After filling his plate, he sits beside me and we enjoy our food together. While we eat, I tell him the story of finding my sisters in Elheart’s palace and how Blossom was able to somehow charm the guards so we could escape.
“It was like she got into their minds,” I say before swallowing a forkful of potato. “They seemed so out of it.”
“Strange.” He sips from his goblet. “And you say this started after some kind of shooting star landed in your dance circle?”
A shiver shoots up my spine, but for some reason I feel safe enough to talk about it here. “Yes. Eden said she thinks all of us were given some kind of magic gift, but I only know about Blossom’s. That’s if she’s even used magic at all,” I huff. “She’s probably just good at manipulating people. She’s pretty after all, and has nice dark eyes. That’ll be it.”
Tauren watches me. “Normally creatures are born with their magic, but it’s not unheard of for powerful beings to gift their magic to others.” He pauses. “Your sisters all have different mothers, correct? Any possibility one of you is related to a demon or faerie and that they gifted you all with their magic?”
“I doubt it.” I think of Tamryn and her obvious demon features despite her father being human. “None of us have horns or faerie ears. And, really, this is all quite far-fetched.” I finish my plate. “I mean, I’m fairly certain I’d know if I was suddenly gifted magic. And I feel no different to how I did before that night.”
“Were you able to command wolves before then?” He arches a brow. “What about speak to horses?”
“I’ve always been good with animals.” I shake my head. “Besides, if I have amagic gift,” I sneer at the words, “I’d want it to be something useful, like breaking people’s bones with my mind or shooting fire from my hands,” I joke.
“You will not need to shoot fire while I am around, little monster.” He pats my hand. “I would not be a good husband if you did.”
Husband…Discomfort stirs in my chest. “Tauren, I?—”
“I have a surprise for you,” he cuts me off, rising from his seat.
“A surprise?”
He paces over to a glass door and creaks it open. Outside, starlight spills over the twisting shrubs and bramble bushes in the castle grounds.
It’s funny. A few days ago I saw only dead plants in the gardens, but now I see there’s life in the soil, too. It’s just darker and more muted. Like a forest in winter instead of spring.
But all thoughts of spring are forgotten when Tauren shouts something into the night air, and a servant rounds the corner with the most beautiful cream-coloured horse I’ve ever seen – and have had the pleasure of riding many, many times.
“Angel!” I squeal. Bolting out of my seat, I sprint to my horse’s side, nuzzling my face against hers.
When she notices me, she stiffens before letting out a loud neigh. She whips up her head to tuck it over my shoulder and pull me against her side.
“I missed you so much!” I wrap my arms around her. “How are you even here?”
“I sent my best spies to steal her,” Tauren says over my shoulder. “You’ve spoken of her fondly. And since you’ll be living here now, it makes sense for her to move to our stables.”
My back tenses. “Tauren…”
“Don’t thank me yet.” I pull away to find him grinning. “There’s more.”
“More?” I laugh. “After Angel, what else could I possibly need?”
“You’ll see.” His eyes glitter. Taking my hands, he leads me back into the conservatory and sits me down at the table.
Before I realise what’s happening, he places a black gift box into my lap. “If these are not to your liking, please tell me and we can visit the shop together. I’m afraid I don’t know much about dancewear, but I’m eager to learn for you.”
Confused, I tug on the gold ribbon, then slowly lift the lid.
“Stars, Tauren,” I gasp. His grin is wider than the moon.
A red dance gown sits folded in the box, with a glittering tulle skirt and bodice. The straps are edged with crimson tulle, while deep red laces decorate the front. Neatly placed above it are a pair of ruby-red dance shoes. My heart pounds as I lift them out of the box. Blossom’s cobbler boyfriend could never even come close to the craftsmanship on these.
“They’re beautiful.” Tears blur my vision.
“I want you to be happy here, Dahlia.” He squeezes my thigh gently. “I know you love to dance, so I’ve cleared out one of the guest suites for you to use as a dance room. I’ve even put up a barre and mirrors on the wall. We can find you a teacher too, if you need one – and musicians.”
I grip the shoes so tight my fingers burn. “Tauren, this is all so wonderful, but?—”
