I didn’t have much time to look at my reflection. Cyan was already by the door, murmuring how much longer that took than she expected.
I wanted to roll my eyes. Yes, I was aware I didn’t have Fae beauty and it required much more time to make me look even a fraction of the way they did, but did everyone have to remark on it?
“Are you ready, miss?” Cyan asked from the doorway. “You'll be announced upon your arrival, and there will be pictures taken of you. It’s imperative that you’re present, especially as you're the only mortal in the palace and I’m sure Wonderland will be curious about you.”
I wasn’t so sure about that. The women from earlier had hated me because my name had been selected, and I doubted the men cared. This was a farce, all of it. The only reason I played along was because I needed to kill Pan. Unfortunately, there was nowhere to hide a weapon on me…unless…
“Could I trouble you for one moment longer?” I asked, forcing a smile.
I stepped back into the bathroom before she could answer. The daggers Philip had given me were immediately confiscated by Alice.
“This is Pan we’re talking about,” she said flatly. “Expect him to be eight steps ahead of you.”
But what could I use?
I looked around frantically, trying to find something.
There –
There was a small set of scissors still sitting on the bureau. It was a tool she hadn’t had to use on me this time. Perhaps I could fit the small tool between my breasts. It wasn’t like the edges of the blades would damage my skin, and they were small enough where I might be able to tuck them into the bodice of the dress without anyone noticing.
But were the blades sharp enough?
I couldn’t worry about that now.
I pushed the scissors into the bodice, adjusted it accordingly, and gave myself one last look in the mirror. I didn’t know if I was going to have an opportunity to kill Pan tonight, but I wanted to be prepared, just in case.
Cyan left me when we reached the foot of the staircase, claiming attendants weren’t allowed, but directed me to where I needed to go.
It wasn’t far.
I was in a small line. The other girls I was up against weren’t here, which meant they must already be inside, which meant I was late.
Oh well.
I tried to peek inside and see what to expect, but I wasn’t able to take it all in. From what I could see, I knew I was in for a sight.
“And you are?” a short, squat man with an over-the-top white wig asked.
“Wendy,” I said. “Wendy Darling.”
“The mortal,” he said. Before I could respond one way or the other, his voice filled the large room. “Wendy Darling, mortal. No title.”
“Thanks,” I muttered, stepping inside.
The ballroom for The Enchanted Ball was a sight to behold that I couldn’t even stay mad at the insulting little gremlin. I couldn’t have possibly prepared for the breathtaking display of Fae magic and grandeur, and I openly gaped like I was a tourist.
Which I was.
The room was bathed in a soft, radiant light that emanated from the very walls, creating an ethereal ambiance that embraced all who entered. The ceiling was a marvel in itself, adorned with a canopy of twinkling stars that mimicked the night sky. The stars shimmered with a gentle luminescence, casting a soothing glow over the revelers below. Occasionally, a shooting star streaked across the ceiling, leaving trails of sparkling stardust in its wake.
The ballroom's walls were draped with luxurious fabrics, cascading like waterfalls of silk and lace.
Delicate crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, just like every other room, their faceted gems refracting the light into a mesmerizing dance of rainbows across the room. The chandeliers seemed to float in mid-air, adding to the room's otherworldly atmosphere.
The dance floor itself was a vision of artistry and magic. Intricate patterns, seemingly etched by an invisible hand, weaved across the floor in mesmerizing designs. These patterns pulsed with a soft glow, guiding the dancers in a celestial waltz as if following the steps of a celestial dance.
Floral arrangements of exotic blooms adorned the room, their vibrant colors and intoxicating scents infusing the air with a sense of wonder and enchantment. Whimsical sculptures and graceful archways embellished the corners, creating hidden alcoves for intimate conversations and stolen glances.
How was this created in such a short amount of time?
Magic, you idiot, a voice reminded me.
Duh.
The room was alive with the sound of soft, whimsical music, played by unseen musicians that evoked emotions of joy and longing. The melodies seemed to resonate with the hearts of the attendees, drawing them into the enchanting embrace of the ball's festivities.
Gentle streams of moonlight filtered through large, arched windows, casting patterns of light and shadow on the ballroom floor. The moonlight added an extra layer of magic to the event, illuminating the dancers like stars in the night sky.
The attendees themselves were a spectacle of elegance and beauty, their attire reflecting the opulence and grandeur of the occasion. The ballroom was filled with the sound of laughter, soft whispers, and delighted gasps, creating an atmosphere of joy and enchantment.
It was the perfect dream. One I found myself getting lost in even now.
I didn’t like dancing, not since my brothers disappeared, but I wondered if I would be expected to. I could already see Seraphina and Aurora on the dance floor, each other their own partners. Both had small smiles on their beautiful faces, and I wondered if they wanted to have the freedom to enjoy themselves more.
Calista was speaking to a group of elegantly adorned Fae in the corner and Evangeline was taking a bite of a juicy strawberry.
But something was missing.
Pan.
Where was Pan?
“See? He can’t even attend his own ball. He doesn’t want to get married.”
I glanced over at two Fae women huddled in the corner adjacent to the buffet. They appeared to belong to some kind of regal family judging by the clothes they wore and how they spoke so freely in the ballroom.
“Why would he when he’s finally Prince over something? He wouldn’t want to share his power. But his mother wants a child.”
“What?”
“To ensure their Legacy,” the second Fae said. “They still haven’t found the Mad Mage, and they say he’s come to claim what once belonged to him.”
My eyes widened slightly. The Fae realm. After Alice and the Imp revealed the truth about who the Mad Mage was, the fact that she was the product of him and the Red Queen, and the fact that the Mad Mage had originally ruled over the Fae realm, it had been chaos. But the Mad Mage had gone into hiding, the Red Queen was imprisoned, and Alice and the Imp were free to do as they pleased.
