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A Charming Dance Partner
The days up until the ball went quickly. Despite the twins begging, they would not be allowed to attend. "You must be at least fifteen," she reminded them. "Or fourteen with a familial escort." Aurora conveniently left out that she had been attending balls since she was barely eleven. There was no need to complicate things.
Devrim spent as much time as he could with the Empress, even attending an afternoon of tea with her and some of the noble ladies that he easily could have skipped. When Aurora commented on his constant presence, he responded, "My days with you are growing short. I want to enjoy the time with my best friend." The girl's heart had melted at his words, and she had happily let him follow her like a puppy.
When the big day came, Aurora could hardly wait for evening to arrive. She dressed early in her royal gown and paced her room, running over every possibility in her mind. What if no one asked her to dance? What if everyone asked her?! What if she met t
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Empress of the World A Magical Evening
Aurora thrilled at the touch of Sir Iorwerth. Something about him was electrifying. She couldn't look away. As they began to dance, Aurora struggled to make conversation. Sir Iorwerth took the lead."I don't think I caught your name," he said."It's because I didn't give it." The Empress decided giving no name was safer than lying. She was pleased to see her answer amused her dance partner."I love a good mystery. You are more intriguing every moment, my lady." Iorwerth held her tighter. "Is this your first dance?""It is in a manner of speaking." Aurora answered vaguely. His touch on her back made her feel warm, giving her a sense of euphoria. Is this what love felt like? She blushed heavily."I am honored you have chosen to spend your time with me. Dancing with you just feels natural.""I agree. It's quite enjoyable.""I think you've ruined me for dancing with anyone else, my lady. Please allow me another turn about the room."
Empress of the World Who was He?
"May I have this dance?" The man with the grey eyes had asked. Aurora opened her mouth to speak."She is currently engaged to dance with me. Please try again later," Sir Iorwerth said. Aurora felt a surge of energy from his hand into her back, and she lost control of her body. Sir Iorwerth smiled at her dotingly and turned them toward the middle of the dance floor. The man in the mask was undeterred. He followed them."You should allow the lady to speak for herself," he insisted. "Would you like to dance?" As was customary, the man in green tapped Sir Iorwerth on the shoulder to prove his intentions. A visible streak of lightening leapt from Sir Iorwerth and ran up the other man's arm. The man in the mask jerked away and cried out."Stay back!" Sir Iorwerth hissed, his face distorted as his eyes flashed. For a moment, Aurora felt his power over her weaken, and she found the strength to pull away from her dance partner.The grey-eyed man saw the look on hi
Empress of the World Revisiting the Vault
Late that evening, Devrim and Aurora met at the appointed spot in the hidden tunnels. Since the night five years prior, they hadn't tried to re-enter the mysterious vault."Do you think it's still there?" Devrim wondered aloud."Where else would it be?""I don't know, but we've been by the Council's room a few times since that day, and the tunnel wasn't there.""Then I suppose we'll have to make it appear." Aurora was confident. She ran her fingers against her golden necklace at her collar bone. "And I am pretty sure this is the key."They made their way through the secret passages to the Council's meeting chamber. Under Chief Zan no secret council meetings had been held, so they had not come this way often. As Devrim suspected only a smooth glow stone wall could be seen. "It's right here somewhere." Aurora recalled."Maybe this isn't such a good idea." Devri
Empress of the World Opposition- Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures
Aurora laid out the events of the night before with Sir Iowerth. The Council listened with great interest and some discomfort. Cafer alone seemed unperturbed.When she was finished, Zan took the floor. "Sir Iowerth was apprehended shortly after these events. He swears he never entered the ballroom. After some…intense conversation in the dungeon, he says that he entered the palace grounds, but was hit from behind when his retinue went to board his horse. He awoke in a hall close to the ballroom, and we found him as he claimed he was trying to get his bearings.""Do you believe him?" Devrim asked. Over the years, the Council had come to allow his questions and even respect his opinions."I cannot sense any deceit in him. He seems a rather simple-minded man," Zan concluded."Then how do you explain what happened?" Ezer wanted to know.The Empress cleared her throat. "I may have an explanation, but I must ask the Council to have an open mind."
Empress of the World Another Problem with the Councilman
Weeks passed, and the intruder at the ball was never caught. Although Aurora was sure of what she experienced, as no further occurrences of magic appeared, she let herself move on. As promised, she returned the book to the vault after memorizing as much as she could. Security tightened around the royals. The biggest change in the palace was with Devrim. After the incident, he trained harder, studied harder and carved out time each day to spend with Aurora.The boy had difficulty with how close he had come to losing the girl he loved. Unknown to the Empress, he had sworn to protect her at all cost. Until he died or someone took his place at her side, he would not let any harm come to her. Aurora enjoyed the attention. Their lives had never been separate, but now she could not imagine a day going by without seeing Devrim's smile. Now that Aurora had told him that she would not marry anyone until the twins were grown, he also spent more time around the royal heirs.
Empress of the World The Dream
Aurora was in the nursery. The twins were playing quietly as she knitted a blanket. When had she learned to knit? How had she gotten here? Where was Nanny? Aurora looked down at the blanket. On it were land masses and oceans. They were crafted so carefully that they seemed alive. The Empress stared at her handiwork. She ran her fingers along one of the oceans, and her hand came back wet."Wow, Mother! You have the whole world in your hands!" Mairwen exclaimed. Her eyes were big and innocent…too big. She went back to playing with blocks silently."Thank you, dear," Aurora found herself saying. Alaron turned toward her. His face was not right either. His mouth was too large. He was fighting an imaginary enemy with a wooden sword. The Empress looked as he played. She could feel someone was watching her, but she could not see them. A chill ran up her spine."Mother?" Alaron said, pausing between strokes. "Who was born first?""What?" Aurora could not c
Empress of the World The Decision
"What do you think the woman meant?" Devrim asked after Aurora recounted her dream. Aurora was feeling better now that she had shared her burden with the two men. She sat up and ate and drank from a tray Anna had brought. "I think she meant if we don't change the way things are going, Alaron will do something drastic. Something that will tear our world apart." "He's still so young." Devrim shook his head in disbelief. Zan agreed, "He is young. But in your vision, for that's what I believe it was, Alaron was older when he struck you down. We may yet have time to avoid this catastrophe." "Or by knowing about it, we cause it. What if we try so hard to avoid this terrible prophesy that we in fact bring it about?" Devrim's brain was beginning to hurt. "Then why warn us at all?" Aurora countered. "You read too many books, Devrim. I think the solution lies in the questions Alaron asked in my dream. We need to know who was born first and who their fat
Empress of the World The Argument
"You cannot seriously believe the Fates exist!" Cafer mocked in yet another Council meeting. Zan glared at him, and Cafer averted his gaze. The councilman needed to tread carefully. "And even if they did exist and you could somehow visit them, how would you find them?" This was a valid question."Oh, I have an idea," Aurora smirked.—————Earlier that morning Aurora had gone to see Nanny. "Do you remember that song you sang for me once?" Aurora asked.Nanny gave her a baleful look. "You will have to be more specific, dear.""The one about going to find a white palace. The words were strange."Nanny's eyes widened slightly. "I remember it, Your Majesty." She sang the song. Again the tune filled the Empress's soul. The lifting melody gave Aurora a sense of flight."That's the one! What does it mean again?" Aurora needed to know."Beyond the land of ice and snow, you'll find a land of green. There mak
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