Page 186 of Blood of the Fairest

Okay. So this guy is just wacky as fuck.

"What's your name?"

"Butterfly Man should do," he winks. "It's lovely to meet you."

"We met yesterday," I remind him.

He tilts his head. "Did we? Lucky me."

Eris speaks from the mirror. "I overheard whispers at the masquerade yesterday. His given name is Friedrich, but anyone who knows him well calls him Fritz. There is something amiss with his memories. They hardly stick."

So Malivant just saddled me with a Dory? Fantastic.

Pulling my white ballgown from the wardrobe along with the jewelry box with the pretty silver earrings and necklace Ida and I picked out for tonight, I dress as swiftly as I can.

"Listen up, Fritz."

He tips his head to one side, tapping his ear to indicate he is literally listening up. "Yes, Dot?"

"Sure, call me that. At least it's better than the other thing. Here's the deal: tonight, I'm looking for a girl named Cinderella. I need to ask her for a huge favor—actually, two huge favors, since I guess I may as well ask if her magic bird or godmother or whatever can get rid of your collar."

He touches his neck, where the glowing spell is still slowly circling.

"Do you not like your men collared, Dot?"

I heave a heavy sigh, stepping into my slippers and putting in my earrings at the same time. "Not really, but let's not get into kinks right now. Just please stick close to my side tonight so that stupid collar doesn't hurt you, okay?"

"Happily. How lovely you look," Fritz adds, following me toward the door. Then he glances at the vanity mirror. "As her lover, you ought to also compliment your lovely love."

I freeze, sharing a glance with Eris.

I think we both forgot the Pied Piper uses magic, which means he can see my iridescent companion. But…

"How did you know about us being lovers?" Eris frowns.

Is that what we are?

Fuck, I guess he and I need to talk, after last night—and I don't just mean all the fucking. I haven't opened up to anyone like that in a long time.

It felt…good. At least, as good as it can ever feel, talking about the monster in my past.

"I've a certain eye for souls and their ties," the strange Pied Piper shrugs before he opens the door for me. He looks me over, curious. "Or…shards, in your case. You're missing quite a lot, aren't you? Looks painful."

I have no fucking idea what to make of this guy's analysis of my broken soul, so I just sigh and step out of the door for the second night of the masquerade.

45

Verena

Entering the ballroom of Aurefeld Castle fashionably late makes quite the scene.

Chandeliers blaze overhead. The orchestra is already playing. Hundreds of exquisitely dressed, masked guests are laughing and chattering or twirling around the dance floor.

And yet, the second my group and I walk through the massive double doors into the masquerade, all eyes are on us. A lot of people stop dancing to gawk at us, while others turn away from platters of finger-foods and wine glasses, eyes bugging.

All the staring clearly makes Snow White anxious, because she starts fidgeting and takes a half-step behind me. She's in a striking, sparkling red gown and mask tonight. Ingrid is beside her in a light sage-green ensemble and a white mask that she adjusts nervously, looking uncomfortable.

But they shouldn't worry too much, because the stares are really directed at me.