“More handsome.” He coughed and I couldn’t help my face from breaking.
I felt bad for the guy. I obviously messed something up in my potion. I was a new witch, but this guy was delusional. All pity and uncertainty I had earlier fled. He was nuts.
Maybe it made me a bitch, but he tried to harm many classmates with his stunts. Piper included. I didn’t feel bad for his recent case of the shits and fire puke.
He’d survive, hopefully behind bars.
Ethan changed back to himself and laughed, fire dripped from his hands, hissing as it landed on the cool wood.
Suddenly, the sound of heels stomping cut off by a shriek had our heads turning toward the path in unison. “You’re going to marry me, Rylan, and fix my family’s embezzling charges. Or the girl dies.”
Delanie Templeton stared at us with black racoon-eyed makeup and a silver gun in her hand.
What the fuck was going on? Were we in some fucked up story because this was the dumbest plot twist ever.
“What the fuck, Delanie?” Ethan spat and stepped forward. The smell of him wafted up with each movement, as did the smoke from flames. Together it was a nasty combo. If you ever lit a bag of dog poo on fire at someone’s doorstep, then you know the smell.
“You promised me Rylan if I helped you,” she hissed at him. “Sure, babe, you were fun for a distraction, but I wanted the real deal. You don’t even compare to him. Since you failed to get me my happily ever after, I’m gladly taking away yours.”
Real fear coated my throat, clogging the path for me to speak with a gun pointed my way. Rylan casually stepped closer, his body inching in front of mine.
“That’s not the deal!” Ethan shouted, raised his hand, and a fire ball shot from his palm toward the pageant queen. She dodged it and Rylan tossed me over his shoulder to run. Onlywe didn’t make it a full step before Ethan grabbed my arm and yanked me down.
“Temperance, give me a try. I promise I’ll—” He burped in my face, and I choked on the smell.
“I’m done playing the nice girl. I didn’t win Miss Kentucky by playing nice. I did what it took to win.” Delanie aimed the gun again.
This was it? I was going to die surrounded by fire, diarrhea, and drama.
Everything happened all at once. Ethan pulled me closer, Rylan covered my body with his, a shot was fired, and I screamed.
The whole gazebo flooded with light, daisies, and splatters of blood.
Chapter Forty-Three
We’re in a fucking fairytale, darlings.
“You look exquisite, darling.” Imogene pressed another shimmering clip into my hair. My appearance was a mystery to me, well, besides the tiny frown I felt on my lips.
Remy stepped into the room wearing a blue two-piece gown with her braids pulled into a high ponytail on her head. “Almost ready?”
“I think so?” I said and Imogene put one more clip into my hair before clapping her hands.
“Beautiful, Momma,” Edith said from my lap, and I let her slide around my wrist before standing to look in the mirror near my dresser. The blue stars on the dress shimmered in the lights as I stopped. Edith changed her colors to quickly match the black tulle gown with little stars sparkling on her sides.
Imogene was right. I was exquisite with the messy updo, and glistening crystals scattered around my brown hair. The bodice fit perfectly, and the sheer sleeves were still one of my favorite new fashion choices.
Imogene added simple makeup to my face, claiming my natural beauty was meant for this dress, and she was right.
Remy clapped then proceeded to the door. “You’re stunning. Are we ready? The solstice ball starts in fifteen minutes.” My roommate hated being late. And while I’d love to tease her by taking my time, I was technically ready.
“Don’t stay up too late looking at all the dresses.” I set my noodle in her stuffed moose and adjusted Remy’s tablet with the security footage of the dining hall. The tables had been taken out this morning, and the staff were blowing fake snow out of their wands when I passed by during lunch time.
I’m sure the decorations would leave me breathless. I just wish he would be there to see it with me.
“We’ll discuss our favorites in the morning.” I kissed Edith’s snout.
A caw came from the window as Russel dropped something on the ledge for me and then left. A shiny orange bottle cap.
