Lowered inhibitions and underhanded tricks

Chapter 4

A/N: I don't normally switch POVs in story but Cedric needs a moment. We really should hear from Sofia about all of this.

The night of my party I was a wreck. I sat in my room with my friends Vivian and Zooey. Zooey has been bugging me for weeks about how I felt about having to start courting

"Ok sof tell me. You know you can trust us"

"It's not that, it's just...Um I'm not interested in dating princes"

"Oh my goodness look Zoe, she blushing. She has someone on her mind"

"Oh I think your right Viv. Come on spill."

"I can't..."

In unison "PLEASE!"

"Sofia, you are easily the most beloved princess at Royal Prep and have never shown a slight interest in anyone. We are just so curious of who you would want."

"Ugh ok but you can't tell anyone. I need to talk to him and explain everything to my parents. Promise."

"Of course." Zooey said

"Princess's honor" Vivian said

"Ok, I've been totally in love with our Royal sorcerer for two years now." The two girls looked shocked.

"You mean the tall guy with weird hair?" Vivian asks

"Yes" I blush just thinking about him "over the years we've become so close. I've adored him and he been mostly kind to me. I found myself instinctually falling for him."

"And you haven't told him?" Zooey asks.

"No. Every time there was an opportunity i would try to say it, something always came up ruining the moment. But now that I'm of age, maybe I can convince him that I'm a woman now and maybe he will take my offer seriously."

"Well you have to do it, like tonight" Zooey said "your family is going to start sending you to events with suitors. If you don't do things now, you won't have a choice who you get paired with."

"She's right. Even if I had a crush on a guy I can't even think about it because, I'm already on the circuit. It sucks" Vivian moaned

"I'm so nervous. I asked him to come tonight. I know he will do something nice for me in his magical performance, like he always does. I will need to talk to him after." I let out a big sigh. "I don't know if I can do this." Zooey reaches over the bed she has been laying on for the last hour grabs the pilfered bottle of wine she brought with her.

"Well I think it's time for some liquid courage." Hands the bottle to me. "Going to confess your love to an older inappropriate man, requires a little bit of that"

"I'm not much of a drinker. But I guess, if it helps" takes an very unprincess-like sip

The three of us finished the bottle before the party. We went down slightly buzzed, but I actually felt very confident. Well at least until I actually saw him. Then I felt sick. I ate, which Zooey told me would help settle my stomach. It helped a bit, but I think it was just my nerves. Then my dad announced Cedric for his trick. I looked at him expectantly and gave me a sincere stare and mouthed 'happy birthday' and he started the show. I watched as beautiful white butterflies surrounded the ballroom. I was amazed and then one landed on my nose and it poofed into a little flurry of snow. I looked around the room to see the little snow poofs everywhere. It was the most amazing thing. But then again, he never ceases to amaze me with his beautiful spells. I found his eyes and mouthed 'I love it' I wanted to run up to him and hug and kiss him. But was stopped by my friends.

"I think he likes you too, Sof. He did that just for you?" Vivian squealed

"Yeah, he has to have it bad for you. That was pretty great. You need to tell him, like now." Zooey said. She was right but then my stomach felt like the ballroom a few moments ago, full of butterflies.

"Um maybe a drink or two."

The girls nodded and we started to take a couple of glasses. I think I drank maybe 4 glasses of champagne before I started to feel very warm. I saw Cedric leaning against a pillar away from everyone watching. I told the girls I was going to step outside they slurred back ok. I managed to get just outside to a bench about 20 feet away when the freezing temperature caught me. I didn't bring a wrap or a coat and I was feeling slightly dizzy from the drinks. So I sat, I felt stupid and hoped he would come for me. Then as if it was a genie wish he was there. I knew he was there, because whenever he looks at me my heart starts to beat very fast, even if I'm unaware. He comes and sits with me, drapes his robe over me like a valiant knight.

"Thank you. I wasn't feeling good and thought fresh air would help, forgetting it would be cold" I felt dumb, but now very happy and safe.

"It's alright. You've had a lot to drink tonight." He noticed. I was embarrassed

"I know. I don't know why I did that?" I lied. Then I leaned my head on his shoulder. I loved those moments when we can act like people. No station, no age separating us. Just is being together in each other's comfort. "By the way, thank you."

"For what? My robe, I don't want you to get ill" he sounded mildly shocked I would thank him. But needed to explain my gratitude.

"Yes for that. But for the show. It was beautiful." I looked at him, I almost told him, but chickened out and instead decided to give him the ego boost. "your imagination is outstanding everything you do is amazing" his face lit up with pride. I wanted to kiss him so bad. But I couldn't make it happen and I noticed my words started to sound like mush. Great and now I'm too drunk to even talk. Then he responds

"You flatter me. But thanks. Do you want to go back or have some tea at the tower?" I was shocked, not because he wanted to take me away from the party. He hates parties. But it was almost as if my dream of being alone with him to confess everything was coming true. I could care a less about the party, all I wanted was him. And if the false pretense of tea was what did it, I would take opportunity and run with it. The walk should help clear my head

"Tea sounds perfect." He hesitated for just a second but he helped me up and let me lean on him as we walked to his tower. I felt more at home there then in the castle anyways.

Once inside things get a little murky. I remember sitting inside by the fire. Then I got up and hugged him and oh and rubbed his chest. I don't know why I was behaving so loosely but after his initial tense up he seemed to enjoy my attention. I know I said something about needing him. I wanted it to sound suggestive. He quickly turned around and asked me

"D-do you know what you just said?" His eyes wide with an unnamed emotion I was too drunk to decipher. I don't think I verbally answered just stared at him hoping he would know what I wanted. The next moment he was kissing me. It was passionate, it screamed love and desire. I may have only had stolen kisses from some of the boys at Royal Prep. But they didn't feel like this. It was wanton and sexy, he lifted me up. Which surprised me, since he is so rail thin, I didn't think he would be able to lift me. I wrapped my legs around his waist to help support myself. I think I felt a rush of air and then a solid structure against my back. Then his hands, oh my his hands. They were grabbing at me everywhere as he kissed me with such abandon. I was making noises I didn't recognize, enjoying everything. I started to move my hips and he groaned. Realizing just what I was moving against. I kept moving my lower body to continue to make him feel good. And I couldn't lie it felt very very good to me too. I was so ready to let him do anything to me, then I heard it. Baileywick's voice, calling for me. We both stopped moving, breathing, existing. Then I became wracked with fear. He absolutely couldn't find me up here, wrapped up in the Royal sorcerer. I had go. I didn't want to but had to for his sake. I dropped to the floor scattered a bit and ran out. I think I even said "thank you" as I left.

My pulse was racing. I ran around the back of the tower and tried to calm myself and then walked into the garden and made it look as if I was wandering. I ran into Baileywick quickly.

"Oh princess there you are. We were worried." He touched my arm "your freezing let's get you inside" he guided me back inside I mumbled something about not feeling well and excused myself.

Once in my room I collapsed on my bed. I wanted to think on everything. But instead I passed out.

A/N: instead of one long Sofia chapter. I decide two would be easier. So one more before we return to poor Cedric.