Chapter 2:
Don't you pretend that you don't need a little more from me
You're actin' like it's nothin'
We both know it's somethin'
Even in the dark everyone can see
So don't you pretend that you're not wishin' I was next to you
Hot and cold as ever, want me but you never
Let your guard down and I need some proof
You make me want, you
But you don't know where this ends
Baby I wanna love you
But I can't take the suspense
I said don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend
(I just wanna see who's in front of me, who you tryin' to be)
Don't you pretend, ooh yeah
Don't you run and hide
Let's find out tonight
-Kelly Clarkson, Don't you pretend
3 months later
"You can come out now".
Lucinda smiled, a nervous shot of energy brewing in her stomach. Behind a rich red velvet curtain the princess fidgeted and wriggled in her new costume, unsuited to such a heavy, decadent dress.
The curtain rustled, its thick velvet letting out a muffle rasp as its folds brushed against itself and an abrupt snap as the fabric was pulled back to reveal an ethereal white light, the remnants of the spell enveloping the room.
The witch took a sharp intake of breath, stepping back to fully withhold the sight that her friend beheld. A beige beauty stood before her, her poignant figure emanating incredible stature and composure as well as refined maturity; altogether so different from the recently come of age princess she was a minute ago. She had to tilt her face upwards so her astonished, wide-eyed gaze could meet that of the sorceress, her jaw dropping as she stood motionless. She was frozen in a stunned silence.
"It worked!" Lucinda finally stammered, breaking the silence. Tripping forward eagerly she smoothed out her friend's elegant robes on her curvaceous, slightly imposing figure. She continued to gasp, her hands moving down to stroke the silken, brown darts in her gown.
"You look just like… her", rolling out the 'r' sound on her tongue.
Sofia's fingers brushed the edge of her gown as Lucinda had, its unaccustomed dense layers feeling heavy beneath her soft hands, compared to her usual dainty lilac frocks. Concernedly she raised her hands in reflex. She turned her head confusedly to study her long, dark bell sleeves. The voluminous fabric encircled her slender arms as she gazed down at her witch friend, who seemed miniscule from her raised view. Standing at nearly 6 feet tall, Sofia had wondered how different the world would seem from an elevated perspective, something her usual petite frame had compromised. It felt every bit as empowering as she'd imagined.
"Morpho incantus" the witch uttered, as a tall, ornately framed mirror formed before her eyes.
Sofia held back a gasp as her reflected appearance became visible. A startled stranger stared back. The woman's dark brunette hair was stretched taut into an uncomfortably sleek high ponytail, clasped with a gold metal bangle. Not a single hair disobeyed its tight hold. Tied back, her hair made way for a defined, angular face. Her thin, arched brows were raised in a scornful expression, as if to sneer at others who deemed inferior. The only feature which held familiarly were her glittering blue eyes which were wide with anticipation. A soft, pink blush set on her cheeks which contrasted the dark sweep of her figure. Shimmery pink makeup coated her lids, enhancing her natural beauty. She looked almost other-worldly.
"You've done an amazing job, Luce" Sofia began cautiously, the deep tenor of her silky voice surprising herself. The vowels rolled out seductively; she was speaking in a smoky richness. "I'm not sure if I'll be able to pull it off," she sighed, lowering her head to meet her friend's unblinking stare.
Sofia had always acted older than her age, owning a persistent curiosity which led her to uncover the world's less innocent aspects. She didn't know exactly how old Sascha was, but acting at least 25 when she had only just reached womanhood was no mean feat.
"What did I tell you? Anyone who vaguely looks as gorgeous as you should have no fears at all" Lucinda praised, receiving a humble smile from Sofia. "If you remember what we've practised then your natural charisma will shine through" Lucinda reiterated proudly, circling the sorceress with her intent gaze.
"Remember, you've done a masters in sorcery at Hexley Hall, you work in an enchanted greenhouse and have recently broken up with your boyfriend meaning you are madly and desperately single." she added, winking a little too eagerly.
Before she had a chance to interject, Lucinda persisted "You'll need this as well", standing on her tiptoes. Clipping a long, shadow-like black cloak to the nape of her neck it clicked perfectly onto a string of gold jewellery which adorned her neckline. Sofia wiggled her shoulders, adjusting to the weight of the thick robe as her eye caught the soft purple hues of clouds and warm, orange tinges of the sun setting out of the window. It was evening time and soon the night's festivities would begin. "I guess we must be going" her voice came out, almost husky with an edge of doubt as she glanced hesitantly at her friend.
