Page 121 of Blood of the Fairest

"Mind if I ask what the fight is about?"

"We got carried away last night. With kissing, not sex," she interjects quickly when she sees me about to clap. "I won't jump into bed with Mikkel when my heart is still held by someone in my past. He knows my feelings, but every time we argue about it, he insists that he likes…"

"He likes what?"

Anika twists her lips to one side, yet another expression on her that could belong in a photoshoot.

Then she regards me seriously. "I would not share this with anyone else. But since you're so open about these things, I feel you may be the right person to talk to—so long as it stays between us."

"I'm a vault," I promise.

She lowers her voice to a whisper. "Mikkel likes to…share."

God, I see what you've done for others.

I place my hands on her shoulders. "Anika. Please tell me you're at least considering it."

"Theoretically. It's complicated."

"I won't pry, but please tell me the other person you like isn't quite as gorgeous as the two of you because the universe isn't ready for that level of hotness, even if I am."

A snort escapes her before she looks around as if ensuring we're completely alone.

Then she puts her hands on my shoulders, mirroring me. Abruptly, she becomes serious.

"When will you tell me who you really are?"

Talk about a topic change.

I sigh. "I'm not even going to pretend I don't know what you're talking about. I haven't tried very hard to act like that bitch around you or Ingrid."

"Ingrid has convinced herself that the queen was secretly good all along, and was only deemed evil because of Schultz spreading nasty rumors. She still doesn't know you were the man who tried to defend us in that alley—but I know you can disguise yourself as others, so tell me. Is that how you have replaced the queen?"

"Not a bad guess, but…"

You know what? Fuck it.

Snow White already knows the truth, and I trust Merrick with my life. Why not let his astute niece in on what she already suspects?

Besides, I wouldn't mind a soon-to-be noble lady joining my inner circle.

I smile, offering my elbow. "How about I tell you a certain story I've already told Snow White while we get ready to make these primped peacocks fight each other to welcome you to court?"

Smiling back, Anika links her arm with mine as we leave the courtyard.

29

Verena

Anika stares at herself in the big mirror in the queen's chambers.

I adjust the ruffles near the bottom of the mermaid skirt, ecstatic with the final fitting. This shimmering silver wispfloss dress is already a masterpiece, if I do say so myself—but on Anika?

Art. Pure art.

"What do you think?" I gush, admiring my work. "Ethereal? Gorgeous? Catwalk ready?"

Anika turns to one side, examining the ensemble. She's unreadable.