Cedric found me sitting with Johnna and happily surprised me by asking me to dance. "You are allowed to dance here?"

"Sorcerers have a more special position at the royal palace than they do in some duchys." I saw Johnna nod from the corner of my eye.

"Then yes, I'd love to dance with you. Excuse me, Johnna." I looked at her and she smiled, her eyes laughing as if she knew a secret.

Cedric was dressed, not in long robes, but in regular formal attire. "Can you dance?" I whispered.

"Of course," he scoffed. It felt good to be upon his arm.

"Don't smile too much," he whispered. "People might get the wrong idea." He turned me so I was facing him and I felt his hand on my lower back.

"I've missed you so much, Cedric."

"I can't stop thinking about you. Have you been having fun? I see you've made a friend."

"It has been ok here. Johnna is great. I can't wait for you to take us through the labyrinth tomorrow."

"I am looking forward to it as well."

We turned with the music. "Will this be our only dance together?"

"Not if I can help it." He pulled me a little closer, just as Roland had done, but with Cedric it was comforting. "You frowned. Is something wrong?"

"No. I just… I'm paranoid."

"Of what?"

"I'm not sure."

"Sofia, if you feel you are in danger, come find me. I don't care what people might say."

"I'm not in danger, Cedric. Really, I'm not. I just don't understand people. Or trust them very much." I looked at his lips hungrily. "Except you and Johnna."

"I want to kiss you," he breathed in a low voice.

"I want you to kiss me." My voice was raspy. "But I don't think this is the time or the place."

"Tomorrow then."

"With Johnna right there?" I laughed.

"Why not?" he smiled, spinning me around. "It would be easy to loser her in the labyrinth."

"Cedric!" I stopped myself from playfully slapping him.

"I'll be a perfect gentleman," he smiled down at me. Unfortunately, the music was ending. "I don't want to let you go."

"Can you sit with us?"

"For a while." He led me back to where Johnna sat, then sat in a chair near us.

Johnna, frowning, was listening to some ladies talking near her, but they quickly walked away as Cedric and I sat, "well he's always been after the young ones. And living with him she's accessible," was the last I heard from them.

"Is everything well?" I asked her.

She put on a smile but I could tell she was irritated. "Oh, you know all the old women here. Talking about things that are not their business. I shouldn't have even listened."

I smiled nervously. "I asked Cedric to sit with us for moment."

"Wonderful!" Her smile was genuine this time. The three of us talked for nearly an hour before Lord Ian came and asked me to dance. I graciously excused myself from Cedric, making him promise me that he would dance with me again.

Sweeping me out onto the floor, Ian proceeded to make me laugh. "I didn't think you were going to be here, Lord Ian."

"I wasn't, but my friend Gale's brother was unable to come, so Gale extended the invitation to me. I rode hard to get here in time."

"And here you are."

"I have a question for you, Sofia, and I hope you can give me an answer."

"I will try."

"Do you think Amber would marry me?"

My mouth fell open in surprise.

"I take that as a no?" He was clearly disappointed.

"No! I mean, no that is not a no. I mean…" I laughed. "I was not expecting that question."

"So, do you think she would?"

We turned and I glanced around to see if I could spy Amber anywhere. She was not in sight. Facing him again, I answered the best I could. "Lord Ian, it has been a few days since she has confided in me, but, I think you are still on her list of eligible bachelors."

"She has a list?" He was incredulous.

I laughed. "She's very organized."

"Has she crossed anyone off the list?"

Thinking of Hugo and some others, I answered, "Yes, a few."

"Good grief how long is this list?"

I could not stop giggling. "It was rather long at the beginning. She had all of you ranked." His eyes nearly popped out. "Don't worry, you were in the top level."

"Has anyone asked for her hand yet?"

"Not that I know of. But she's been spending her time here with Jane. I have hardly spoken to her."

Ian took a deep breath. "Then I must ask right away."

"Good luck."

The song ended with him bowing and me curtsying, and as we walked off the floor, I saw Cedric walking Johnna back to our seats. Once Johnna was seated, Cedric pulled me to the dance floor again.

"Lord Ian is going to ask for Amber's hand," I whispered to the sorcerer.

"Really?"

"Yes, and soon too."

"Interesting."

"Why?"

"The duchy he will inherit is smaller than Duke Roland's, however it borders us, and if Amber were to inherit, it would be quite a large area."

"But Michael will inherit."

Cedric nodded and looked away. "Johnna is very fond of you."

"I'm fond of her." He smiled and pulled me closer again. "I'm fonder of you though." Why did I just say that? "I'm…I'm sorry…I-"

"I love you, Sofia." He said it quietly so the couples around us could not hear, but I was afraid they would hear my heart racing.

"You do?" I was exhilarated and breathless at the same time.

"I was going to tell you later… at a better time and place… but I… you look so beautiful. I couldn't wait anymore."

I could not hide my smile. The same feelings for Cedric had been growing in me but I had not been able to name them. "I love you too, Cedric."

"Damn it, I should have waited," he groaned.

"Why?"

