"Jumper, is that you?" Ledford repeated with a smirk.Devrim was frozen in place. His mind flashed to the last day he had been at school. Ledford had tortured him as usual. "Look, it's the poor orphan boy. Good thing you are good at jumping, Jumper. Maybe you can join the circus. They are the only ones who will ever accept the likes of you." The other boys had laughed. Devrim's stomach turned as he thought about what happened next. For some reason, Devrim had finally had enough."I'd rather be an orphan than an idiot," he'd muttered."What was that?" Ledford had clearly heard him, but challenged him to say it again."I'd rather be an orphan than an idiot," Devrim repeated clearly.Ledford's face burned with anger. "Looks like your afternoon beating will be early today, Jumper." The tall boy grabbed his younger classmate by the collar and shoved him to the ground. He had reeled back to slam Devrim with his massive fist just as a school tutor had wal

"I got you!" Alaron called. The five-year-old aimed the wooden sword at Cafer's stomach. "Well done, my boy! We'll make an emperor of you yet." Cafer laughed as he tousled the boy's sandy brown hair. "Thanks, Uncle Cafer! I've been practicing." Alaron said proudly. "I can tell," Cafer agreed. The pair had been playfully sparring in the large nursery that the twins still shared. Cafer visited often, happy to ingratiate himself to the young prince. He doted on the boy heavily, but no one could criticize him for treating the young prince well. "Mairwen, did you see that?" Alaron asked his sister. Mairwen peeked up from behind her easel. She was positioned by the large window, painting broad strokes with her new oils. "I saw it, brother," she answered kindly. "You did well." "But..?" Alaron could sense his sister's hesitance. Although her blue eyes had seemed far

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

"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

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."