At the back of the ballroom, Morgana and Aelys sat at a silver table and sipped champagne. A vase of white orchids hid them from view, as Morgana tried to smooth down her white shimmering tulle gown which puffed around her like a cloud. It was so big that one of her heels had ripped a hole through the underskirt when she'd put it on. Even though the gown matched the Winter Ball's theme Morgana wished that her mother had given her a gown that wasn't so difficult to move around in. Aelys had no such issues because she wore a slim silvery dress that was sprinkled with diamonds. Both of them wore their hair in curls and had diamond tiaras on.

The ballroom was magnificently decorated. Icicles and white wisteria hung from the ceiling as fireflies danced between the petals. Various ice sculptures of trees and woodland animals were atop mounds of snow throughout the room. On top of silvery tables were bottles of wine, white frosted cakes, and bowls of glazed berries. All manner of white roses, jasmine, and snowdrops were wrapped around pillars that dotted the room. There were bunches of bright red mistletoe and silver ribbon decorating the walls. The air smelled of mint and frost, and beyond the glass doors snow sprinkled the lawns. An orchestra played an enticing waltz that had the fae whirling across the ballroom in white and silver finery like swirling flakes of snow.

Caliath was on the other side of the ballroom and Morgana's stomach fluttered as their eyes locked for a heartbeat. Then Willow said something to Caliath and his attention was diverted. Morgana continued crowd watching and swallowed. It was hard, pretending that she and Caliath didn't know each other. Especially when all she could think about was the kiss they'd shared a few nights ago.

When Caliath had first walked into the ballroom, the sight of him had knocked the breath out of Morgana. For the last three Seasonal Ceremonies the Aeperoses had favored black finery and had either worn their jewels or accessories in the colors of the Seasonal Ceremony that they were celebrating. However, this time they'd worn white as a special homage to the season of winter because their lands were colder than the rest of Elysia. Caliath had walked down the aisle in a splendid white suit that had a silver pattern of the Frigard Mountains on the jacket. Nestled on his dark hair was a silver crown kissed with diamonds and his emerald eyes were so bright against his olive skin that Morgana was unable to look away, the ballroom had faded to nothing, and she wanted nothing more than to run down that aisle and kiss him.

A loud sigh from Aelys interrupted Morgana's reverie. She followed Aelys's line of sight to a refreshment table where Brighid was picking up a glass of champagne. She wore a beautiful silky white gown and was next to a chatty Serena who wore a silver ballgown. Brighid and Aelys hadn't spoken a word to each other all night.

"Are you and Brighid alright?" Morgana asked.

"Things are better but she's still distant." Aelys knocked back the rest of her champagne.

Morgana's brows rose. "Well, you should let her know how you feel. Ask her for a dance."

"I suppose we have a little bit of time before the plan takes place." Aelys's eyes were glued to Brighid who was so stunning that it made her chest ache. She longed to hold Brighid's hand. To kiss her. But they'd had to keep that private thanks to the king and queen's stupid aristocratic rules. But one dance couldn't hurt. One dance where Aelys could just have Brighid in her arms again.

"Go on. One of us should be able to have fun." Morgana grinned.

"I'll be back." Aelys stood up and left.

Morgana faced the crowd and wished that she could dance with Caliath. She couldn't stop thinking about him, about how they'd opened up to each other on their date a few nights ago. Morgana had never shared so much of herself with someone like that before. Ever since she'd met Caliath, a strange new feeling had blossomed inside her. A feeling that made her dizzy and made her heart race. She'd never felt like this before about anyone.

Briar, Morgana, Caliath, and Aelys had met late last night at Briar's cottage to go over the final plans for the Winter Ball. Briar hadn't been able to find a lord's name in Olive's customer list but that still didn't rule them out. Morgana had held Caliath's hand while he confessed to Briar and Aelys that he could access water. Briar wasn't shocked, or rather she masked it well because of her training as a soldier. However, it took a gaping Aelys a while to wrap her head around the Obelyns' history and that there were fae who'd once wielded three elements.

Morgana finished her champagne and spotted Damon with Flynn and Valerio near the refreshments. Damon wore a silver suit with a white tie and was talking to Flynn, who was getting rowdier with each sip of wine until he spilled it down his white suit. Valerio shook his head in amusement. He'd traded his Spy Captain uniform for a black and silver brocade suit. Damon waved a hand and the wine disappeared from Flynn's jacket and Morgana saw him mouth the word idiot. She smiled, a pang in her chest and she looked down at the table. She wished that things were different between her and Damon. She wished that they were close like they used to be. Morgana now understood why he'd betrayed her. Even though it didn't make it hurt any less ... She hadn't told anyone that she'd used the truth spell on Damon and had wiped his memory of it. Morgana didn't know what Caliath or Briar would think of her. She wondered whether Aelys would be angry because Damon was her brother too.

