Page 18 of Cinder's Trial

“Hot from cooking, um, porridge.”

“Un-hunh.” I couldn’t tell if he believed my lie.

He opened the passenger door for me to get in and then slid behind the wheel.

“Anything happen overnight?” I asked.

“Nope.”

“So the prince is…?”

“Fine.”

Talkative sort in the morning. I glanced at Levi and noticed he wore a black T-shirt and jeans. Same as yesterday. Most likely he had a closet full of the same outfit. The scruff on his jaw was new, though. I don’t think I’d ever seen him not clean-shaven.

“Anything planned for today?” I queried.

“Nope.”

His one-syllable answers began to grate. “Can we swing by the bureau first? I don’t have my suitcase.” My briefcase of goodies, which I hoped to never have to use.

“Nope.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s currently being fumigated.”

Finally, more than a one-word reply.

He abruptly slammed on the brakes, and I would have jolted harder if he’d not slapped an arm across my chest. On my boobs, I might add. He didn’t do it to cop a feel, though.

I blinked at the family of swans, big and small, crossing the road. Given the stories only had adults, I couldn’t help but murmur, “Are they multiplying?”

“Seems like.”

Kind of gross, actually, since the swans used to be human but magic transformed them, which made me wonder about the chicks toddling along. Would they revert to human if the spell broke or remain birds forever since they were conceived in that shape? Either way, a good thing the government had a ban on killing swans.

The hotel appeared busy, not because of guests but the growing crowd of women, many dressed in ball gowns, some holding signs.

I’m your true love.

I’ll put on the shoe.

Make me your princess.

“Jeez,” I murmured. “The ball is still days away.” And already these potentials were fully immersed in the curse. I understood the Grimm Effect influenced some of them to act this way. Still, some measure of self-respect should allow them to push back. You didn’t see me doing my best to make Killian notice me.

I stepped out of the SUV and headed inside, ignored by the crowd. Meanwhile, the truck got mobbed, blocking Levi from exiting. They banged the vehicle and pressed their faces to the window chanting, “It’s the prince!”

A major groan of disappointment filled the air when Levi shoved open his door and stepped out.

As he headed for me, I walked into the lobby and promptly tripped…

…right into Killian’s arms. So much for not throwing myself at the closest prince.

“Well, hello there. Guess you’ve changed your mind about falling for me,” the prince teased.

I righted myself with a chuckle. “Dream on. They never mention in the stories how clumsy Cinderella can be.”

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