Page 36 of Magic of Sins

All this was long before my time, but the pictures in books and old newspapers, the eyewitness accounts, and especially the stories told to me by my foster mother are burned into my memory. As the king speaks, all of it is playing in my mind.

King Henry clenches his hand into a fist and shakes it. As the speech progresses, his voice swells and the crowd hangs onto his every word.

“Loyal citizens, we must not think ourselves safe. Outside the borders of Virtue, war still rages. A war that can only be won when we stop all sin. When we play by the rules and see to it that others do the same. Only together are we strong. For a sinless Virtue!”

Applause erupts. I join in.

“For a sinless Virtue!” some repeat.

Someone shouts, “Hear, hear!”

Ophelia does not clap. Her gaze is fixed on Lord Ernest Diligence, who nods as he applauds eagerly.

“What a dweeb,” she says.

I’m not sure what to make of the speech. By and large, I agree with the king, even if I have broken rule after rule in recent days. We can only protect ourselves from the sin mages if we walk the path of virtue. Ophelia’s attitude about all this seems dangerous to me. First the croissant, then the innuendos between Erin and her, and now she’s making fun of the King’s speech. Who would have thought that the princess, of all people, would stab her own father in the back?

After the king’s speech, drinks are served. The water is infused with herbs that are supposed to be good for your health. I think it’s a small concession to the taste buds of the guests, even if no one here would ever publicly admit it.

Ophelia empties a glass in hasty gulps and then rushes across the room toward Lord Ernest Diligence, who seems downright intimidated by her demeanor. Since I can hardly follow the princess around like a puppy, I stand somewhat lost at the fringe of the crowd. The first guests have started to dance. I watch them curiously.

I’ve never attended a ball. It’s something that only the upper echelons of society do. It looks strange to me how the dancers move in step and twist and turn, all with their arms folded behind their backs. Some of them are so focused it’s almost comical.

One of the women makes a wrong move and grazes the arm of her dance partner. It’s only a brief touch, but I feel like I’m experiencing it firsthand. A strange warmth creeps along my skin.

By now Lord Ernest Diligence and Ophelia have also stepped onto the dance floor, but unlike Erin, who is standing at the edge with her hands balled into fists, I pay them no attention. Something pulls me toward the couple, who are out of step with the music.

The woman has beautiful hazel eyes. She gives the man dancing with her a small, conspiratorial smile. Again, their arms graze. Now I’m almost certain it’s intentional.

Theywantto touch each other.

A tingling spreads through my body—a tension that becomes more tangible with every breath. The woman licks her lips furtively, swallows. The man takes a step closer to her. I do the same, only realizing I’ve stepped on the dance floor when Ophelia turns to me and gives me a confused look.

“Kaya, is everything all right?”

“Yes,” I reply, but instead of backing away, I just stop.

My legs won’t obey me. I blink in a daze. My skin tingles. Ophelia says something, but her voice seems to come from far away.

What’s happening?

The man and the woman are standing very close together now. Too close. That’s improper.

Someone clears their throat. More and more heads turn in the direction of the dancing couple. Ophelia’s attention shifts fromme to them. I wrap my arms around my body, which feels like it’s on fire.

And then the woman wraps her hands around the man’s neck, pressing her body against his. The moan that escapes my throat is lost in the startled gasps of the crowd.

I feel dizzy and close my eyes. Black dots dance behind my eyelids.

Shouting.

“What are you doing?!”

“Have you no decency!”

“Sinners in our midst!”

What’s happening? What’s wrong with me?

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