The Ties That Bind

by PrisonerOfTheMind

Trying to set right a horrible injustice Sofia unleashes a chain reaction of events, plunging kingdoms into war. Political intrigue and magical battles abound. Peasantry and nobility clash while the chaos spirals out of control. Sofia will have to make a choice, but can she live with its ramifications? Cedfia/Hugfia/HildyAxelLuci/AmberDesmond/BirkMirandaRolly STRONG T RATING

30. Chapter 30-Dejection

Chapter 30: Dejection

Craning her neck around Sofia saw James standing solidly to face this scene, highly confused as to what was happening. Cedric let the fabric of her skirt drop down, and with hands up in the air backed away slowly. Sofia crawled out from under him and tried standing while Cedric shot sideways glances longingly at his wand, now just beyond arm's reach in the direction James was standing.

"Sofia what's going on?" James had come up hurriedly as Sofia sprang to her legs as best she could, halting her brother's advance.

"Nothing James, I was just teaching Mr. Cedric how to ride a swing and then a potion vial broke on both of us."

James kept staring back at Cedric strangely. "He can't ride a swing?"

"Well now he can, isn't that right Mr. Cedric?" A string of odd vowels came out of the sorcerer curling into a protective ball on the grass, but nothing close to resembling words.

"Oh. Gee Sof, for a minute there I thought something else was going on. Sorry Cedric." Both royals turned to look at Cedric who was hyperventilating and looked like he might pass out. James narrowed in on the rather large stain across Cedric's lap, and furrowed his brow. "So what potion was it Cedric? Are you guys gonna be okay?"

The strange string of nervous laughter coupled with odd disjointed syllables would make anyone wonder if Cedric had lost all sanity, "Aaaahhhh yes. YES! A potion, the, um, snowflake potion! Indeed yes that is what happened. So there is nothing to see here, right Sofia? Nothing at ALL!" The apparent nervousness was even more pronounced by the high pitch of his voice. It was understandable; catching a servant in such a compromising position would normally result in termination, no matter whom they were exposing themselves too. But it was all an innocent mistake, which Sofia was more than happy to help clear up.

"I'm going to be okay, right Mr. Cedric?" The man nodded furiously while trying to cover his front in extra folds of his robe. "See, Mr. Cedric says everything is fine now." She took her brother's arm and began leading him back to the castle. "It's dinnertime, right?" Smiling wide to assuage anything James was worried about seemed to work, as the young man nodded briefly then glanced over his shoulder at a still very nervous Cedric grasping at his wand. "Thank you for the wonderful evening Mr. Cedric, and I'm sorry I broke your vial."

The sorcerer stopped scrambling and sat back upon his knees as they rounded the corner toward the castle. "My… vial" was the last thing she heard him say as they rounded the corner.

…

"Sofia what was that back there?"

"I told you it was nothing." Her arm still wrapped around James's as they walked briskly back toward the castle. "He had a vial of snowflakes, and it broke all over his lap and my leg. He was just worried about it getting on me, so he cleaned up my leg immediately, that's all."

"But why was his head up your skirt? No one does that unless they're really comfortable with the other person."

"Well, he needed to see what he was cleaning after all. I guess that I'm really comfortable with him so I didn't mind one bit."

"Sofia, don't take this the wrong way, but I'm not so sure Cedric was just looking at some potion on your leg. He seemed way too stressed out when I walked up for it to be as innocent as a potion getting everywhere. It was more like I caught you guys making out than anything else."

Sofia paused. It had felt wonderfully romantic, up until the falling on one's head bit. He'd been so happy, and truthfully so had she.

"Do you really, think that?" There was much too much excitement in the way she'd responded. Oops. Immediately she tried to deny what was happening to her. "But that's impossible. We were just swinging. Swinging is innocent, all kids do it."

"Well yeah, that's what it looked like, and neither of you are kids anymore."

"But Mr. Cedric, he doesn't like girls. Amber said—"

"Don't get me started on Amber's gossip, Sofia." Her brother grunted with heaps of displeasure. "She's been wrong more often that not. Don't you remember what we talked about in Leidleville, maybe he doesn't even know what he wants. It could be one, or the other, or even both."

BOTH.

Maybe she had a chance after all. It left a tiny, yet hopeful ache in the pit of her stomach. Unfortunately James was quick to notice her contorted face.

"Wait. Sof, do you… like him now? Like, romantically? Oh wow… it's true. You guys were making out on the grass. Go Sof!" Oh no. She was pegged, but that wasn't what had happened. She tried to shirk away, but was surrounded on three sides by hedges. Drat. "Come on, you can tell me. You know I won't tell anyone. After all, you know all about my… uh…" James tapered off his badgering. He'd wandered right into the pit of doom, quite accidentally.

"That reminds me, when are we going to talk about what's going on with you and Ruby?" To that James stiffened, his quick pace halted.

"Ah man, we were talking about you and Mr. grumpy, not me."

"Too late."

"Ugh. Why'd you have to see that anyway?" The prince was wincing at his great secret, now exposed.

"Well I did see it, so spill. What's going on between you two?"

"It's none of your business Sof."

"Well you seemed to want to know all of my business, and after all Ruby's my friend. Not to mention you're engaged." Sofia tilted under him to catch her brother's gaze, "I'm worried, for both of you. You're my brother, and she's one of my oldest and dearest friends."

James grunted, "Okay. You see, the thing is, we just like to have fun."

The response was met with angry eyes. "You aren't really using one of my dearest friends, right James."

"NO, I LOVE HER!" He'd been caught, and dropped his gaze to the ground below them. "Ah man, what am I going to do? Sof, you know how well we get along, and all the common interests we have." He turned to look off over the hedges in the direction of Dunwitty. "She's just so motivated, athletic and kind, not to mention beautiful."

A soft and understanding hand was set along his cheek, her fingers gliding down to comfort her brother. "James, do you know if she loves you too?"

His shoulders slumped. "Yeah, we've been doing this for a while now, and it's kind of been like a game to see who would slip up and say 'love' first, but she was devastated when she found out I'd been kidnapped, and when I saw her afterward it all just came tumbling out."

"Then why aren't you professing your love for her to everyone? I'm sure Dad will understand."

"NO, he won't Sofia. He's been after me for a couple years now about Princess Clio, and how it's royal tradition, and how we need to form alliances and respect traditions to keep the order of things intact." Sofia's hands were up in protest,

"But it's your LIFE, James!"

James was practically in tears, "Don't you think I realize that! We've even talked about eloping and running away, but the KINGDOM Sof. If I did that not only would it break Dad's heart but what would happen to the kingdom. We'd be perceived as weak, unruly, and open to exploitation. Dad is always right about these things, and it's my carelessness about it all that's got me in this much trouble. I can't go blabbing to Dad, he won't accept it."

"But James, this is your future." His head started shaking back and forth, as if reworking through another round of arguments he'd already fought. "Don't you think I've tried to talk to Dad? Every time I do he cuts me off because he's busy with all this bad stuff going on in Friezenburg, or turns the conversation to Clio, or something. It's always something." With that James pulled away, walking off into the distance. How could she not have known he suffered so much? She had to pursue, to help him if she could in any way.

