Ellie and the Prince (Faraway Castle #1)(56)
Except for the confused humans milling like sheep in the ballroom and gardens. They seemed dazed, Ellie thought as she surveyed the room. They had heard her voice while she spoke to the hobgoblins, but although their panic had ended, they were still cowed and fearful. Had she caused this? If so, she didn’t know how.
Ellie threaded her way between guests to the garden doors, which seemed the best place for projecting her voice to everyone in the gardens as well as the ballroom. Again she took a few deep breaths and focused. “There is no need to fear; all is well.” She felt her magic wind its way about the room as she spoke. “Some greedy little ones tried to steal the cakes and pies while no one was looking, but they have apologized, and the mess is cleaned up. Nothing important happened. Set your minds at rest, forget your fear, and enjoy this amazing Summer Ball!”
Nearby, people blinked and looked around at each other, their faces brightening into happiness and anticipation. The band members picked up their instruments, laughing at themselves for panicking over nothing, and their leader started them out on a lively polka. Several couples began to dance. To Ellie’s surprise, Omar’s parents were among them.
Just as she turned to see if Omar had returned, a sharp voice cut through the music and the buzz of conversation. “That girl in the purple gown, there by the door—it’s that cinder-sprite girl! It’s Cinder Ellie! How dare she come to the ball! She is part of the staff, a hired servant!”
It was Lady Raquel, her haughty face twisted with disgust, one perfectly manicured finger pointed directly at Ellie. People nearby turned to stare, some confused, others shocked, a few offended.
While Ellie stood frozen, Lady Gillian stepped forward and ripped the mask off her face. “Imposter!” she shouted. “I know how you’ve been stalking Prince Omar, and now everyone will know the truth about you.”
Other voices rose in accusation and protest. No one knew that Ellie had just saved the party, for all memory of the incident was now gone. How had she managed to remove their memory? Would she be in trouble for using her power to meddle with people’s minds?
And then Madame Genevieve appeared beside her. Although she stood near to Ellie, she spoke in a carrying tone for all to hear: “Ellie Calmer, your position here at Faraway Castle Resort is hereby terminated. You have abused your position, broken many rules, neglected your responsibilities in pursuit of personal advancement, and used magic in excessive and unlawful ways. You must pack your possessions and leave the grounds at once, or I will summon the proper authorities.” Her voice held vindictive satisfaction.
Why did this woman hate her so? Ellie wondered.
All around her she saw accusing faces, expressions of shock and condemnation. Where was Omar? Nowhere in sight. Would he condemn her too?
Horror and humiliation smothered any defense she might have made. She turned, pushed and shoved her way outside, and ran down the deck steps leading toward the side garden gate. Just as she reached the ground, she stumbled and one of her slippers fell off. But she ran onward, hopping and limping, until she reached the gate. Only when safely on the service road did she stop to pull off the other shoe before limping to her cottage. Once inside her house, she leaned her back against the door, dropped the slipper, slid down to sit on the floor, covered her face with both hands, and tried to process events of the past hour.
The Gamekeeper’s final words echoed in her mind: “I ask only that you allow nothing to destroy your joy tonight.” But how could he have anticipated such a calamity as this?
Omar and Briar carried the table outside, dumped the sack of broken plates into a garbage bin, then left the table propped outside a shed for later repair. The yard was dark, for none of the festive lighting extended to such practical places. “That was exciting,” Briar commented dryly. “Ellie’s power is impressive, but she needs further training to control it properly. Tell me, Omar, is there magic in your family?”
Omar glanced up, brushing off his hands, but Briar’s face was too shadowed to read. “Why do you ask?”
“I’ve noticed a few things,” Briar replied. “You’re able to see magical creatures that normally hide themselves from humans.”
“That started after I chased Tor to the island. I first saw brownies and hobgoblins in the dining room, and then brownies in the stable. I even met a toadstool fairy. Everyone can see cinder sprites, unicorns, and the lake serpent, can’t they?”
Briar opened the side door and motioned for Omar to enter the Castle. “Most people, at most times. Where magic is concerned, it’s dangerous to generalize. More to the point, I believe it is safe to say that a siren spoke to you while you were on the island.”
“I don’t recall it.” Omar frowned. “Do you think the siren blocked my memory of talking with her?”
“No doubt. Sirens seem to be adept at manipulating memories.” Briar again waved Omar inside.
Omar stepped through the doorway but turned back to address the other prince. “You have magic, don’t you? I can sense it, just as I sometimes sense Ellie’s.”
“Yeah, I have some. My sister and I both inherited magic from our mother.” Briar gave Omar an amused grin and held up his hands. “I need to wash before we return to the ballroom. I have an announcement to make tonight.”
On the way to the washroom, Omar remarked, “I didn’t know you had a sister.” He rolled up his sleeves, turned on the warm tap, and scrubbed stickiness and dirt from his hands. His tuxedo would need dry-cleaning after tonight, for certain.