Page 73 of Blood of the Fairest

"So you crave me, huh?" I tease. Pulling back the veil, I meet his multicolored pastel gaze and offer a small, peacemaking smile. "Fine. You asked for it, Beetlejuice. I won't ignore you."

"Thank you."

"Instead, I'll drive you nuts until you crave me returning to my world, just so you can have some peace and quiet."

He exhales in relief, his breath fogging the glass before he straightens. "What are peace and quiet compared to you, Fairest?"

I'm about to ask again why he's calling me that when a knock sounds through the empty throne room.

I pull my veil down in time before two castle guards open the big double doors opposite the throne.

"Is Merrick here?" I ask, excited already.

One of them bows deeply. "Yes, Your Majesty, but…"

Oh no, what now?

"But?" I press.

The other guard clears his throat, bowing as well. "My queen, the princess is upset yet again about being locked in her rooms. She claims she is to be allowed to meet the new chamberlain. He will arrive any moment, but although we have told her many times to stop throwing a fit by banging on the door, she⁠—"

"Why the fuck did you lock her in her rooms again?" I interrupt, straightening on the throne.

They both look flummoxed.

"Your Majesty? She is always to be kept in her rooms unless given explicit permission to leave," one says, like he's just repeating what other guards have told him a hundred times.

Poor Snow. She really has been on her own.

But not anymore.

"Let her out at once. From now on, Snow White can leave her rooms whenever," I declare. "She's the future queen of this kingdom and has the right to go where she wants, when she wants, as long as she's safe."

"Yes, Your Majesty," one of them agrees, bowing low.

"Go warn the other guards, because if I find out anyone is treating my stepdaughter as less than the literal princess she is, I'll throw them in a…" I glance at the mirror. "Shit, what's that thing called again? A Pillsbury?"

No, wait. That's the company with the cute little dough guy.

"Pillory," Eris supplies.

"A pillory," I finish the threat like I have all the evil confidence in the world.

It works because the guards rush out at once. A moment later, three different guards walk through the doors, escorting Merrick into the castle at last.

I stand, beaming through the veil. "Merrick! You made it."

Through the open double doors behind him, I see several people carrying large bags and chests full of Merrick's clothing and other belongings into the castle.

The reinstated chamberlain is dressed even more nicely than when I first ran into him. His rich red surcoat glitters with small golden beads in a swirling pattern. His head is held high, his eyes sweeping through the room like he's already making a list of ways to tidy up everything Schultz may have neglected.

When he notices the way the three guards are standing, he clears his throat loudly and makes a point of straightening his spine. They get the message and quickly stand at attention.

Then Merrick bows slightly to me, smiling brightly.

"My queen. I cannot tell you how pleased I am to walk the halls of Isenmere Castle once more. I swear upon Ayna's beauty that I shall do everything in my power to bring glory back to our fair kingdom. I am eager to survey the castle at once, if it pleases Your Majesty to accompany me."

A man of action. Thank god.