Page 8 of Glass Hearts

“Arabelly, you make this look so easy and make our jobs a piece of cake to grab the glass pendants. You enrapture them! Though the necklaces feel kind of weird. Super shiny, though. I think we are going to need a big block of cheese for payment. All this work is making me super hungry.”

“You there!” Before I can reply to my friends, another large hand grabs at my waist. My champagne glass tips at the jostling movement and spills half on the floor.

Thankfully, I evaded my dress. Seriously, can’t a girl stalk her prey without being manhandled?

As I turn around, I realize the princes just want to make this SUPER easy for me. Looks like we caught the fish.

“I beg your pardon, miss?” Prince Koi creases his eyebrows in agitation. Shit, I must have said that out loud.

“Your name—it’s like the pretty fish.” This turns his frown into a gorgeous, dimpled, devious smile.

“Ahh, so you think I am pretty, Sunshine?”

“Duchess Carmella, not sunshine,” I flirt back, giving him my hand to kiss.

“Though perhaps your golden demeanour could influence me. Why is it I have seemed to catch the eye of most of the princes this evening? Hmm? Maybe a girl just wants to drink champagne and eat in peace.” I wink with a smirk, grabbing a hors d’oeuvre that a server walks by with.

He watches with rapt attention as I eat the weird mushroom-looking bite, making the moment almost feel erotic.

His eyes stay trained on my lips for a half-second longer before meeting mine once more.

He grabs my hips to pull me even closer once I finish my little snack. Placing my hand on his chest, I can feel his heart beating rapidly at my touch. Interesting.

“It seems you have, though I can assure you I am the best one.” His warm smile turns sinful, just like his brother.

“People may think all the charm went to my half-brother. We both can make ladies scream with pleasure, sure. But I make ladies want to stay.” His sweet promises sound tempting.

But just like his half-brother, he breaks hearts just as much, if not more.

Ladies thinking that they had met a sweet potential husband to dote on them, only to be sent to the curb.

None of the princes are the settling-down type, if I were to listen to the rumours.

“Why do you need to find wives?” I ask the question that has been on my mind all night even though I feel Kip and Bert back in my clutch. None of the princes seem to be too pleased about needing to find a wife.

“Politics. The council wants to unite the Isles with the rest of Velora. But I probably shouldn’t be telling you this. Shit.” He bashfully rakes his hand through his golden tresses, his other arm still circling my waist.

“We got a few more of those balloon things, and he also had quite a few gold coins in his pocket. I know we deviated, but it looked like he had something in his pocket, so we went for it.” I don a genuine smile, sending a thought of gratitude to Kip I hadn’t realized I was holding onto him. I clear my throat and back away, giving us, me, more distance.

I seemed to have lost my mind with all the princes. Once again, I feel the weight of my companions as I pull away even more. He notes the distance and takes a step forward to close it back in. Our own dangerous dance.

“We got the necklace, Arabelly! With the gold coins found and the necklaces, we are running out of room in here.”

“My apologies, my prince. I should mind my hands. But you will not have to fret about me and your brothers anymore. You won’t see me after this evening.

I will be nothing but a mere memory. I am sure you will find your future brides.

” He looks puzzled, but before he can interrogate me further, Bernice, of all people, saunters out onto the balcony.

I try to keep my face neutral, despite the rise in my heartbeat.

She sneers at me, and just when I think she recognizes me, she turns to Prince Sylas.

“My prince. It would be an honor if you danced with my girls. Councilman Hendrickson had promised a round before the end of the evening.” She gives me the stink eye, though again, not with any familiarity.

She must think I am just another woman aiming to get my name on that infamous list.

“Of course, I will find my brothers and have us escort your daughters to a dance, Mrs. Baudelaire.” He turns to me. “Have a pleasant evening, Miss Carmella.”

He stalks away, leaving me with the hag. She turns to me, eyeing me up and down with a sneer. “Look here, girl, you can show up looking like a harlot, but those princes are for my daughters. I saw you with the other princes. Stay. Away.”

And with that, she leaves. I am almost insulted that I am not the only one she talks down to.

“Alright, Kip, Bert, I think that is my cue to leave.”

I call for a bird close by to deliver my message to Valak and Carliegh that I am ready to part. It will be a few minutes’ wait. I take a few breaths and get one last look at the view of my city before I re-enter the ballroom.

As I make my way around the dance floor towards the exit, I notice all four princes dancing with the Quadias.

Well, Grayer is on the side of the ballroom, talking to one of the Quadias.

He really doesn’t seem to dance. They smile at them and seem to be engaged in conversation.

The Quadias may be ugly on the inside, but they are quite pretty on the outside.

I get a sour feeling as I watch them sway and smile with my stepsisters.

Feeling a set of eyes on me, I look across to see Bernice giving me an evil smirk.

I shake my head and decide to make my way out of the ballroom.

She will forever haunt me, even in anonymity.

Valak and Carleigh are waiting just outside, their figures visible as soon as I step outside of the castle.

Though triumphant with my haul, a strange melancholy settles in my heart as we drive away, leaving me puzzled.