Rivella shrieked and jumped back.
“Whoa!” I steadied her. “Easy now. I'm a friend.”
She frowned at me and said something in Fey.
“Sorry, I don't speak Fey.”
“But youareFey,” she said in English as her stare slid over me. “Why speak the human tongue?”
“I am not of this time.”
Rivella stared at me for several seconds, then made an unladylike snort. I kind of liked her for it. “Another time. Certainly. I completely believe you.”
“Look at me. Look at my eyes. At my pupils.” I leaned forward. “What do you see?”
Rivella leaned forward as well, then gasped. “No. It's not possible. All the Dragon-Sidhe died. All but King Arach.”
“One was hidden in the Human-Realm,” I said. “Me.”
“If that's true, what are you doing here, how did you get through the wards, and what does it have to do with another time?”
“It's a long story, but I come from the future after the paths between realms have been reopened. I have a ring of remembrance, left to me by my father, Finnian. I figured out that when I use it to travel to a time and place I didn't previously experience, I can move about freely. I had it on earlier tonight when I was reading a story to my children. I made a stupid comment, and the ring interpreted it to mean that I wanted to visit this time. Trying to stop it from taking me, Arach grabbed—”
“Arach?KingArach? He was with you in the future?”
“Yes, he's my husband.” I grimaced and added. “Don't worry, I know about you and him. It's fine.”
“You know . . .” She glanced down at her dress.
“Yeah, I know about the dress too.” I waved it all away. “Look, the story I was reading was yours, Rivella.”
“Mine?”
“Yes. You're going to make history tonight. But I think my coming here has screwed things up.”
“Screwed things up?” Rivella scowled.
“Yes. I think my presence has changed what was supposed to happen. So, I'm going to help you get back on track.”
“What track?”
“Forgive my strange sayings.” I waved it away again. “Think of me as . . .” I snorted, then said it anyway, “As your fairy godmother.”
“What is a fey godmother?”
“I'm a faerie, but I'm also a goddess, and I'm going to be looking after you tonight like a mother,” I explained. “Fairy godmother. Sorry, you'd be amused if you knew about the human version of your story.”
“The humans tell my story?”
“Oh, yes. You're very famous in the future. The whole world knows the Queen of Cinders. Although they call you by another name—Cinderella.”
“Cinderella,” she whispered the word. “I like it.”
“Good. I'm glad you approve.”
Then she cocked her head. “Did you say, queen?”
“That's right, baby girl.” I grinned. “You're gonna bag the King tonight.” I looked her over. “With just a little help from me.”
