Cathy awoke to a loud, persistent knocking on her bedroom door.

"Cathy, get up. Now!" Hex shouted, rattling the door handle.

"What do you want?" she called. "It's Saturday." Hex had been true to his word and given Cathy every weekend off. So she'd been looking forward to a lie-in.

"It's after five... get up!" He banged on the door again.

Cathy groaned. "Fine. Give me ten minutes to get dressed."

"I'll wait here."

"No. Wait for me downstairs." Cathy knew she was pushing her luck, but Hex was trying his hardest to be kind and patient, and so far, he'd controlled his temper.

"Yes. Of course. Sorry. I'll wait downstairs."

Cathy listened to the squeak of Hex's boots as he strolled along the corridor and the fading footsteps on the stairs. She threw back her covers and flinched as her feet touched the cold floor. What did the crazy sorcerer want now?

Ten minutes later, Cathy had dressed, brushed her hair, and made her way downstairs, where Hex waited for her.

"What do you want, Hex?" Cathy asked. If he said breakfast, she'd likely slap him.

"I have a surprise for you." Hex fidgeted from foot to foot. "Follow me."

The sorcerer took off down the hallway, past the kitchen, past the drawing room, and past his study until he reached a door Cathy hadn't noticed before. She'd cleaned every inch of Rune Hall since she'd arrived, and never had she come across this door.

"Open it," Hex ordered.

"It's not a bottomless pit or a nasty dungeon, is it?"

Hex rolled his eyes. "If I wanted to throw you in a pit or lock you in a dungeon, I would've. Although, if you don't do as you're told, I may change my mind."

Cathy opened the door, half expecting to be eaten, but it was a pleasant surprise.

One entire wall of the room was a mirror with a dance barre. The wooden floor felt soft under her feet. A real dance floor, not like the hard floor of the village hall where she'd danced every Saturday since she was six.

"You made me a dance studio?" Cathy asked, running her hand across the barre.

"You liked to dance in the human realm, so why not dance here? It'll keep you busy when you're not working." The room lit up when he flicked his hand.

"What you really mean is it will keep me inside Rune Hall," Cathy replied, thinking there had to be an ulterior motive for his kindness. After all, Hex did nothing unless it benefitted him.

"Can't you just be grateful? Simply say—thank you, Hex. And leave it at that."

"Thank you, Hex," Cathy said.

"I have another surprise for you."

Cathy stared at the sorcerer. What was he up to?

"Come," he said, walking away.

She followed him up the stairs to the first floor. And when he suddenly halted, she almost walked into him.

"This is your new bedroom." Hex opened the door and stepped inside. He pulled back the curtains and threw open the window. Long ago, he'd covered the furniture and the sudden gust of air fluttered the white sheet covering the bed. "This was my daughter's room. I have kept it how she left it. I couldn't bear to throw anything away. In case she ever came home... Now I know she won't return. You may as well have her things."

Hex pulled the sheet from over the wardrobe and opened the door. Inside were many dresses in every colour and several pairs of shoes.

"These clothes are better than your dresses. I believe they'll fit you. If you'd like, we can travel into the city and buy you some new clothes?"

"I don't know what to say."

"Say... Thank you, Hex." Before she could thank him, he left.

"Thank you, Hex," Cathy whispered.

*

The afternoon flew by. Cathy uncovered every stick of furniture and cleaned, polished, and swept until the room sparkled. She moved her few possessions down from the attic and began searching through the clothes in the wardrobe. She wanted a dress she could dance in. Each dress she pulled from the wardrobe she discarded. She'd almost given up when she reached the very last dress. It was silver-white and fitted to the waist, with a full skirt flared to just above her knees. The short cap sleeves allowed for movement, and the fabric draped like silk. Except it wasn't silk. She'd never seen a fabric like it. Every thread shimmered with light.

Slipping it over her head and tying the ribbon around her waist, she admired her reflection. This dress would do just fine. Cathy combed her hair into a bun and headed downstairs.