Reign (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale, #4)(18)

Mina’s anger got the better of her and she spun. “No wonder you’re so excited about wearing masks at a ball. Who knows, if you don’t say a word, you may be able to disguise your hideous personalities.”

Lara’s and Daphne’s mouths dropped open. They looked like drowning fish as they tried to come up with a retort.

Mina didn’t stay to listen or battle with words. She needed to get home and get help, because Teague had just set up her next quest. As innocent as the Cinderella story sounded, Mina knew there would be a deadly twist to this fairy tale.

The whole way home, she was tense and on edge. Brody asked if she was okay.

“No, I’m not okay.” She blew out a long breath.

“Is it something I did?”

“Not intentionally. It seems like we’re both in for another round of fairy-tale madness.”

“You mean you’re getting your intuition?”

Mina laughed softly. “Yeah, I guess you could say that. I think we are about to go head to head with the Cinderella tale.”

Brody pulled the car up her driveway and put the car into park. She listened to the hum of the engine as he unbuckled his seatbelt and turned toward her.

“And you think we’re both caught up in this tale?”

“Yeah, unfortunately I do.”

“Okay and what part do you think I’m going to play in this quest?”

“I think you’re Prince Charming,” Mina said, feeling awkward at voicing her assumption out loud.

“So in Cinderella, it’s all about the girl falling in love with Prince Charming, right?” A mischievous smile lurked at the corner of his lips.

She could hardly concentrate with how good he looked right then. She swallowed. “Yes.”

“And the prince falls in love, loses the girl, and has to find her.”

Again she answered, although her voice dropped in volume. “Yes.” She studied her hands, clasped in her lap.

Brody reached for her hands and pulled them up between them. “Well, this may be the easiest quest ever then, because this prince has already found you.” He placed a gentle kiss on the back of her hand.

Her heart slammed against her chest at the simple gesture that was so packed with emotion.

“And I don’t plan on letting you go anytime soon,” he added.

She smiled weakly. “It’s never that easy.”

“I wouldn’t expect it to be. Otherwise the other Grimms before you would have beaten this.”

“We could get hurt. You could get hurt.”

Brody tightened his grip on her hands, cupping them between his. “I’ve seen you play sports. You need all the help you can get. Maybe Nix could make up another batch of that foul smelling fix-it-all? Then we’ll be good.”

Mina pulled her hand out of his to playfully punch his shoulder. He lurched forward and she missed.

He laughed. “See, you probably couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn.”

“Probably not, but I’ve got to try.”

Brody mellowed. “As long as you let me, I’ll be here to help you.”

“As long as you remember me.”

“True, but keep in mind that’s not something I can control. Still, there’s something between us that—no matter what—keeps pulling us together. So if I forget or get put under a spell, you’ll just have to remind me how awesome you are.”

Mina grinned and hopped out of the car. He was right. There was something between them, and it spun her in circles with confusion. Was it a crush, an infatuation, love? So soon after losing Jared, she didn’t want to even think it was possible, but …what if what she had for Jared hadn’t been real? It had only been a few weeks ago, but in her heart it felt like years.

The stress of the quests was wearing on her. She could feel the next one looming over her. But for once, she felt like her future might not be so bleak.

One final question hung over her, though. Teague would manipulate this. How would she survive it?





Chapter 9


Nan insisted on taking Mina dress shopping for her date with Brody after school on Wednesday. Since her car was in the shop, they were stuck with the horrible public transportation system. Maybe it was the combined stench of exhaust and sweat that filled the air making her feel uneasy. Maybe it was the odd look that Ever kept giving her from across the aisle.

It had started as soon as Nan compared Mina to Cinderella going to a ball.

The bus dropped them off at Harlow Street in a quaint area filled with small nook and cranny stores and family-owned businesses. They were heading to Nan’s favorite café for a bite to eat while they decided what type of dress she should wear. Mina wanted simple; Nan wanted something spectacular, and jaw dropping.

“You don’t want any old dress. You need a dress fit for a queen.”

Mina shivered. “Don’t say that too loudly. I have no desire to be queen of anything.”

Ever snorted loudly.

“Fine. Then you’ll be the belle of the ball.”

Mina inwardly groaned. Now it sounded like Beauty and the Beast. The last time she’d gone dress shopping, she was stuck in a Red Riding Hood tale. “No belles, no queens. Just a dress. A simple one, with not too much stuff on it.”

“Boring. Got it,” Nan answered.