Lucky Charm (Reverse Fairytales Book 2)(28)

“Interesting theory,” replied the reporter. “There is a rumor that bets are being taken on who she will end up with.”

“Too right! The polls have opened again, and this time there is a Mage involved. I, for one, will be putting my money on Cynder.”

“What happens if she goes ahead and marries Prince Luca?”

“Not gonna happen, mate.”

“Surely, that’s for her to decide?” asked the interviewer.

“Well, if she does marry the prince, I guess I’ll have to pack up and move back to Ramsden.”

Ramsden was our southernmost border. It was a small country, – even smaller than Silverwood, but it was more progressive than here.

I watched riveted as the reporter spoke to Mage after Mage. The theme was the same among all of them. One of hope and of happiness at finally being able to come home.

Yes, they’d all come home, with one caveat—that I marry Cynder.

When the reporter cut back to the studio, and they began to analyze the reports, a great cheer went up in the cinema. Many of the people there had not been interested in Magi rights this time last year, but they’d seen me work tirelessly to promote equality, and the fight had become their own. They all crushed around me, hugging me and cheering. I wasn’t sure whether to feel happy or nervous. The Magi expected me to marry Cynder, but it wasn’t going to happen. Would they all leave when they realized that nothing had really changed? It was going to take an awful lot of work to persuade them to stay. The lights went up. In the cinema doorway stood a lone man watching us with a sad expression on his face. It was Luca. He’d finally gotten here.





Luca


When everyone saw Luca standing in the doorway, they all became suddenly quiet. The jubilation of just a few seconds ago died down as they took in the expression on Luca’s face.

“Excuse me, everyone.” I disentangled myself from the group of people and walked over to him. His expression didn’t change, and it frightened me. I’d managed to mess up again and hurt someone I cared about. In all the drama of the day, I’d given little thought to Luca, but now that he was here, I knew that he should have been my main priority.

We walked along the corridor in silence, neither of us knowing what to say. Behind us, I could hear the others filing out of the cinema room. I needed to find somewhere quiet to speak with him. Somewhere where no one would interrupt us. Even though my father was no longer around to listen in to private conversations, I still felt his presence whenever I had something important to say, something that I wouldn’t want him to hear. Last year, I often retreated to the gardens to whisper secrets. It felt like as good a place as any.

Outside, the grass was slightly damp as if we’d just missed a light drizzle. The camera crews and the rest of the media had long since left, but there were still a number of workmen taking the stage down. I directed Luca around the side of the house and into the expansive back garden where we would finally be able to speak in peace.

“Is it true?” he asked.

“Did you see my interview today? I spoke the truth there. I told the world that I had picked you to marry, and in a few months, I would become your wife.”

“I didn’t see the interview. I was too busy rushing here, but that wasn’t the question I asked you. I asked if it was true. Are you having an affair with a member of my parents’ staff?”

My brain and my heart were at war with each other. While I could technically say no and be telling the truth, I knew it would not be fair. I had to either be completely honest with him or not at all. I couldn’t go into a marriage with lies of any kind, even lies of omission.

“Before the ball last year, before I even met you, I met Cynder. He was working in our kitchen. I found him dancing around the kitchen one night, so in my fear of having two left feet, I asked him to teach me to dance.”

I didn’t dare look at Luca’s face as I spoke. Nor could I look toward the apartment where Cynder and I once spent a night together. Instead, I concentrated on a bird that was pecking away on the lawn, playing tug of war with a worm that had come up for the rain.

“I came to have feelings for him. After the ball, he was accused of planting the bomb. He had to go on the run. I missed him terribly. I did everything I could to try to find him.”

“I see,” replied Luca, not seeing at all.

“At the time, I was still getting to know you. I’d barely spent any time with you at all. I was dating four men, one of which, I was being pressured into choosing as a husband. I’m not going to lie to you. I didn’t immediately fall for you. It took time. I had the kingdom to think about as well as myself.”

“So you picked me because I was right for the kingdom?” he spat.

The bird won the war and flew off, the worm dangling in its beak.

“At first, yes. You were the obvious choice. You were a similar age to me and held my ideals. Then as I got to know you, I realized you were a great person to be around. I began to think of you as more than someone that would be good for the country, but as someone who would be good for me too. When I asked you to marry me, it wasn’t just out of duty, although that did come into it partly, it was because I could see a future for us together. I can honestly tell you that before the other night, I’d not seen Cynder for over six months. I’d had no contact with him at all. I’d chosen you, and I was happy. What happened the other night was not a secret tryst or a romantic excursion. Cynder didn’t know I’d come to Thalia. He’d gotten a job there to put the past behind him, just as I had. The problem was, the past came back to haunt him. He was a member of a group of Mages that had spent years trying to bring about the downfall of my father. Unfortunately, when I arrived in Thalia, I managed to bring Frederick Pittser with me.”