And snow began to fall. The ground was white as Violetta closed her eyes and played the music she had memorized in one day. She had learned it by heart, without musical notes, just copying Cara. That was talent. By contrast—Cara was just using magic.

Copying a video, copying a song she had heard once. She couldn’t have made it real without Violetta.

The snow swirled around them as they played.

No voices. Just a piano and cello, singing together. Faster. Louder. Not a song to sit to. A song to dance to! To enliven! Violetta’s fingers blurred across the cello. Sweat ran down Cara’s brow and back.

This time, no one said anything for a while after the song ended. But Seraphel was smiling. And Cara didn’t have the ire within her to glare. The [Princess] seemed so…happy.

So did the kids. Sasi’s voice was clearly audible as she turned to her mother and whispered loudly.

“I want to learn how to play that thing!”

“What is that?”

The [Lord] looked down at Cara. The [Singer] let the piano vanish; keeping it in place had been giving her a splitting headache.

“A piano, sir. A—new instrument. I can’t bring one with me, so I’ve conjured an illusion for the music.”

That was what she was doing. Cara wasn’t singing perfectly. She wasn’t creating the music herself. But she was performing it well enough.

And it was more than enough. Lord Lantal smiled.

“If it can be built, I am sure Afiele would welcome such an instrument. Miss Cara, Songmistress Violetta, your music is a delight. Tell me—would you be willing to play at least one more song?”

“We don’t have time to spend all day listening to that kind of music, Lantal.”

Duchess Grishen glowered at the [Lord]. He hesitated, but Seraphel leaned forwards.

“Ah, but I see Lord Culin and Lady Sasi are quite delighted. Another two or three performances should be endured for their sakes, surely, Duchess Grishen? I myself find the music quite engaging.”

“Er…”

The [Duchess] realized she was a minority in the room. Many of Afiele’s people were nodding. The

[Duchess] sat back with a sour expression.

“Cara? We can do the other songs. Cara?”

Violetta was looking worriedly at Cara. The [Actress] was touching two fingers to her temple. She had a blinding headache.

“I’m fine—it’s just—the spell—”

It hurt to perform like that. But Cara was performing. She looked up at Lord Lantal.

“I’d be delighted to do at least one more song—Lord Lantal. This—Violetta, let’s do, uh—Fight Song?”

She wasn’t about to sing. But the instrumental version was enough. Violetta nodded. Cara sat down.

Biting her lip. She just had to concentrate…she raised her hands.

The piano appeared. Cara bit her lip as the headache redoubled. No, hold it together—hold it—