Malachi blinks. “What just happened?”
“I lost, but she cannot claim my soul on account of it already belonging to another.”
“What happens now?” Gwyneth asks. “Because my heart can’t cope with another game.”
“Ah, but that’s exactly what must happen,” the queen declares. “But before Daphne decides, we should eat and rest.”
I’d rather move on from here, but without the foot soldiers hunting us down.
“Take the offering,” Chess whispers in my ear. “The path you seek is within the palace walls.”
Looks like we are staying, after all. I nod in acceptance. “One night,” I say, ensuring she doesn’t twist this into an extended vacation,
“One night is all I need,” the queen mutters as she hands the flamingo to the guard hovering at her side. She jerks her headfor me to follow. “You have much more about you than I first thought. Perhaps one diurnal, you too will be a feared leader.”
I’d rather not lead anything, in fear or otherwise. I can barely walk upright without issue.
She drags me with her back into the palace, the rest of the gang trailing behind us, and waves a guard over. “Show Daphne and her subjects to the two tower suites.” She pats my cheek. “Well played. I haven’t had this much fun since—” She cuts off as she gets a faraway look in her eyes. “Well, since another young potential graced my kingdom.”
Gwyneth loops her arm through mine, pulling me away to follow the guard down a hallway.
“I’ll have more suitable clothing sent to your rooms shortly,” the queen shouts behind us.
I groan. More fancy dresses and balls? Could we not have a floor picnic and lounge around with less restrictive clothing? Or no clothing works if I’m with the knights.
We stay quiet as we follow the guard down a seemingly endless corridor. More portraits study us. How many does the Red Queen need?
He stops and gestures up a spiral staircase. “The female chambers are on the right, the male on the left.” He turns on his heel and struts away.
“Is this wise?” Charming grumbles as we trek up the stone steps.
“You are free to go home,” Theo snaps.
I huff at the never-ending staircase. “I feel like we are being watched,” Charming grumbles.
I roll my eyes as the steps level off. “Nobody here cares what you are doing or saying,” I tell him. “Here, you are like us—nobodies from nowhere.”
He gasps in genuine horror. “I am somebody, no matter where I am.”
“We all are,” Gwyneth placates.
I huff. I don’t enjoy my sister pandering to Prince Poopfloof.
I pause outside the door on the right and glance over my shoulder as Charming stalls behind Gwyneth while the knights continue to the door on the left. “Are you trading in your balls for a floof?” I ask. That would actually make so much sense.
Charming scowls at me, and Sir Sweeps-A-Lot bashes him on his head. “Fine,” he growls. It’s not a rumbly growl like Nash’s that makes me wonder how I can get him to do that with fewer clothes on and more touching. It’s more like a cute meow.
“We’ll check out the room, then be back,” Hart says. “Don’t leave.”
I wave my hand over my shoulder as I open the door and drag Gwyneth in behind me. “Don’t rush. We have girl stuff to talk about and do.”
Theo pauses. “Like what?”
“Umm, floof pruning and gossip.”
“Holy Idols, stop,” Gwyneth begs as she facepalms. I give Theo a thumbs up and slam the door in his face. Gwyneth blinks at me. “What was that about?”
“I need a tempo or fifty-six to catch my breath,” I tell her as I pace the heart-shaped rug. “A lot has happened, and they are always there. What am I doing, Gwyneth?” I clutch my hair. “Four knights? Four strong, handsome, capable men. How will I ever be enough for them?”