"James stop and listen to me for just a minute." That was enough to halt the troubled man's wayward trajectory. "It's not fair to you, or to Ruby, and it certainly isn't fair to Clio if you marry her but love someone else."

James just stood there, taking it in. The vacant expression betrayed his utterly astounded reaction. He'd never even considered how unfair all this was to Clio, and that right there was the largest red flag of all. "James, it's better to let Clio know you don't love her than run her through emotionally. I can't even imagine marrying someone who didn't love me. That would be the worst fate imaginable."

Very seriously James took his sister's hands in his own. "Don't get me wrong Sof, I really want Ruby with me always, but I just can't, okay."

"No, it's not okay! You're my brother, and you should be happy!"

"Just, leave it alone."

"No!" Growing angry, James began to storm off toward the castle. "James STOP. You have to see that if you marry Clio it'll just make all three of you miserable."

"Sofia I can't go against Dad. Not this time."

"Since when do you follow the rules anyway?!"

He finally stopped and turned back to her, highly emotional. "Look, if I'm being completely honest, Dad might not let me inherit the crown if I go against this betrothal."

Had he just said that? "Wait. No way James, you're his only son! There's no way he would strip you of your birthright!"

"I'd like to think that, really I would Sof, but do you remember when there were rumors of Princess Jasmine marrying some peasant from her village?" Sofia nodded, "Well Dad was meeting with a bunch of other kings, and I was there hanging out with Zandar and heard the whole thing. They were all totally against it, Dad included, and I heard him say that he was glad that his son was already engaged to the beautiful and kind Corinthian princess, and all the other kings started speculating about how long it sould be until Agrabah was conquered." James took Sofia by the shoulder. He must have realized how overwrought Sofia was becoming, "Sof I heard him agree with all those kings, and how they were all going on about the monarchies end when the lines of succession weren't maintained. There's just no way he'd go for it."

This poor young man. He'd been suffering in silence this whole time. If only there was someone who could convince Rolland to let James be happy. WAIT.

"MOM!" Sofia practically screamed it. Startled, James sprung backward. A bright smile spread across the princess's face, as she realized the key to James's salvation. "MOM! She's a peasant, and Dad married her anyway." James began shaking his head, but Sofia wasn't having it. "Look I know there's tradition, bloodlines, and all that, but if there's one thing Dad can't say no to it's Mom. After all, he married her, and she was from the village."

"It was his second marriage Sofia. He already had Amber and I from his marriage to my Mom, well my first Mom."

"Seriously James, You've got to tell our Mom how you and Ruby feel about each other. Then she can work it into Dad's mind that your happiness is more important that tradition."

James turned around and flopped onto one of the nearby benches that popped up sporadically in the garden. It was taking some time to process it, but the idea had real merit he couldn't deny. Walking over to his seated frame, Sofia set a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. "James, if you love Ruby and want to marry her you have to try. Just imagine your life five years from now." The young man began blinking, "You don't want to look back with regret, right?" Slowly he started nodding as he stared off at some hedges. "Well then, I was given some good advice recently. To act instead of react, and well, I think you should do the same."

He finally turned up to see her dawning a half smile. "You really think Mom will support me Sof?"

"Absolutely."

With that they sprinted toward dinner, James filled with a renewed sense of hope that his life wasn't a lost cause. It had been over half an hour since Baileywick had been unsuccessful in locating her and James had offered to help search her out. That he'd stumbled upon them at all was extraordinarily lucky, but he was faster than any servant, and knew the gardens well from years of amused exploration. He'd even fettered out the hedge maze, to no effect. Bursting into the dinning room the pair were all smiles at the thought of a happy fate. The noise of the door being flung open caused all heads to turn rapidly to where they stood.

The first thing Sofia remembered was the shattering of glass. Baileywick had uncharacteristically dropped the decanter he was holding, his eyes locked on Sofia as his hands were suspended motionless in mid-air as if he was still pouring the snifter for Rolland. The next thing she noticed was Rolland's knife clanging against his plate as he too was staring at her as if Dax the ghost had floated into the dining hall.

The other heads at the dinning table whiplashed from staring at the doorway to Baileywick, and quickly a servant along the wall sprang into action to help the steward clean up.

Lunging forward, Sofia couldn't help but offer up assistance as well. "Baileywick are you okay! You never drop—"

"SOFIA." Frozen by his commanding voice, Sofia stopped a foot from where Baileywick had begun cleaning up the shattered glass as quickly as it had broken. Rolland had stood, his chair flinging out behind him from the velocities involved.

"Rolly, what's the matter?" Miranda had sprung up too and set a hand against her husband's arm. As if a trance was lifted he snapped back to reality, and pivoted to clasp his hand gingerly around her own.

"It's alright dearest, but…" Turning back to face Sofia his eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Baileywick, is that what I think it is?"

The steward had already cleaned up the decanter and sprung back to his feet, launching to Sofia's side before one could even detect it. No wonder he was always within arms reach in the castle. Adjusting his spectacles, then steward gasped. "It looks to be your majesty."

Baileywick reached out and touched the fabric covering her arm, much as Cedric had.

Uh oh.

Sofia was getting the sneaking suspicion that Cedric wasn't supposed to give her this dress after all. He'd alluded to there being another owner. Wait, had he stolen it?

Rolland was advancing, his brow furrowed in confusion, "Sofia what's going on?"

Oh no. This wasn't going to be good. "Oh, do you like my dress Dad? I think it's really beautiful, and the blue matches my eyes. Right Amber?"

She was grinning wildly at her sister to deflect the attention, and Amber was happy to oblige as the young woman let out a delighted little squeal. "Oooo, It really does Sofia! And the asymmetry on the top is so sleek, it's very nice, even though it's not really an Enchancian fashion. It's more like something you'd see in Salzenburg, where my mother was born."

"That's enough Amber." The king's voice had come out stern, almost cold in it's harshness. All three of them knew that tone, and it wasn't anywhere on the positive spectrum. Not in the slightest.

The youngest princess deflated like a pricked balloon. Rolland was now looming over her as Miranda called out softly, "What's the matter Rolly? It's only a dress, and not a particularly revealing one at that."

"I think you look stunning, as always my beautiful. Come and have dinner with me." Ugh. Hugo was in attendance and uneducated in the tonal qualities of Rolland's voice. Just perfect. He was even occupying the seat alongside where she customarily sat. There was no avoiding Mr. gropes-a-lot.

Rolland growled under his breath, but then Miranda had come over to comfort her husband. It startled the man, and he relaxed into hugging her and giving her belly a soft rub, a nod to the growing life within no doubt. Slowly he sighed, his normal demeanor returning. "Sofia I'd prefer it if you didn't wear that after today."

Whew. Crisis averted, but why? "Okay Dad."

Dinner was unpleasant. Hugo kept stroking her hand, and staring at her strangely, as if somehow trying to be seductive. She groaned several times to give off subtle hints, but the prince simply changed tactics, and began the endless stream of flattery. She wanted to wave off his affections, but couldn't do so in such a public setting. Not only would it cause him undue embarrassment, there would be an endless stream of questions from her family, ones that she could not answer without acknowledgement of the doppleganger, and then the interrogation would really ignite.