Two weeks prior, the bumbling talk of the village was centered around none other than her favourite sorcerer. His upcoming birthday ball was the talk of the town, people speculating what the royals were meticulously planning. Villagers gushed about how all the royal sorcerers in the tri-kingdom area would be invited to witness the best sorcerer in Enchancia in a celebration to the beginning of a new decade. When Sofia next visited Dunwiddie, she'd enthusiastically shared her ideas for potential birthday presents. She listed all the excuses she could conjure to kiss him following the ambitious depths of a hug they shared last year. Lucinda responded with no more than an eye roll.
The witch had a more assertive idea, she recalled, one which sent a familiar shiver down her spine all the way to her toes. Offer yourself as his birthday gift, Lucinda had proposed, her honeyed words pleading and coaxing her. Her suggestion was impossible to ignore- her words plagued her ever since. Sascha would be the greatest birthday surprise the stubborn, irritable sorcerer could ever dream of, the witch's exact words echoed like a spell in Sofia's mind. After endless days of persuading, Sofia relented. She was tired of fantasising- she wanted reality. She was to go through with it, at least with the certainty that it would shut her friend up. So she left, leaving Lucinda with the promise to recite all the night's actions to her when it was over.
With the deal sealed, she felt the uncomfortable realisation that she must lie to her parents. Not to mention denying Amber and James of her presence at the ball. In truth, at eighteen she reminded herself that being an adult, she had the freedom to choose how she spent her days. Besides, it wasn't as if she were missing the ball completely. She would be there… just in another form.
She comforted herself, reminding herself there was no need to fret. Together, they had carefully ironed out any wrinkles in their plan. An earlier trip to see her mother would quell any inquiries of the princess' absence. Feigning illness, she had shown her a thermometer hanging from her mouth, still warm after dipping it in her tea. It was enough to ensure she was bedridden and to remain in her room. Not even Baileywick was instructed to disturb her. She then had left her bedroom, locking the door and made her way out of the castle on Lucinda's broomstick not hours ago.
Taking one last glance in the mirror, her blue eyes glimmered as she noted her sophisticated and mostly confident appearance. Her rounded breasts were pushed up against the tight corset, possibly a cup size or two larger than her own. Sofia pondered what Cedric would think, having only ever seen him embarrassedly look away when caught staring at the skin below her amulet for a little too long. She had seen him not hours ago, busy in preparation for the night's party. She pondered over their last interaction. He had put a little more effort into his appearance than usual, conjuring an embellished, navy floor-length robe in exchange for his purple one. She'd praised his efforts, commenting how it was as breathtaking as the night sky, fawning over how handsome it would look on him.
"Will you be at this spectacular ball then, Princess?" He'd asked, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"Of course, I'll be right beside you," the white lie escaped from her lips. She surely couldn't tell him that she planned on being ill, in an excuse to miss it.
A comforted smile basked gently on his lips. "Good," he nodded. "You know I can't stand being alone at these frivolous events." he grumbled. "I suppose Amber will be thrilled on another occasion to invite her male friends to" he added, narrowing his eyes.
A laugh formed in her throat. "Yes, no doubt there'll be more people there than you invited" she smirked subtly, trying not to give anything away.
"Will you be inviting someone?" he questioned cautiously, cocking his brow, as it wasn't unusual for a princess to be accompanied by a potential suitor at events when she had come of age.
"No" she stuttered, nervously, unsure how to respond. Her lips pulled into a gentle smile.
"Only you" she answered, fluttering her lashes as a silence began to stretch out between them. The only thing she could hear was the delicate humming that resonated from her lips. When he hadn't responded she muttered a quick promise to see him later and turned away, descending his tower steps.
After their parting, she internally scolded herself for her awkwardness. She must be cautious not to let anything slip when in his company later on. However, her heart felt full as she dared to hope he would feel the same way as her when she fulfilled his request of spending the entire evening together. And night.
Remembering their encounter, she concluded that if she was able to woo Lucinda, seducing the sorcerer might not be so difficult. If tonight's plan came to fruition, she would have a lot to thank her mischievous witch friend for.
