“We haven’t seen Theo in some time,” Nash says, as if he’s trying to dodge the question.
“How long is some time?”
“Weeks,” Gwyneth says.
“Why are you all flitting around a castle and getting coronated when he’s lost?”
Malachi shakes his head. “He’s not, Daphne.”
Hart catches my hand and squeezes it. “He’s heartbroken.”
“And trapped in dragon form,” Charming says. “Don’t forget that.”
He’s what?
Chapter Seven
Hart
Abanging on the door to our wing breaks the heavy silence as Daphne processes Theo’s spiral. I don’t know if we can get him back, as he’s retreated inside his dragon form for so long that I fear he’s beyond our reach. But if anyone can crack through those thick scales, it’s Daphne. She alone has the power to bring our brother home.
Charming swings the door open, revealing a frowning Merlin who still has the damn crown in his hands like he’s ready to toss it on my head the tempo he sees me. He steps inside, his gray eyes narrowed on Daphne.
“The kingdom is still gathered for your coronation, Your Majesty,” he says.
“It’s canceled on account of my love returning,” I answer.
He blinks. “She was never dead?”
Which way to play this? The kingdom was thrown into grief when the four of us returned from the Grimm’s, each broken by the loss of a maiden we never saw coming. We could neither hide nor deny it, so the folks fell into mourning alongside us as they waited for me to rise and claim the crown.
Without a king, the people felt lost and untethered, and we were worried the Idols would start to intervene. That’s the reason we agreed to move forward—to buy us time while we learned the implications of having only one half of the Grimm bloodline leading the way.
“I was dead,” Daphne declares. Okay, I guess we’re going with the truth then.
“But her love is strong enough to defy the stars that held her captive,” Nash says.
Merlin nods like he foresaw this in whatever weird magic shit he does in his tower. He didn’t. He’s the worst Merlin to date; the man can’t even find a pair of matching socks, never mind predict a future.
“That being said, you still need to be coronated,” Merlin points out.
Malachi places a hand on Merlin’s chest and walks him out of the still-open door. “Take a hint. Not today, Merlin.”
Charming slams the door closed on the wizard’s scowling face while Gwyneth grabs Daphne’s hand and tugs her toward the sofa. It’s for the best, considering each of my brothers looks like they want to devour Daphne, and I’m not sure how much of a leash Nash has on his beast. My guess? It’s fraying, and when it does, Daphne needs to be ready.
We talked about this at length before we lost her. He’s terrified he’ll hurt her, but he doesn’t realize that a love as deep as what Daphne has gifted each of us usurps trivial things like his predetermined future. Does he understand now that it was his words that brought her back to us? He couldn’t hurt her any more than we could.
Charming sits on the arm of the sofa next to Gwyneth, making Daphne scowl. I should have murdered him.
All of us gravitate toward the sofa, settling around Daphne on whatever surface is available. As much as I want to be the one sitting beside her while we get all the questions out of the way, I recognize that Gwyneth just got her only family back. The wound she bore was far greater than ours.
Genie floats in front of the fire; the capons are hunched underneath Hart’s feet, clucking with contentment. The broom is draped across the back of the sofa.
Daphne glances around.Please don’t ask about Theo again. We have told you all we know, and just for tonight, we have to remind ourselves that you are here before you set off on some quest to rescue our brother.
“There are no mirrors,” she whispers. “Eron?”
Gwyneth grimaces. “We keep them hidden or covered. He’s not himself.”
