I slid off Draco once he snuck into the barn. I hurried out of the armor, staring at my stomach where the arrow had pierced me. There wasn't a mark. I ran my hand over it, trying to find a bump or anything out of the ordinary. Nothing happened.

How is this even possible?

My world felt turned upside down, everything I'd thought to be real and true was not. I grabbed a knife hanging on the wall and sliced my palm open. Blood pooled to the surface, but the wound healed as I watched. My breath caught in my throat and I had to stifle a yelp.

What did that witch do to me!

"Evelyn?"

"Y-yes, Draco?"

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," I whispered.

"Did you cut yourself?" he asked.

"How did you know?" I opened the door and looked up at him in bewilderment.

"My palm slit open."

"I did that."

"Why?" he queried.

"I had to see what she meant by I'm immortal. It just healed on its own. What's happened to me?"

"You're immortal."

"But the cut?"

"Yes, that's one of the things about being immortal, minor wounds will heal on their own immediately. Something worse, that isn't life-threatening, will take a bit of time. As long as neither of us dies, we live forever."

"Forever?" I asked.

"That's what immortal means."

"Our life forces are connected," he said.

"Oh."

"Hurry and dress before someone comes in."

I nodded and grabbed my gown, pulling it on just as James walked through the door.

"Where have you been?" he asked.

"Um, with Draco."

"You've been gone for hours! There was a search party out for you."

"I'm sorry. I have to..."

"Never mind all that, let's get inside."

"James, I have to tell you something."

"Later, Evelyn. A masquerade started. You need to get ready."

"A masquerade? I have nothing for it."

"Things are taken care of. You just need to get ready."

I nodded and left him in the barn, wishing he'd let me tell him this news. Once inside my room, I saw a cream-colored gown hanging up. The shoulders were non-existent. Straps of red roses hung down. The front split at the skirt, each side lined with more roses. The inside petticoats were covered in stitched, red roses and were a beautiful, yet different shade of cream.

"Where have you been?"

"Training," I muttered.

"You're filthy. Hurry to the tub. You need cleaned," Elizabeth said.

I nodded and did as she commanded.

"You're not going to argue with me about it?"

I shook my head and hurried down the hall to the tub room. Maids were already heating up water for me to clean myself. I climbed in and sat on the soft linen as water dumped over my head. I watched as dirt and blood ran into the water. My eyes widened at the sight of the reddish brown water.

I was injured. There's blood!

I held my stomach for fear someone could see something I couldn't. Maids poured vials of liquid on my head and scrubbed at my hair and my body. In no time, someone wrapped a towel around my body as Elizabeth and Charlene twisted my hair up, a ruby and diamond tiara tucked amongst the curls. Charlene applied rouge to my cheeks and lips. A few people had to help me into the oversized ball gown. The buttons on the back took the most time to finish.

At least there's no bodice.

Charlene brought out a gold mask with beautiful etchings beneath the eyes, across the brow, and going up. Diamonds highlighted the eyes with a ruby at either corner. It felt heavy on my face.

I stepped into a pair of black shoes, whose heel was slightly bigger than I was used to.

"Perfect," Elizabeth stated with glee.

"Yes," I mumbled before heading toward the door.

"Are you sure nothing is bothering you?" Charlene asked.

"I'm perfectly fine. You two better get ready to come downstairs."

I turned and left them standing alone. At the top of the stairs, I spotted who I assumed to be James waiting for me. He wore matching doublet and hose, the most remarkable shade of gold. His shoes black as night while his mask was gold as his crown, which adorned his beautiful brow.

"Princess Evelyn," he said, dipping into a dramatic bow.

"Prince James."

He held his hand out for me to take. Walking into the grand ballroom, the crowds erupted into cheers and applause. We both nodded our heads to the lords and ladies of the kingdom as well as all the foreign dignitaries, the old king and queen of France finally arrived and were conversing with my parents.

"Shall we dance?" James inquired.

"Yes. I have something to tell you."

"After we dance."

"Okay."

We stood in the center of the room, surrounded by others, our palms touching each other's. The music started and the slow and deliberate steps of the basse dance.

As the music ended, I curtsied to James as he bowed to me. Leading me to a long table at the front of the festivities, I sat beside my future husband.