Sofia chided herself, realising Lucinda's immense effort to make this opportunity worthwhile. Tonight was the long awaited night of Cedric's birthday and the celebration would soon be in working order at the castle. Since many royal sorcerers and sorceresses would be in attendance, they had figured another sorceress on top of the guest list should go unnoticed.
Lucinda rubbed her hands together excitedly, a bright smile widening on her lips as she lifted her leg over her twisted broomstick and winked in Sofia's direction. "Climb aboard" she grinned as Sofia pinched her delicate gown, hitching its heavy layers up as she hooked her long limbs over the uneven wood and gently gripped the witch's shoulders. She let out an exasperated "Aah!" as the broomstick began to shake as her feet left the floor. Her clasp frantically tightened, moving to her waist as they were lifted up and zoomed out of the window into the evening sky, leaving Lucinda's house fading into the distance.
The broomstick came to an abrupt stop as they pulled over the castle gardens. A cool evening breeze swept against their clothes as the faint murmur of servant's feet and clinking china could be heard inside the castle- a sign that preparations were well under way. The exterior of the castle had been decorated with a faint string of purple bunting, which matched the magenta, fluffy wisps which adorned the sky.
"You're just in time for the ball" Lucinda rejoiced, gazing in awe at the glorious signs that a party was about to begin.
Sofia rubbed her feet together, distractedly, as reality began to set in. Looking for a place to compose herself, she suggested "I'm sure we can wait a few more minutes" as she sat down on a nearby log.
Lucinda hesitated before joining her. It was clear to see Sofia's uncertainty as she began to absent-mindedly trace the grooves in the wood, her fingers circling an embedded scar in the log. She had a lot to think about, and Lucinda only had one more crucial reminder. Reaching into her pocket she produced a small, black hand mirror which she offered on an open palm to Sofia. "Take this" she purred softly. "You know what to do with it when it's time".
Placing her fingers over the hand mirror from Lucinda, Sofia couldn't help but notice it was similar to the mirrors Amber used to keep on her at all times. She didn't wish to be vain, but she felt as if she would be checking on her appearance every minute to get through this evening. What if her makeup smudged, or if crumbs stuck to her mouth? She'd never worried over these miniscule details as Sofia, but as Sascha, she felt that nothing less than perfection would surpass. That Cedric wouldn't love her if a hair was out of place.
An uncomfortable feeling built up in her stomach; she felt queasy and overwhelmed. As if something wasn't right. All she wanted to do is admit this was a mistake. Trying to be something she's not, someone she'd never be worthy enough to be just proved how foolish she was. For a second, she considered opening the mirror, uttering those words, "ruptura incantus" and running back to her room. She could return to standing at the ball as a pathetic, predestined princess. Go back to burying her uncalled for feelings and just be the person everyone wanted her to be.
Or that's so she thought. If there was just a single chance that Cedric could want her to want him. For the chance she could experience reciprocated love, even not as herself, couldn't she just enjoy that? She could be lustful, rash and unruly like the other girls. Take one night of careless passion and walk away with her head held high, like it never happened? Lucinda, as a witch, had a moraless view when it came to sex; witches were passionate and unruly in the ways of love. Her sister wasn't too different; she did exactly what she wanted when she pleased. For once, she could try to do the same.
Taking the mirror from Lucinda, she carefully opened the lid. The vivid blue flames of her eyes seemed to burn straight through it. On the surface, they were wide with fear and uncertainty. But below the surface, there simmered an unspoken depth, and desire. There was a fierce fervor which threatened to ignite anything it gazed upon. She was sure of it now. She was going to go into the castle and scorch the way to his touch. All proper formalities be damned. She was going to sear him hot enough to melt his cold demeanour to leave behind the true, unguarded version of himself. Sascha had brought that out of him before and she would do that again tonight.
Her long, tapered fingers reached into the generous pockets of her gown to produce a deep, rouge lipstick. One far too bold and sultry for Princess Sofia. The velvety pigment began to smear across her lips, filling every carefully engrained crevice. She pressed her lips together deliberately until they were irresistibly traced in a sea of crimson. The lid of the mirror snapped shut. A flick of a switch had turned her. She stood up, standing tall as she tilted her chin up. "If that's all Lucinda, I have a ball to attend to" she said as a matter of fact, her sharp tone not faltering. The witch barely had time to digest as she gazed, wide-eyed as a swish of beige satin and brunette curls disappeared from the garden.
If you would like to see the next chapter, please leave a review and I might be able to get it out faster! ;)