Page 47 of Glass Hearts

Maybe I can lure them out to the woods, then maybe Max can scare them off? Though, knowing how fearless Max is, he may try to attack them. And they seem quite dangerous. I don’t want to get Max hurt.

No matter what plan I concoct in my mind, it ends in either my or one of my animals’ demise. That is not an option. Side quest mission it is then. Who knows, maybe these guys can teach me a few things about fighting.

My breakfast lies untouched on the mini wooden table as I continue to pace my room, the sun already rising. A loud knock interrupts my pacing and thinking. I open the door to see the three burly men taking up way too much room in the tiny hallway.

“You are wearing the same thing?” Smith questions. Of course they look well-rested and ready to go. Their weaponless belts from last night are definitely holding a variety of weapons today.

“I don’t really have any change of clothes. Remember, the whole just escaping and getting my freedom ordeal?”

“Riiggghhttt. Just hang on.” Jax leaves, leaving me with the other two.

“You might as well eat your breakfast. It may be awhile until we eat next,” Elliah suggests, making his way into my room. He makes a fair point, so I begrudgingly sit and eat a bit of my now cold porridge.

“So,” I say around a mouthful; not really caring if they find me attractive. “Where exactly do we find Cobras?”

“Most can be found on the Fire Isle, but some have been found further south.”

I nod. I suppose another positive is that I get yet another guide as I adventure. Though it also means I won’t be seeing Max for a little while. Hopefully, I will see Petra soon, to fly another memo to Lo if she makes her way to Quotina.

Jax returns a short while later, with clothing items in hand. “I couldn’t find any female clothing around here. So you will have to make do with Smith’s old shirt. It would be better than that bloodied white shirt. Why is it so bloody?”

“My back,” is all I say as I enter the bathing room and change out of my white blouse and into the black shirt. It almost looks like a dress, not really a great combo with my overly tight brown pants.

“Do any of you have a spare dagger belt, preferably one that would fit my thigh by any chance?” I ask as I re-enter my space that they have made themselves way too comfortable in. Elliah tosses me one, and I strap Goldie—I think that’s the perfect name for my golden dagger—onto my thigh.

“Little blondie has a dagger! Who would have thought? Maybe you do have a bit of bite to ya.” Jax chuckles.

Yes, let them think that. Have I spilled blood with it? Heck no, but they don’t need to know that.

The men head out without saying another word. Reluctantly, grabbing my pack, I follow along.

* * *

I had expected our journey to be filled with silence, yet the men are talking loudly among themselves about stupid things like who has the sharpest blade, which of the girls from last night gave the best blow job, and other mindlessly stupid things.

It is as if I am not even there, which is fine by me.

We continue heading south towards the enchanted forest, taking a break after a few hours. Which gave me the perfect chance to see what creatures might be around me. Surprisingly, no animal gets back to me telepathically.

“It seems strange that I don’t hear any animals at all. Where are we heading? Should I be worried it isn’t safe?”

“You really don’t know a lot about things, eh, Blondie?

You won’t hear any animals until we reach the enchanted forest. Many just stay in the enchanted forest for safety since magic protects the creatures.

The damn council allows for hunting in these parts, among other nefarious deeds.

” It seems the council does more harm than good.

After only a few hours on foot, we stop for a rest. Jax hands me a sandwich. I take out the meat, handing it to Smith, so it’s mostly just sad wilted lettuce and cheese.

“Too good for our meat?” he jokes.

“Vegetarian” is all I say.

We are quietly eating when all three stop, dropping their half eaten sandwiches. Well, that’s wasteful.

“What is the prob-”

Elliah covers my mouth. In the same instant, I hear a growled, “Get your hands off of her!” Grayer? That can’t be.

The four princes burst out of the dense forest, looking like death incarnate.

Chaos ensues. The mercenaries, quick to fight, already have their blades drawn as the four princes use their powers to evade the blades. And just like I predicted, the mercenaries can definitely hold their own.

Grayer looks at me and runs to me, getting on his knees. He wraps his big arms around my waist and buries his face in my belly.

“Arabella,” he mumbles into my belly as he… cries?

The other three princes are still battling the mercenaries in an epic fight. I really would rather nobody got hurt. Yet they are all jerks. Maybe they can all get roughed up… just a little bit.

Archer uses his wind to blow Elliah away before he can swing at him.

Sylas is sending rocks flying to Jax, who expertly dodges each boulder with grace.

