Page 79 of Rot In Knotty Pieces

I giggle harder.

He turns and gasps dramatically.

“What?” I crane my head around, pulling away from King so I can see what he’s looking at.

There’s a beta wearing a ball gown, and she’s got wings and a crown and long, long red hair.

“It’s a lost fairy princess. Look at her, oh, how sad. She must be exiled from her court, but she’s putting spells of strength into people. We have to get you one.”

“What?” I squeak.

“You absolutely need a spell from the princess.”

I let him tug me along, my eyes getting wider and wider. She really is very beautiful.

We stand in line and finally get to the princess. She’s got a table with paints and gemstones in front of her. There are paper butterflies in gold and the brightest blue. I reach out and touch one, but then I see a little white bird, and I reach for it instead.

“What can I paint for you?” She has a pretty voice, lilting and soft.

“She needs a spell for…” he looks at me.

“Love,” I say, reading the word on the scroll under the white bird.

“She needs a spell of love, to attract her soulmates to her and keep them there,” Rolly says with a dramatic sigh and leans in. “Let’s hope they are all unbearably handsome.”

I giggle.

The woman with the glittering skin gives him a strange look but smiles at me and gestures for me to come closer.

“A mask,” Rolly murmurs, “for protection.”

The woman looks at him sharply but buries it and smiles at me. I forget everything but looking at the glitter and beautiful shiny things all over her dress and face. The dove is still clenched in my hands.

“When I’m older, do you think I will be able to glitter, too?” I ask in a small voice.

“You already glitter, but how about you let us show you how you glitter on the inside?” Rolly whispers.

“Really?”

“Really, really.”

I close my eyes, trying to sit really still while she paints the spell on my face. It’s cold, and it feels strange, but Rolly keeps oohing and ahhing, and I really want to see it!

“All right, we’re all done.”

I open my eyes, and she spins and gestures to a mirror. I stand up and walk towards it, looking in. There’s a beautiful white and gold filigree mask painted on my face, like bird feathers, but it shimmers with gold, and my eyes sparkle the same colour.

“I told you that you glowed on the inside,” Rolly whispers.

“And people who love me will stay with me now? Forever?” I ask anxiously.

“Yes. The people that love you most in the world will be with you forever,” the fairy confirms with a long look at Rolly.

I turn to Rolly, and his mouth is open, he can’t seem to speak.

“Looks like he’s one that loves you,” the princess says with a warm laugh.

I look at the alpha, almost bouncing with excitement. “Do you?”