I shot her a look.
“No one knows,” Morty said. “There are rumors, of course. Everyone in Thistlegrove loves to gossip, but Draven isn’t exactly forthcoming about his feelings. I don’t think he has a single friend other than Elm Kingsley and Riven Shiu.”
“The famous bard?” Auggie squeaked.
“The very one. Of course Riven is hardly ever here, so that doesn’t help. Elm isn’t here too often either. In fact this is the longest he’s ever visited. I wonder what the reason could be.” Morty tapped her chin, and Adelaide’s cheeks turned pink. From the tone of her voice, it sounded like Morty knew exactly why Elm was extending his stay.
It had to be because of Adelaide, which meant if she didn’t return his affections, he might leave soon, and then all hope would be lost. My forlorn sister might never recover. I had to ensure she danced with Elm tonight. I just didn’t know how.
“Do any of you have your eye on any suitors? Anyone you might want to save a dance for?”
“We all know who Adelaide wants to dance with,” Auggie said with a smirk. “I’m sure Elm will be waiting for you with open arms.” She made a smoochy face.
Adelaide elbowed her.
“Ow,” Auggie said.
“Oh?” Morty turned her gaze on my sister.
“Oh yes,” Mama said. “He’s quite taken with her. There have been a few bumps in their relationship, but nothing they can’t overcome.”
“Mama!” Red stained Adelaide’s cheeks. “I don’t think Morty needs to know the details.”
Mama waved her hand. “It’s just girl talk, Addy.”
I gave Adelaide a sympathetic smile, but maybe this would be the push she needed to dance with Elm, to reconnect with him.
“I was actually just hoping to dance with my sisters tonight,” Adelaide said, voice tight.
Mama’s face fell. I knew she was hoping this would end in marriage for Adelaide. Maybe it would, and that would be amazing for Adelaide to finally have her magic back. But I just wanted to see my sister smile again. I couldn’t handle moody Adelaide anymore. Not when I already had to deal with moody Auggie, moody Prue, and moody Mama.
“Well, what if your sisters all have partners to dance with?” Morty asked. I wondered why she cared so much about Adelaide and Elm dancing. Maybe she was just making polite conversation.
Prue audibly gulped. More than anyone, she could use a partner to dance with. Someone to make her realize there was more to life than just her books.
“I’ll be dancing with whoever asks,” Auggie said. “Why limit my possibilities?”
Morty turned her sharp gaze on me. “And what about you? Any suitors you have in mind?”
“Definitely not Draven Darkstone,” Auggie murmured with a laugh.
I could kick her right now.
“That’s right! I’ve heard about your arguments.” Morty said it with delight, like our fights were something wonderful.
Mama tsked, and Auggie snorted.
Adelaide crossed her arms, a frown appearing.
“That’s not true!” I said. “We’re fine. We had a few disagreements, but we’ve worked things out.”
“You have?” Adelaide asked.
“Yes,” I said, exasperated.
“So you’ll dance with him?” Auggie asked, a challenge in her eyes.
Everyone stared at me expectantly. This was a disaster. If I said no, itwould undermine everything I’d been telling Adelaide. All my lies. But the alternative... I might have to actually follow through and dance with Draven Darkstone.
