Sky had planned to avoid the celebration and stay in her room. It was too painful to imagine celebrating in Artimé without Alex. But the epic glass-breaking incident and the chaos that followed had forced her out to see what was going on. She found herself helping others clear away the broken glass and actually feeling hopeful about the camaraderie that always prevailed in Artimé during challenging times. People here were mostly good, and they always stepped up to help. It was an important reminder for Sky . . . and for all of those in Artimé. The magical world united in tough times. It was so reassuring to live in a place like that.

Unfortunately, there were Frieda Stubbs and the dissenters. When the twins and Seth went back outside, they found Sky on the lawn near the dance floor talking earnestly with Aaron and Kaylee. Aaron carried Daniel in the baby carrier, and he bounced gently in place to soothe the boy. Kaylee was beside them. She had a black eye.

Thisbe ran over to Sky to give her a hug and saw the deepening bruise on Kaylee’s face. “What in the world? Kaylee, what happened? Or wait—did Frieda . . . ?”

“You shoulda seen the other guy,” Kaylee quipped.

“What does that mean?” asked Fifer.

“Frieda landed a pretty good left hook. It’s fine.” Kaylee smiled, but her expression was strained. “Is it time to start dancing?”

Seth, Fifer, and Thisbe stared at her. “She actually punched you?” asked Thisbe, incredulous. “And you punched her back? Like, here in Artimé?” For some strange reason this type of brawl seemed impossible to imagine, though they could picture Kaylee valiantly fighting just about anywhere else. But with a sword, not with her fists. And not against a fellow Artiméan.

Kaylee shrugged, then said primly, “I don’t condone fist fighting, children.” Aaron kept his lips pressed tightly together as Kaylee continued. “I only punched her after she landed this one. And, well, she’s gone now, isn’t she?”

Sky looked away and squelched a grin as the band struck up a slow tune. “So, dancing?” she prompted, sensing Kaylee’s discomfort. “Want me to hold Daniel?”

“Don’t you want to dance too?” Aaron asked her.

Sky’s expression froze, then turned pained. She glanced at Thisbe, who stared back at her.

“I’ll dance with you,” Thisbe whispered. She wasn’t sure what else to say. Alex’s glaring absence had struck them all without warning.

“Oh, Sky. I’m sorry,” Aaron said quietly, touching her shoulder. “I—I said that without thinking. It’s been quite a night so far.”

“It’s okay.” Sky recovered quickly, or at least appeared to. She went on, a decisive tone of voice. “I’d like to hold Daniel while you two dance. You—it seems like you could use . . . some time . . . together.” Her voice cracked, but she smiled bravely and held out her hands to take the child.