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The king’s eyes widened at the sight. “You are certain it is from the Pool of Yearning?”

“Yes,” Paige said. “Positive.”

The doors across the room burst open, and Prince Henry raced in, skidding to a stop, his eyes wide as he spotted Paige.

“Paige Turner?”

“Prince Henry!” Paige called with a wave. “I got your water.”

He closed the gap between them, staring at the blue-tinted water in the vial, a grin spreading across his features. “So you have.”

He reached for the vial when his father leapt from the throne, thrusting his hand out.

“Stop!”

All eyes turned to the older man. The crown wobbled on his balding head as he plopped back into his chair.

He clasped his hands over his chubby belly. “Do not drink that.”

“Why, Father? It will cure my curse.”

“If it is indeed water from the Pool of Yearning.”

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Paige asked, stamping a foot on the marble floor.

“What did you promise this girl?” the king demanded. “Marriage?”

Paige’s features crinkled, and she dropped her arm to her side, curling her fingers around the vial. “What? Umm, pass. No one’s getting married here.”

“Wait, Paige,” Dewey whispered. “Think about this. You could be royalty!”

Paige snapped her gaze at Dewey, her lips pressed together in a thin line, and wiggled her head back and forth. “Stop. I don’t want to marry this dork.”

“No, Father. Bark from the Witchlock tree. She is searching for it.”

The king arched an eyebrow and studied Paige. “And you will take the bark and depart from the kingdom at once?”

“Gladly,” Paige said. “Look, I’m not trying to scam you. I have no desire to marry your son. I got him the water to cure his curse in exchange for the bark. That’s it.”

The king’s lips formed a frown, and he blinked at Paige. “No desire to marry Henry?”

“No,” Paige said with a shake of her head. “None at all.”

The king slammed his hand against the throne’s arm. “How dare you insult my family like this! Guards, seize her and lock her in the dungeon.”

“What?” Paige asked, her eyes going wide.

Dewey tried to fly into the air, but one of the knights grabbed him as the other grasped Paige’s arms.

“Get off me,” Paige shouted.

The robed man hurried forward and pried the vial from Paige’s fingers.

“Hey, that’s mine! Give it back, or give me the bark and let me go.”

The man handed the vial to the king who studied it for a moment before closing his fingers around it.

“Put her in the dungeon until such time as she is ready to marry my son.”