Page 62 of Barbie: Dreamscape

A gasp ripples across the crowd. Whispers begin.

How bold!

How presumptuous!

That’s not how things are done!

But Lord Evernight only glances down at my hand… and smiles.

“Would you like to dance?” I say, my tone even and sure. “With me?”

The lord tucks his own gloved hand into mine. “I’d love to,” he says.

The whispers reach a fever pitch.

Help! I signal Bartholomew, and I feel his magic whisk me into the exact movements of the dance.

It’s not only helpful because I don’t know the steps… it also allows me to focus on how I’m going to get this crown.

I smile up at the lord, then covertly look past him, searching for the room’s exits. Could I possibly take the crown from his head and get through the maze of dancing couples?

No. Impossible, I think, when I spot four lions stationed at every door, wearing the same dark blue as the guards.

They must have magic. They would certainly stop me.

I frown, and the lord’s voice knocks me out of my thoughts. “What’s wrong? Not enjoying yourself?”

“No,” I say quickly. “This… is beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

He grins, revealing a dimple. He really does look kind. And not much older than me. It almost makes me feel bad for plotting to steal from him… though it’s my only way out of this world and to Dreamland.

Also, I don’t know this lord. As nice as he looks, I can’t trust him.

“How does it compare with your land?” he asks good-naturedly, glancing down at my dress and the moving painting of Heartland swirling through its folds.

The question makes me tense, even through Bartholomew’s magic.

You know what? On second thought, maybe I shouldn’t have painted my world onto my dress.

Have I revealed too much about where I come from?

Does he know his crown is a key?

No going back now. I try to keep my tone as casual as possible, even as my pulse is racing.

“Well, we don’t have talking animals,” I say. “And we definitely don’t have masquerades.”

He laughs. “No parties at all?”

“Not really.”

“Well, that’s a shame. You should start.”

It’s not such a bad idea. If Robin ever forgives me for disobeying her and hurtling face-first into the mists… or if I actually make it through this journey in one piece… maybe I can convince her we should start having more celebrations that don’t just have to do with milestones at Swancrest.

For a moment, I think about all the things I’ve already seen on this journey. Maybe I can take pieces back. Change things a little for the better…

The lord spins me, and I turn away, then back again.