Lucky Charm (Reverse Fairytales Book 2)(15)

“I think I just need a nap.”

“If we head back now, you’ll have time to nap before the ball.”

I’d forgotten about the ball that had been organized for me. It was a way for the lords and ladies of Thalia to meet me. As it wasn’t scheduled for hours, maybe Seraphia was right, and I’d be able to fit in a nap. I just wanted to block everything out, and a nap was the perfect way to do it; but first, I had to find out what was going on in Silverwood. Frederick Pittser had said that both the Magi and the Anti-Magi had been involved in riots, but I’d not see the Magi demonstrating in Silverwood for over half a year.

I found Luca waiting for me just outside the bathroom.

“Are you ok? You dashed off pretty quickly.”

“I’m fine. Do you know anything about the riots?”

“No. That’s the weird thing. When I questioned the news team about it, they had no knowledge of any riots, nor has anything been reported here about them. I asked the station manager to call one of his royal reporters near your palace, but all he could tell him was that a whole bundle of fabric had arrived for the bridesmaid dresses. I was going to ask that ass Pittser about it, but he skedaddled quick as a flash once the interview was over.”

“What about the rest of Silverwood? Any riots anywhere?”

“No. Nothing at all. Pittser was obviously a moron with bad information. Don’t worry about it.”

But I did worry. If Luca was correct and Pittser was making it all up, he was playing a game with me, and I didn’t know the rules.

There were still thousands of flag-waving people lining the streets as we left the studio. I tried to smile, but my heart wasn’t in it. As soon as we got back to the palace, I bounded up the stairs to my room, desperate to have some time on my own to figure out what it was that Pittser was up to.

I opened the door to find someone on my bed.

It was Cynder.





Two men, Two kisses.


I stood staring at him, not sure if I was just so tired that I’d hallucinated him.

“Cynder?”

He was as beautiful as I remembered him and now all those months of dreams had crystallized into reality, I could barely breathe. In that second I knew that I’d not gone looking for him earlier to tell him I was sorry, but to look into his eyes just one more time. I couldn’t deny it to myself any longer.

“I heard that someone came down to the kitchen last night and scared the kitchen maid so much she broke all the dishes.”

“I was looking for you,” I whispered, knowing that him just being here was wrong.

“I figured.”

It wasn’t the meeting I’d imagined so many times. In my head, I’d run into his open arms and kissed him. There was never anything after that. Just an endless kiss. However, I was standing shell-shocked by my door, and Cynder was making no move to come towards me. We just stared at each other as if there was an invisible barrier between us and that barrier was my engagement to Luca.

Neither of us had moved when the door opened behind me. I turned quickly to see Luca walking through it.

“Are you ok?” he said, turning to me. “You’ve looked pretty down since the interview, and then you rushed off so quickly when we got home.”

“I...I...” I stammered, not knowing what to say. Cynder was laying on the bed right behind me. Luca only had to glance over my shoulder to see him.

“The interviewer was unbelievable,” he continued “Are you sure you are ok?”

I stood stock still, barely breathing. Luca took my hand and led me to the bed. He sat down mere inches from Cynder’s leg. He’d still not noticed him. How was that even possible?

Luca patted the bed next to him, and I sat too, being careful not to sit on Cynder. I glanced his way for a second and noticed he had a sly grin on his face.

Luca moved forward and kissed me. I nearly passed out with the sheer adrenaline and fear of the situation. I tried pulling back, but Luca was insistent, following me.

Seconds later there was a loud smashing sound behind Luca. A light bulb had fallen out of its socket and smashed on the floor.

“What the...” Luca got up and checked the socket. “How strange. It just fell out. I’ll get someone to come up and clean the mess up.”

“Don’t...worry,” I stammered, glancing at Cynder. His wand was out, and he had a curious expression on his face. I turned back to Luca. He was looking straight at me now. I was inches from Cynder, but it was obvious that he didn’t see him. “I’m really tired,” I said “I need a nap. I’ll get someone up to tidy it later.” I just needed Luca to be gone so I could breathe again. Being caught between the man I was betrothed to and the man that held my heart, was both terrifying and electrifying. I felt the blood draining from my face.

“Ok, if you are sure. You are looking a little peaky. Perhaps a nap would be the best thing. Just don’t stand on that glass in bare feet. We have a lot of dancing to do tonight.”

I got up and walked him to the door. As he left, he pecked my cheek.

“I love you, Charmaine.”

I kissed him back quickly to save me from answering. I’d never felt more wretched in my life. When he left I locked the door behind him and took a deep breath. I waited until I heard his footsteps walking away along the corridor outside before I spoke.