Maewyll, like Nimfeli, could never be captured by stories. It was a round city, lacking the hard edges of human architecture. Clouds formed domed and cylindrical structures, but they weren't the pale white of normal clouds. The colors of the sky through various times of the day had been trapped in them, shining in shades of red and purple and gold. It should have hurt the eyes, but the clouds held the light close, creating a beautiful rather than painful display.

Funnels acted as columns to hold domed ceilings, creating multiple outdoor lounge areas. Trees seemingly formed of ice lined the roads, delicate silver blossoms hiding within the midnight blue leaves.

Maewyll may not have been extravagant in its material diversity, but it made up for it with the unique beauty of each cloud. Ash gawked at all the brilliant colors and swirls as the cloud transporting them soared ten feet over the city. Nimfeli traversed the streets, but few seemed to care about the humans above them. Then again, based on the line of others floating through the sky, the novelty had likely worn off.

Following the route of the clouds, she found yet another marvelous sight. Unlike the rest of Maewyll, the palace was built from the ice-like material of their trees and parchment. It looked as if it had taken all the harsh lines from the other Maewyll structures, with its towers and swirling spirals jutting upward like the spikes of a crown. The inner parts of the palace were just as sharp, but they lacked the height, as if the outer parts were meant for a king and the inner for a prince.

The palace was both cruel and stunning in its beauty.

"I understand why someone would give up something valuable for the chance to visit here," she said as she continued to take in the city. It wasn't only the sights she focused on, though. She searched for places to hide or that might lead to an escape. Were the flying clouds the only way back down to land? Caspian claimed if it came down to it, he'd form a way down, but Ash couldn't even begin to comprehend how much magic that would take from him. It didn't sound like an easily survivable feat. Haylan had explained when he healed her that he wasn't alone in suffering from too much magic usage. Anyone could die if they exhausted their magic and kept pushing.

They arrived at the palace grounds, and Ash had only spotted a couple of spots that might hide a large group. Their cloud descended a couple dozen feet from the palace's entrance. Once it touched down upon the cloudy surface crafting Maewyll's land, it melted into it.

Three couples walked in front of them. They each paused long enough at the large, open entrance to the palace to receive instructions from two guarding Nimfeli before proceeding forward.

"Proceed up the steps and through the doorway. Do not wonder from the path, or we will deliver you to the edge of the island. Once you are through the door, a crier will announce your arrival. Understood?" the Nimfelum on the right aseked.

"Of course," Caspian said, inclining his head.

The foyer was an array of whites and pale blues. Clouds formed a thin carpet that led them straight to a grand staircase and then to the open doorway beyond. Giant silver snow-like patterns spider-webbed across the floor.

She spotted a few paths into different sections of the castle, but she and Caspian strode forward without wavering, so she didn't have the chance to see where they led. She'd have to wait until later to explore, though she doubted those ways would lead to the auction items.

If the crew was even being kept with them. The crew being stowed somewhere on land was a possibility that they'd yet to figure out how to face. One day of planning would never have been enough.

They followed the stairs and, arm-in-arm, stepped into the palace's grand ballroom.

It was filled with humans and Nimfeli alike. While the humans wore fine suits and billowing dresses, the Nimfeli wore flowing scarves and vests of a thin but vibrant material. A few of them wore open skirts made of the same fabric, but they were in the minority.

The ballroom itself was just as beautiful as the rest of the castle. Rather than snowflakes, the swirling cloud-like symbol embellished the floors here. Brilliant chandeliers held lightstones, and their glow refracted off the icy structure to create a glimmering display while also lighting the room. Balconies lined the sides, with massive ice sickles hanging from their edges. The largest of the sickles stretched from the ballroom floor to the ceiling, forming something akin to pillars.

A stage took up the back area, where a band of Nimfeli stood with instruments she'd never seen, all formed of either clouds or ice. A pleasant ringing type of music drifted from the instrument two Nimfeli played while the others whispered to each other.

Ash took a deep breath and braced herself. Caspian's hand was suddenly there against the arm that wrapped around his, and he gave a reassuring squeeze.

"Names, please." A Nimfela stood beside the door. Her expression bordered on bored and neutral.

"We are the Wadsworth," Caspian said, pitching his voice lower.

The Nimfela nodded. "Presenting Master and Madam Wadsworth!" She swept her arm to gesture at them, and once they'd received a few polite claps, she straightened the arm so it faced the steps leading down. "We hope you enjoy the ball. It shall start shortly."

Ash forced her eyes forward as she and Caspian descended. Once they joined the throng, she forced a smile on her face. A benefit of arriving later was that nearly everyone already had a group to mingle with, so although a few people greeted them, none paid too close attention.

