Page 8 of The Red Slippers

“That’s good. It means you worked hard. I’ll walk you home.” He took her dance bag. “Where do you live?”

“Not far. The south side of the palace.” They headed for the door.

“You must be a visiting princess.” He feigned surprise.

“How absurd.” Staring at him in disbelief, she struggled not to laugh but one look at his overly surprised expression and she burst out laughing.

“What? Why do you find that so difficult to believe? You look and dance like an angel.” He led the way out of the dance studio.

“I am not a visiting princess. The closest I am to a princess is in serving the royal family as my father does.”

“And you? What do you do for the royal family?”

“I’m a seamstress for her majesty. As a member of her staff, I’m able to attend the ballet rehearsals. I stood in the back of the theater and watched. I loved the dance so much I would dance any time I had a chance. That was when I knew I wanted to be a ballerina.”

“You will always be my princess and I, who have a history of knights in my family, magic druid ones, will be your knight and protector to the end.” He put his hand over his heart as they walked along the palace garden wall.

“I am honored, Sir Knight.” Her hand came to her mouth to stifle a giggle.

He stopped and held her shoulders. “No, my princess. It is I who am honored. Something happened when we danced last night. I wish I could explain it.” His voice softened. “Destiny. We are meant to be together.”

The light in his eyes, the determination in his voice, held her captive. His playfulness turned serious and sobering. He was a magician because in those brief moments yesterday, she felt the same way.

Her mind swirled at the idea. They walked on, each in their own thoughts, until they came to the dress shop.

He took her hand and brushed her knuckles with his lips. There was a maddening hint of arrogance about him and yet something drew her to him.

“Until tomorrow, princess.”

Slipping through the doorway, Cosette turned. Her spirits soared. He waved goodbye and left.

Cosette glided up the stairs and all the way down the hall to her apartment. She didn’t remember her feet touching the floor.

* * *

Rehearsal progressedfor the next week and a half. By her own design, she kept away from Suzanne, Jeanine, and their friends. That small petty group whispered about everyone, the people who were part of the company as well as the new additional dancers.

After the day’s work was done, she and Avery went over the rehearsal. She asked him questions about the choreography and even for help with steps or combinations. They finished the evening with the pas de deux then he walked her home.

“The performance is tomorrow. Monsieur Garnier told us we were ready.” They stopped at the door to her building.

Tomorrow. Once the performance was over, everything would end. No more Suzanne, which was a welcome relief. But no more dancing. No more Avery.

Cosette turned to say goodnight, but the passion in his eyes stopped her.

He took her in his arms and cupped her head with his hand. His gaze was a soft caress. She was afraid to move. Afraid she would break the spell.

“You are dear to me, princess.”

Her heart wasn’t doing pirouettes. It was beating a quick staccato tempo. Her eyes closed. She waited. Anticipated.

Soft velvet lips covered hers. There was no resisting him. His kiss sent a shudder through her, tossing her mind in a wild swirl and her body with it. She was shocked by her own eager response. She put her arms around him and pulled him closer.

Please, don’t stop. Don’t ever stop.

He raised his mouth from hers and her lips burned for him. The passion and tenderness that filled his eyes were as soft as a caress.

For several heartbeats neither of them moved. Neither wanted to break the spell. Over the weeks, the eagerness to be with him hadn’t subsided, but rather grown stronger. This couldn’t be the end. The very thought brought her to tears.

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