifts, and Whit got dragged away by a pretty witch while I spun into the arms of Emmet. Emmet and I didn't hold each other's gazes the whole time, but mostly we were looking at one another. By the way he danced, I could tell Emmet was having a fabulous time, and he showed it by his broad smiles. I returned it with even bigger smiles. Partners switched again, and I coupled with Byron, who appeared beyond honoured to have this dance. An assortment of cellos, piano, and violins accompanied the waltzing. At a climax of the tune, Byron swept me up and spun me in circle, then did it twice more consecutively. I must've been overjoyed because I was grinning so much my cheeks hurt.

After another round of partner shifts, I teamed up with a teenage boy named Adrian, then Kristoff, then Ross, then Oliver, Derek, Thatch, Sam, Edwin, plus countless lords, knights, sentries, and squires. Every waltz was a bit different, but every one of them was brilliant. Apart from waltzing with the magicians from the City, I had never met so many fresh faces in one night. I didn't think I would get a second dance with the same person due to the vast number of people at the ball, but I might've stumbled upon Byron again later at some point. Or had I? I was so lost in the waltz, I didn't think I remembered.

The music arrived to a close. Couples backed to the edge until it was just Anna and Kristoff on the dance floor.

The boy I'd been dancing with, Sam, whispered in my ear, "I didn't know they would have their own personal waltz."

"Me either," I whispered.

Musicians began strumming a peaceful, soothing harmony with a combination of harps and guitars, and after Anna and Kristoff had commenced their refined waltz, the cello followed. A single cello, loud and clear, playing the main melody of the piece. There was an air of romance to the music, and it was beautiful. The swiftness and elegance of the ice harvester and the princess's movements matched it flawlessly. Anna twirled and performed a series of skips, and Kristoff, holding one of her hands, aided it with similar steps of his own. Across the room, I saw that Elsa was beaming. Standing on tiptoes, Anna spun into Kristoff's arm, they dipped in a marvellous pose, and Kristoff spun himself back out. Anna rested a hand on Kristoff's shoulder, Kristoff enveloped his arm around her waist, they laced the fingers of their free hand together, and resumed the normal position. Their waltz wasn't just brilliant—it was phenomenal. They turned round and round in perfect synchronicity to the rhythm, gliding over almost every area of the dance floor. Just when I almost thought they'd be dizzy, Anna jumped and rotated, and was caught and embraced by Kristoff upon landing. Leaning into Kristoff's arm, she tilted backwards with the grace of a swan. Kristoff grabbed her around the waist and lifted her up, and Anna anticipated it by throwing out her arms and arching her back.

It was like watching a prince and a princess dancing in a fairy tale movie. And now that I'd mentioned it, Kristoff did waltz with the smoothness of a prince, even though he wasn't born of the royal line. I swore every spectator had their eyes glued to the pair of them, transfixed by their performance. I was too. Anna and Kristoff finished to tumultuous applause. Blown away, I shook my head. Incredible, absolutely incredible. I couldn't stop clapping.

The head musician bellowed into the mic, "Are you up for some REAL dancing, everybody?"

Delirious shrieks and yells in response. I cried in exhilaration. It was probably the loudest I had ever screamed, and still my voice was drowned by the crowd's.

Beating of tambourines and the pleasant sound of recorders filled the air. Everybody rushed to the dance floor and began free dancing straight away. I summoned my mojo and fired a trail of gold sparks at the nearest chandelier. Its yellow bulbs instantly began flashing assorted colours of light, illuminating the ballroom in a mix of yellow, blue, purple, red and green. Several witches and wizards followed suit when they saw what I did, bewitching the other chandeliers also. A mix of colourful lights now illuminated the ballroom. Fabulous.

I glimpsed Janine and a youthful lady of the kingdom twirling, pirouetting and skipping on the spot, dancing like they owned the night. I grinned at the sight of them, prepared to do the same. I crossed and uncrossed my ankles, flexed my hips, shook my body, tossed my flame red hair, and waved my arms, losing myself in the upbeat music. We solo danced as we wished, not caring about how we looked, just elated to be here. There was freedom in the air, freedom so profound I tasted it and felt it in my bones. It seemed with each note of recorders and beating of tambourines, everyone got wilder. Their moves becoming friskier, their dances more energetic. It wasn't long before the flutes, oboes, violas and cellos joined in, bringing the party atmosphere up to a whole new level.

