The Prince and the Count's Daughter

Chapter 7 - A Ruby for a Lady

Elijah

I bounded through the wooden door followed by my friends but I came to a sudden halt, followed by a cocktail of emotions when I saw him. There he was... stood looking at me with an amused smile, just as beautiful as I remembered he was.

"I see you still don't knock," he teased. I was far too shocked to answer him though. I just stood there, staring at him. How embarrassing.

I felt a sudden movement to my right and remembered Kate and Kira were here as well, also staring at him in shock. Kate had leaned up to my ear and whispered "Is he talking to you?"

Without leaving his gaze I said "I thought I imagined you." sounding breathier than I had intended.

"No, I'm real," he joked. I suddenly became aware my face must be bright red. "I see your hair grew back nicely," he continued.

I automatically grabbed my hair like I hadn't even realised this. "Oh, yes," I mumbled.

"So, was there a reason you've come to see my room again?" He sat down in one of the arm chairs in the corner.

Before I could answer a man strode out of the adjoining room. He was slightly taller than the Prince, with short light brown hair, vintage looking glasses and a beard. He was wearing a tweed suit with a cravat, how strange. He looked as shocked to see us as we were to see him. "I do apologise, I wasn't aware we had guests. I'm Elijah," he offered, with a highbow accent.

"Oh, hi... I'm Ava." I mumbled, followed by silence. I turned to look at Kate, then Kira. They both stood frozen with shock, or maybe even fear. "This is Kira and Kate," I added, gesturing to each of them as I said their names.

"It's nice to meet you all," Elijah said, now smiling politely. He turned to sit in the other armchair and gestured that we should sit down on the chaise longue at the foot of the bed. I apprehensively made my way to it. I then looked back at Kate and Kira to see them still stood there. I looked at them irritated and they hurried over to sit besides me.

"You didn't answer my question, what does bring you back to my room, so many years later?" the Prince asked, still seeming amused.

"Oh... it doesn't matter now you're real," I quickly said, before realising how insane that would sound. Elijah had a look of confusion before quickly dismissing it from his face. Could this get any more embarrassing?

"Oh come on I'm intrigued now," he prodded.

"Well, there's this ball coming up and we thought we'd make necklaces to go with our dresses and well I remembered there was this room full of gemstones in the abandoned wing," I began, nervously.

Kira suddenly cut me off by adding "Obviously we didn't know it wasn't actually abandoned, we don't want to steal your stuff!"

The Prince chuckled then stood up and walked towards the shelf with the loose gems on. "What kind were you thinking?" he enquired.

"Oh you don't have to! We should be going anyway," I announced before jumping up.

He looked disappointed before masking that. "They aren't doing anything, you may as well take them," he offered. "What colours are your dresses?"

"Mine is green, Ava's is red and Kira's is blue," Kate finally spoke up.

He grabbed an emerald and a sapphire from the shelf and handed them to Kira and Kate. He then moved to the centre of the room to stand under the lampshade, which held a large ruby the light shone through beautifully. "How about this one?" he said. Before anyone could answer he held his hand out and a beautiful golden light shone from it. It spiraled it's way up and wrapped itself around the ruby before bringing it back down to the Prince.

I was astounded, I hadn't seen magic since I was seven and never magic that looked that beautiful. He smiled at my astonishment and handed me the ruby.

"Thank you, I'll return it after the ball, I promise!" I said, after a long pause.

"Oh and if you're making jewelry, this will probably help," he added with a cheery tone. He angled his hand to face the book shelf and again the light spiraled towards one of the dusty, leather bound books. Instead of bringing him the book, this time it went straight to me. It hovered in the air in front of me before I looked up at him with a raised brow. "Take it," he assured me.

I reached out and put my hands around the book. The light, his magic, curled around my fingers. It felt euphoric! I quickly pulled the book towards me in case my face had let on how amazing that had felt. Then I looked at the book. The Magic of Jewelry: Spells to make enchanting earrings, magical rings and much more.

"This is a spell book?" I asked.

He looked confused. "You're witches aren't you?" he asked as though he felt rude having assumed.

"Oh, well, yes, but we aren't allowed to do magic." I explained. His face looked puzzled so I continued "No one is, since my Dad, the Count, left."

Kate jumped in "Apart from you of course, I don't think they'd dare attempt to stop you." She jumped to justify this so quick I wondered if she thought he would be angry.

I handed the book back to him, and blushed as I accidentally brushed my hand against his.

"We should stop taking up your time," I quickly announced and began to make my way towards the door. Kate and Kira looked just as eager to get out of there as they seemed to over take me when I turned back. "Thank you again for the gems, I promise we'll bring them back," I assured him. I might have been mistaken but he looked hurt that I was leaving so quickly.

I stumbled towards the door, pushing it open with desperation and the three of us escaped.