The Infinity Ball

Part 1: Dancing the Knight Away: Introduction

Introduction

On the day of Princess Briar Rose's Christening, Felicity discovered she was sitting next to a witch. The witch sat tall and straight, her large blue hat hiding her face in a shadow. But as soon as her head turned, Felicity knew who she was. The witch was silent, but Felicity could not silence her discovery.

"You weren't invited," she whispered to the witch, judging her with her eyes.

"I know," the witch replied. "Keep it a secret."

Felicity knew she should have told her parents or the guards or the fairy godmothers. She knew that this secret could cause her some danger. She knew that the witch could have planned something for the Christening. But Felicity nodded, silently promising to not tell anyone about the witch.

She looked back up at the stage where her half-sister was being held by Carmela, her fairy godmother. Colette, another fairy godmother, took the microphone and announced that all of the fairy godmothers would be giving magical gifts and well wishes to Princess Briar Rose. But out of the twelve Norillian fairy godmothers, they only mentioned eleven. Felicity watched the witch scowl as the fairy godmothers came on stage. The fairies stood in a line by birth order of the princesses, each saying what they hoped for Briar's life.

"Maybe she'll fall for the prince of a foreign kingdom."

"Hopefully, she'll be a good role model."
"I hope that Briar pursues whatever she's most passionate about."

Then, after all the fairies had said their wishes, it was Carmela's turn to give the gift. Typically, it was something small, like a magical boost or an artifact, or an ability that the royal would perceive as unuseful. It was unknown what Carmela would give Briar. But before she could, the witch stood up.

The witch walked past Felicity and down the aisle, the guests staring. Felicity bit her lip to stop herself from revealing who she was. Everyone looked terrified and no one spoke. The witch's heels made slight indents in the velvet carpet as she approached the stage where Briar and the fairy godmothers were. Even Carmela nor Colette could say anything to her. Felicity looked at her sisters. Lucinda looked like she was going to cry as she put her hand in her purse, eyes still on the witch. Zoey's jaw had dropped. Her father was hugging Jemima and Snow and Rose appeared to be trembling.

The witch walked up the stairs and took off her hat, setting it on a ledge. Though most seemed to know who she was, some gasped or screamed. The witch held up her wand, a book in her arms. She opened the book to the right page on the first try and looked over the spell spitefully.

"It's too bad you didn't invite me, Peter," the witch addressed the king. "I had to invite myself all on my own. I do hope I'll be invited back in the future. Before I go, I have something to say about the princess."

She closed the book and looked at the crowd.

"When the people are quite bitter, let them enjoy a little splinter. They'll all fall asleep, unconscious. But for me, the time is prosperous. While this might seem like a curse or spell, you should know this meaning well. When Briar turns twenty-five, she will puncture her finger and fall into an endless sleep."

There was a blast. Zora, the witch, disappeared. But she may have left a curse behind. And Felicity had kept her secret.