"Can we speak now?" I asked.

"Of course, sweetheart."

"I have to tell you what happened."

"Okay."

"Prince James! How marvelous for you to invite us!" King Francis came up to the table and embraced James, stopping me from telling him about my new life force.

I pursed my lips into a thin line and waited patiently. They seemed to talk forever. I took glass after glass of wine in an attempt to steady my nerves. The more I thought about it the more I didn't want to tell him.

How will he respond to this? Will he still want to be with me? Will we be able to have a normal life? How will he explain the fact that I never get old?

The king of France finally left, leaving us alone. I grabbed James's hand and led him away from the party. Standing behind a curtain in a cove beyond the banquet room, I took a deep breath and prepared to tell him.

"What is wrong, Evelyn?"

"I've been trying to tell you."

"What?"

"I was attacked while out with Draco."

"By who? How?" he asked, grasping my hands.

"An assassin, she shot me with an arrow."

"She shot you?"

"Yes."

"Are you alright? Where is the wound?" He panicked as he examined my fully clothed body.

"I'm fine. That's what I need to tell you. Draco took me to a person that could help. She has certain abilities that saved me."

"A woman with abilities? What kind of abilities?"

"She's a witch or something like it. She made this potion from Draco's tear and blood."

His mouth dropped and his eyes glassed over. "The immortality spell."

"You know of it?" I asked.

"It is supposed to be a thing of legend, especially since dragons don't cry. You're telling me Draco cried and willingly gave blood of his heart?"

"Yes."

"And you drank it?"

I nodded my head. "All of it."

"What happened?"

"The wound vanished. I was okay. I was so close to death. And now, well let me show you." I took the dagger from around his waist and sliced my hand open again, this time deeper. Blood spilled over my hand as we watched the gash seal on its own.

"My God."

"Please don't be mad."

"I'm not mad. I'm, I don't know."

"What do I do?" I asked.

"You don't tell anyone. This has to remain a secret. If anyone were to know, they may accuse you of being a witch. We accept dragons, but many would not be okay with someone of your new abilities being the future queen."

"You're not going to end our engagement?" I asked.

"What? Of course not. Why would I?"

"Because of what I am now."

"I don't care about that. I'm glad you're alive. Not to mention, this could come in handy against the Guild when they attack again. As long as they don't know, you should be alright."

"I can still die. Draco and I are tied together. It's harder to kill me, but I can still die."

He grasped my hand and led me back to the table. The servants were emerging from the kitchen with platters of food as we sat. Charlene and Elizabeth finally joined the rest of us, sitting further down the table. I waved meekly before putting bits and pieces of various foods on my plate. My appetite had left long ago. Food didn't seem appealing.

"Eat," James urged.

"I'm not hungry."

"Please, try to eat something"

I nodded and cut at the meat, deliberately chewing it slowly.

King Alastair sat in his rolling chair fed by Andrew. I watched, as the old man was spooned soft vegetables and fruits. He looked miserable.

"You said he woke up one morning like that?" I asked.

"Yes. The physicians can't explain it. Nobody knows what's wrong with him."

"Fascinating."

"What?"

"I mean that they can't figure out what's wrong with him," I said.

"I suppose. I just hate seeing my mighty father in such a state."

"I'm sure." I scanned the room, uneasy with everyone being in masks. I didn't know who was who. "Do you think anyone from the Guild is here?"

"I'm not sure. I made the guards have everyone remove the masks prior to entering the castle."

I nodded and stood. "Dance with me again. My nerves are not allowing me to eat."

"Okay."

We stood in the center of the room as the minstrels played.

"Lavolta!" James hollered.

"Lavolta?" I asked quietly.

"Why not?"

"I've had enough wine to go along with it. Lavolta!"

The slow and sensual music started as James bowed to me and I curtsied to him. I spun about him as he moved his nimble feet about. I stopped in front of him as he moved toward me, grasping my waist and twirling me in the air. We continued as people whispered and watched. I closed my eyes as he spun me about the room. It felt as though we were the only ones there. Nobody else mattered. Nobody else existed.

Until a blood curdling scream erupted from somewhere at the back of the room. The music stopped and James put me down as the guards raced to the disturbance. I pushed through the crowd and gasped.

Charlene lay on the floor in a pool of blood.