For now.
I was sure the Fae wanted to figure out how to control the two, if they could.
I scanned the room one more time for the Prince, but when I couldn’t find him, I decided I might be able to slip away and do an investigation of my own.
I still wanted information on my brothers, and perhaps it was arrogant of me to assume I could slip away without being noticed, especially as a contestant in this farce of a competition, but I wanted to try. I was also aware I had a job to do, and leaving now might put that job at risk. If they suspected me, if they kicked me out before I even attempted to take Pan’s life, then what? All of this would be for nothing.
I looked around for another exit and found one.
There.
Tucked behind the four musicians.
I made my way in that direction, holding my breath, waiting for someone to notice me, waiting for someone to stop me.
But no one did.
A couple of people did stare. I supposed it was only natural for them to question my presence, considering I was a mortal and I couldn’t blend in with the Fae, no matter how much makeup Cyan put on my face and no matter how pretty my dress was. Besides that, no one attempted to engage me in conversation. No one stopped me. No one wanted anything to do with me. And for that, I was grateful.
I slipped outside the entrance and found myself in another hallway.
I should have had Cyan give me a tour. Though, even if she had, I highly doubted it would have made much of a difference. My sense of direction was off and I hadn’t done anything in particular to strengthen it.
Where would I even go to try and find information like that?
A study.
A library.
Those were two places that actually made sense, and I was sure one of those rooms, if not both, could be found in a palace like this one.
I decided my only option was to continue down the hall in hopes to find the library or a study. I needed a place to search through. I highly doubted Pan kept blatant evidence on the disappearances lounging around for easy access, especially when there were strangers in his home, but I still had to try. And if I got caught, I could come up with an excuse of being overwhelmed or lost. It wasn’t as though the Fae believed humans were capable; I was sure something like that might actually work.
I traveled down the hallway. It had similar designs as the others, with tapestries on dark wood and candlelight filling the otherwise dark space.
I managed to find a restroom, two bedrooms that were both unused, and a sun room, but no library and no study.
The further I went, the more I questioned where it could be. Across the palace? On the second floor?
No. It wouldn’t make sense to put it on the second floor. It had to be on the first. And if it wasn’t down this hallway, I’d just check another one until I did find it.
After another two bedrooms, a linen closet that was as big as my apartment, and an entrance to the kitchens, I had only one door left.
Unfortunately, I didn’t think it was the library. I expected double doors for a room that was supposed to be large and house thousands of books. But I tried it anyway, curious as to what I’d find.
And stopped.
Inside was a study.
Pan’s study.
My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly stepped inside before anyone caught me. After shutting the door behind me, I turned and looked around.
The study was tucked away in a secluded corner of the palace. I doubted even the servants traversed all the way down the hall to find it. The entrance was marked by an intricately carved wooden door, bearing ancient symbols that seem to come to life.
The study itself was an intimate chamber bathed in soft candlelight, casting flickering shadows that danced upon the walls. The room was not excessively large, surprisingly enough, but its atmosphere was one of quiet elegance and understated opulence.
The walls were lined with tall bookshelves, filled to the brim with ancient tomes, scrolls, and leather-bound volumes. The shelves seemed to reach toward the vaulted ceiling, adorned with small figurines of mythical creatures and curiosities collected from all corners of the Fae realm.
A large desk, fashioned from dark mahogany, sat at the center of the room. It was adorned with quills, ink bottles, and an assortment of old, yellowed parchment. A delicate, crystal ball rested upon the desk, and I frowned, wondering why he had that and what that actually did. Maybe it was just eclectic decoration.
Illuminated by the soft glow of the crystal chandelier above, the desk provided a glimpse into Pan's world of secrets and intrigue. An ornate chair, cushioned with plush velvet, awaited its occupant. I was almost scared to approach it, wondering if I tripped some kind of alarm simply by being here.
Would I really risk touching something?
In one corner of the study stood an ancient, weathered globe that held the map of the Fae realm and beyond. Tiny, twinkling stars danced across its surface, marking points of interest and hidden wonders, as if whispering tales of the cosmos to anyone who cared to listen.
The room was filled with curious artifacts and mementos from Pan's travels – at least, I assumed they were from his travels. From delicate vials filled with shimmering fairy dust to delicate tapestries depicting scenes of daring escapades, each item held a story and added to the room's aura of wonder and mystery.
A large window overlooked the palace gardens, allowing the gentle moonlight to spill into the study during the night. The sight of the moon and stars was ever-present, reminding visitors – if Pan even allowed visitors into this place, which I highly doubted he did – of the Fae connection to the celestial realms and the mysteries they held.
Are you just going to stand there and gawk, or are you going to do something?
I turned back to make sure the giant doors were tucked closed. I had to use my hands to pick up the skirts off the floor as I dragged them forward.
I needed to get into that desk.
But how?
I chewed my bottom lip, trying to think quickly.
If I had a hairpin, maybe I could undo the lock…unless there was some kind of magical alarm put in place that sealed it shut or alerted Pan if something had been tampered. I would expect such a thing, and I wasn’t sure if I was willing to risk it. Then again, I didn’t know how else I was going to get information, especially once I managed to fulfill my obligation and kill him. Once he was dead, I was in just as much danger as before, especially if they could prove it was me.
But would they believe it?
A human, able to kill Pan?
Would I even be able to do it?
The second I reached the desk, I placed my hands on the black mahogany and gave myself a moment to look around. Every sheet of paper was in place. There was nothing messy, nothing that would pull at my attention.
I walked around slowly, my dress silently swishing with each movement.
“Well, well, well,” a voice said from behind me just as I sat down on his leather chair. “What do we have here? A little mouse stepping into a lion’s den?”