“Who is she?” My blood boils as I jump to my feet and pace back and forth, eyes narrowed at Theo. “Because I can’t share. I won’t share. I get that this is hypocritical, given that you aren’t making me pick between you, but that’s because you all stole a piece of my heart. Is she prettier than me? Wait, don’t answer that. She is most likely smarter than me, but I doubt she will bring adventure into your life. Does she know you are a dragon?” I pause and stare at a smiling Theo.
“She is you,” he says.
“She is me who?”
He rises to his feet, cups my face between his huge hands, and holds me hostage with those emerald eyes. “You are the girlfriend in question. There is no one else, Daphne. Enough of this self doubt, this constant questioning if you are good enough.Don’t you see? It is us that are not worthy of you, and while you might have given your heart to us, you gained four in return.”
“Four?” That seems like a lot of pressure. I struggle to keep myself safe.
He drops a soft kiss on my lips, breaking away when whomever it is bangs on the door once more.
The genie pokes his head in and jerks back in with a grimace. “It’s Charming.”
Gwyneth releases a low groan, one that implies she has no more patience left for him. Goodie. I love this version of my sister, but only when she’s not directing that crazy at me.
“Want us to get rid of him?” Malachi asks with a little too much enthusiasm. I’m pretty sure his version of getting rid of him doesn’t include sending him away with a smacked butt and a bruised ego. I approve, but I think my sister is better off handling him herself.
She drops the book she was reading on the table and marches to the door before flinging it open. I sidestep Theo, not wanting to miss a single word or facial expression.
“Charming,” she snaps. “Come to shove an ill-fitting shoe on my foot or spin me tales about how I am your one true love? Or maybe you are here to get rid of my sister? No, that’s not it. Perhaps you are hiding perilous foodstuffs so you can pretend to be my hero again?”
He glances at the audience behind her back before focusing on Gwyneth.
“Why are you staying here?” he asks. “I went to your chambers, but the mirror informed me you’d moved all your belongings to a Stirling bedchamber.”
“Why?” my sister snaps. “How about because it’s the only place I feel safe at night?”
Charming’s face crumples. “You cannot deny the will of the Idols, Gwyneth.”
“No? Watch me.”
She slams the door in his face and spins to face us, her fists clenched at her sides. The hammering starts again, and a growl tears from her throat. She opens the door, grabs Charming’s throat, and walks him backward until his back slams against the wall.
“You are mine,” he snarls. “I already put our wedding banns out to the Hallows. You are honor-bound now.”
“Honor only extends to those with a good heart and conscience. You possess neither.”
“My father demands you be presented to solidify my claim on the throne,” he points out like Gwyneth would care.
“I don’t care,” she confirms.
“You will when our guards come to steal you. You can’t hide out in their chambers forever.”
I mean, she could, but my sister won’t. She might be sensible, but she’s also curious.
“Tell your father you made a mistake,” she demands. “Pick another maiden.”
His gaze slides to mine.That’s not happening, Prince Poopfloof.“Not her,” Hart growls, standing at my back. I fold my arms and cock a brow.
“Six dates, six diurnals, starting now,” Charming says to my sister. “Six individual dates for me to prove to you I am the right man for you.”
“It takes none for me to know with certainty that you and I are not happening,” Gwyneth says.
“I will never stop pursuing you. I will stalk you through these castle walls. My father’s guards will be at my command to bring my chosen Cinderella to heel.” Yikes, he’s really not helping himself. “Unless you give me six dates.”
“And then you will leave me alone?” she asks.
Wait, what?
