Forever (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale, #5)(33)

Mina’s heart was breaking for Teague. She remembered how she felt when her mom abandoned her, but that was only until she realized that her family would do whatever it took to rescue her. By making the greatest sacrifice of all. Her life.

Maybe if the Fates had been willing to risk themselves, they might have been able to help him. Didn’t they understand that he was scared of ruling? Of losing control? He became the very thing he feared. He’d never wanted this to happen. But instead of searching for another solution, Teague’s parents gave up and were resorting to murder.

She would have to stop him without their help, because she certainly wasn’t going to help them regain power to a throne that rested on the blood of their son. Even Teague was able to dethrone his parents without killing them.

How horrible it must be to have such heartless parents. She was so furious, she had problems reining in her anger.

She stormed to the wall of willow branches and waited while King Lucian unwove the ward to release her. When it was down, and she could no longer see the glowing spider web of power, she turned and said her farewell to the Royals before her.

“So while my world crumbles, you hide in your swamp kingdom…scared of your own son. No wonder it was easy for him to steal control from you two. You’re cowards.”

Mina walked out of the boughs and into the swamp. She heard the roar of King Lucian’s angry retort, but she didn’t dare look back. She pulled out her seam ripper, created a gate, and stepped back to her world.

The gate slowly closed, and she didn’t even care if something followed her through. She didn’t think the king and queen would send anyone after her. Not when their whole plan started and ended with her doing all the work. The weight of her current plan fell on her shoulders like a ton of bricks as soon as came through the gate.

Her back-up plan had failed, and the task laid before her made her nervous, agitated, and resigned. She hoped she was strong enough for what was to come, prayed that she was brave enough to both save her brother and end the curse on both their worlds. Maybe she’d be alive in the end to tell the story to her kids one day.

Mina put her seam ripper in her pocket, looked around her bedroom, and wondered how much time she had left. Had time passed at all while she’d been on the Fae plane, or—like Brody said—had it been mere moments? She made her way to the kitchen.

Ever sat at the breakfast table eating toast with peanut butter and marshmallows on it. She raised one dark eyebrow and offered Mina a piece. “Want some? It’s great for curing the blues, and we have some time to kill.”

“Ugh, no,” Mina rubbed her face and sat on the stool, burying her face in her arms.

“Coffee?” Ever held up a mug with the words. Coffee is my happily ever after. “It’s just black. Nothing weird in it. I promise.”

“No, I can’t handle that stuff unless there’s tons of cream and sugar.”

“I’m on it.” Ever slid from her chair and went to fill an empty mug. She poured in a splash of cream. Then she waved her finger in the air, and a pink and white striped tube appeared next to her. The paper tube opened, poured into the cup, and the spoon stirred on its own.

“What is that?” Mina asked, her piqued curiosity overriding her burden for a moment.

“Sugar,” Ever answered, handing her the cup. The spoon swirled twice more in the mug and came to a slow stop.

“What kind of sugar?”

“Only the best ever.” Ever smiled and clinked her cup against Mina’s. She took a swig and rolled her eyes in pleasure.

Mina stared at the empty wrapper on the counter. A Pixy Stix. Of course Ever would find a use for her addiction to the Fae named candy.

Not wanting to offend her, Mina took a sip and tried to keep her face as neutral as possible. Huh. It wasn’t half bad.

Mina glanced around the kitchen and then to the hall, looking for Nix.

“He’s not here,” Ever answered. “He left after you went upstairs.”

“Yeah.”

“You know, you treated him like garbage.”

“I know.” Mina grumbled, feeling worse.

“I get why you did it. It’s easier to push them away so they don’t get hurt. Like you did with Nan, Brody, and Charlie. You sent the ones you love the most away. And you started to treat Nix bad, hoping he’ll abandon you too. You’re trying to protect him.”

Mina didn’t answer. She didn’t have to. The truth was written across her face.

Ever just continued to talk. “And since you barely tolerate me, you won’t send me away, because I’m not important to you.”

Mina’s head snapped up. “That’s not true at all.”

“Relax, Gimp. I know I’m your favorite.” She smiled wryly and took another bite of her peanut butter marshmallow toast. “Plus, you need me,” she said around her mouthful of food.

Mina sat there staring at Ever. Finally, she reached for that offered piece of toast and took a bite. Something crackled in her throat. Mina coughed into her napkin, and shot Ever an awful look. “Pop rocks?”

Ever opened her mouth, so Mina could hear the popping noise. “It’s the best.”

“You’re worse than Charlie.” Mina coughed again as a stray piece of popping candy lodged in her throat.

“Naw, he’s just got the great Fae taste in food. Always has.”