"Because I want to kiss you, and it would not be proper to do that right here," he growled. "Damn it!"

I laughed. "We could go hide somewhere."

Cedric looked around. "Too many servants and we would not be the only ones hiding in the shadows for a quick kiss."

Peering to the outskirts of the hall I searched or any signs of indiscretions being played out. "Are you serious?"

"Oh, Sofia, I love how innocent you are."

"Well, I don't!"

I did not even notice the song ending but suddenly Roland was next to us, asking for me to dance with him again. Cedric bowed to Roland, lightly kissed my hand, and then moved away. I suddenly felt cold, even with Roland's hand trailing down to the small of my back.

"You look to be enjoying yourself." Roland's statement held no mirth.

"I may have had too much cider. However, after this dance, I will need another drink."

Roland relaxed. "Just do not have too much, dear. Bad things can happen."

"I won't overdo it, I promise, your Grace."

His frown deepened. "Have you seen my daughter?"

"Not since we arrived." We spun around and I saw Lady Evelyn watching us. She was surrounded by other women who were all talking at her, while she simply watched. "Is Lady Evelyn an old friend?"

Roland shrugged. "Of sorts."

"She's very beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you." He finally smiled. I blushed unwillingly. "I'm glad this blasted thing is nearly over so I can return you to your room."

"Is it that late?"

"It is nearing ten."

"But you won't force me to leave before midnight, will you?" I did not want to be shut back in my room, with or without Johnna. This may be the best night of my life! Cedric loves me!

"You are hiding something."

"What?"

"I can tell you are hiding something from me. Has someone said anything to you?"

Think! I knew my face was still red. "I cannot tell you who, because it's not my place, but, I think…" I giggled, and Roland looked annoyed, "I think someone will be asking for Amber's hand very soon."

Roland visibly relaxed and his smile came back. "Is that it? Who is going to ask?"

"It's not my place to tell, your Grace. But, it will be soon. You won't have to wait long."

"I thought you were going to tell me you were propositioned."

I laughed. "Would that be so bad?"

His forehead crinkled. "I think you have had a bit too much to drink." He pulled me closer. Too close, and I immediately pulled back. "Sofia," he said with a warning tone.

"I…I'm sorry, your Grace," I said looking at his chest.

"I think this needs to be your last dance."

"I feel very well, your Grace. Please don't make me leave. I'll drink water the rest of the night."

"No. I will escort you to your room. Do not argue with me, Sofia." His voice was hard, but his face was harder.

I swallowed a lump in my throat, and held back tears that stung my eyes.

The song ended quickly and Roland tucked my arm in his as he walked me to an exit. We passed many people in the halls, and nearly all stopped and stared. I held my head up, and bit my lower lip. Finally, we arrived at my room and Roland followed me inside.

I pulled my arm from his, but then he grabbed my wrist and forced me back to stand right in front of him. "Your Grace?" I asked, terrified.

"I told you to call me by my name," he growled, and then his mouth was on mine before I could apologize. My instincts made me pull back but he had moved one hand to the back of my head and the other arm was wrapped around my back, and I did not have the strength to push him away.

His tongue entered my mouth when I tried to say something, and I felt the tears fall from my eyes. Finally, I gave up. I had no idea what to do.

He was the one who broke us apart, resting his forehead against mine. "Sofia," he moaned, pressing my body to him. "Why are you crying?"

"I don't…don't want you to kiss me," I stammered before beginning to sob.

He moved my head to his chest and cradled me. "It's your first kiss. I understand. You'll grow to like it." One hand roamed over my back, while the other rubbed the nape of my neck. "Look at me, darling." I did not want to, but he was the duke, and then his lips were upon my cheeks, and all over my face before finding my mouth again.

Suddenly, I felt the bed behind my legs and realized he had maneuvered us there. He pushed me onto the mattress, still kissing me, and lying beside me. His hands wandered to my hip and stomach, and then slowly up to just below my breasts.

"No!" I yelled and pushed against him with all my strength.

He backed off but squeezed my upper arm with his hand. "What is wrong with you, Sofia?"

"I don't know what you are doing! You are scaring me!"

"I'm showing you how much I care about you."

"But you are…you are…" he squeezed my arm hard and I yelped. "You married my Mother!"

"I am not your father." His eyes glinted.

"But.."

"Stop being an idiot," he growled. "I have never been your father and I will not start now." His voice softened a little and he lowered his mouth to my neck. "You are very special, you know." Even though I did not like it, his breath on my neck tickled. "I want to show you how special you truly are."

"Duke Roland!" I cried and pushed at him again. I was unsuccessful but he moved away on his own though he still had me pinned to the bed.

"I will leave you," he growled, "but you are to stay in this room the rest of the night and I want you to think about your future and how it might turn out if you do not accept me."

He pushed himself off me, which caused more pain to my arms, but I blinked back the tears as he stood on his feet.

"You have nothing without me, Sofia. You would do well to remember that." He turned and left the room, not quite slamming the door, but shutting it loudly.

I stood and then crumpled sobbing to the floor, drew my knees up to my chest and buried my face in my crossed arms.