I sit inside my glass carriage. The line to the L Center inches forward. Nervous energy skitters through my system. The Glass Slipper Ball is being streamed live. Everything starts in just a few minutes.
I can’t wait forever here. That said, there’s no missing how all the other carriages have paper numbers taped to the back of their vehicles. It reminds me of the New York marathon. Everyone had to register beforehand and get approved to enter.
Obviously, I’m not on any list.
Sure, I could sneak into the L Center itself. But I want more. My goal is to get my butt on that stage and stand beside Alec. This line is for the other Cinderellas who are heading to that same spot.
I simply have to wait. And chat up Jacoby.
Speaking of Jacoby, he folds his arms over his chest. The movement stretches his long-sleeve Henley. “You look lovely,” says the dark elf. “That’s a rather solid enchantment. I can barely see the gingham monstrosity underneath.”
I so don’t have time for this. By rights, I should be sitting here alone. If anything, I could approach another Cinderella and try for some intel on how to get back stage. Instead, I’m stuck with Jacoby. I round on him.
“Is there a reason you’re here?” I ask.
“Yes. I’m wondering if you need a date to this evening’s event.”
“No, thank you.”
“So you’re with Alec now?”
I huff out a breath. “I’m unsure, Jacoby.”
“If Alec is your choice, I should be very downhearted.” He winks. That’s not exactly a sad face.
“You look upset,” I snark.
“I am, desperately. I even stopped by Cynder to check on your welfare. Blackaverre is still locked up in your dresser, in case you’re wondering.”
“I appreciate your concern.”
“So.” Jacoby leans forward. “Who cast that spell on your old bedroom?”
Of all the things I expected Jacoby to say, that wasn’t on the list.
“I don’t know. In truth, I’m as curious as you are.”
“I detected the same magical signature once before,” adds Jacoby. “It surrounded the Cynder building right after you left home. Very powerful stuff, too.” He lowers his voice to a sneaky whisper. “And I already knew you didn’t do it.”
“Really.” Jacoby always does stuff like this. He loves to tease me into begging him to blab stuff. “Fine. How did you know?”
“The magic was elven.”
I’ll just add that to the list of things that shock me about this conversation.
“Eleven? Seriously?”
“No question about it. And the power signature was unique. And it appeared twice. First, right after you left Cynder. And second, when your room was revealed. Any ideas about the identity of the casters?”
“I don’t think it was multiple people,” I say.
“Why?”
“It would make sense that you’d sense the magic three years ago. That would have been when the mystery caster hid my room. Then, you’d detect it again when the room was revealed. Same casting, same person.”
“Anything else for me?”
Leaning back on my bench, I think through this news. Who do I know that wields elven magic? There are only four kids at school who are elves. Only one of them will acknowledge my existence, and that’s Jacoby. So it can’t be a West Lake Prep kid. But could anyone else I know could be behind this?
I shrug. “I got nothing.”
“And you’re certain about tonight and Alec?”
“I’m positive I don’t need a date tonight. Although I do appreciate your asking.”
“There’s been more to my interest than just tonight. I’ve been rather frantic this week, just so you know. After you disappeared, I tried to find you.”
“Marchesa put me in a prison. I freed myself.”
“Clearly,” says Jacoby. “To my elven sight, all sorts of magic flows through you now. Undoubtedly, you’d flatten me like a pancake if I tried to keep you from the L Center.”
“Undoubtedly.”
And that’s the double-edged sword that is Jacoby. Just when I think he’s all sweet and worried for my safety, he talks about keeping me from the L Center tonight.
“In that case, I’ll take my leave.” Jacoby’s silver gaze turns intense. “Just know this. You’re my beautiful and powerful warden. Mine.”
All the blood seems to drain from my body. “Warden? How do you know?
“That doesn’t matter. What’s important is this. Whatever takes place tonight with Alec?” He gestures between us. “This isn’t over.”
“You can’t control me.”
“Says the girl with zero idea who I really am.”
A silver crown appears atop Jacoby’s head.
I blink. Rub my eyes. Blink again. Yes, that’s definitely a crown.
“You see, you’re not the only one keeping secrets, my Elle.”
With that, Jacoby vanishes.
Our conversation keeps spinning through my brain. That really happened. My friend—who as it turns out is eleven royalty—just revealed I’m his property.
Mom warned me that an interested elf was worse than a barnacle when it comes to scraping them off.
Why didn’t I listen?