She lifted her hand and curled her fingers. Dell would never get used to her magic. She’d used it on him before, and he was always suspicious if it worked as well as she claimed it did.

As he glanced down at his clothing, he didn’t notice a difference.

Toren’s eyes widened.

“What? What do I look like?” Dell asked.

Corban circled him, his eyes appraising.

Mari was the one who answered. “Dark hair slicked back into a perfectly groomed tail. A handsome, yet open face with wide amber eyes and a strong jaw. Clothing fit for a prince. Blue pants, a white ruffled shirt, and a pale blue jacket. Shoes shined to perfection.” She smiled. “One of my better creations, I’d say.” She turned toward the door. “Come.”

At the side of the barn sat a rusty mule cart. The air around the cart grew hazy, shimmering as if tiny waves rippled the air.

When it cleared once again, the cart had been replaced by a large white carriage with gold rimming the door. For as many times as Dell had been the subject of Mari’s magic, he’d never witnessed his own perception changing.

Taron led the two mules from the barn. Mari faced them and they transformed into massive black steeds with shining coats and jewel-encrusted bridles.

Mari smiled in satisfaction as Dell reeled back. “No one at the ball will know who you are, Dell. Being a mystery carries its own set of dangers. My magic will only last for about two hours. You must get in, inform Edmund of everything you’ve seen, and then get to the ship in slip fourteen. We leave for Bela on the morning tide.”

Dell reached forward to stroke the soft nose of the massive beast, the weight of what he was being asked to do sat heavily on his mind. There’d been a time when the only life he expected for himself was that of a simple farmer in his mountain village.

But everything changed in an instant, and now he found himself with the fate of a kingdom on his shoulders.

Dell. Not a Tenyson by any other meaning than birth. A lowborn kid.

Now he had to save a king who didn’t deserve to be saved in order to protect the ones who did.

He nodded slowly and released a breath. “I’ll be there, Mari.”

Chapter Eighteen

Large torches lined the entryway, past the wide-open gates. No one in Madra would be turned away tonight. Even the commoners were allowed entry into the ball. Some would arrive for the sheer novelty of the event. Others had the delusion in their mind they had a chance to be chosen as the princess’ husband.

Dell knew how it truly worked. The king would choose someone whose power enlarged his own.

Ian.