Page 44 of Nightmare's Dance

He chuckled and gestured for me to precede him out the door. I sighed and remembered why it had taken me so long to warm up to our manager in the first place. I wondered if Geraint had befriended him because he’d had no other choice.

The walk to the gym stretched as I dragged my feet, trying to take in all the details of my home. The vibrant flowers in the garden I had yet to tend, the forest I hadn’t explored since last summer, and it looked like I might be missing the summer camp. Hopefully, Casey would call and pick up one of the instructor’s positions.

“Spark,” Robby said, voice soft. “It’ll be okay. Nic won’t let anything happen to you, and neither will I. You’ll be back before you know it.”

I glared at my friend, wanting to lash out at him. Really, what had he done wrong? Nothing. That didn’t make me any less annoyed.

Turning my back on Robby, I power walked toward the gym. Fine. Let’s get this over with.

The cool air chilled my skin into bumps, and I rubbed at my arms when I came inside. I looked around for my parents and paused, watching as they danced. I so rarely got to see them perform together anymore, and I didn’t want to interrupt.

Robby put his arm over my shoulders like he always used to, and I didn’t make him move.

The energy between my parents, the sheer connection of a lifetime of dance together, took my breath away. They spun and twirled each other, moving to a waltz. I remembered that they’d talked about adding ballroom dance to their class list this summer.

“You and Knight have the beginnings of that synergy,” Robby whispered.

“Do you think he’s okay?” I replied.

“No, but I think we’ll rescue him, and he will recover.” He side-hugged me. “Don’t be too hard on Knight, Spark. He did the best he could.”

“I just don’t even know what to think now,” I admitted.

“He loves you.”

“But…”

“Geraint loves you with all his heart. And it’s not just because they created him to keep you safe.”

I tried to object again, but Robby cut me off. “Enough, Spark. He loves you. We’ll sort out the rest later. Yes, you two need to talk, but the bigger problem is what to do about the princes.”

“What about them?”

Robby smirked at me. “You’re technically married, and you’ve been sleeping with the hired help instead of your husbands.”

“That’s BS and you know it.”

He laughed. “I do, but they don’t. You may have to protect Geraint from their baser instincts once they figure out how close the two of you are.”

“Nic knows,” I whispered as I watched my parents finish their dance. Dad pulled Mom into his arms, and they stared into each other’s eyes before kissing.

Robby didn’t answer. I glanced up at him, but he had a faraway look in his eyes, so I didn’t press him. Easier just to let it go for now.

Mom and Dad saw us and came over.

“Are you leaving?” Mom gave me a worried look.

“Yeah, we need to rescue Geraint.” I twisted my hands and stepped away from Robby.

She pulled me into her arms. “Be careful, honey. If I could keep you here, I would, but I know nothing will separate the two of you for long. I’m just glad he was able to help you escape in the first place.”

“Yeah, me, too.” I tried not to let any of my doubts color my voice.

Dad took over the hug. “This is all so unreal. If I hadn’t seen you come out of a mirror, and the strange things your friend can do…”

“Trust me, I feel the same way,” I mumbled into his shoulder, trying not to cry.

“Come home to us, Spark,” Dad said.

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