And he was on his own.Clearly, he couldn’t count onMary Sueto help, with her small, simple girl brain.And the meat-head twins were worse than useless.
He sank onto the bed and stared at the ceiling.“After everything we’ve been through…we might actually be fucked this time.”
Chapter 4
IledDrayandCassdown the winding halls of my new magical house to my bedroom.We had important stuff to discuss.Like which package I got to unwrap first.I snorted to myself.
Hedwig was hovering outside my bedroom door, his bony old shoulders stiff under his starched jacket."Mar—my queen, are you sure leaving that young man locked in his room without someone on guard is a good idea?"
I arched a brow at theancientbutler."He'll be fine.There's no way he can get out, and we need to figure out what the heck's going on."I tilted my head."If I'm going to do all this thinking, I'm going to need chocolate."
"And strawberries," Cass added, glancing down at me and winking one bright blue eye.God, he was so perfectly…perfect.
I nodded to Hedwig."What he said."Turning back to my room, I stopped and looked back over my shoulder."Oh!Do you happen to know where my nail polish remover was put when I moved in?I need to repaint my nails."I pulled the bottle ofPerfect Petal Pinkout of my pocket and waggled it gleefully.I had priorities.
Hedwig grimaced and opened his mouth.Then he shut it, rolling his lips around as if he was chewing on something, fighting to get the words out.Maybe the poor guy was getting dementia…hewaselderly—like over forty atleast.Finally, he managed to find his words."Your nail polish remover is in the bathroom cabinet next to the first-aid supplies.You could also go for a natural look, my queen.I hear nude is the latest trend for the young ladies."He kind of grunted at the end of his sentence, like saying that had physically hurt.
And it should.Darned weirdo, suggesting that I would pass up the possibility of bubble-gum perfection on my nails.No self-respecting female would turn that down.I closed the door in his face.
Flopping onto the sumptuous couch—pale pink of course—that was situated on one side of the massive room, I brushed my long gold curls out of my face and huffed.I felt weird.Like there was something important I was missing.But then, Ihadjust found out I was the owner of my very own secret kingdom.And, apparently, a hot gardener and postman.I guess I could be forgiven for a little mental breakdown.After all, I was just a poor little female.
Hedwig better bring alotof chocolate.
Cass sank down on the couch beside me, his pretty blue eyes mirroring my own vague confusion."Did that burglar really say there wasmagic?You don't believe that nutter, do you?"
I shrugged and pulled the crumpled letter out of my jeans pocket."Normally, I'd say no.But I got this letter right before the house locked itself down."
He took the letter, his warm fingers brushing mine, sending tingles jolting through me.I eyed his muscular chest and shoulders as he re-read the note.A blond curl flopped down onto his forehead and I leaned in to brush it back, my fingertips tingling at the contact and my core melting like an M&M without a shell.His eyes met mine, and he looked down at my lips."It all sounds so crazy," he breathed, "but I sure as shit believe you're my queen."
A pair of big hands slipped beneath my hair, kneading my shoulders from behind, as Dray leaned over the back of the couch."It's a lot to take in.But I know you can handle it.You're strong.And amazing.And smart.I'm sure of it…even if I've only known you an hour."
I teared up at his words.These guys believed in me.Whateverit was I was supposed to do.That was all that mattered.
Hedwig arrived with a tray of chocolate sauce, strawberries, and mocha lattes.I decided I could forgive him for being old and senile if he brought me sustenance.He glanced between us all, let out a long sigh, and left, the door closing behind him with a soft click.
"Something isn't right with that butler of yours," Dray growled suspiciously.
I waved away his concern, too busy trying to decide between ogling Dray's broad chest, eating chocolate-covered strawberries, or painting my nails.
What was I saying?Obviously, I knew what I had to do first.I got up and headed to the bathroom to scrub off what was left of my old manicure.
As the pink polish disappeared, my mood plunged.I felt…anxious and jittery.I had the weirdest sensation when I looked down at my dainty, unpolished fingers—like they weren'tmine.
Shaking myself free of the creepy sensation, I pulled the nail polish out of my pocket and returned to the bedroom.Dray and Cass were both sitting on the couch, and they'd left a spot between them just for me.I sat down and painted my nails as they tossed around ideas about this whole "pocket world” idea.None of us really knew what that meant.There was this weird, niggling sense of familiarity at the back of my mind, but it disappeared as I covered my nails in glossy pink perfection.
I sat back, admiring my new manicure, feeling like everything would work out.What had I been so worried about, anyway?I was a queen—one with a magical mansion and a couple of hot new knights.And chocolate.
I glanced at the chocolate and let out a whimper.I couldn't eat it now and risk ruining my nails.
Dray smiled, slow and sexy, his dark brown eyes the same color as the chocolate sauce."Need a little help, there, my queen?"
I watched in breathless anticipation as he sat forward and snagged a fat, juicy strawberry, pausing to swirl it in the chocolate sauce before holding it to my lips."Open up wide."
Oh, hot cinnamon candies!I opened my mouth, biting into the sweet berry, licking creamy chocolate and tart juice from his thick fingers.I should probably wonder if he washed his hands but…eh, not important.I pulled back and Cass nudged my shoulder, making me turn his way.He held out the next berry, drawing it across my bottom lip, painting it with chocolate before letting me take it in my mouth.When I was done, he leaned in and kissed me, smearing chocolate between us, then pulling back to lick it from my lips.Wow.Food foreplay!That was the kinkiest thing my little mushy girl brain could imagine!
I was sure starting to feel like a queen—whatever that meant.
"Someone needs to get me naked," I whispered."I can't ruin my nails."I held my hands up helplessly.