An opportune breaking point finally presented itself, and she rose to be excused, fleeing this monstrosity of a meal. Like a fly caught in a honeyed trap, Hugo clung to her hand, stroking it longingly with his strong fingers. He smiled up at her, as if some eternal truth was shared, and, unaware of what he was planning she glared back at him. The man turned to Rolland, exuberant. "Sir, I'd like to speak with you, in private."

CLANG. Rolland had set his glass down rather hard, startling everyone at the table.

"I'm not so sure I have time tonight. Baileywick, I have some proclamations to review, don't I?"

"I could free up a few minutes if… oh yes sire, you are very busy." Baileywick's tone had changed mid-sentence, from conciliatory to impatient. Not soon enough though.

"But Sir, it really can't wait. I need to speak with you, to ask you something very important." Hugo was practically giddy. All Sofia could daydream on was that this usurper of castles was finally going home to leave her in peace, and so she snatched her hand back, bid adieu to her family, and was up to her room with the door shut in under a minute flat.

The suspect dress was stripped off, but why had Rolland been so upset by it? Slowly she sat on the end of her bed, feeling the fabric in her fingers. The evening had been wonderful, and James had renewed a sense of hope in her, but still… this dress was something else entirely.

She rose to fetch her nightgown, but there on the dresser was not one but two wands. Oops. She'd forgotten to return the borrowed wand to Cedric. In truth she wanted to see him again, and now she had a reason to go venturing up to his tower. But she couldn't just march up there and drop the wand off. Cedric would realize it had been taken, and poor Westin would take the blame for it, even though he'd tried to return the thing straight off. She couldn't keep it, and let her cousin take the blame when it was entirely her fault.

She needed a cover. Something that would distract Cedric so she could slip the wand back into its place, and the dress provided the answer. Its deep blue reminded her of the blueberry pie he'd been craving. If she brought him a succulent pie from the kitchen he'd been grateful she was thinking of him AND he'd be so busy eating it that he wouldn't notice the wand being returned.

Delighted, Sofia dressed in her normal purple ensemble and stuffed his 'borrowed' wand in its pocket. She conjured a "tired, do not disturb" sign on her outer door in case Hugo came to bother her and was off to the kitchen in seconds flat, greeting everyone crossed in the halls with a nervous smile. There upon the kitchen counter sat the most decadent looking blueberry pie.

"Perfect."

"Sofia!" Strong arms were around her. Startled she reared back, but it was Westin. He was smiling wide, and just beyond him stood Gwen when a change of heart overtook him. "Uh, I mean Princess Sofia." He stepped back immediately and bowed.

Laughter broke out, as Gwen was pounding the table. "Oh really you needn't keep up the pretense with me Wes. Sofia's practically one of us." Confused, Sofia's head flopped to one side as Gwen continued chuckling, "After all, she did grow up in the village." Gwen went about her business, helping her aging father clean up the dishes from dinner.

"What are you doing here Wes?" was whispered rather forcefully to her cousin.

"Chatting with my new friend. She's helping me write love notes to Cedric since I can't do it." The writing on the snowflakes was Gwen's after all. "What are you doing here?"

What could she say? In a desperate attempt to turn Cedric's attentions away from the return of stolen merchandise, with shades of wanting to somehow seduce him thrown into the mix, she was bribing the man's notorious sweet tooth with pie?

"Uh, Hugo was annoying me at dinner so I left early and forgot to eat dessert. But I want… pie." She eyed the pastry longingly, and Gwen smiled.

"Sure, go for it." Off she bounded with the entire thing toward Cedric's tower without stopping, chuckles from Gwen and Westin fading into the distance.

Stopping to catch her breath for several moments Sofia stood there, on the tower foyer, reassuring herself of this hackneyed plan. Get in, give him pie, put the wand back, then figure the rest out later.

A solid plan, to be sure. Three knocks and delighted squeals came from beyond. "Sofia, Thank Merlin it's you. Come in! Oooh, wait just a minute!"

The door seemed to be stuck. It took several tries but finally the latchkey turned. No sooner had it done so than she was pulled inside, spinning to stop in the center of the workshop. She turned back to see Cedric locking the door with all sorts of powerful protection charms. "Is something wrong Mr. Cedric?"

He turned back to look at her as if she'd grown three heads. "Is something the matter? I was all but certain your brother would have me in chains for what happened in the gardens this evening."

"It's okay Mr. Cedric, James was just, worried. That's all." A certain pep was in her voice. Cedric stopped moaning and looked at her strangely.

"You're sure Sofia?" She smiled at him, and the sorcerer straightened. "Then what in Merlin's name took you so long? Did you truly want to me to writhe in agony all evening alone up here whilst contemplating my doom?"

"Oh stop Mr. Cedric, I just wanted to get you this."

She brought forth the pie, and he simply stared at it. Slowly he looked back up at her, then again slowly down to the pie.

"You've brought me… pie?"

"Uh-huh." Beaming up at him, the man seemed mystified.

"And why, perchance, did you bring me pie? Honestly Sofia is there no end to your odd behaviors today?"

"Well, you said you wanted pie."

There was a huff. Then another. His eyes grew wide, and then violent laughter exploded from the man. "PIE, oh yes, INDEED I would like some PIE. HaHaHa HA!"

"But you said you wanted it!"

Each time she repeated herself he burst out in renewed laughter. Tears started to roll down his face as he gripped the table to stay upright.

She felt so tiny at that moment, as he laughed mercilessly at her. The sniffles started up, but he wouldn't stop. Small, unsure words creaked out. "But I thought you liked pie."

"PIE, Indeed I've always wanted to taste it, and yours is a very nice PIE. HA HA HA!"

Tears started to roll down her cheeks as she set the pie down slowly on the potions table. What had she been thinking? He didn't love her, this afternoon couldn't have been romantic to him, not the way he was acting now.

She bolted for the door and would have made it out, if not for the many enchanted locks keeping it stuck in place. "WAIT WAIT, Sofia WAIT!" Soft hands were on her shoulders as she struggled to get the latch free. Those fingers reached around, wrapping her shoulders in a hug from behind. "Wait Sofia, please don't be upset, it was rather funny, you bringing me an actual pie."

Slowly she turned back to face him, a conciliatory tone in his voice the only reason she didn't push him away.

"That was mean Mr. Cedric."

"Yes well I, I simply didn't mean to laugh offensively, it's just that I wasn't expecting you to bring me an actual, physical pie, though now I do see why you've gone and done it. See here, I really do appreciate the sentiment." He'd sprung over to the table and drew his wand, magically slicing the thing into several pieces. Still standing by the door she drew a hand up and began wiping away the tears. It was then he realized she was, in fact, crying because of what he'd said, and panic set in. "Oh dearest PLEASE don't do that. Please I didn't mean to upset you."

Lips quivering, he was overtly remorseful and offered her up the first slice, then started raking his hands through his hair trying to find the right words. Unable to do so, he leapt up and pushed her stool underneath her, guiding her and a slice of the pie to the tabletop. All the princess could manage was to stare at the slice, the object of her ridicule, before them.

