“I mean, I thought Roman was annoying too, and now look at us—we’re wrapped up in a battle for our souls. We’re losing badly,” I added, drumming my fingers on the counter. “But still.”
“You haven’t lost yet. And Jonas and I aren’t fated.”
That’s what she thought.
“He’s just a means to an end.”
“Regardless, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate what you’ve done for me and Roman. I’m sorry our ‘besties’ think you’re a harlot now.”
The gossip had been brutal, and for that I felt awful. My stomach twisted just thinking about it. These women had no idea how close they’d come to being hexed.
Cassie laughed, tossing her head back.
“Are you kidding me? It’s the most fun I’ve had in a long time.” She marched over to the counter, lowering her voice. “And honestly, I don’t care what anyone thinks. As much asI like these women, I only came on this show to make sure you make it back to our world. Other than that, I don’t really care what happens.”
Her hand closed over mine, warm and insistent.
“So please—make sure you don’t get kicked out,” she begged.
“I’ll do my best,” I promised. Even though I had no idea what that meant at this point. I’d humiliated myself, stayed away from Roman, and helped make tons of matches this season. Seriously, I’d thrown my rules out for him, and I’d even handed Jazzy her happily ever after even though I knew she still wished I had been this season’s villain. If sainthood were measured in self-sacrifice, I deserved a halo.
“Very good.” Cassie went back to her brew.
For the rest of the night, I wondered what more I could do. I tossed and turned, sheets twisting around me like restraints, until I couldn’t take it anymore.
All I could think was that in a few days’ time, I might not even bemeanymore. And yet, being near Roman was the most alive I’d felt in years. And I wanted to feel as much as I could before . . . well . . . before I couldn’t.
Staying away from him was doing neither of us any good. Every day he looked more tired, more worn, and his mother had told me how unhappy he was. So why not be happy for a few days, if that was all we had left? Unless a miracle happened—which I wasn’t counting on.
Maybe Roman needed a reminder of what he was risking. Of what he might lose if he didn’t see me for who I truly was and unlock my heart.
So, I did what any self-respecting goddess of love would do. I threw on a sweatshirt, called Lady Goldy to me, andmarched through the dead of night toward Roman’s cabin. There I was, standing in front of his bedroom window. A faint light bled through the curtains, offering a soft glow in the dark.
Was he awake too, tossing and turning like me?
I thought about knocking. But then I thought,Maybe I should try the old pebble-tossing trick.After all, I still owed Roman a rock to the head.
I glanced down at the patch of grass beneath me—no stones in sight.
But Lady Goldy never left me stranded.
As if from the heart of a crystal mountain, a clear stone shimmered into existence, dropping into my palm from above. It glowed gold, warm against my skin, pulsing like it carried its own heartbeat.
It gave me hope—maybe the gods still wanted me to finish this quest. Maybe all of this hadn’t been in vain.
I drew back my arm and tossed the pebble at the window. The instant it touched glass, it burst into a brilliant butterfly of light, wings shimmering gold as it lifted into the night.
I smiled, watching it climb higher and higher, until it vanished into the stars.
Please help,I prayed silently, my chest tight.
Seconds later, Roman’s face peeked through the curtains. Handsome and shadowed. Yet his expression was unreadable.
But that wasn’t going to stop me. Not tonight. This was too important.
I stepped closer, making it clear I wasn’t going anywhere.
He drew back the curtains, and there it was—his bare chest. Oh. My. Chiseled. Perfection. And that dark layer ofhair? Perfect for nestling into. That was so happening, I’d decided.
