Dragons of the Watch - Donita K. Paul [135]
Ellie heard Lady Peg behind her. “Yes, isn’t this sweet? Long-lost love. Not years, of course, but months. Still, that’s hard for young lovers. Would you like an appetizer? These little lemon cakes are especially tasty, but I haven’t tried those brown crinkly ones because they look like bugs, and I always associate bugs with headaches or upset stomachs. Would you like to try one of these brown things, Fenworth? Librettowit?”
Her voice faded, and Ellie peeked. The princess’s mother had taken over her job, circulating among the guests, offering refreshment.
Bealomondore gave her a last squeeze and let her go, with only his arm still around her waist. “My parents are here.” He stretched his neck and looked around. “I want you to meet them, and then we can dance and feast and dance some more. I’ll introduce you to many of my friends.”
“I can’t meet them now. I’m supposed to be serving.”
“You can’t. Lady Peg went off with your tray.”
She felt the bond sizzle between them as if reconnecting. He studied her face, then nodded.
“This is my cousin’s house. I’ll find her, and she’ll take you upstairs to her room where she has dozens of ball gowns. Then when you’re comfortably attired, our evening can begin.”
Bealomondore sat in the foyer at the base of the grand staircase and literally twiddled his thumbs. When he became aware of what he was doing, he stopped. Then his knee jiggled. He kept trying to reach Ellie through mindspeaking, just to tell her to hurry up. There were too many people in the house, and she was too far away and probably busy. His cousin had hugged Ellie and dragged her off with the enthusiasm of a young hostess with a special guest.
He thought they might never come down. Surely they weren’t doing the hair and nails and all the other falderal women normally did before a ball. If they were, he’d get to dance only the last dance with his fiancée.
He felt her coming. Her spirit felt like a spring bubbling out of a forest glade, fresh snowmelt providing crystal-clear water. He stood and waited at the bottom of the steps until she came into view.
She looked stunning, a portrait of grace and innocence. How could he have found someone so perfect? He thought about the chances of them both falling into a bottle city and smiled. This was not by chance. This meeting was orchestrated by Wulder.
Floating in the wide skirt of golds and browns, with a snug bodice of pale gold satin, she looked like a doll his sisters had played with, a beautiful porcelain doll with perfect form and dark coloring. He’d have to start another portrait of Ellicinderpart tomorrow. The first did not do her justice.
He took her hand at the bottom of the stairs and nodded to his cousin, who had accompanied Ellie. He led her into the ballroom and swirled her onto the dance floor the minute they stepped through the doors.
Her words breathless with excitement, she protested. “I don’t know how to dance like this.”
“But you’re dancing.”
“I think it’s the bond we have between us. I think your mind is telling my body what to do. Bealomondore, we are even breathing in rhythm.”
He pulled her closer for a tight turn. “I think our hearts are beating as one as well.”
“Bealomondore, I love you.”
“And I love you, Ellicinderpart.”
They maneuvered through three steps that parted them and brought them back together. Words passed between their minds and hearts, unspoken but truly committed.
“May it ever be so.”
“I’ll just do this little thing I call a swirl.” Fenworth lifted his arms while Ellie and Bealomondore watched.
“Wait!” Ellie reached for the wizard’s arm. “I’ve been told about the swirling. Where are we going?”
Wizard Fenworth shook his head as if clearing it. “To rescue the inhabitants of Rumbard City. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to be doing? I had it clearly marked on my calendar. Today the urohms of Chiril who wish to participate in assimilating the orphans into society will gather at Bellsawyer. That’s their part of this endeavor. Am I not right?”
“Yes sir,” Ellie