"Buffy -- up and pinpoint them!" she shouted, grabbing the cat and tossing her into the air.
Buffy spread her wings, used some of her own magic, and sailed up into the high ceiling rafters. By then, Serena felt another four spots.
"They're trying to make a net, your highnesses," Buffy warned. She caught one strand of the web with her own magic and burnt it to ash. People yelled and started to rush toward the exit. "Stay where you are!"
They did. It shocked Serena. No one ever listened to her at home.
More people were popping up with magic. Far more than she could handle. One thread got past her and grabbed the King, but she pulled it free and destroyed it.
"All of you behind the thrones," she whispered.
"Out the secret door?" he replied just as softly.
"No. Traps on the doors. Someone will trigger one soon, and we'll have more panic. I will create an illusion so they don't realize it at first. Mom and Dad will be here soon."
He nodded and leaned over to the Queen. The Empress was already in her lap. She kept an eye on them and fought off the web. However, the sense of something greater about to happen worried her. The moment the King began to move, she created the image of them still there. More webs came at them -- but then they changed direction and came at her.
Bright balls of magic started flying through the air. People ran for the door again and set off that trap. A colossal web and spider filled the opening. Men and women screamed and were in danger of hurting themselves. Balls of magic bombarded her, and she almost lost her hold --
The princesses gathered around a slimy-looking, thin man whose hands moved in intricate patterns. He looked up and smiled with yellow teeth and narrow gray eyes. Others were still tossing out balls of power and lines of webs, but this was the real enemy.
Serena knew she didn't have enough power to fight him. Mom and Dad had to be near -- yes, they were trying to get through the door without hurting more people.
Slimy lifted his hands and called up pure lightning, flashing so bright around him that even the princesses backed away in fright.
"I'm with you," Thomas said, suddenly at her side. "Let's get him."
"I don't have the power --"
"Can you help me throw that table at him?"
Serena didn't ask what good that would do. It was a plan. She grabbed at the table, and Thomas did the same -- but he also caught several bowls of punch.
Lightning and liquid was not a good combination.
A quick look around found Buffy swinging from a chandelier and throwing pieces of it at people. Mom was just squeezing through the door, and Dad would soon follow --
And Slimy stood up. His clothing and hair let out puffs of smoke and his yellow smile showed several teeth missing. His left eye twitched, and his arms trembled as he began to shout another spell.
Mom had not been prepared, but she tossed a distraction his way. Dad prepared something more serious. Thomas stayed at Serena's side.
Buffy threw things at Slimy.
And annoyed him. With a shout of a spell, he grabbed Buffy from her perch and threw her at the wall. She hit once, twice -- but Thomas, who had outsprinted Serena, caught hold of the cat and held on tight.
Serena changed direction and headed for the enemy. It was probably lucky that Mom and Dad got there first.
After that, things calmed down. Mom and Dad had already fought a squad of enemy soldiers who were heading for the ballroom. That had slowed their arrival.
Thomas explained that Slimy was a disliked local Lord working with the enemy. His accomplices were related to him, and none were strong with magic. They were no trouble.
Buffy had been bruised but not badly hurt. And since it wasn't midnight yet, the King called everyone back, and they prepared for a feast.
"Feed everyone and get them happy again," he said. Serena thought he really liked the feast and refused to give it up. Good.
Empress Fluffy Kitty took her place on her throne. The room fell quiet when she cleared her throat.
"Princess Buffy?" she said. "Please step forward."
Buffy all but danced forward, her fluffy tail up with a slight curl at the end. She even made a respectable kitty curtsy before the Empress.
"My dear daughter," the Empress said with a regal bow of her head. "I cannot say how proud I am of your intelligence and bravery, Buffy. I would like to offer you a top post in my own court."
Buffy made a slight yelp of surprise and then turned to Selena in surprise, which soon turned to panic. She was already shaking her head when she turned back to the Empress.
"Thank you so much for your offer, but I fear, with the life I have led, I could never fit into a courtly role."
Serena managed not to sigh with relief.
"You would do fine, my dear," the Empress replied. "You are perfectly polite and well-behaved."
This time, Serena had to fight back a giggle and didn't entirely win. She clapped both hands over her mouth.
Mom laughed aloud and looked appalled at her break in decorum. "Buffy. Well-behaved..."
Buffy giggled. And then Serena did as well. The King and Queen, and even the Empress, began to laugh. A few minutes earlier, everyone had been upset and afraid. Now, laughter spread throughout the room.
It was the best kind of magic.
The End
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