The whole town seemed to be built in the palace’s shadow, and even though it was midmorning, there was a chill in the air. No one gave me any notice as I walked the streets. When a few gruff men tried to gain my attention, I silenced their advances with a cold, calculated stare. Maybe they could feel my desire to bespell them if given the chance?
The market was bustling and filled with vendors selling flowers, exotic spices, and food to accommodate the group that had gathered outside, waiting to get into the palace, or get a look at the prince.
I purchased a real apple from an elderly woman and tucked it into the pocket of my skirt before falling among a group of ladies who were watching the manor with envious eyes. The guards were stopping each person entering the palace gates and checking their faces carefully and comparing it to sketches they had in their hands. What was going on?
Three of the ladies were furiously waving their fans to cool themselves off in the warm sun and spoke in hushed tones. “What are they doing?”
“I heard that they are being very cautious with the invitations this year.”
“Why is that?”
“Because of what happened with the prince of Baist. That sorceress swapped out his bride for her daughter on his wedding day.”
“No!” Gasps followed.
“Yes, no one knows what the crazy hag will do next.”
“Don’t tell tales, Lizzie.”
“I’m not telling tales. My lips speak nothing but the truth.”
“Sorry, ladies. If you want to enter, you must get in line.” A guard stopped them as they had wandered too close to the gates and pointed to the line of people waiting to get in.
I wasn’t prepared for an inspection but decided to test my ability to sneak into the palace ahead of time. I would do some snooping to see how tough it would be to get in.
I purchased a basket of flowers from a vendor and waited for the right moment. A retinue of guards were coming from the main square and heading into the palace by the main gates. I targeted a younger-looking guard and pasted a smile on my face as I plowed into his strong chest, my finger reaching for his uniform.
“I’m so sorry,” I cried out, dropping my flowers and waving my hands in the air in embarrassment.
The guard bent down and picked up my basket, carefully putting each flower back into it before handing it off to me. “No need, miss. It happens. Are you all right?” He gently touched my arm, and my cheeks flushed. I looked up into his warm brown eyes filled with concern and froze.
I was stunned by the genuine emotions that poured from him. One of the things we had been taught by Mother was to read auras. His was so pure, so filled with light that it was like looking upon the sun. I blinked and shook my head, trying to let the aura fade from my vision. A second glance, I was able to see him, the square nose, brown hair with a cowlick that didn’t want to stay down, and his charming smile.
It was disgusting. I reminded myself.
“I’m fine.” I pulled my elbow out of his hand and lifted my chin. I was unnerved by his virtuousness and could feel it want to inch over to my own darker aura. It was hard to breathe. I stepped back and thrust out my hand, demanding my basket. Instead of handing it to me, he took a step forward. I retreated.
He frowned, those dark brows pulling together in confusion. “Hey, filly, it’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.”
“Did you just call me a horse?” I rolled my eyes.
“No...? Yes, but wait.”
“Forget it. Keep the flowers.” I waved him off. Lifting the hem of my dress, I hurried down the street in the opposite direction. I could hear him yelling after me, his footsteps hitting the brick road. I reached into my purse and dug until I found the apple from a stall vendor I purchased earlier. Ducking into an alley, I bit the apple, being careful to not swallow and hold it in my teeth. The juices ran over my tongue. I could feel the change take over, starting with my hair and shoulders. My hips widened, my back crooked lower, and my hands began to wrinkle—taking on the appearance of the elderly apple vendor. I turned around and was almost knocked over by the soldier.
“Oh, excuse me, ma’am. Did you happen to see a young woman pass this way?”
I nodded and pointed down the street.
“Thank you so much.” He gave my arm a quick squeeze before taking off running down the alley, my basket of flowers still in his hands.
I quickly chewed and swallowed the apple and felt my body began to transform. Tossing the apple into the street, I held up a gold button with an insignia on it—Candor’s insignia, a gold sun—stolen from the young guard’s uniform. I had pinched it when I pretended to run into him.
I held the button in my hand and focused my attention on a glamor. The reason I chose that soldier was because he was average looking, easily forgotten. He wasn’t too handsome or too ugly. Taking over his identity was easy, and I quickly made my way back to the palace gates. One of the guards waved me through, and I could see where the guards had headed into the barracks.
I had made it. I was in the palace. I grinned in excitement. A loud voice boomed from behind, and I felt a slap on my bottom.
I shrieked.
Loud merriment from the men surrounded me. “Did you hear Derek? He screamed like a girl.”
I turned on the nearest offender, working my fingers and getting ready to fling some errant curse his way, but then I remembered who I was pretending to be. I had seen men do this ritual before where they hit each other on the bottoms. The world was an odd place.
“So, did you find that fine filly? Give ’er something to remember you by?” The tall guard wiggled his eyebrows at me.
My cheeks flamed, and I had to bite my tongue. I nodded.
“Not gonna kiss and tell, then are you?”
I shook my head and squared my shoulders as I spotted a dark head of hair coming in through the gates. It was Derek. He was back. I couldn’t believe he had given up the chase already. The other guards had begun to remove their cloaks and unbutton their belts, and I realized they were undressing. Feeling trapped, I walked down the rows of bunks until I came to a side entrance. Keeping my head low, I escaped the barracks just as Derek came through the door and to the side.
Pressing my hand to my chest, I took a deep breath and listened.
“Whoa! Derek how did you do that?” a voice asked.
“Do what?” Derek was understandably confused.
“Go out that door and come in through this one?”
That was my cue to leave. My escape had not gone unnoticed.
“Are you mad, Leonard?” Derek asked. “I just got here.”
My heart pounded at how close a call it was, but I kept my head down and slipped into the closest covered building, which were the stables.
As soon as I was out of sight, I started to swear up a storm, my arms flailing as I swore to the stars above, I was going to rain down boils on all of the army for slapping me. And during my rant, I lost hold of Derek’s button and it fell into the straw.
No! I kneeled down and quickly ran my fingers through the straw, scattering it, trying to find the round button.
Raised voices came toward me, and I ducked into an occupied horse stall. Keeping low, I moved to the rear of the stall, gently shushing the roan and running my hand over its haunches while I eavesdropped on the conversation.
“I don’t care what you want. I want you to pick a bride from the ladies coming to the ball.” The voice was old, rough, and filled with authority.