Luna's POV
I lost the water pitcher in my hands. The heavy silver pitcher fell toward the marble floor, and I watched in horror. As I plunged ahead, my heart racing, time seemed to slow down. At Prince Kai's engagement party, I would undoubtedly be cast into the dungeons if I broke the queen's special pitcher. Just before it hit the floor, my fingers encircled the handle. Water splashed all over, soaking my servant dress and forming a massive puddle on the floor.
I muttered, "Stupid, stupid, stupid," as I fumbled with my apron to clean up the mess. Nobles from both kingdoms crowded the royal ballroom, all decked out in expensive clothing that would have cost me ten years' salary. They were celebrating Prince Kai's engagement to Princess Stella by dancing and laughing. The air was filled with lovely music, but my only thoughts were about remaining invisible and avoiding more mistakes.
"Luna!" Zara suddenly materialized next to me, appearing out of nowhere thanks to her shadow magic. "Are you alright? You appear to have seen a ghost."
I wrung out my wet apron and lied, "I'm fine." "Clumsy as usual."
I wasn't okay, though. I had been extremely anxious ever since last night's encounter with Master Orion and Princess Stella. I kept checking to make sure the protection crystal he gave me was still in my pocket.
Zara whispered, "You need to be more careful." "All night long, Princess Stella has been observing you. She has this eerie smile on her face as she looks over here."
I felt sick to my stomach. Princess Stella was standing next to the throne, looking stunning in her golden gown, when I looked across the room. She waved to me and smiled as if we were old friends when our eyes locked.
"Why is she observing me?" I knew the answer before I even asked.
Zara remarked, "I don't know, but it's giving me the creeps." "Perhaps you ought to return to the kitchens."
"I am unable to. I was instructed by Mrs. Baker to bring drinks to the royal table. She'll make me scrub pots for a month if I make a mistake."
I took a deep breath after refilling my pitcher from the fountain in the corner. I just needed to cross the room, pour some drinks, and leave. Easy. However, I had a bad feeling as I began to move toward the royal table. My pocket's protection crystal was warming up. incredibly warm.
All of a sudden, the ballroom felt too noisy and packed. I was feeling nauseous from the perfume and upscale cuisine, and the music was giving me a headache. Something I couldn't understand was causing my magic to stir in my chest.
"Focus, Luna," I muttered to myself. "Just serve the drinks and go."
However, Prince Kai was approaching me directly when I looked up. Tonight he looked different. More... perplexed, less irate? He appeared older than eighteen thanks to his red royal jacket and his immaculately styled dark hair. However, his eyes were troubled, as if he was contemplating something weighty.
"Oh no," I exhaled, attempting to alter my course. It was too late. Prince Kai was traveling quickly without paying attention to his destination. I was carrying a full pitcher of water as I approached him. We were going to collide.
"Be careful!" The music was too loud when I called. We ran into each other in the center of the dance floor. The pitcher of water flew. Prince Kai staggered back. With my hands reaching out to catch myself, I fell forward.
That's when it occurred.
The world burst when my palms struck his chest. Like lightning, a surge of power swept through me. It felt different than before, but it was Prince Kai's fire magic. more powerful. Wilder. Through my hands, it poured into me, combining with my water magic in a way that shouldn't have been possible.
Thousands of tiny ice crystals formed out of the water from the pitcher that was still suspended in the air above us. However, these ice crystals weren't your typical ones. They were whirling around us like a mystical tornado, blazing with orange and blue light.
"What's happening?" Despite his gasp, Prince Kai remained close to me.
I was unable to respond. It was amazing how much power was between us. I sensed that he was feeling my water magic as well, and I could feel his fire magic as if it were mine. In a way that left my head spinning, we were linked and shared power.
Blue, orange, purple, and silver were among the colors that the ice crystals began to change. As they danced around us, they made patterns in the air that resembled shooting stars, flowers, and birds. There was silence throughout the ballroom. Everybody was looking at us. As Prince Kai and I stood there, our hands touching, surrounded by magical ice crystals that glowed like tiny suns, hundreds of people watched.
"Impossible," someone muttered.
Another voice said, "Fire and water magic shouldn't work together."
"Observe those crystals. They're stunning."
One voice, however, broke through the others. "STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!"
Queen Ember's face was contorted with anger as she pushed through the crowd. Her eyes were blazing with rage, and her red hair was almost on fire. She yelled at me, "Get away from my son!"
The spell was broken. With a pale, shocked face, Prince Kai staggered backward. On the warm marble floor, the ice crystals instantly melted as they fell to the ground like rain. However, the harm had already been done. Everyone had witnessed the events. Everyone was aware that the Fire Prince and a servant girl had just experienced an impossible moment.
"Take her!" Queen Ember gave the order. "That girl used dark magic on the prince; arrest her!"
"Dark magic wasn't used!" Prince Kai objected, but his mother disregarded him.
I was too startled to flee as Captain Rex and his guards began to approach. I could sense a change in myself, and my hands were still tingling from the magic that had been left behind. As if a door had been opened and would never be able to be closed.
"Your Majesty," Master Orion said as he stood next to me, his expression solemn. "Perhaps we ought to talk about this in private."
"There's nothing to discuss," Queen Ember yelled. "The prince was just subjected to forbidden magic by that servant girl. She poses a threat."
Prince Kai intervened between me and the guards and declared, "She's not dangerous." "She did not act improperly. I also sensed the connection of magic. She had no intention of harming me."
Queen Ember remarked, "You have no idea what you're talking about." "Dark magic can fool you into believing—"
"Dark magic wasn't used." Princess Stella, who had emerged from the periphery of the crowd, caught everyone's attention. Her eyes were as cold as ice, despite her smile. As she approached us, she added, "I can sense dark magic." "This was a completely different matter. Something far more intriguing."
Her use of the word "interesting" chilled me to the bone. Master Orion had been correct; Princess Stella was fully aware of who I was.
"What do you mean?" Queen Ember insisted.
Princess Stella grinned more broadly. "Your Majesty, this servant girl of yours is not your typical sorceress." She paused directly in front of me and touched my face. The feel of her fingers on my skin was freezing. "Aren't you the Phoenix Heart?" I was the only one who could hear her whisper.
She grabbed my wrist as I attempted to back away. I experienced a horrible pulling sensation where her fingers touched me, as if she were attempting to draw something from me.
I said, "Let go of me," but my voice was barely audible.
Princess Stella said, "I don't think so," as she tightened her hold. "I have a lot to discuss with you."
I could feel Princess Stella's magic attempting to penetrate the protection crystal in my pocket, which was now blazing hot. In front of everyone, she was attempting to take away my authority. I managed to look at Prince Kai and say, "Help."
Princess Stella, however, raised her other hand and spoke in a language I didn't understand before he could move. She poured out dark magic that encircled me like chains.
"Princess Stella!" Master Orion yelled. "Stop this immediately!"
However, it was too late. Everything turned black as the dark magic struck me like a hammer. Princess Stella's voice, which was as sharp as a knife and as sweet as honey, was the last sound I heard before I fell: "I own the Phoenix Heart."