Magicians used their powers to alter their gowns into short dresses, then did that to the kingdom's residents as well, not wanting our movements to be restricted by our attire. Some people cavorted similarly in a group while others capered or tripped. Deep, low humming of double basses joined the music, and the minute the ensemble added the short, fast tapping and beating of bongos and congas, everybody started rocking to the same moves, frolicking altogether in synchrony. It was as if we were the stars of some sort of musical (minus the singing, of course). We didn't rehearse or practice our moves—we simply…fell into it. And the ease and naturalness with which we did it left me staggered in awe.

I was feeling hot and sweaty, but I didn't care. It was 10:00, all the instruments were playing, and the ball was in full swing. No one felt breathless, no one got tired. We were all here to dance, dance, dance.

This is amazing!

A trickle of magicians had filed into a line and were swaying to the music with their hands on their friends' shoulders, Anna in the lead. When I saw, I scampered over to join them, putting my hands on the wizard in front of me. Seconds later I felt Ross rest his hands on my shoulders, then Kristoff gripped Ross's. Guards, soldiers, adult magicians, and squires also fell into line, followed by more and more people until every individual in the room had joined and we were a single, meandering, snakelike formation. Anna, who was at the front, kept us moving the entire time, with Oaken at the very rear. We persisted dancing in synchrony, the people in odd number positions swaying and kicking to one side, those in even number positions toward the other, ensuring that we all kept our skips and steps the same.

Somewhere behind me was Aiden, Gretchen and Emmet, and somewhere further behind was Whit and Janine. They waved and made silly, friendly faces upon spotting me. I returned the favour. Our train formation was so long it occupied nearly every inch of the dancing space. We meandered back and forth across the length of it. When I passed Byron and Elsa, I gave both a high five, all the while skipping and stepping, kicking and swaying. This had got to be the most fun evening I'd ever had.

Anna began frisking along the walls, slowly unwinding our snakelike formation until we were a wide rectangle moving along the edges of the ballroom. Anna traced a smaller rectangle the next time she skipped around the dancing space, then a smaller rectangle after that, then an even more small rectangle, and so on. Following her steps, we trailed after her, not breaking the train ride. If I was looking at the crowd from aerial view, I bet we'd look something like concentric rectangles. Except that we were all just one extensive line. Gradually, Anna made her way towards the centre, and when she did, the people forming the innermost rectangle—including me—broke loose, lifted her up, and tossed her into the air. Anna fell back down and landed in our web of linked arms. We counted to three, then tossed her up once more, higher this time. Anna hit our net of limbs laughing. But we weren't done yet. We lowered the princess closer to the ground, bent into a squat, and gathered our energy. Together, on the count of three, we threw her up one last time, putting all our strength into it. Anna flew so high she almost scraped the ceiling. She emitted an ecstatic squeal, and for a second I felt jealous I wasn't the one up there. Watching her drop, we tightened our grips on each other and braced ourselves, ready to catch her. Anna slammed into our net of limbs.

The ballroom erupted in a mix of cheers, shouts and hurrahs. Anna's cheeks were flushed with adrenaline. She couldn't seem to let her euphoria fade, even as we set her back down. I didn't realize until then that the music had stopped. I looked over to the ensemble on both sides of the room and saw that they were whooping and crying too.

We took a break. Servants exited the ballroom and returned carrying trays full of glasses of cool water. I was so thirsty I gulped the entirety of my glass in half a minute.

The sounds of instruments restarted, and, all as one, we resumed our capering with fresh, new waves of energy. It was fantastic, dancing together, everyone cavorting to the same melody, frolicking to the same beat. I couldn't even express in words just how awesome this was. There was joy, there was cheering, there was laughter. We weren't just happy—we were pure happiness. And the music… Gosh, I loved the music. The ensemble was doing such a spot-on job. The integration of bongos, double basses, congas, and tambourines made for the perfect rhythm and beat, and the consonance of flutes, violas, recorders, cellos, oboes and violins pieced together the most brilliant and wonderful tune. At some point, we started clapping along, adding more liveliness to the music. The dancing grew as frenetic as ever. The night was ours, and we owned it. We were having the time of our lives.

The song arrived at an end. There was a brief period of quiet before a calmer, more relaxed one took its place. I was left feeling pumped, like I'd just done an hour of relentless, hardcore workouts in the gym. It was the best I'd ever felt.

