Page 33 of Return of the Nutcracker Prince

“Your Highness, we have reached the caves.”

“Wonderful.We will rest and refuel here before we continue on.”

Clara sat with the other mages when lunch came around.She pushed herself to eat; her appetite was nowhere to be found.While she chewed on some thick bread, the other mages whispered around her.

Someone shoved a mage named Brandy in front of her.“Hey!”

“Go on, ask her.”

“Why don’tyouask?”

“BecauseIwon the game!”

Clara’s brow wrinkled in confusion.“What game?”

“Nothing.”Brandy waved her off.She had dark hair braided around her head, just like Clara’s blonde ones.Trixie called them “battle braids.”They kept the Caster’s hair out of their faces when fighting.

“What’s going on between you and Prince Klaus?”

She fought to keep the blush from her cheeks, but she wasn’t sure she succeeded when the snickers started.“We met ten years ago.His uncle is a friend to my parents.”

“So how come you didn’t train with the rest of us?”Brandy asked with a sneer.

She chewed slowly, unsure how to handle Brandy’s attitude.When she’d swallowed, she decided the truth was the best option.“I was born in the Realm of Waking.”

Then the voices surrounded her.

“That’s not possible!Whatreallyhappened?”

“Stupid story for alate bloomer.”

“OnlyDreamershave magic.”

She couldn’t bear to look up in the face of their criticism.The air was thick, and her throat tried to close.What had she been thinking, trying to fight alongside these women?They had far more experience, and hadn’t had to rush their training like she had.She was a farce, an imposter.

Thankfully, Mother Gingerbread came to her rescue.

“Knock it off!The enemy is out there.”She pointed through the caves.“Not here.We have an ambush to win.”

“Yes, Head Mage.”The Casters sang in unison.Grumbling, they returned to their meals.But not before Clara overheard someone scoff, “Prince’s pet.”

Mage Gingerbread glared, and the whispers ceased.Then she sat herself down next to Clara.

“I’m sorry.You don’t deserve that.”

She shrugged, her whole being numb.“It’s not your fault.”

Zelda shook her head.“They should know better than to question my judgment.”

“They seem more concerned with my relationship with the prince.”

Rubbing the bridge of her nose, the head mage leaned in to whisper.“That’s because he hasn’t chosen a princess yet.”

“What?”

“A bride.Whoever the prince marries will be Sugar Plum Fairy after Galiena’s time is over.Traditionally, when there is no female heir, the prince marries a mage.Galiena has made no secret of the fact she wants him to choose someone soon.They think they’re in competition for the prince’s hand.”She smirked.“But there’s no contest.You captured his heart ten years ago.”

Her heart pounded in her ears and her voice came out in a higher pitch.“You remember me?”

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