Page 28 of If the Shoe Fits (Rainbow Tales #2)

“What is wrong with this thing?!” Xander shook the crystal shoe at his Shining One mentor.

Nevan took it from him and inspected the shoe. “I don't know. Sometimes magic has a mind of its own, and this realm can make it even more unpredictable.”

“Great.” Xander took the shoe back and went through the stable, between the sleeping horses, and into the storage room.

He hid the shoe behind the board with his treasures.

Then he stood up and stared at the wall, wondering if it was a good idea to hide what seemed to be a cursed shoe with all the things he held dear.

“Hey, this will only help matters.” Nevan leaned against the frame of the storage doorway. “Now they have a mystery with a mystery item. They'll use that shoe as inspiration to find you.”

“Cinderella is not me!”

“Sure, she is. She's your feminine side.”

“I don't have a feminine side!”

Nevan grimaced as he said, “Not at the moment, you don't.”

Shaking his head, Xander pushed past Nevan and went to the stable door.

He didn't want to go into the house. The lights were on upstairs.

Meaning, his step-assholes were home. His stepmother wouldn't have cared about the Prince choosing a bride.

Her boys weren't in the running. But she'd be upset that they hadn't caught Leo's eye as a potential lover.

This meant she'd be in a foul mood and, by extension, so would her sons.

And they'd be looking for someone to take it out on.

Normally, Xander was all right with taking the hits. He preferred it to watching them go after the other servants, even though they weren't as rough on the true servants. But he was too angry, scared, and tired for it. He couldn't force his feet into motion.

“You did well tonight, kid.” Nevan laid a hand on Xander's shoulder.

“Let the rest go. Part of being an adult means making difficult choices and then accepting what those choices bring.

You want the Prince. This is the way to get him.

Don't berate yourself now that you've started down the path.

It's done. Look forward, or you'll stumble.”

“I hate that I got his hopes up only to dash them.”

“You didn't. You got his hopes up to fulfill them.

Just not in the way he expects. Look, I know what you've endured has made you feel like you're worthless, but that's all a part of the abuse, Xander. You are the son of a noble human and a Shining One princess. No one in the human world is more worthy than you. Not even that fat-ass king. You are royalty of the Shining One court. Remember that.”

Xander looked at Nevan and then at the house.

“No,” Nevan said. “Not yet. If you tell them who you are now, they'll take countermeasures. We must do this carefully. Trust the magic, Xander. You are a Shining One Prince. The magic will never betray you.”

Xander lifted his brow at Nevan. “What about that damn shoe?”

“That's precisely what I speak of. I believe the magic is working on your behalf, enhancing our plan. This has the feel of fate to it.” Nevan looked up at the sky.

“Can't you feel that? There's a shimmer in the air. It’s as if this world has come alive. It senses the greatness in you and the importance of what you began tonight.” He looked back at Xander.

“Your story will be told forever, kid. Told and retold and changed and told again. I'm sure of it.”

“Great fuck, Nevan. What do I care if people tell stories about me? The only thing that matters is the real story—my life. Not some tale told by a fairy.” He waved at Nevan.

“We tell the best stories.” Nevan winked at him. “Just wait, Xander. You'll see that your life is a fairy's tale.”