The Miracle Thief by Iris Anthony Page B

king!” His grin was wide, his tone exultant. He grabbed up my hand and swept me along with them, down into the great hall where they began to dance and drink themselves merry.
    I stayed for a while, to enjoy his good spirits and see him rewarded for his many years of hopes and his mother’s extraordinary efforts, but then I knew I must leave. I was wanted upstairs, and my absence must have long ago been noted. Skirting the party, I made once more for the stairs, but there, he intercepted me.
    â€œDon’t go.”
    â€œCharles, I have to. Your mother awaits.”
    He took the ewer from my hands. “For once, can you not forget about her and please me instead? Come dance with us; come celebrate.”
    â€œI did. I have.” Perhaps I had not in actuality danced or partaken in the festivities, but I had watched. “And now I must go.” I reached for my ewer.
    He held it up, just out of reach.
    â€œCharles!” I took a swipe at it, but he raised it even higher at the last moment.
    â€œPlease, Juliana.” He lowered it, clasping it to his chest. “You of all people must understand how much this means to me. How can I not exult when what we have waited for these many years has finally come to pass? And why should you not celebrate with us?”
    My gaze wandered from him to the knot of nobles and hangers-on who reveled just behind him.
    â€œOne dance. Please. That’s all I ask.”
    I looked again into the eyes I knew so well. Into that face I’d seen every day for all of my fourteen years. The long jaw. That noble nose. The eyes that so often danced with amusement. Like brother and sister we had always been. How could I refuse him? “Just one.”
    As the music began a new melody, the circle parted to make room for us, pulling us around the large hall. That first dance turned into a second, and the second into a third. How could my heart not be glad my childhood companion had finally received what was his rightful due?
    As the third dance came to an end, I pulled my hand from Charles’s.
    He turned, reaching after me. “Don’t—”
    â€œI must go.”
    And I should have done so sooner rather than later. His mother was in a state by the time I arrived. The tops of her cheeks and base of her throat had flushed a bright, splotchy red. “Has everything gone topsy-turvy? Does it require a battle now to draw water?”
    â€œNo, Your Highness.”
    â€œThen where is it?”
    â€œWhere is…?”
    â€œMy water!” She pulled her lips into a thin, flat line, sending furrows racing from her mouth down toward her neck.
    Charles had set it down when we had gone to dance, and in my haste, I had forgotten to collect it. “Forgive me, Your Majesty, but—”
    â€œ Forgive you? Everybody is celebrating my son’s news but me! Even you , I suspect.”
    I put a hand to my reddened cheeks and tried to calm my ragged breath. “But is it not wonderful, Your Majesty?”
    â€œWonderful? What would be wonderful is if I were down there with them! What would be wonderful is if he had the crown on his head right this instant. Or if he actually had a throne to sit on! What would be wonderful is if my maidservant stopped acting as if she were my equal instead!”
    â€œI’m sorry, Your Majesty!”
    â€œStupid girl! Sorry is a state of being, and right you are in thinking it applies to you.”
    Tears stung my eyes. I dipped into a curtsy. “I will go and—”
    â€œYes, go. Be gone with you! When I took you up, I had hoped you would turn into a fine servant. Now I can see I am destined to disappointment.”
    â€œI’m sorry—”
    â€œThen take your sorry self away. Do something useful. Fetch me my water!”
    ***
    I tore down the steps, tears blinding my eyes. I tried—how desperately I had always tried to please her. One would think on this day, at least, she could not