And so what if he did? Maleficent thought with resentment. It might be a little uncomfortable, but at least it would get everyone on their feet.

Perhaps it would even prove that magic could be employed entertainingly.

As Maleficent considered that, the crowd began to stir. Then it parted as footmen rolled out a carpet. And behind the carpet walked Aurora in a gown of blue, her crown glinting in the torchlight. She looked regal, Maleficent thought. She looked like her mother. She even had her eyes—eyes that met Maleficent’s as she stepped into the dancing area. The girl gave her a quick grin, the impish one she’d had since she was a child.

The musicians, including the faerie piper, took up a pavane.

And Count Alain stepped out to take Aurora’s hand. He was dressed all in black velvet, making the stripe of white in his hair stand out. On his chest, he wore a large iron pin studded with garnets. Maleficent narrowed her eyes, recalling dangling him over the forest floor. She was sorry not to have an excuse to do it again.

Together, they began the stately steps of the dance, looking for all the world as though they were a couple.

How had he managed it? Maleficent turned her gaze to Lord Ortolan suspiciously. And indeed, he did look pleased. But she was surprised to see that behind him, Flittle, Thistlewit, and Knotgrass looked equally happy. Flittle was clasping her hands together and whispering to Knotgrass.

Stupid meddling pixies. What do they think they’re doing?

In front of the crowd, Aurora and Count Alain stood side by side with their hands clasped. They bent their knees slightly toward the audience and then toward each other, heads high. Together, they took a few steps, went up on their toes, took a few more steps, and went up on their toes again. Then, parting hands, they each took a turn about the grass; then they came back and clasped hands again, spinning around each other. When Aurora stumbled, Count Alain caught her ably.

Maleficent’s gaze swept the crowd. She spotted Phillip in a tunic of deep blue velvet, leaning against a flower-covered support, his gaze on Aurora unmistakably that of a boy suffering in love.

She crossed the lawn to stand beside him.

“Come to gloat?” he asked her sulkily.

“I may not like you,” she said, “but I am not fool enough to prefer him.”

Phillip gave a hollow laugh. Up close, he seemed a bit haggard. Although he was dressed in his typical princely finery, he didn’t appear to have slept since the last time Maleficent saw him, at the banquet.

She narrowed her eyes. “What’s wrong with you, princeling?”

“I told her,” he said, “and it went just as you told me it would. I was a fool.”

“What excellent news,” Maleficent said. “This party grows better and better.”