3.
Sofia practically floated back to her bedroom. She now wore a simple black engagement ring, it had been all Cedric could afford at the time. As far as engagement rings went it was a peculiar choice, but the material had been enchanted to shine like glass. And if she peered into it she could see stars as if she was looking up at the night sky. It was a complicated spell and it had taken him a long time to accomplish, so she loved it. He had done it mostly while she slept, and had gone through a few rings to get everything just right.
She opened the door to her bedroom, forgetting for a moment just how long it had been since she had been inside it. But then it swept over her. Everything was how she left it, even Clover sat on the bed. Upon seeing each other Sofia squealed with joy.
"Clover!" she rushed over to her friend, scooping him up.
"Sofia, you're back!" Clover said. "And you have your amulet!"
"And I can understand you!" she added needlessly.
"You have to tell me everything." He said, happily hopping out of her arms and onto her bed.
"Have you been hanging out in my room all this time?" She asked.
"No, of course not. I come here to sleep." She smiled and scratched behind his ears. She sat on her bed and began to tell him everything. When she finished she looked around her room, realizing that she was about to go to sleep, alone. She frowned.
"What's wrong, Sof?" Clover asked.
"Nothing, really. I guess I just got so used to sleeping beside Cedric…" She glanced at her closet. Would he be in his workshop? Should she go to him? Would the magic in the mirror still work?
"Sounds like you have to get used to being a princess all over again." Clover said.
"I guess so," she said, looking down at her amulet. The glow was faint, so she went to the window. She could see the stars in the night sky, so the storm clouds had gone. It was too dark to tell if the land had regained any of its life, she would have to check again in the morning.
A crash in her closet made her jump. Clover hopped over to hide behind her feet. She heard a colorful curse, and another crash. She smiled.
"It's Cedric," she whispered to Clover. She rushed to the closet, before anyone could overhear the commotion and go to check on her. She opened the door, and he was laying on the floor surrounded by some caps and tiaras that had been on a stand.
"Hello, Sofia." He said, giving her a small wave.
"What are you doing here?" She whispered, though they were unlikely to be overheard. She rushed to help him back to his feet.
"I wanted to show you something," he said taking her hand. He held out his wand and waved a small circle over her ring. There was a rush of air and then the entire surface of the closet was covered with the night sky.
"Oh, this is amazing." Sofia turned around, watching the twinkling of the small white lights that represented the stars.
"In all the excitement, I forgot to show you." He said, waving his wand in another circle and the image vanished. "You can conjure it up anytime you like." He showed her the spell, and then they stood in silence. Sofia wasn't sure what to say, and Cedric shuffled his feet.
"Things are different now, aren't they?" Cedric said quietly, but he smiled at her.
"It'll be so odd sleeping in that bed alone, after so many nights on a cramped cot, next to you."
"You won't have to sleep alone once we're married," he said pulling her against him. She relaxed, feeling giddy at his words. "But for now, I should go."
"Yeah," she said softly. He should go, before she insisted he stay and never leave. He leaned down and kissed her. She put her arms around his neck and he began to walk her backwards until her back was against a wall. He pulled away, looking down at her. He reached up and traced her jawline, then let his fingers trail down her neck. She shuddered, feeling warm and light-headed. She touched his chest, feeling his heartbeat quicken.
"I should go," he repeated. Sofia mumbled her agreement, but he was so close to her. One of his hands rested on the wall next to her head, the other was sliding down from her shoulder to her hand which was still over his heart.
Her mind was trying to memorize the way he was looking at her now, as if nothing else existed. When he finally pushed off of the wall, she found herself able to breathe again.
"I'll see you tomorrow," he said, smirking at her over his shoulder. She smiled at him, touching her throat and watching him go back to his rooms through the mirror.
She went back to her bed and sighed heavily, falling backwards on the mattress.
"So, when you two get married, would you consider having a carrot wedding cake?" Clover asked, from his perch on her bed. She was glad that he hadn't followed her into the closet.
"Sure, Clover. Carrot cake it is." She said happily. She retrieved her wand and cast the spell on her ring to fill the room with stars.