Cinderella Spell - Laurie Lee Page 0,27

pulling away. “Then I will see you again, I know it.” With a precious smile, she kissed him on the lips and turned from him. He needed to reach for her, keep her from disappearing into the night, but his arms remained motionless at his side. He could hear the clink of her dancing slippers on the stone steps, further and further. Every toll of the clock carried her further from his side. Weakness assailed him, and he leaned against the balcony.

Marissa saw a touch of lace disappearing around the stairwell. Unease twisted her stomach as she searched the dimly lit terrace. She sighed with relief when Robert’s broad shoulders came into view. He stood alone, slumped against the stone wall at the edge of the terrace. For a moment, her desire was to return to the warmth of his arms, whirling through the ballroom and sharing laughter with her best friend.

She shook her head to clear it. This wasn’t about her. This was about the dainty blonde woman who seemed to captivate the prince. Marissa walked to Robert. She placed her hand on his arm, and then followed the direction of his focus. Even in the dark of night, light illuminated the strange woman as she walked between two rows of carriages. She stumbled for a moment and Marissa felt Robert’s arm stiffen.

She turned to him. What caused his fascination? “Where is she going?”

He offered no response, attention fixed on the disappearing young lady.

“Robert,” Marissa said again, but still nothing. She shook his arm, and he dragged his attention from the lower hall and looked at her with bleary eyes. Marissa frowned. “What is wrong with you?”

“Marissa?” He seemed confused for a moment, and then he sighed. “She has gone.”

“Who? Who is she?” She looked down again, but the mysterious woman had vanished.

He shrugged. “I don’t know. But it doesn’t matter. I love her.”

“Love? It’s been what, three hours?”

“You wouldn’t understand, Mars.” He jerked his arm away. “It’s nothing you’ve experienced. Nothing like us.”

Marissa blinked, turning her face so he couldn’t see the hurt inflicted by his sharp tone. “I’m sorry.” She swallowed her pain. “To whose family does she belong?”

“She did not say.”

Marissa clenched her hands to keep from biting her nails. “You don’t know her family?”

“Her name is Cinderella.” His voice resonated with wonder.

“Cinderella who?”

He shrugged.

“You must know a surname. You can’t go to the king and tell him you want to marry Cinderella. Your father will not stand on the dais and announce his only son, Prince Robert of Camden, is engaged to … to Cinderella.”

“I can. I will.” He glared. “If I tell him I love her, he will be satisfied.”

She grunted in frustration. “Follow her, look to the emblem on her carriage. Find out what you can of her people. What manner of woman entices a man to love her and runs away?”

He grabbed her arms, his look earnest. “Mine. She is perfect for me. “

Marissa bit her bottom lip to keep from rolling her eyes. She watched as he blinked, and his glance focused on her mouth. Did he remember? But a veil dropped over him, and his arms released her. He slipped past to follow the path Cinderella had taken. Marissa shook her head, wrapping her arms around herself to ward off the chill. A shiver stole down her back and a lone tear trailed the smooth pale skin of her cheek.

Robert raced down the stairs. The hallway was empty, and he noticed nothing amiss in the shadows. It was too far, running to the end of the hallway then back around to the carriages. He jumped the hedge.

“Ey, ladd.”

He ignored the old man brushing a chestnut horse. She had escaped through the rows of carriages. He pushed the horse out of the way. The path was empty. She couldn’t be far, hadn’t been that long since she parted ways with him. Her groom would still be helping her. He ran along the line. Groomsmen and livery mingled, hollering as he disturbed their games, but there was no sign of Cinderella.

The shelled pathway turned to uneven stone. He fell to his knees, cobbles shooting pain through his hands and legs. It didn’t matter. Breath refused to move from his lungs. She was gone. How had he missed her? Where had she gone? He doubled over, felt the cold touch of stone against his forehead. Her image filled his thoughts. The soft dress billowing as they twirled across the ballroom. Her peach lips