"Sofia, I'm…Ugh." He took a fork and lobbed off a piece, sliding his body closer to her. "Forgive me. It wasn't meant in offence."

He fed her a little forkful of pie, and it was truly wonderful, but the sniffles wouldn't subside. She didn't even know why he'd been laughing at her. It was awful, and her head sank toward her shoes.

"Here, I'll eat the whole thing in one go if it'll make you feel better. Would you like that sweetheart?"

A few more sniffles, and she rubbed her eyes. He did look distraught as she was though. "You don't have to eat it. I was wrong to bring it, I'm sorry, I should just go."

"NO!" An arm was around her again, pulling her face into his shoulder. "NO Sofia, PLEASE don't go, anything but that. Here, I'll eat every last crumb because you brought it for me."

Like a jousting match, when one knows spears will collide with bodies inflicting damage and pain but still, one cannot look away, she sat there and watched in bewilderment tinged with horror as he decimated the entire pie, sans the piece he'd cut for her. Three bites from the end he paused, making the loudest groan of agony she'd heard him utter.

"Mr. Cedric you don't have to do this."

"No, I must. You have to know I didn't mean, to ridicule you, in any way. Ugh." He looked to be sick. The man did have a sweet tooth, but was notoriously skinny and probably hadn't downed this much pie in one sitting during his entire life.

He was going to vomit if this kept up. She stood, extracting the conjured fork from his hand and setting it down some distance away. "Mr. Cedric I don't want you to hurt yourself over some pie."

He lurched forward as if ready to explode, but managed to keep it down. "It's not the pie, your feelings matter, to me. Honestly they do, and just now I realized, that's how I feel when they all, laugh at me, and I…Ugh."

So he'd really and truly empathized with her. That he'd inflicted the same kind of emotional distress he was used to enduring was more than he could bear, and he'd sought immediately to make it right. "You don't look so good Mr. Cedric, maybe you'd better lie down."

All he could do was groan, and so she helped him to his bed. He flopped onto it, squirming in pain. "Ugh, Sofia my spell book, I've a spell, UGH…"

"Where is it Mr. Cedric?"

"Third Case. Top shelf. Ouuggghhhhh. Hurry before I do something. Embarrassing and unpleasant."

She couldn't help but roll her eyes at him. Instead of just apologizing he was making his innards explode. Typical Cedric. Stubborn to a fault. His tome on Magical Healing Remedies Volume III was located exactly as described, and on her way back she slipped the borrowed wand into his overflowing jar. No harm, no foul.

Spell conjured, he simply laid there looking up at the ceiling and sighing intermittently. "You know Mr. Cedric, it would have been easier to just apologize for hurting my feelings."

"I suppose so, but I truly wanted you to know it was unintentional. Most people speak the words, but they have no meaning and the offenders go right on offending again, oblivious to the pain they leave in their wake."

Taking in his words, she sat on the edge of his bed staring at her feet. Slowly he sat up, "sweetheart it was truly wrong of me to laugh at you. I'm… I'm… sorry."

"Mr. Cedric you don't have to say it now, I understand."

"No, I was careless with your feelings, and I do regret that. I hope you see it." Looking over at him he seemed so vulnerable, and daresay honest.

A soft smile came out, "I accept your apology."

The man was laying there, rolling softly from side to side and smiling wistfully at her when she caught sight of the spellbook on his nightstand. Unable to contain herself, she lunged for it, flipping through the pages toward the back. Anxiously she read the third to the last page, trying desperately to memorize the potion ingredients and their dosages.

"The feather of an innocent griffin, the scale of an aged dragon, the claw of a jade jaguar, and the whisker of a woolly whombeast. Hmmm…" That sounded, doable.

"Please do continue. I find your readings exceedingly enjoyable." She looked up from the book to see Cedric lying back, head resting on his hands. For once he wasn't being sarcastic. "Oh is it a game dearest? Read the ingredients and have me guess it's intended usage? Very well, that is the subjugation potion."

She looked back at the books page, and indeed he was correct. "Wow, that's ah-mazing Mr. Cedric."

"I know." Stretching his legs out, he gave the softest sigh, "I also know the spell before it is used to produce heat, and the one after uses a stone as a soul's prison."

"A prison? That sounds awful."

"Indeed. Now do you want to quiz me again? Or have I impressed you enough with my vast and intimidating knowledge." His mouth quirked up to one side. He was really enjoying this.

"Consider me impressed."

"Good." His arms wrapped around her, coaxing her backward onto the bed. She let the book drop back onto the table as he pulled her back tightly to his chest. There were griffins guarding the castle jewels, so the feather would be easy. A trip to the burning palisades would be easy enough to get the scale, and she'd seen Wilber not too long ago on that horrible date with Hugo. But the claw of a jade jaguar… she only knew of one in existence, and he wasn't very friendly. She'd need to bribe it with something, something big. He shifted his arms, and she found herself looking up at his ceiling once more, but it was different than before.

"Mr. Cedric, are those… the Hexley hall stars up there?" A delighted little murmur came out of him, which he clamped down on immediately.

"Indeed they are, as well as the rubies you conjured for me all those years ago."

Wow. He'd decorated his ceiling with mementos she'd given him. It was so incredibly thoughtful. "That's so sweet Mr. Cedric."

"Yes, I spent all afternoon deciding just where to place the stars, as I'd wanted this to be your surprise earlier this evening, but then while we were out flying you were on about making my heart soar and healing old wounds and all, and I realized I needed to think of something grander than rubies tacked to my ceiling."

Scarlett's hand had been involved in all that, but to what end? The girl must have had a reason, and in truth the swing had been a lovely idea, but somehow this seemed more personal. "This means a lot to me Mr. Cedric."

"I'm glad Sofia."

Fingers were wrapping themselves in her hair, ringlets twisting around one of his gloved hands. But there were more than just rubies and golden stars up there. Bright, shining white objects littered the spaces between the stars she'd won him in the tournament. They almost looked like cave crystals, but that was impossible. There were hundreds of them and cave crystals were very rare. "Mr. Cedric, what's all that?"

"Hmmmm? Oh yes, I received your second present of Diamond Dust. You know you needn't leave gifts for me on my foyer, a gift so expensive as Diamond Dust might very well go missing if the maids happen upon it first."

She let out a deep sigh, for once again Westin had left a present hoping to ingratiate himself to her sorcerer. The light from the cave crystal's glinted off her Amulet, and the girl took her jewel in her hands. This continued taking credit for Westin's kindness might just rub a certain piece of Jewelry the wrong way. It was easy for her to justify fighting in the war, and protecting her family from the horrors going on, but this… was outright lying with nothing but personal gain. She should come clean, and hope against all odds Cedric simply wasn't interested in Westin, somehow.

"Mr. Cedric I have a confession."

"Hmmm?" Those fingers had gone from messing with her hair to stroking the star pin embedded within it.

"I… didn't leave the diamond dust for you." The delightful motions stopped. "And I didn't leave the snowflakes earlier, either." His breathing became labored, but he didn't speak. "Mr. Cedric, What I'm trying to say is, that, well... Westin was the one who bought you the gifts."