The next couple of minutes were spent chatting and rehydrating ourselves. Using magic, witches and wizards of the City changed their short dresses back to gowns, then did the same thing to the realm's residents. Having given us time to cool down, the ensemble switched to a pleasant, serene harmony. I could tell the most thrilling part of the ball was over, because people were beginning to settle for slow dancing in pairs. A few feet away Janine pressed the side of her head against Whit's chest and laced her fingers with his. Whit wrapped an arm around Janine's waist and silently kissed the top of her hair. The two of them swayed peacefully to the music. Further away from me was Anna and Kristoff, waltzing gently. Servants wandered around collecting empty glasses from people and gathering them back in their trays. I finished my water and excused myself from the group of lords, knights, messengers and witches I'd been conversing with to return mine. I had been walking back to rejoin them when the tingling feeling of electrostatic crackles in my blood made me stop dead in my tracks.

It caressed me like an old friend, vehement and familiar. Slowly, I turned my head to the direction it was coming from.

And I saw him: the pale blue eyes as clear as glass, the white-blond hair combed attractively back from his forehead, those prominent cheekbones. Black suit and pants, dark brogues, pine green tie.

I would've swooned over how dashingly handsome he looked if it wasn't for his sour, pursed lips, straight-backed posture, and the hardness in his gaze. But then his expression softened, and I could've sworn the corner of his lips curled upwards in a crooked, mischievous smile.

My view was temporarily blocked by a blithe, giggling couple holding hands and skipping toward somewhere across the room, but when they had passed, the wizard was no longer there. All I saw standing in his position was a shorter, dark-skinned boy in a cream outfit scratching his ear. He merrily waved at someone who gave him a playful, convivial gesture upon spotting him.

I searched to the left and right side of the boy, but none of the people I glimpsed was that wizard. Even the aura of supernatural energy that I had detected humming through my veins just now was gone. It was as though I'd merely imagined the sight of him.

But I was Wisteria Allgood, the most powerful, gifted, and formidable witch in the City. And I knew better.

The short, dark-skinned boy in that cream attire patted one of his 'friends'—if you could call him that; more of an 'acquaintance,' maybe—on the back, then turned away and headed for the closest doors. I took a step forward.

"Care for a bit of slow dancing?"

I halted and blinked. Byron Swain popped in front of me from nowhere, intercepting my path. He stood so close we were practically nose-to-nose.

I gave him an offhanded, casual smile. "Maybe later, B. I need to go to the bathroom."

Giving him a light, amiable pat on the upper arm, I stepped past him and speed-walked out of the ballroom. Byron did not call after me, and for a moment I regretted lying to him and dismissing him so easily.

My heels weren't very high, but they still clicked loudly on the inlaid tiles, so I took them off. Snatching the shoes, I padded throughout the castle after the mysterious boy, maintaining a safe distance behind him. Thankfully he chose the short routes and stairs, and turned around corners a lot, therefore it wasn't hard for me to keep up without being seen or heard. It was only when he arrived at long, wide hallways and vast, empty rooms that I was forced to put more distance between us. Peeking around one of the supporting columns of an antechamber, I watched the boy walk through the doors leading to the main room, cross it, and then step out onto an open balcony.

I wasn't even aware that my heart was racing. I took a deep breath to calm me down and soothe my nerves. Wait, did I just say soothe my nerves? Get it together, Wisty, I reprimanded myself. I was not nervous. Unnecessarily sneaking a peek over my shoulder, I put my heeled shoes back on and silently approached the balcony.

"Well, isn't that a pitiful, amusing disguise?" I smiled lazily, stopping just outside the threshold and propping an arm on the doorframe. "I know the face of every single magician in the City, if not their names, and yours is the first fresh, new face I've encountered tonight." It was true. "Nice try, but you can't fool me, so cut the crap. I know it's you."

The boy turned around. His height became taller, his cream outfit turned into blacks, and his skin shifted to white as he morphed back to his true form. The electrostatic crackle in the air couldn't be more welcoming.

"Hello, Pearce," I greeted calmly.

He said, "You recognized me."

"Honestly, it was too easy." I added, "And I think you wanted me to." I shrugged. "Why else would you have showed yourself and unleashed your magical aura back in the ballroom?"

He was staring at the space next to me, I noticed, looking at anywhere but me. I went to stand beside him, keeping a respectable distance between us, and rested my hands on the grey stone balustrade. The balcony offered a stunning view of the kingdom, with the gloriously lit village, the mountains, and most of the stronghold to my left, and the fjord adjoining the sea to my right, its waters shimmering beautifully under the moonlight. It was nice and breezy up here. Tranquilly.