No, she couldn't tell anyone.

It would be her secret burden. But if their plan was successful Morgana didn't know what would happen to Damon. They'd initially planned for him to go to the Sidhe Prison but ... Morgana didn't think that he was truly at fault anymore.

"There you are, darling." Larania sauntered over, a particularly toothy grin on her face. She wore a silver gown with white organza and her bejeweled fingers glittered as she waved to the fae that was next to her. "I'd like to introduce you to Baron Langford from the Moraxes Territory."

A handsome fae with light brown hair, pale skin, and light blue eyes stepped into view. He looked as if he were in his late twenties and wore a white velvet suit and a black tie that was patterned with silver snowflakes. He gave Morgana a warm smile. "Greetings, my lady."

Morgana blinked, too stunned to talk.

"Would you care to dance with me?"

An awkward moment passed then Larania gave Baron Langford a nervous chuckle. "She's just shy. Of course she'd love to." Then Larania gripped Morgana's arm like a vice and hauled her out of the chair.

"Ouch!" Morgana stumbled.

Larania's smile became rather fixed when she turned to Morgana. "Baron Langford is in search of a wife, and I was surprised to find out that you two have so much in common. You both love to read and dance." Larania's eyes flashed as if daring Morgana to contradict her. "And I thought that it would be a great opportunity for you two to meet each other tonight."

Larania had never mentioned Baron Langford to Morgana. She'd never uttered his name until now. Morgana yanked her arm out of her mother's grip. This was obviously an ambush, an attempt to set her up with a suitor. Annoyance flared in Morgana's chest. After a short moment where Larania's eyes narrowed and her nostrils flared, Morgana wisely turned to Langford and pasted a fake smile on her lips.

Her throat was dry, as if she'd swallowed a mouthful of dirt. "Of course, Baron Langford, I would love to dance with you." Morgana knew that if she refused, she'd never hear the end of it from her mother.

Baron Langford bowed then held out a hand. "Please, call me Ash."

Morgana dipped into a curtsey then took his warm hand. He turned and led her through the crowd of fae, some of whom whispered to each other and stared at them. Sweat gathered on the back of Morgana's neck. She didn't have time for this, the next phase of their plan was due to start. Her gaze darted to a large clock on the wall. She was cutting it close ... They neared the ballroom where fae dipped and twirled. Baron Langford spun Morgana into a waltz and they went with the crowd as easily as a leaf carried upstream. The baron smelled strongly of magnolias. His blue eyes crinkled with his grin. "The queen thought that we'd make a great pair, but I'd like to get to know you better."

"You'd like to get to know a human better?"

"I've nothing against humans."

"How unusual." Morgana's gaze darted around the ballroom, she knew that she was being rude but she needed to find Aelys soon and to keep this dance short.

Ash chuckled. "It isn't that unusual. A lot of fae take humans for lovers."

"Not publicly. You're the first aristocrat who's shown interest in me. So, pardon me if I find it strange. Aren't any of the fae to your liking?"

"No, especially as they only want me for my money and status." He cleared his throat. "The queen said you like to read, what books are you interested in?"

"Romances, what about you?"

"I like mysteries." His eyes darted over her face and Morgana didn't miss the double meaning. She repressed the urge to roll her eyes.

"I know my mother said we had a lot in common so what else would that be besides a shared interest in reading?"

"We're both in search of suitors, that's something else that we have in common."

Morgana snorted, and Ash chuckled.

"I know I'm coming on a bit strong but give me a chance." He grinned. "Let me take you out to my manor this weekend."

"Look. I appreciate the offer but ..." In that moment Baron Langford and Morgana twirled past Caliath, who'd gone rigid on the edge of the dance floor. Morgana's stomach dropped, as Caliath watched them, a storm brewing in his eyes. His jaw was tense, the assumption clear on his face. Horror collected in Morgana's gut, as she opened her mouth to explain, forgetting for a moment that they weren't supposed to know each other. But Caliath turned and he was swallowed by the crowd.

No.

Panic pounded through Morgana as she came to a standstill. Fae shoved and bumped against her, cloying flowery scents were shoved up her nostrils. She turned to Baron Langford. "I'm sorry. I must go ..."

He blinked, surprised at being dismissed.

Then Morgana shoved her way through the crowd and tried to follow Caliath. She stood on her toes and tried to spot his familiar raven hair. Where did he go? She needed to find him. Needed to explain that it wasn't what he thought it was. She would never do anything to hurt him ... Her throat was closing.

But Aelys found her before she'd gone too far. The princess grabbed Morgana's hand, an excited grin on her face. "It's starting."