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SEVENTEEN

Had Eden hit her head on her way to the tower without noticing? Or maybe drunk just a little too much champagne? Perhaps this was just another part of the fairytale charade. Yes, that made much more sense. This thing was probably animatronic or something.

Feeling a little less freaked out, Eden took a tentative step forward, reaching out to stroke the dragon's snout. The scales were surprisingly warm, as was the breeze gusting out its nostrils, like it was actually breathing, instead of just venting heat from the mechanisms inside that made it move.

It looked so real, though. Craig Tremotino had really gone all out for his fairytale ball. Which meant all the guests would probably be trooping out of the ballroom right now to view the spectacle. All eyes on the tower.

This was her chance to get out.

Eden leaned over the balcony railing, waving her arms as she shouted for help.

A horrible thought occurred to her. What if everyone just thought this was part of a performance? Maiden in a tower, beset by a dragon...but it wouldn't be a fairytale unless someone arrived to rescue her from the dragon. It would have been nice of Prince Charming to clue her in on the whole plan beforehand, though.

A heavy hand landed on Eden's shoulder, and her breath caught in her throat.

"Where's Diana?" he demanded.

Eden whirled around. It was the silver-haired prince, devoid of his crown and the rest of his costume, all his muscles on full display in the moonlight. How did he even get up here?

Her eyes darted inside, but the door was still closed. He must have been driving the dragon. Naked, though?

Her gaze darted up to the tower roof. The very empty roof, with no dragon to be seen.

"Quickly, tell me where Diana is, and I'll make sure no harm comes to you. Before he reaches the top of the stairs!"

Panic welled up. "I don't know!"