It was a very diplomatic answer, but Ivy sensed she was also saying that she wasn’t going to make a habit of inviting non-vamps into her circle. There were plenty of vampires who felt very strongly that vampires and humans shouldn’t mix – her own grandparents had made that clear to her father, all those years ago. But the Count and Countess had been nothing but loving to Olivia since she arrived.
‘I think,’ Prince Alex put in, ‘that it shows how well the monarchy is coming to grips with the modern world. I, for one, look forward to these special circumstances becoming more regular.’
The Queen’s earrings clinked again as she sat up straighter and drew in a breath.
Two people and one row down, the Count said, ‘Times certainly are changing.’
Mr Vega cleared his throat. ‘But not everyone wishes to change with them.’
Ivy wanted to say something to cut through all the tension, but the photographer called out, ‘We’re ready.’
‘Smile, my dears,’ said Georgia, clasping her hands in front of her chest.
‘Stakes!’ called the photographer.
‘Stakes!’ everyone cheered back.
But Ivy suspected that underneath the smiles, conflict was brewing like a bad potion.
Olivia was exhausted but happy. She’d worn eight phenomenal dresses, from an Elizabethan-style full-skirted dress to a sleek, asymmetrical gown. Ivy had loved being dressed up and, for once, didn’t mind being the centre of attention.
The adults had left at least an hour ago for coffee in the ‘presence chamber’ as they called it, while Ivy, Olivia and Prince Alex had posed in various luxurious rooms all over the palace.
The Grand Ballroom was truly grand. The windows stretched from floor to ceiling and six crystal chandeliers twinkled over the dance floor. Georgia had wanted them to take turns dancing with Alex – but Ivy had two left feet when it came to ballroom dancing. Olivia was so good at remembering the moves; it turned out to be a photo shoot of the two of them.
Finally, she had the twins pose, one on either side of the prince, in their ball gowns.
‘That’s the one,’ Georgia said, clapping her hands as the photographer finished. ‘Next week’s cover! I’m going to go look through these on the computer; just hang the dresses up, girls, and I’ll send someone back for them.’
‘Um, Georgia?’ Ivy asked.
‘Yes, darling?’ she replied.
‘Could I borrow this dress for the Valentine’s Day ball please?’ Ivy knew that she had nothing suitable to wear, and all these dresses had been so wonderful . . .
Georgia considered for a moment. ‘No, no, I don’t think so.’
‘Oh,’ Ivy replied, feeling deflated.
‘Because I’ve something better.’ She whispered in an assistant’s ear and left the room. A moment later, she returned with a big garment bag.
‘Wear this.’ She winked at Ivy and then produced a pair of Victorian-style lace-up boots. ‘With these, and have a faaabulous time.’
‘Thank you so much!’ Ivy said and started to unzip the bag.
‘Ah, ah, ah!’ Georgia said. ‘Don’t spoil the surprise. No peeking until the night of the ball.’ She turned to Olivia. ‘Would you like a dress as well?’
‘I was a little more . . . thorough . . . with my packing,’ Olivia replied with a teasing smile at Ivy.
‘Then I say: ciao, my lovelies!’ Georgia gave a little wave and hurried away, chattering with the photographer.
As Ivy went behind a screen to change, Olivia sat happily on a chair, her silver lace dress spilling over the floor around her.
Alex came to stand beside her. ‘Would you do me the honour of accompanying me on a tour of the castle grounds?’
‘I’d love to,’ Olivia replied. ‘We don’t have places like this in Franklin Grove. Probably not anywhere in America!’
‘Wonderful,’ Alex said. ‘I’ll find us some snow boots and be back momentarily.’
As soon as he had left, Ivy poked her head out from behind the screen. ‘What are you doing?’ she hissed.
Olivia struggled to stand up without damaging the dress and held up the skirt as she walked over to her sister. ‘What do you mean?’
‘I mean,’ Ivy said, zipping up her skirt, ‘have you broken up with Jackson and not told me?’
‘No,’ Olivia replied. ‘Although Jackson might have broken up with me.’ Olivia felt her headache from the car ride coming back. ‘He sent me this weird text message that just said “See ya”. And I haven’t been able to get a signal again to see if he’s sent anything else. What if that’s Hollywood speak for, “I want to dump you but am so busy I have to do it by a two-word text”;?’
Ivy gave her a don’t-be-silly look. ‘Your taste in guys is much better than that. You’d never choose one that would do something like that.’
Olivia sighed and turned to let Ivy pull down the zip on her dress. Then she quickly threw on her pink turtleneck. Her mind flashed to Alex. ‘But even if Jackson and I are going through a bumpy patch,’ Olivia said as she sat back down on the chair to put her tights on, ‘Alex and I are just friends.’
‘Be careful, Olivia,’ Ivy replied. ‘His mom is acting so sniffy because she thinks he likes you.’
‘A vampire prince wouldn’t date a human,’ Olivia pointed out.
‘You can’t say that,’ Ivy countered. ‘Since you were initiated, most vampires have accepted you. Like the Count said: times are changing.’
Olivia had too much to think about at the moment with Jackson. She couldn’t deal with this, too. Besides, there wasn’t any spark between her and Alex.
It’s not a problem, Olivia decided. I’m sure of it.
Just then, Prince Alex returned with two pairs of muddy leather snow boots.
‘Milady.’ He bowed and held out his arm for her to take. ‘Shall we?’
Olivia giggled at his pretend formality and nodded. ‘We shall.’
Crunching through the snow and looking up at the tree branches, Olivia thought the royal garden was like a winter wonderland.
She stepped carefully along the slippery stone path. The frosty wind wasn’t helping.
‘Up here,’ Alex said and began climbing a narrow path ascending a hill. Olivia had no choice but to take his arm.