"Do you mean the boy? Rolland's body double? Sofia that's not very funny. How could he even afford such things?"

She took a deep breath in, and curled her body into him. If he was going to reject her, it was probably going to be now. "Well actually I put the dust on the royal tab, because… Westin felt horrible about what happened this morning."

"Sofia we already discussed this. He was saving your life, or at least he assumed it was necessary. Why would he feel bad about that?"

Her fingers began to ache as the blood drained from her extremities. Was she going into shock? Stomach tied in knots, but her innocent cousin with that immense smile was glaring at her insides. She had to let Cedric know.

"Still, he wanted you to forgive him, because he… really enjoyed your company, and loves magic. Your magic. He felt awful after what happened because you were upset, and wants to make it right."

The man grunted, then began shifting around in his sheets. "I see. I suppose you're springing this on me right after the pie incident is no coincidence? Ugh very well. He was a rather handsome lad, and laden with a disarming sort of charm. To be honest, I really did think for a minute that he was interested in… well never mind. I suppose I was wrong about such things."

Sofia's heart sank. So Cedric had been interested in Westin, before she'd screwed everything up. Noticing her mood sink he started stroking her head. "There there, I'll tell the lad he's forgiven the very next time I see him, and carry on as if I hadn't wanted to thrust him into the void with the vanishing curse."

Oh it was awful, but it was the right thing to do. The hope that coming clean would lighten the churning inside didn't come to pass though, as her extremities still felt weak and cold. To try and dull the ache she pulled on his shirt, drawing him closer while the sorcerer squirmed. Several minutes passed like this, before he broke the silence. "Sofia, I think now is the time. I want to take you to my favorite place in existence. A place I've never taken another soul."

Abruptly she sat up. "What?"

He was grinning widely, and joined her. "Won't you come with me? I daresay it will improve your oddly sullen mood."

Wormwood had mentioned something about Cedric's favorite place not being his workshop, and a smile sprang onto her face. "Sure!"

A place he'd never taken anyone else. Suddenly she felt so special.

He jumped up onto his knees and leaned over the side of the bed, extracting from underneath it a long flat object wrapped in fabric. Hesitating for only one bit he slowly handed it over. Subtle gestures indicated she was meant to unwrap it, and doing so revealed the portrait of a hallway. Confused, she turned to look up at him. "But I don't understand? It's just a painting."

'Oh yes, but with magic nothing is as it appears." His wand was up, and that devilish glint was in his eye. Wrapping one arm solidly around her he chanted "Magic birr and fairy dust, open this portal up to us!" A stream of light and color wrapped around them, directing them to emerge in the very hallway that picture had indicated. She felt nauseous once more, but managed to suppress the instinct. "Where… are we?"

He was grinning widely still, seemingly unaffected by the transport. "Actually princess, we've been here before. Technically I used that painting to escape you when you came barging after amulet, but this is the first time I've ever invited a living soul to this place. This is all very much mine." It was a cabin of sorts, with many rooms and multiple levels. He watched as she explored every room. They were all filled with magical trinkets, spell and potions ingredients, everything a practitioner of the craft might ever accumulate. Touching a bobble it exploded in rainbows. Delighted squeals came out of her as she pranced through each and every room, running fingers along dream catchers and crystalline chimes. "This is the cabin."

"Yes."

"That the locator spell led me to, to find my Amulet."

"Yes I did say that princess."

She'd made her way to the kitchen when he called out, "Then, do you like it Sofia?"

"It's so amazing Mr. Cedric, I never knew you had a home outside the castle. Why have you been hiding it all this time?"

"It's a long story." She was practically skipping across the kitchen tiles when the fireplace caught her eye. The hearth looked barren, as if no fire had been lit here for an age of men. Her jubilant mood from all the magic and his personal sharing was suddenly stifled as the sorcerer came around toward her.

"What is it dearest?"

"It's just…" She turned from the cold hearth to face him, "This house looks so empty."

His excitement at watching her tempered dramatically. "Yes, I suppose it is now. Originally this was my Granny's home. It is situated on several acres and protected on all sides by magical woodlands. I spent the only happy days of my youth here, away from my sister's malice and my father's judgments. When she passed on she left it to me, the favorite child of her favorite child, my Mummy. It was to be a gift for my bride when I came of age, something my Mummy probably planted in Granny's mind to give me an edge, considering I had so few attributes anyone would find appealing."

Taking his hands in her own, Sofia managed to coax his gaze up to her, "That's not true Mr. Cedric, I've heard that there is someone special for everyone, we just have to find them."

To that he smiled brightly. "Indeed, if only my Granny knew just how particular my tastes were, but then she never did know about my, special preferences."

Sucker punched to the gut, Sofia staggered backward. The last ray of hope from James's comments smashed into the kitchen tiles below. Special preferences indeed. Ugh.

He turned to look around at all the knick-knacks cluttering the counters and all available wall space, and failed to notice her distress. "However the clutter is entirely my doing. For many years I'd simply dump things here in a fit of frenzied cleaning when my parents came to visit the tower. For a man with 24 best sorcerer's awards shoved in a desk drawer my father can be horribly picky about details such as how many cauldrons have taken residence on my workbench."

He started fidgeting with his fingers, as if inspecting them to avoid looking directly at her. "I suppose you could do away with anything you didn't want, that is if you'd, well what I mean is, I know it's a rather large residence to clean but I could conjure a few spells here and there to help with reorganizing it to your linking. If this home is to your… liking." He was wincing a bit as he said it. Was he…. Asking his apprentice to clean his house?

Her shoulders dropped. GREAT. So now she had to clean his workshop AND his house? "It's a lovely home Mr. Cedric, but I don't really want to start right now, okay."

He exploded in relief, the nervous energy melting away. "But of course! Of course. Ahem yes. I suppose after your birthday would be most appropriate. Yes indeed, that would do nicely. I'm so incredibly glad you like it Sofia. I know it's not a castle by the sea, but it suits me."

She smiled at that. It really did suit him.

She took another glance around at all the mountains of things he'd collected over the years, and found the very spot where she'd stormed in and found him hunkered down with her amulet. Slowly she walked over and let a hand rub along the armrest. A layer of dust an inch thick lay upon it. This was going to be no small task, but at least she had over a month to prepare. Hopefully the war would be resolved and she could go back to devoting her time and attention to her personal life once more.

Suddenly Cedric did a little shimmy and pulled her out the door. Outside lay a small clearing, culminating in an embankment with a beautiful silver tree. Once Sofia laid eyes on it she was mesmerized. "Gorgeous, isn't it?" She nodded. "I spent the better moments of my youth here, watching smoke rise from the chimney and simply imagining what delight she would be making for me. I'd daydream about some happy future too, and everything my life never turned out to be."

It was touching how much he loved his grandmother, but the sadness of never having found someone to share it with was palpable. She felt his fingers glide gently into her hand, and they stood there, watching the sliver leaves of the tree shimmer in the moonlight. There was no snow, no cool breeze, it was almost meditative in its tranquility. "Not yet."

