Cinderella Spell - Laurie Lee Page 0,15

thin circlet around his head marked him as a member of the royal family, but not the king. His eyes were a dazzling vivid hue of green. For a moment she wondered if he could see her.

Light shadows twisted into the room like angry spirits. They caused a binding Doorin could not break. Fire flashed through the workroom. A smaller mirror than the one that had been removed toppled to the ground. A key, the key she’d seen around her neck, was used to lock the room, and its keyhole disappeared. The light shadows set a powerful shield on the door, empowering the key. The scene changed to a king’s chamber. A woman wearing a white gold crown designed by intertwined flowers with jeweled centers held her hand to an older woman sheathed in white. The queen allowed her hand to be pricked and blood dropped upon the key. Rather than slide away, blood soaked into the metal. The key was then set upon a delicate chain and placed around the queen’s neck.

The images faded to nothing. Ella stood wondering at all she had seen.

Cinderella stood before the mirror, memories returning meant to remind her whose power allowed her to work as she did. She closed her eyes and willed the turmoil and shaking within to cease. The terrible beauty of the mirror had taught her it needed the key to open Doorin’s room. Queen Charlotte had chosen death rather than release her control of the key. Her plan for Robert would fare much better.

Blood pulsing with desire to gain her prince, she traced her fingers across the smooth surface. “Mirror on the wall, make me fairest of them all.” Images of others who would be attending the prince’s ball flashed across the surface. The mist that poured from the mirror no longer elicited fear. Excitement threatened to burst through her control. The royal family could not stop her. They accepted the idea of the ball as their own. The force that had assailed her at the parade had not shown itself again. Nothing worked against the webs flowing into the palace. Cinderella grinned when the need for the prince to choose a bride became their thought, as it had been hers. Protection of the Faere broke at the end of his twenty-first year. Now he was hers for the taking.

The mist rose, wrapping around her like lover’s hands caressing her body. When it faded away, the soft taffeta was not as she’d expected. Its color was subdued, a robin’s egg hue, one expected on an innocent young woman. Part of her hair had been swept above her temples and set with pearl studs while waves flowed down her back. Yes. Simple would be far lovelier than the gaudy designs of the other women seeking the prince’s hand. “I do believe the prince is mine for the taking.” Cinderella rolled her shoulders.

“Even though you already have a husband?”

Cinderella turned at the man’s petulant remark. “Crow.” Her name for him was an apt depiction of his appearance, as his skin as well as his gentleman’s robe, shone as black satin. She crossed the room, pulling at the belt around his waist and placing both hands on his thick chest. “Robert of Camden will not hold that distinction for long, my dear.” She moved her hands to his cheeks, pulling him down so her mouth could dance against his. He pulled her closer. She watched his dark eyes as he laid claim to what he thought was his. He pleased her with his body, yet it was his other form that had kept her from destroying him long before.

8

Marissa watched Sereh hold a gold brocade gown to her chest, swishing back and forth to show the gleam of gold thread across the bodice. “Gold is one of his favorites, you say?” Sereh’s deep brown eyes met hers in the mirror.

Robert seemed to compliment her when she wore gold, so Marissa nodded. “You will look splendid. You should have a number of suiters by the end of the festivities.” It was true. With Sereh’s dark skin tone and tilted eyes, she had an exotic air most men would find attractive.

Sereh sighed, letting the dress droop. “My interest remains with Prince Robert.”

Marissa responded with a smile of encouragement. Sereh hadn’t made an impression on Robert yet. No reason why the ball would change things. The thought should not make her smile. But it did.

Would any of the others capture his interest? Marissa didn’t want