Caspian guided them around the edges. "My, this is quite the display, isn't it?" he said when they reached one of the pillars.

It had a gorgeous weave-like design swirling its way up the ice and glinting a faint blue, but Ash only allowed herself a moment to take it in. "Yes, dear, it truly is!" she agreed while she scanned everything but the pillar.

There was a doorway back here, which was exactly what they'd been looking for. It opened while she watched it, and two Nimfeli carrying trays stepped out. The kitchen, then. She couldn't imagine prisoners or auction items would be down that way.

The crier announced more guests as Ash and Caspian continued their gradual walk around the room. She spotted shadowy alcoves and tucked them into her memory. They'd be a potential place for her to switch the glamours without drawing notice.

They'd made it halfway to the back of the room when a voice called, "Gerald, Blair! It's been sols!"

Something about the tone brought Ash up short. There was a directness she couldn't explain, but it had her turning to face the speaker. An older gentleman with greying hair strutted in their direction.

"Great gales," Caspian muttered under his breath. He smiled a too-big smile at the approaching man. "My good man! It's so great to see you here."

If the man noticed anything out of the ordinary with Caspian's voice or appearance, he didn't say anything. The man threw his arm forward. After a moment's pause, Caspian extended his own, and he swept Caspian's hand into an exaggerated handshake.

"Blair, as gorgeous as usual!" the man continued when he turned to her. She fought off the urge to cringe away when he leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. She caught Caspian fighting off a grin from the corner of her eye.

"Harriet was with me just a moment ago," the man said, searching the crowd.

Ash used his moment of distraction to mirror the wrist-flicking L motion she'd seen Caspian do before. He choked on his laughter, barely disguising it as a cough when the man turned back to them.

"Sorry, just a dry throat."

"Ah, have you not had the Nimfeli's rainfire? I tell you, I've not had a drink like it. Careful, though. I've already seen a few finding their limit too quickly." The man winked at Caspian before waving down a Nimfelum carrying a tray.

Before he could turn back their way, Caspian leaned close to Ash's ear. "I hope you know you just told me to go 'entertain' myself."

"You seem very good at—oh." Ash's face caught fire when he raised his brows meaningfully at her. She twisted away, unable to meet his eyes. She could practically see their normal amber shade shining from beneath the darkness, taunting her.

His deep, quiet chuckle only stirred her embarrassment further.

"It's so nice to see you two still so in love. Ah, and here you are!" The man snatched the flutes from the Nimfelum that answered his beckoning and then handed two to them. The drink inside was a strange mixture of liquid and gas, collecting at the bottom yet shifting endlessly.

"To bountiful business!" the man said, extending his drink. Both Caspian and Ash clinked theirs against his. "Speaking of, how has it been for you, Gerald? I heard on the grapevine that the tottering orphanage invited you up today. Have you convinced them to give you their land yet?"

Caspian went rigid. "What?"

Completely oblivious, the man waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, you know how rumor works when those of prestige must sit around waiting. Have your plans changed without me hearing? Honestly, I'm surprised you haven't gotten it yet. I don't see what those fools gain from clinging to the land. Can you believe all the money and work they put into rebuilding their waste of a building after that horrible boy—"

The glass in Capsian's hand shattered. Panic threw her heart into a frenzy, but perhaps that was for the best, as it quickened her thoughts. Before Caspian could open his mouth to say anything, she placed her hands on either side of his face and forced her to look at her.

"Oh, Gerald, are you okay? You weren't hurt, were you?" She stared meaningfully into his eyes, hoping her gaze alone could remind him of their mission, of why he couldn't throttle the man there and then.

He took a deep breath, and though she was sure his anger remained, it at least faded from his face. Then he leaned into her palm. "Of course, my love. Thank you for your concern."

Her heart stuttered before she recalled they were impersonating a married couple. They had no idea how these two portrayed their love, but she supposed it was better to be safe than sorry.

Yet still, her throat was painfully dry when she swallowed.

Caspian took both her hands in his and led them away from his face, but he also used the moment to loop their arms back together. "Excuse us, but Blair was really excited to explore the ballroom, and I'd hate to keep her waiting."

"Of course. I'm so pleased to see things have rekindled so nicely between you two." The man winked knowingly at Caspian. "We can catch up later. Ah, I believe I see young Burton over there! He's been a real up-and-comer in Eltheria's lightstone industry, you know? You should join us when you get the chance."

The man departed, and Ash breathed easier as she and Caspian walked in the opposite direction. "I hope we don't have to repeat that."