I asked, "You were here the whole time?" Out of the corner of my vision I caught a faraway ship sailing.

"It's not as if I'm going anywhere," Pearce said.

"This is so unlike you."

"What is?" he demanded.

"You, disguising yourself to avoid being noticed by me and Whit when you're normally all bad boy demeanour and bold and swaggering all the time," I clarified. "You're never one to hide. But then, it's a good thing you're blending in with the crowd, moving on, and enjoying the days like everyone else, forgetting about the quarrel you had with Elsa at the ice palace—"

"I haven't," he cut me off, a dead look in his eyes. "I still think death is what Hans deserves."

Suddenly overcome by exasperation, I slapped my palm on the stone parapet. Pearce didn't flinch. "Listen, I know you're upset about our enemy's fate, but you need to get over it," I snapped. "It's Elsa's decision to grant him clemency. His royal family at the Southern Isles are punishing him as they see fit. Hans is probably mucking smelly, disgusting dung at the stables right now."

Pearce huffed and turned his back to me, refusing to take in a word I was saying.

Which only served to flare my temper up even more. "Look at me, Pearce," I said. A command.

I waited. It wasn't until he locked his gaze on me with smouldering intensity before I continued, "Elsa was the one who got Hans to negate his spell on you, all right? She delivered you from that iniquitous version of yourself. If it wasn't for her, you'd still be lost! Elsa made her decision. You'll have to accept that. Nothing more can be done, and being upset about it is pointless."

Pearce burst out, "He enslaved me, Wisty! He used me! He controlled me as though I was a toy to be played with!" He lowered his voice. "You don't understand how that's like."

Hesitating, I bit my lip, then asked quietly, "How was it like? Being under the influence of his magic?"

He gazed at the distant mountains, lost in thought. "It was powerful and…awfully real. One minute I was intent on obliterating Hans, the next…it was as if I'd been transformed. I started regretting how I failed to please The One, abhorring myself for the disappointing protégé I'd been to him. But that abhorrence was nothing compared to the loathing, the animosity I felt for you and your brother. Just the mere sight of you and Whit alive and breathing is enough to make me want to claw your eyes out and shred your hearts to ribbons. I wondered, 'How is it that the Allgood witch and wizard are still here when my father is not?' I reconsidered everything Hans had said, and I realized he was right. He and I are exactly alike. I was appalled I allowed myself to believe, even for a fleeting moment, that I could be redeemed. That I could become a good person. I'd felt so foolish and ashamed that I let you change me, Wisty, I wanted to gut myself. During that period, I was hellbent on destroying you." He licked his lips and shook his head.

I swallowed bile that was rising in my throat and said, "Go on."

"It's not like I'd forgotten any past events while I was brainwashed. Hans hadn't wiped my memories. I still remembered everything. The battles I fought against you and your brother, carrying out missionary tasks given to me by The One, the moments I spent with Byron and Anna in Shadowland, our periods of intimacy…I remembered them all." Pearce explained, "It's just…when Hans enslaved my mind, I suddenly viewed things completely differently. I was still me, the 'redeemed' me. But I was also the 'old' me, the guy who delights in melting the flesh off people's faces and such. Hans turned me from good to evil in a matter of seconds, like flipping a light switch."

My throat was too constricted to speak.

"When the bind of indoctrination was broken, I woke up, and I chastised myself to the ends of the earth for what I'd said, the things I'd done. I kept replaying them over and over in my head." He looked at me. "I'm still replaying them, Wisty."

Pain tore at his expression. And shame, such shame. Tears pooled in my eyes and I blinked them away.

"That's why I was so angry at Elsa for sparing Hans and letting him go. He made me do such terrible things, so many wicked things I'd rather stay away from and forget. And you know what's making me hate myself the most? It's how pathetically weak I had been," Pearce spat. "Hans bent me to his will and used his sorcery to bring me to my knees, and I was too weak to fight it."

I convinced, reaching out to touch him, "Hans's hold on you was strong. You wouldn't have been able to sever it even if you wanted to—"

"That's the problem: I didn't want to!" Pearce interjected, knocking aside my arm. "I hadn't even tried. All I'd craved at the time was hurting you, killing you!" He exhaled, and it seemed as if he was giving away all his honour and self-regard in that one breath. "I just allowed him to take me. I just gave in."

