Page 165 of Blood of the Fairest

Like an idiot, I stammer back, "Um, it's broken."

"That so?" His smile is lopsided and unbelievably cute. "So's mine."

Okay, I guess not all the fairy tales are accurate in this world because it's impossible to imagine someone like him taking children away from their parents.

Maybe the Pied Piper story I know just looks different here.

Does that mean the evil queen's story could look different, too?

As I'm staring into his fascinating eyes, the Pied Piper's smile drops away, the adorable humor evaporating. There's a nearly imperceptible shift somehow, before his attention moves to my lower lip.

When he lifts a finger to touch the mark hiding under my lip stain, my heart does something really fucking unexpected. Instead of turning inside out in discomfort at such an unexpected touch, it tingles, pounding like I just took a flying leap off a high-dive.

"Who bit my queen?" he asks darkly.

His tone is so drastically different from just a second ago that I take a step back.

"Oi! Piper!" one of the musicians calls.

Immediately, the Pied Piper blinks away the sudden intensity like he's just as surprised as I am.

He looks at his raised finger, then back at me, only looking more shocked by the second as his brows climb up.

"Did I just…touch you? How⁠—"

"Piper!" they call again, drawing his attention.

Even though this interaction has lasted less than a minute, people are murmuring around us, some of them staring. The Pied Piper waves at someone, glances back at me, and grins again like he's the gentlest ray of sunshine that ever fell from heaven.

"Would Your Loveliness please excuse me? It's time for them to pay the piper."

As he disappears into a group of people who are clearly big fans, music surges from the orchestra he's headed toward. It must signal the official beginning of the masquerade, because lots of people are already taking to the polished floor for a dance I don't recognize.

I turn to look for Anika—but she's also gone. I catch a glimpse of Prince Leif leading her to a less crowded area of the ballroom, far from the royal dais where his father is now sitting to observe the festivities.

"I've been abandoned, Eris," I sigh dramatically.

He doesn't reply. I'm not sure if he's trying to be funny, or if he's actually not in my reflective mask anymore.

If he did go somewhere else for a second, I'm sure he'll be back.

The masquerade has turned into a whirlwind of laughter and color. Glasses of wine slosh in people's hands, fans flutter, and dancers twirl on the dance floor. Everywhere I look, exquisitely dressed people are smiling, gossiping, and enjoying the start of three days of pure entertainment.

For a moment, I wander through the crowd, still protected by the little bubble of space Rhinestone's reputation gives me. I'm not sure if people are more terrified of the queen of Isenmere or more respectful of her status. Still, I smirk to myself when I see some people pointing in awe at my gown. Their eyes sparkle with the same admiration I have for all the ensembles I'm checking out.

If things don't go well and it turns out Cinderella can't help me, at least I can look forward to telling Merrick all about the beautiful outfits here tonight.

As I analyze a particularly regal black velvet gown with a high collar resembling raven wings, I realize someone is calling my name.

Well—not my name.

That god-awful one.

"Queen Reinhilde!" the woman calls again.

With a start, I realize Queen Gisela is the one trying to get my attention.

I turn to face her, blinking in surprise as she quickly crosses the polished floor toward me. She's wearing a vivid purple gown that pairs beautifully with her porcelain complexion, and an intricate gold filigree mask to match her crown.