"I'm growing tired of having to say this to you, but thank you," he said. "If you hadn't stopped me, we may have found the others by joining them in cells somewhere."

They'd considered going that route, though in the end, they'd dismissed it. She was grateful they hadn't been forced upon it, anyway. But she was also curious. There was something the man had started to say that nipped at her curiosity. "What was the man about to say? About a horrible boy?"

Caspian swallowed, and she could imagine the knot in his neck bobbing even if the Mr. Wadsworth glamour hid it. "I—"

"Masters and Madams!" The voice boomed from the front, where a Nimfelum stood on the band stage. He smiled widely at all gathered. "We hope you are delighted by our home and its wonders. The auction shall begin in an hour, but before the true fun begins, we invited you to a ball, did we not?"

Ash mentally kicked herself as the ice seemed to shift from room-temperature to cold, seeping deep into her skin. How had she not seen this coming? Maybe she had, but she'd clung to the hope that they'd sneak away before this.

"Caspian, I don't know how to—"

"Find your beloveds, and let us celebrate this rare occurrence with a dance!" the Nimfelum announced.

Ash grimaced at the word.

"Don't worry." Caspian held her close as they found a semi-empty spot on the floor. As he turned to face her, a haunted look flashed across his face. He hid it away quickly. "Someone I knew enjoyed forcing me to be her dance partner for ages. I'll lead, and we'll manage. We'll move as much as we can so we can continue to search the area."

"We want to give humans and Nimfeli the chance to celebrate our brief union, so when the music pauses, please turn to the next person and switch partners."

Caspian closed his eyes. "Gales."

"It will make it easier to search various spots?" Ash offered, but her stomach continued to do an unpleasant dance of its own. "Can we not escape now?"

He shook his head. "It will draw too much attention. There has to be breaks in these things. A person cannot dance for a full hour. If not, we'll say we're old and need a breather. Just do the best you can. Nobody will stop the middle of a dance to accuse you of using magic to look like someone else."

He had a point, but as the instruments started up, she couldn't stop her heart from trying to race the music. Caspian took one of her hands in his and then pulled her close by the waist. A mere couple of inches separated her body from his. His gaze bore down on hers, reassuring and calming, yet as their breaths mingled together, she found herself only growing more nervous.

"Trust me," he whispered.

Some musical cue began the dance. Neither of them caught it, but Caspian adapted quickly. He used his hand to guide her, shifting the pressure of his palm as needed. The dance was repetitive. Simple steps led the dances in a to-and-fro motion, as if the partners took turns being drawn in by the other's presence.

Caspian chuckled. "I can only imagine what your face looks like beneath that guise. I'm sure it's much cuter seeing the real you think this hard as opposed to the hag."

Ash's steps faltered. Had he just used the word cute? He'd said it so casually that he couldn't mean anything by it, though. She didn't know if she'd ever get used to him speaking in this easy way to her.

He righted her body so that the dance's flow returned. "That was the first I've had to help you in the last minute." His eyes flicked over her head. "Remember that motion. We're about to switch."

She didn't know how he could tell, but the music reached its crescendo before suddenly cutting off. The many dancing bodies stilled almost at once, and just as synched, they turned to face the person behind them. Caspian squeezed her hand in assurance before doing the same.

Swallowing, she turned.

To her great relief, she found that her body remembered the dance. It let the music guide it, and she moved gracefully along with the Nimfelum she'd partnered with. There wasn't much talking, but she politely answered the few questions he asked. Yes, she was enjoying the ball. Yes, Maewyll was beautiful. Yes, his feathers did look very sleek. The entire time, she scanned the room discreetly for an exit that may lead to the auction area. It had to be close so they could get the items to the ballroom.

The process continued to two, three, and then four more partners. The half-hour was quickly approaching without a break. She needed to get to Caspian so they could make their escape—

There was a sudden yank in her middle at the same time a zing traveled down her palm. She'd stepped forward to the next partner without paying much attention, too focused on finding Caspian in the sea of people. But now she faced them.

The world dropped out from beneath her.

Golden hair with vines interwoven into the braids. Impossibly fair and youthful skin. And those unmistakable emerald eyes.

Roan.

His lips curled into a smile. "Hello, Ash."

*****

I hope none of you thought we weren't going to see anymore Roan, because of course we need them to meet up again!  And where better to have it happen than a ball? :D Now she has no way to escape.  Well, physically.  Maybe she can talk her way out?  *throws glamours all around*

Let me know your thoughts on the chapter down below, and if you enjoyed it, don't forget to vote and comment! I also have a discord open to anyone who wants to join, and we have a section there to discuss the book :D Let me know if you want to join!