#Chapter 56 - Dance

Anton steps close to me, putting a ghost hand on my shoulder as I stare at the piano, my knees locked, my whole body tense and starting to tremble slightly. “Easy, girl,” he murmurs, calming and soft. I glance up at him, a glare narrowing my eyes. “Stop talking to me like a horse.” A laugh bursts from him again and I smile a little. “See?” Anton says on a happy sigh. “There’s the Juniper I know and fear. You’ve got this, kid. Just have confidence – it will all be fine.” I loose a long breath, some of the tension leaving me as I turn back to the piano and hope that he’s right. But then the lights in the large auditorium dim, and the voices fade, and my heart starts to pound. A woman comes to the center of the stage and clears her throat, a spotlight moving to her. “Our first performer,” she says, quite loud and clear – her voice probably magically amplified – “will be Princess Laila flaith Noriada.” “Oh!” Laila says, her hands moving to her mouth in surprise. My heartbe