"Hmmm?"

Was she really going to say this? To open his mind to Westin's love? Cedric deserved happiness, he deserved to be loved despite his selfish behaviors and tendency to overreact. "You mean it hasn't happened yet. But that doesn't mean it won't, I know for a fact that, you are loved."

His whole body relaxed, knees wobbled out from under him, and they gently slid onto the grass below. A wave of his birch-white wand and blankets of every shade and thickness appeared. No more words, the night was left to stargazing and eventually the drifting off to sleep of one contented sorcerer and one princess. She had finally been open about Westin's aspirations, and to her horror Cedric seemed happy with the idea. Maybe there would be no more swing rides, no more massages in the morning, none of it. Her hand drifted over his chest and subconsciously began trailing down over his leg. Immediately it was snatched off and placed alongside her chest.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"As yes well, see here Sofia, I'm simply not used to this activity and, well I'm a bit sore in certain places. It's best if we simply sleep for now." She had sat on him, for a rather long while. Oops.

"Sure." He smiled, then faded out of consciousness as the night crept into them, lulling them to sleep.

Morning came all too soon. Sunlight streaked between the leaves of the silver tree, forcing one of her eyes open. Stretching revealed they had in fact spent the night sprawled on the hillside, with all the soreness that sleeping on dirt would naturally bring.

"Good morning." Cedric was staring at her, bleary-eyed.

"EEP!" Blankets went flying, covering the man in a mountain of wool.

"Prospero's pickles!" came from the mound.

"Sorry but you startled me! Who just stares at someone when they're sleeping?!" He was digging out from the blankets, and that accusatory eyebrow went up, but he didn't chide her. "Oh my back, what time is it anyway?"

He pushed the blankets down and began to sit upright, much as she had done. "I would fancy a guess it's almost midday."

"Um, wasn't the villager's ball supposed to start at lunchtime today?"

They stared at each other for a moment, his mouth flopped open, and they bolted for the cottage, the hallway, and the painting that reflected his bedchamber. She'd left him in the tower and bounded down to her room, a blur of purple fabric that didn't stop at any maid's inquiry. She'd missed breakfast, and would no doubt have to explain if she was caught.

"A gown, a gown, ugh none of these fit me anymore." She had the funeral gown, probably not the best choice, this odd blue thing that Rolland said to never wear again, and her normal purple gown. Of course there was the green fighter's dress, but that was totally out of the question. She tried on several gowns from her closest, but all seemed to hang strangely on her. She'd lost some weight from all this bounding around the continent fighting wars, and hadn't the time or mental energy to have her dresses hemmed. Perhaps she should just alter something with her wand?

At the last minute Sofia decided to go with a gown she'd worn last year to the winter ball. It was green with white lace about the bodice. It was unfortunately tight across the chest, but that was owing to it being a present from a few years back. She stood there lamenting her figure in the closet for far too long, when a knock at her closet broke her concentration.

"Who is it?"

"Really Sofia, who do you think it is? You've been in your closet with the door shut for almost half an hour. It can't possibly be that bad and you've a party to attend."

"Mr. Cedric? Have you been waiting out there this whole time?

There was a long pause, and finally a "perhaps" came out.

"You should go, before Dad gets upset you're late. I'll come in a little while."

There was a long pause, and the door began to click open. He'd dawned his formal dress robe, and looked quite dashing, if she did say so herself. He took one look at her in the dress two sizes too small for her bosom, and blushed. "I'd rather wait for you dearest." He was staring at her chest. Barely clinging to the fabric, it looked to explode any minute.

"I know, it looks awful."
"Oh NO, no Sofia. It's um, well I daresay it's, um, very nice?"

"I thought you were a better liar than that Mr. Cedric."

A loud squeak came out of him, but then the sorcerer regrouped. "I suppose I am a pretty good liar, but I'm not lying about this particular subject. However, I would feel more comfortable if you changed into something less… revealing. There I said it."

"You think it's revealing?"

"Sofia you've got a very n-n-n-nice… f-f-f-figure and you needn't stuff it into a dress that is obviously not the right size for you. And you've certainly no need to go attracting any village boys with your honeydew today."

"You're so silly Mr. Cedric."

"Yes yes fine. Now do change quickly into something that does a better job at covering the top half of you."

"You know Mr. Cedric, you could just make the dress a bit bigger with magic? I was thinking about it anyway, and since you're here and you did such an amazing job on the black one it should be easy for such a sensational sorcerer."

He sprang to life at the compliment, chanting a spell that expanded the fabric up to her neck. It covered EVERYTHING but her face. He stood back, inspecting his work. "Well I daresay it covers well enough, but as to the hem, oh it shan't do at all."

He tried again, lace exploding everywhere. She looked like a gigantic crotched doily. One glance down was all it took, "Nope."

"Agreed. Now hold still."

POOF! The forest green had become a rainbow of mish mashed colors. It actually looked intentional, until she turned to inspect her backside and saw the most unsightly brown was covering her bottom. Cedric stood back, a certain pride in his accomplishment. "Well we should be off, I'm almost an hour overdue for the festivities."

"Um, nope."

"But Sofia whatever is—" She turned and gestured to the offending color palette. He practically keeled over, then blasted her with another stream of magic, this time reverting it back to its original shape.

"I suppose a magical tailor didn't fix your conundrum after all."

She managed to wiggle out of the green ensemble with no small amount of help from Cedric, who nervously pulled on various corners until she sprang free of the thing. Rummaging through some piles she came across a rather large one, Cedric staring at the wall nondescretly.

"How about this one?"

He turned ever so slightly, "Sofia that's a smock."

"Well, can you alter it to fit me?"

"Perhaps, if I had an hour and some inspiration. The only thing that comes to mind right now is paint splotches on walls, and I don't think that would make an elegant ensemble for a princess."

"Oh I give up. You pick something Mr. Cedric and I'll wear it."

He eyed her nervously. "You, really want me to pick your gown for this? When you have so many to choose from?"

"Please Mr. Cedric, just pick something. If not I'll just wear the purple dress I wore last night, even though its got some grass stains. I guess I could get them out with a spell…"

Cedric looked at the overwhelming closet looming large in front of him, and staggered backward. He behaved in a manner consisten with a soldier charging off to war. "I suppose I've no choice in the matter."

He reached forward and rummaged a bit, then pulled out the suspect organza blue dress. Sofia stiffened, but before she could object he turned to her. "Sofia I've been thinking, and while I wholeheartedly appreciate your desire to help me yesterday, I can't help but feel as though I shouldn't ask this of you, again." She could do nothing but stare at him as he set the dress to the side and began tugging at his yellow bowtie. "Yes, perhaps I shouldn't. Although it was therapeutic, as you'd said it would be, but still I—"

"Mr. Cedric relax, I'm not planning on wearing it again. Ever. Dad commanded me not too anyway."

The man froze. "He, did? Sofia did you tell him where you procured it from?" Fear. That was the only way to describe Cedric's intense reaction to her words.

"Nope. I figured out it probably wasn't your to give by the way Dad reacted, and he didn't ask."

