Page 99 of Shadow Charms

“Didn’t you hear me? I think you’ll find one quick word with the prince will confirm what we’ve just told you. So, if you value your life, I’d suggest you scurry up those stairs and find my soon-to-be husband at once!”

The man winced and stumbled back a few steps before he turned and ran from the room.

“Whoa. Go, Paige! Are you sure you don’t want to stick around and be queen? I could get used to this.” Dewey lifted his chin and narrowed his eyes. “Off with his head.”

“Very funny, Dewey, but I’m sure. I just want out of here.”

“Right. And with the bark, too.”

Paige nodded as she paced the floor again. “Did you see the tree? We really need to find out where it is so we can make a break for it at the first opportunity.”

“Negative. I have no twenty on the tree. I may have caught a glimpse of it outside the throne room, but there was so much going on, I couldn’t tell.”

“Okay, so we’ll try there first. I didn’t see it anywhere on our way in.”

Dewey scratched his head, his face twisting into a mask of confusion. “Right. Hey, how–“

His words were interrupted by footsteps.

Paige hurried to the bars and peered out. The prince, followed by the guard they’d spoken to moments ago, stepped into the dim light.

His now normal-colored lips pulled into a smile as he stared at Paige. “Come to your senses, have you?”

Paige shifted her weight from foot to foot as she fidgeted with her glasses. “Yes. You’re right. It would be foolish of me not to marry you. I’d be royalty, right?”

He offered a smarmy laugh and reached through the bars to tap her on her nose. “Correct, kitten.”

Paige swallowed the bile creeping up her throat and forced a smile onto her face. “So, when can I get out of here?”

“The wedding.”

Paige’s smile faded quickly, replaced by a horrified expression. “What? In two days? But there are things I have to do. Like get a dress and…flowers and…whatever else brides get.”

“Oh, there is no need to fuss with all of that. Let the servants handle it. Though, you will need to be fitted for your dress. I’m certain Father could be persuaded to let you out for it. I shall speak with him.” The prince spun on his heel to depart.

“Oh, wait, just a second,” Paige called, grasping the bars again.

He twisted back to face her. “Yes?”

“That tree bark we discussed. Can I still have that, too?”

He stalked back toward her, pulled her hand from the bars, and kissed it. “You may have anything your heart desires. I shall bring it to you at your dress fitting.”

“That would be perfect,” Paige said, her lips curling into a smile.

He winked at her as he walked backward to the stairs before disappearing up them.

“Nice moves, Paige. I thought you were going to vomit, and then you turn it around and getting him to give us the bark!”

Paige grinned at him as she slouched down the wall to sit. “With any luck, we’ll be out of here in a few hours.”

They spent over an hour waiting in the dungeon cells before the prince and two guards retrieved them. He led them upstairs, pushing open two golden doors into a large suite.

Red and gold trimmed the ornate room. French doors led to a patio overlooking an inner courtyard.

Dewey fluttered inside and threw himself onto the bed while they were left alone, awaiting the seamstress.

Paige wrinkled her nose as she wandered to the French doors and pushed them open. “Are you seriously going to sleep?”