He tore his gaze from me, to the floor, to the balusters, to the towers and turrets, to the village houses. It was a while before he looked back at me. "I love you, Wisty."

There it was again. Those words. When was the last time he'd spoken them? When I had spoken them?

"I love you," he repeated. "But when Hans brainwashed me and forced me to turn on you, he shattered something in me I'm not sure I would be able to repair. I vanished from the ice palace that day feeling like crap. I could hardly talk to anyone. Not Whit, not your friends, not Elsa, and least of all you. I'd say it's praiseworthy enough I didn't desert this kingdom or end my own life. When you hinted earlier that I was having fun today, you were right. I was. I relaxed this week and this morning, attended the banquet, danced at the ball…I didn't miss a single event. I just didn't want to go about with these activities as me, does that make sense? It's easier doing them when I'm someone else. But tonight…I just had to reveal myself and get somebody to acknowledge my presence." For the first time in what felt like a long time, Pearce smiled. "I'm glad that person is you."

I said, "Of course it would be me. It has always been me." I took a step closer. "Do you wish to start afresh?"

He responded with a nod.

"Then forgive yourself," I said. "You can't start afresh if you refuse. I've forgiven you, Pearce, or else we wouldn't be having this conversation. Whit had his bones fractured by you, and he was still able to laugh. Put the past behind you, Pearce, for it is the past. Don't let guilt and shame wreck you. If you do, Hans wins."

"Hans doesn't get to win," Pearce asserted. "I'm not handing him that satisfaction."

"Don't you ever," I instructed. I almost wept with joy right then, because I finally had my soul mate back, and there was nothing more I could've wanted. I courteously extended my hand and asked, "Will you dance with me?"

Pearce's clasp was firm and strong. "Beneath the sky, the sun, the moon and the stars…everywhere."

Whit once told me when we were both little that life could never be perfect. There would constantly be sunshine and bleakness, serenities and storms. But right now, at this very moment, I would like to believe that it was. Hand in hand, Pearce and I sauntered away from the balcony. Towards joy. Towards triumph and freedom.

Towards jubilation.

Author's Note:

And that, my dear readers, is the end of the story! Wow oh wow oh wow. What an incredible journey this has been, from first creating an idea and plot in my head to writing them down and then sharing them with you. Looking back, I could still remember all those nights I lay awake in bed unable to sleep because I was thinking about this story, and the countless number of times I discussed it with my younger brother. I'm thankful and grateful for all his help, and am so glad to have him around to talk about it and share my plans with! He gave me suggestions to make the fanfic exciting and adventurous, and a lot of them were so awesome I just had to incorporate them! Chapters 1-10, 14, 17 & 22 were proofread by my brother, and I polished and edited the rest.

There are a few flaws in this fanfiction that I'm aware of: the plot is very simple and plain, the pacing is slow at parts, and I've probably dragged it longer than it needs to be. BUT...I hope you didn't find it too dull and enjoyed reading it nevertheless! I've written everything I wanted to write and am pleased it turned out exactly how I wanted it to. I must confess, there were many times I've put off writing the story because of the lack of responses it's receiving. I rarely get feedback and reviews, not even so much as a follow or a favourite. Sad to say, that left me feeling repeatedly discouraged, and soon I was lead to believe no one is reading the story. However, my plans and ideas for it kept nagging at me and wouldn't let go, begging to be written and told, and I'm so glad because of that I kept going and did not give up. Besides, writing stories is something I love, and that allowed me to immerse myself in my own world, get lost in creativity and imagination, and forget about the reality of who is or isn't reading my work.

I admit I am a rather slow writer. There have been countless days when I felt too tired or burned out to write. Some days were better—I was able to get a good number of words down. Other days I was so burned out that every sentence felt like a struggle and I could barely write a paragraph! Words. Too many words. Oh dear… I had to balance writing with the rest of the things I do during my leisure time, so I apologize for the long waits between updates.

Hoof! I'm so happy to have seen the story to its close, reached the end of the race, and crossed the finishing line! Like a big weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I don't think I'll be writing again in a while, because I do feel that I need a nice, good break, but when I return to it, it is very likely I will produce original pieces of work instead of fanfictions. But then again, who knows? I haven't got any other story ideas brewing at the moment, and I hope that they will come...but until then, ladies and gentlemen, I give you, A Second Tyranny.

Time for me to say goodbye to my laptop, embark on adventures, and LIVE life!