He sighed deeply, and then smiled, "such a clever lass. Now on to this humongous heap of gowns."

There he was knee deep in dresses, rummaging through what was still on hangars. "Sofia you simply have too many of these things, how can you ever find anything suitable?"

"I see you understand my problem Mr. Cedric."

"Aha! Here it is. The very dress I was looking for. See this one Sofia, it's a deeper purple than you usually wear and it matches your amulet perfectly. You wore it a few months back, and it was positively perfect on you."

He produced a very fetching gown that she'd all but forgotten about. "You've got the most impeccable taste Mr. Cedric!"

He simply grinned wildly, and the dress fit perfectly. "You look absolutely beautiful Sofia. So can we leave now? Your father's going to be cross."

"Just a minute, I need to brush my hair and fix the clip you gave me. We'll just tell him it was my fault."

"Well of course it is! But that doesn't mean I won't be blamed for it, as always. Please Sofia I need every ounce of approval your father can muster right now, and I certainly don't need him thinking any lower of me than he already does."

"Just a minute." She was tearing through her hair trying to go fast, but ended up splitting several of the ends instead. "Ugh knots… I wish I had hair like my Mom instead of aunt Nelly."

"Um, Sofia sweetheart, whoever is Aunt Nelly?"

Sofia dropped her hairbrush on the table and froze. Cedric was looking at her intensely. She felt like a trapped animal. He always knew if she was lying.

"My father's sister."

"Do you mean Duchess Matilda? Because you cannot inherit hair texture by marriage."

"No, I didn't mean aunt Tilly."

Sofia flung the clip into her hair. Distraction was the best course of action now. She raced over to where he stood by the closet, flinging her hair to and fro.

"Sofia, who is Aunt Ne—" Before Cedric could finish Sofia had whipped her hair around into his face. "Do you like it Mr. Cedric? I spritzed a bit of the ladlelilly extract into it."

"Oh yes it's very nice Sofia. Very nice." He stood there, inhaling deeply, that goofy grin spreading across his face.

The distraction seemed to work. "Come on Mr. Cedric, let's go!"

They wandered into the ballroom. At the last moment Cedric stopped. Sofia took a minute to appreciate how fetching his dress robe was, he'd worn it at the pregnancy announcement party, but now he seemed so handsome wrapped in its folds. "I'm sorry I forgot to say so earlier, but that robe looks great on you Mr. Cedric."

He grinned and reached out for her arm, clasping her hand in his. Sofia looked up at him, shocked. "Is everything okay?"

He was sweating, and looked extremely nervous. He must be terrified of what Dad would say about them being late. "Don't worry Mr. Cedric, it'll be okay. Hold my arm, would you?"

A joyous look crossed his face, and he hastily grabbed up her arm in his, standing a bit taller than his normally hunched over walk.

They entered the ballroom and saw a large crowd of villagers. The mood was tenser than she'd remembered, and while villagers were still filtering in it seemed almost hostile. Music was playing loudly to soften the tone, and Miranda was flitting around to lighten dispositions. Cedric stuck close to Sofia as she greeted everyone. Her family sat at the back of the room along the panes of glass overlooking his tower, as they always did. However to Sofia's great surprise Rolland was along the back wall speaking with Victor of all people. Hugo was glaring over at his father, and seemed to be pleading with Rolland, and alongside it all Amalthea stood, ever present, ever watchful. "I'd rather not parade in front of your family, if given the choice Sofia." Cedric pulled her away and toward the back wall, and they found themselves at the center of the dance floor. Hesitantly she nodded as the music changed to one of her favorite tempos.

A jutting arm bounced into her, and none other than Ruby was circling with James holding tight. He was beaming. They looked to be deliriously happy. That was its purpose after all. James looked over at Cedric, the immensely nervous sorcerer cowering a bit, "Why don't you two dance? Everyone can at the villager's ball."

James looked back at Ruby as they waltzed away and into the crowd.

She stood there, nervously. She still had her arm in his, but couldn't even bare to ask. Finally summoning the courage to look at him was pointless. He was ever a wounded animal, hunted and deathly afraid of dancing.

She couldn't ask, and so they stood there, staring awkwardly at each other. Again she looked up nervously, and his head started shaking back and forth. "No one would judge you Mr. Cedric." He shook his head and snapped his eyes shut. Biting her lip she refocused. They'd been over how people must perceive their friendship, but he'd danced with her before. "We could go behind the pillar like last time."

He looked over towards the typically deserted part of the ballroom, but alas, there were at least two dozen children playing there, and he was truly averse to kids. He began shaking his head. "This was a terrible idea, I shouldn't have escorted you."

"Don't say that, really no one will care if we dance together. See everyone is." Miranda had taken an elderly man's arm and was spinning around gently, shedding smiles and softening dispositions while Rolland looked up intermittently to check on her wellbeing.

They just stood there, staring at the floor, and another couple elbowed Cedric accidentally. He threw his arms up in frustration as they spun away, seemingly unphased.

"Mr. Cedric?"

"I… can't do it! Sofia, I simply can't."

He took off like a shot for the far corner of the room, panic stricken. Sofia took a couple steps after him but the man expertly dodged between bodies, and she lost him in the crowd. Finally giving up, she stopped and slumped over at the waist. A sturdy hand was set on her shoulder. She spun upward to see none other than Westin in his proper uniform. "West—"

"Shhhh…." A finger was raised to her lips. "I can't dance 'cause I'm on duty, but there are some nice cheese puffs right next to my station if you want."

They positioned themselves next the snack table farthest from the entrance. Westin pulled his head in close and Sofia did the same so they could whisper and not be overheard.

"So, is Cedric here?" Her cousin was looking around nervously.

"Uh, yeah. He came with me, and he really liked the gifts you gave him Wes." The young man was beaming with joy.

"REALLY?"

Nodding, she continued, "Yeah, and he… he said he would forgive you for what happened." Westin was jerking in happiness all over. Quite the contrast to the growing crowd and murmurs of angry voices around the outskirts of the dance floor.

"OH! Did he say anything else Sofia? Anything at all?" Westin's bright, hopeful eyes were too much to take, and Sofia turned away, sadness gripping her.

"He said, he thought you were handsome, and charming." Westin couldn't contain it anymore, and started shaking his hands wildly.

"Oh Sofia you are so wonderful! So INCREDIBLY wonderful!" He hugged her tight, lifting her up off her feet and shaking her back and forth ever so gently.

"Okay Westin, PLEASE just calm down. People are staring."

Set her back down he did, "Right, sorry. Maybe I could take a break from my station. Hmmm, I'll go ask the constable."

With that he bounded off, a happier man she'd never known. Sinking into her doldrums, she wandered through the party greeting people until returning to the entrance to the ballroom, finding a delicious spread upon the nearby table. Perhaps cramming some delicacies into her mouth might calm the inner storms. She distracted her mind with fantasies that cheese wasn't fattening, and truthfully it did take her mind somewhat off the gaping wound in her heart being truthful had ripped open. While in this state of self-loathing she looked up occasionally to greet late arrivals.