Koi and Smith decide to opt for a good ol’ fistfight.

Grayer is still on his knees in front of me, muttering things I can barely hear over the fight.

Jax draws a bit of blood on Sylas, and that’s when I stop the madness.

“Everybody, STOP!” Six sets of pissed off eyes stop to look at me, some mid-punch. “This really isn’t necessary.”

“It is necessary, why the fuck are you wearing one of their shirts!? Why are they touching you, Sunshine?”

“Shit, are you guys the fucking princes?” Smith says at the same time.

“Blondie, you did not mention that the men who broke your heart are the damned princes!” Jax yells. “Wait, you could have stopped this, this whole time and you let us fight damned royalty!?” They all cross their arms now, looking extra angry at me.

“You kind of blackmailed me to do this mission. All’s fair and all that.”

“You what?” Sylas growls, grabbing Jax’s collar.

“Grayer, please get up and let me go.” I pat his dark black hair.

“Never. Never again letting you go.” He remains on his knees. Well, I guess this is how I am going to have to continue the conversation. I let out a sigh.

“What are you guys even doing here? Shouldn’t you be off fucking and marrying my stepsisters?”

Smith lets out a whistle, clearly enjoying the drama. All the mercenaries have big smiles on their faces.

One day, I will meet non-insane men. One. Day.

“Arabella, Victor spelled us. He spiked our drinks when we went to confront him about not wanting to make one of their selections. That we were choosing you,” Archer says, getting closer to me. They all abandon the mercenaries and approach me slowly. Corralling me like a timid animal.

“W-we had to watch everything they did and said to you. We were basically trapped in our bodies. Just puppets for them to manipulate. We couldn’t say or do anything, you have to believe us, Vixen,” Sylas says, his green eyes misty.

I am surrounded by all four princes now. Grayer reluctantly gets up, though his red-rimmed eyes and devastated face make me weak.

“Duchess, you are mine. Ours. I will beg on my knees every day for you to be mine if I must. I am never letting you out of my sight again.”

“H-how did you break out of the spell if you weren’t even able to do anything? How did you even find me?”

“Elora,” they all say in unison.

“Arabelly!” I hear Kip and Bert. I cry out as I reach for my little friends. “They are speaking the truth! Lo did it and saved the day! They missed you terribly, it seems. They fed us lots of cheese, so I think you should forgive them.”

“That must suck for you all that she is more excited to see her mice than seeing you,” Elliah jokes with a laugh, four angry princes growl. Elliah and his buddies seem to have no self-preservation skills. Their quip reminds the princes of the company I found myself in.

“Why the fuck are you with these guys, Sunshine?” Koi asks as he touches my arm. All four have been touching me endlessly. It’s overwhelming yet also comforting.

“She is a little thief and stole from us. We saw that she could communicate with animals, which we need for this mission.” All four princes laugh at Jax’s reply.

“Really, Duchess? Still stealing? And from mercenaries!?” My traitorous heart surges seeing the dimpled smile back on Grayer’s face.

“Hindsight, it wasn’t the best idea, and my chosen team was not so subtle.” I roll my eyes, crossing my arms.

“We are the best accomplices! Can’t be replaced, Arabelly!” Bert squeaks out, shaking his little paw in the air.

I scratch the top of his little head. “I could never replace you boys.”

“What exactly is this mission you are on?” Koi asks.

“They need me to help them contain a cobra so they can collect some of its scales and venom.”

“Oh. We have that at the castle. How about you lot follow us back, and we will give you those, and then you will leave Arabella alone, yes? We all would rather not cross into the enchanted forest.” Sylas scratches his now fully bearded chin.

Why, just why, did he have to grow a beard?

The man was already ruggedly handsome; now he fully has me swooning.

“What’s so scary about the enchanted forest? Maybe I want to cross that so I can see it for myself?” I ask, snapping out of my lust.

“That’s a deal, but we will also need accommodations once we are there,” Smith interjects, ignoring me.

“Actually, we could really use your help. We aren’t sure what the state of the castle will be like once we get there.” Archer interjects, retying his white hair back that’s escaped in the fight with a leather band.

“We don’t work for free, Prince.” Jax crosses his muscled arms.

Sylas waves him off. “Of course not; we will pay your fee. But you must ensure Arabella’s safety at all times.”

I roll my eyes; it’s as if I am not even here. Typical men.

“Do I get any say in this? What if I don’t want to go back?” Grayer pulls me into his waist.