Ever After (Unfinished Fairy Tales #3)(25)
“Edward,” I whisper. A tear rolls down my face, leaking under the mask. “It’s me, Kat. I’ve come back.”
He stares at me, as if he’s trying to discern my real features under the mask, and when he speaks, his voice is hoarse. “Will you favor me with a dance, lady?”
I curtsy and take his hand. When our hands meet, he glances at me quickly. He might not recognize my face, but he knows the shape of my hand, the texture of my skin, and the way we used to hold hands.
As we head to the dance floor, a few Moryn ladies are whispering behind their fans. Perhaps I shouldn’t have accepted this dance, but it’s too late now. And rational concerns aside, I miss his touch. Now that we’re holding hands, I wish we could do more. I want to pull his head down to mine, kiss him until both of us are out of breath, and make love until light dawns in the sky.
Edward’s hand is trembling; I don’t even have to look at him to know he’s experiencing an emotional turmoil inside. As the orchestra strikes up a tune and we face each other, his eyes search my face, hungrily, as though trying to see through the mask. He stares at my eyes, and finally he speaks.
“It is you.”
He has recognized me, despite the mask, the heavy makeup, the gaudy fashion.
“Kat.” I could have wept at the disbelief and longing in his voice. “This isn’t a dream, is it? Have the goblins taken pity on us and conjured an image of you to comfort me?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I say, resisting the urge to kiss him in front of everyone. “The fairies discovered a way to help me. They transformed the physiology of my body so I can now survive in your world.”
“The fairies?”
“Yes.” In a whisper, I tell him about Lady Gregory and Lysander. Luckily he is able to read my lips when the music drowns out my tone. His eyes widen when I mention the transformation spell that made Lady Gregory and Lysander more similar in age, and when I finish, his grip on my waist is so hard that it's painful. This is the Edward I know.
“So they did succeed and made it possible for you to exist in our world.” Something glistens in his eye; he blinks and regains his composure. As touched as I am, I’m relieved that he didn’t break down in the middle of the dance floor. “But how did you get here? How did you know I was in Moryn? How did you find your way to the palace? Did you have an invitation?”
The song is drawing to an end. “I’ll explain later, but I need your help. Jér?me found me and I’m supposed to be confined in his room.”
He looks surprised, but as we have reached the last notes of the song, he doesn’t ask for an explanation.
“Did he hurt you?” His eyes harden, and he looks like he’s going to spit fire.
“No. Truly, Edward. There wasn’t enough time.”
“Thank heavens.” His hand lingers on my elbow; his gaze remains fixed on my face. I swallow hard. His love for me has transcended this hideous mask I’m wearing. “Don’t leave the ballroom. I’ll send someone to look for you.”
I wonder how he is going to achieve it. But at least I've succeeded in finding Edward. Even if Jér?me finds me now, I don’t mind. Just the happiness that washes over Edward’s face is enough. Even if I’m going to be branded a witch, a traitor, or a seductress, I don’t care.
I dance a few songs with other people. A Moryn noble tries to ask me for a private stroll in the garden; I decline as politely as I can. Fortunately, no one asks who I am. They seem contented to assume I’m an Athelian noblewoman, and they ask questions about Athelian culture, famous sightseeing spots, and the royal family—questions I’m able to answer without difficulty. I’m so thankful that my memories are intact this time.
And then, someone seizes my arm. I squeak and wrench my arm away. Jér?me must have found me.
“Lady Katherine. Would you do me the honor of being my partner in the next dance?”
Oh my God, I’m so relieved. I thought it would be Jér?me, but it’s Henry, formally dressed in a black suit and tie.
“The honor is all mine, Your Grace,” I reply, the princess training in me coming out. At the same time, I look around for Edward, but he is already occupied with some other noble lady. But I’m pretty sure he sent Henry here. Besides, he called me Katherine. He knows I’m not Katriona Bradshaw.
Henry takes my hand and off we go.
“How did you come back?” Henry asks, twirling me around. To be honest, he isn’t a good dancer as Edward is, who manages to keep a running conversation without missing a beat. His movements are stiff, and sometimes he makes mistakes. Maybe Henry’s athletic ability is limited to cricket only, or Edward was forced to train more extensively.
“My disease,” I say in a low voice. “It was cured.”
“Good.” He keeps a firm grip on my arm. “I am very glad to hear that, Lady Katherine.”
“Did Elle come?”
“She was not invited. And frankly speaking, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t come to Moryn for my research project with Dr. Durant.”
“Oh.” I almost forgot. Henry was a fan of Dr. Durant, the Moryn emperor’s head physician, and wanted to do research with him. But the duchess disapproved of Henry undertaking something that is at odds with his position as a duke, and it wasn’t until Elle went to Somerset that the duchess eventually consented.