But then in walked Lucinda. Behind her was Carol, and to her left Jade. Sofia took one glance to the far side of the ballroom, and through the swaying bodies she caught a glimpse of Amalthea, looking bored but still scanning over the crowd.

NO.

Lucinda would be recognized immediately. She'd battled Amalthea several times, and never fought in a disguise. They had to go, NOW. Bolting up to the witch Sofia was in full damage control mode. "You can't be here! Go, go NOW! Before you're seen!"

The witch halted her forward momentum, gripping onto her wand while Carol stepped forward, "Sofia let us pass. You needn't be involved, and we've heard King Victor is here."

They were here for Victor, to end the war. This was going to be ugly with Amalthea here defending that dastardly king. "No, you can't start a fight! Not here, not now. Amalthea is here too!"

"Sofia that man is evil. I don't think you really understand, the royals have been oppressing tons of people and need to be stopped." Jade had stepped around Lucinda's side, defensive and with that condescending tone she so often used.

"Jade, we've been friends for years. You can't be serious about this! Don't you realize the trouble you're all going to get into! Lucinda think about this, Rolland promised to have you executed!" The witch was looking down at the marble floor, lost in deep thought.

"I'm very serious Sofia. He's got to go, and King Rolland better let us. Carol has told everyone in the village about what's going on in Friezenburg, and with the way James has been acting toward Ruby this is the final straw!" Jade was burning with rage. She must have had an earful of what was going on in Friezenburg from Carol, and always had quite a temper. The grumbling of assorted villagers was starting to make sense.

"Just what did you tell them Carol?!" Sofia was growing worried that her secret might not be so carefully guarded after all.

"Nothing but the truths I was not honor-bound to protect." Carol nodded, and Jade looked puzzled. At least her secret was still safe.

"Hi Lucinda, Jade, oh and Carol! Great to see you guys. Done any good deeds lately?" James had wandered over, Ruby had been tugging him away but still the commotion drew him forward.

"I'm about to" smirked Carol.

"Well great! I can get you all a snack if you'd like." Her brother was smiling brightly, seemingly unaware of the peril everyone was in.

"Don't play nice with me, I know all about how you've been using my very best friend." Jade smacked James's hand away, and Ruby came to his defense.

'That's not very nice. I wish I hadn't told you anything about it." James went flush and started backing away.

Ruby turned to him, nervous. "I'm sorry! I was just so worried when you were taken. James don't go. JAMES!" He took off into the crowd. There was a collective groan from Jade, Carol, and Sofia. It seems James still hadn't come clean, and wasn't about too, despite their talk. Ruby finally let her hand fall to her side, choking back tears.

Sofia flung her hands up in the air, "Please Lucinda, just go. All of our families and friends from the village are here, as well as my family! They could all get hurt. Please Lucinda, don't do this."

Jade turned to Lucinda. "We can't let them win, we can beat them if we stick together. " Sofia turned to Ruby, shaking her head and seeking desperately for a way to stop this, but the girl was seemingly heartbroken by James's departure, and was now staring at the polished marble floor.

"No!" Sofia cried, centering her attentions on Lucinda. Taking a step forward, she knew they had no chance unless Lucinda fought with magic, and if she could just convince the witch to leave it would be okay, somehow.

"Lucinda please. They're my family."

"So is Birk, and Westin, Sal, your Aunt, and everyone else in Friezenburg, right Sofia?" Lucinda had looked up, finally making eye contact with her. Oh no, Lucinda had already decided. "I'm so sorry Sofia, but Carol is right. We have a chance to end this. Victor isn't hiding behind garrisons of soldiers, he's right here, right now." The witch was horribly sad, but resolute.

"NO! Think Lucinda, what are you going to do if you get your hands on him anyway? There's no way you could actually get him past all the guards, and even so then what?" Unfortunately Sofia's cries for calm didn't seem to be landing.

"Who says we need to get him out of the castle." Jade deadpanned. There was a seriousness about all of them, but Lucinda couldn't possibly be planning what Jade suggested.

"You can't possibly think this is okay. King Victor is Axel's father, what's this going to do to him! This is NOT something a good witch would do."

"And protecting murderers isn't something a good princess would do!" Jade countered.

Lucinda started to pull back, but Carol buttressed her. "Axel is going to die fighting or for treason if we don't stop Victor. Think about that Lucinda. Think of all the lives we will be saving, your lover included."

Trying desperately to stop this Sofia grabbed at Lucinda, but Carol blocked her way. "Don't worry, we won't hurt your family Sofia."

The witch raised her wand as the group began navigating their way through the masses between them and where Rolland, Victor, and Amalthea stood. Who might Lucinda listen too before this was too late? WESTIN. He might be able to stop her, or at least physically pull her out of the ballroom, but Sofia had no idea where he'd gone. The battle chant she'd heard in Friezenburg began to rise from the crowd as she dodged through people screaming for Westin, to no avail.

We shall make the demons pay!
The people shall win the day!

We shall make the demons pay!
The people shall win the day!

"WESTIN! WESTIN!" She was out and onto the balcony through the side door while the inside of the ballroom was slowly erupting with chants and screams of terror. Her cousin wasn't on the balcony either, but there Amber stood, out of earshot of the building battle within the castle staring happily at the gardens below.

"AMBER!" The girl just turned to her sister, smiling, but it quickly faded.

"Sofia what's wrong?"

"I need to find Westin, NOW." She started to bolt down the stairs but Amber grabbed her arm.

"Oh Sofia, you don't want to go down there."

Frantic, Sofia's nerves were overwhelming her, "Is he out here?" Amber smiled wide, then nodded. "I need to find him NOW!"

Unfortunately Amber had a solid hold of her arm. "But Sofia, someone had finally taken an interest in our Royal Sorcerer. Don't mess this up for him!"

WHAT. Sofia ripped her arm out of Amber's and took a few steps down the stairs. She'd finally found Westin. He'd lured the sorcerer some distance from the Villager's ball and had her sorcerer backed up against a hedge rather provocatively. He had turned on the charm, no doubt. She lurched forward when Amber pulled her back. "What's gotten into you? Can't you just let them be happy?"

"No, Amber I can't!"
"But WHY SOFIA?"

'There's fighting in the ballroom!"

"What?" Amber stood in disbelief.

"There's a WAR going on, we're all in danger, and HE CAN'T HAVE MY CEDRIC!"

Amber went flush, dropping her arm. Stunned, the only thing she could say was, "Sofia."

Sofia pivoted, lunging forward down the steps when her eyes settled on the scene before her. Westin towered over Cedric and had pressed himself lengthwise up against the sorcerer, pushing him somewhat into the hedge. Her cousin had snapped his eyes closed, and stood there, pressing his lips rather forcefull into the stunned sorcerer.

Something inside Sofia snapped.

Her whole body went numb and her arms fell to her sides. Not the best thing to do when running down stairs. The next step was missed, and the princess went careening down the rest of the way. The last thing she saw was Cedric shoving Westin backward and bodies running toward, as the princess landed in a broken heap in the dirt below.

Everything she'd feared had come to pass. Cedric was his now, her family was in danger and her friends were probably going to die. Her entire world was collapsing as the princess blacked out upon contact with the ground.