Page 88 of The Princess of Portals

“We’re going to be Knights.” I liked the way the words sounded, so I said them again. “We’re going to be Knights.”

Nevada looked at me, grinning. “I know. It’s so surreal, isn’t it?”

The two of us were in my new room at the Castle, making ourselves ready for the Ball. Dress: check. Hair: check. Makeup: check. Pretty shoes: check. Ornate mask covered in sparkly bits: check.

“I almost can’t believe I’m here,” I said. “I have to admit, there were a few times I didn’t think I’d make it.”

“I’m glad you made it out of Fenris’s fortress, Savannah. I was so worried about you. I wish I could have been there to help you.”

I didn’t. I was glad that when Zenik had messed with my portal, my best friend hadn’t been teleported along with me. Fenris’s fortress was not a nice place.

“Thanks for getting a dress for me, Nevada.” I slid my hands down the dark, deep blue gown. It was covered in sparkles, but it wasn’t rough or scratchy. The material was soft, stretchy, and oh-so-comfy.

“We’re very lucky that there were any dress shops still standing after that horrible man blew up larger parts of the Magic Emporium.” Nevada tied her sparkly mask around her head. “Ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

We made our way toward the ballroom. The Castle had a lot of stairs. We had to lift up our skirts. I felt like I was living in a fairytale. We reached the final staircase, a wide, curving, downward spiral above the ballroom. We stood there for a moment and just breathed it all in. The classical music and pleasant conversations. The Knights and Apprentices dressed in ballgowns and tuxedos. The magic and hope and anticipation swirling in the air.

“This is where we belong.” Nevada took my hand, and we descended the staircase together.

Troy Davenport, her date for the evening, waited at the bottom, holding a corsage. He just stood there, gawking at Nevada. She did look beautiful in her dress. It was sleeveless and pink with a sweetheart neckline and a full skirt of folded chiffon and delicate tulle, arranged in cascading layers. It was so her.

Nevada smiled at her stunned date. He snapped out of his daze. He tied the corsage around her wrist, then the two of them shared their first dance. A waltz. When had Nevada had time to learn how to waltz? My gaze panned across the couples on the dance floor. When had any of the Apprentices had time to learn how to waltz?

I stood there, at the base of the staircase, suddenly feeling very alone. There were so many couples here.

“What happened at the Monolith?”

The question rose above the background chatter. I tried to figure out who had said it, but there were so many people here: Knights and Apprentices and Rebels. Rebels? I saw Vivi with her little sister Evie. Angel was hugging one of the other formerly-missing Apprentices. Cedar and a Rebel I’d never seen before were talking to one of the Knights. The Rebels had come here to see their friends for the first time in what was, for many of them, years. It was touching and heartbreaking, and I really hoped the General didn’t crash our party and ruin it.

“Kato hasn’t been himself since he came back from the Monolith.”

“Neither has Conner.”

I looked for Kato and Conner, but I didn’t see either of them anywhere.

“Something very strange must have happened during their mission to the Monolith. I asked Conner about it, but he isn’t sharing.”

“Kato’s not talking either. He’s being even more taciturn than usual.”

“There is one other person here who knows what happened there: Savannah Winters.”

The Knight and the Rebel looked straight at me.

“Do you think she did this to them?”

“No idea, but they were both perfectly fine until she came around. That girl has weird magic. And she’s always dragging them into danger.”

“More like they’re always dragging you into danger.” Kylie put her arms around me. “What are you doing standing here all alone, Savannah?”

“Hopefully not dragging anyone into danger.”

Kylie laughed. She had such a warm and genuine laugh. “Don’t listen to those grumpy old gossips. They’re just jealous.”

“Jealous of what?”

“Jealous of you. You saved the Spirit Trees. You rescued the Apprentices. You’re the hero of the story.”