“Right,” Kai says with resolved acceptance.
The icy tendrils of panic wrap around my throat as I meet my stepfamily's gaze. I force my lips into that simpering smile I've seen every other noblewoman wear. It’s all I can muster.
“What a joy it is for us to all be joined together,” Kaison says, breaking the tension, opening his arms, and stepping forward to greet my stepfamily.
Suddenly it’s the Prince Charming show, and I’ve been demoted to cast extra.
Kaison kisses my stepmother, Marisela on either cheek, taking her hand. Then he moves and repeats the gesture to greet Anastasia who tilts her head, almost in offering to him. Her colorless eyes blatantly promise him dark, dirty trysts. Her platinum updo is a complicated set of braids that mimic a crown. A placeholder until she can get her clawed fingers on the real thing.
Meanwhile, Drusilla’s hungry gaze remains fastened to me. It burrows under my skin, and oily nausea sloshes up my throat. The glossy chestnut hair tumbles over either shoulder and I’m still amazed at how much she looks like a child.
. . .from a horror movie.
With a theatric sweep around, Kaison rushes to embrace me. “Is this not fortuitous, my beautiful bride? Your family is here.” I’m too frozen to keep him from pulling me close. His mouth falls even with my ear.
“Don't let them smell your fear. They want you to break. I will get us out of this.”
I swallow hard as his words penetrate. He’s right.
I can’t give them the satisfaction. No matter how many bloody memories flash behind my eyes, no matter how hard my heart hammers, I am Princess Cinder Charming for tonight.
And a Charming always gets the last laugh.
The King isn’t laughing now though. His eyes narrow at his son who is effectively diffusing the bomb he set to go off.
Marisella, Anastasia, and Drusilla drop into shallow curtsies before me, and I can’t make my knees work to mirror the gesture back.
That, or every fiber in my body fights the thought of bowing before them.
Never again.
“We are so happy to celebrate the union of our families,” my stepmother says in that voice that reminds me of dark red wine.
Marisela doesn’t want to give it away that she had no idea I was in Midnight, much less about to get engaged to the prince.
I’m sickened by the realization that she still always knows the right thing to say. The thing people around her want to hear.
You are my daughter, just as much as them.
We’re family now, Cinder.
Even if they are blatant lies.
Anastasia’s eyes are fastened hungrily to Charming as if willing him to engage in a randy bout of eye fucking. He artfully dodges her intense stare, as he smiles at subjects in the garden.
“Well, my dear,” the King says smoothly to me. “Aren’t you pleased to include your family in the celebrations? I’ve made sure they shall be atallof our soirees and events, fastened to your side in support.”
A roaring kicks up in my ears.
They’ll be at every event? At my side?
For the foreseeable future?
My heart thumps sluggishly, battering at my ribs with all they can muster.
I’m going to pass out.
Or scream.
