“Yes, other than that.”
His nostrils flare and his pupils enlarge. “You smell of chaos and innocence. It’s uniquely yours, Daphne.”
Ah, so that is why he was sniffing me. I guess he’s forgiven. “Do the others know?”
“No.”
“I need to save her.”
“I understand. If it was one of my brothers, I would do anything for them.”
“Help me.”
He sighs. “What do you need?”
“A distraction.”
“Were you going to run and not tell us where you were going?”
“Yes, and no. I wasn’t going to tell you where I was going until I’d gone.”
He presses his lips together as he continues to move us around the dance floor. “You aren’t making any sense, pretty mouse.”
“I was going to send the mirror man back to you to let you know I was safe and to not worry.”
“I always worry about you.”
“There’s no need. I’ve survived thus far.”
“I’ll provide your distraction.”
“Thank you.”
“If you promise to tell us where you are once you stop running. Do you have a plan?”
“We will head to So Far Away, where no one will suspect.”
“Not all of the folks there are as friendly as the damsel village.”
I nibble on my bottom lip. “I’ll figure it out. I have my flying capon horse, a genie, and a mirror man.”
“Sounds like the beginning of a poor joke.”
“That’s my life.”
The music draws to a close, and Theo dips me. “You look beautiful,” he utters. “Our story doesn’t end here. I will find you.”
I have no doubt, but I’m not hiding from him. He bows to me before disappearing into the crowd. I catch Nash’s curious gaze. He must have seen us dancing and is wondering what had been said. I stand a little taller and scan the crowd, finding Theo talking to Charming, whose arm is still threaded through Gwyneth’s. He’s making sure he doesn’t lose his Cinderella. Theo’s hand lands on Charming’s shoulder, making him grimace. My dragon has a hefty hold. Theo pulls at him, and he releases Gwyneth as I reach them. I grab her hand and drag her through the crowd.
“Unhand me,” she snaps. “If you are another Cinders wannabe trying to murder me for a chance with Charming, there is no need. You can have him.”
I cast a glance over my shoulder. “It’s me.”
She frowns and tugs harder on my hand. “Daphne?”
“That’s right, sister, I’m your knight in shining armor. We have perhaps five tempos before Charming sounds the alarm and the kingdom scours the realm for you.”
She stops resisting, and I push through a side door to the outside. Eugish neighs and comes trotting over with their wings dragging on the floor like they're not sure where to put them. “What is that?” Gwyneth asks, dropping my hand.
