Page 54 of Not Another Happily Ever After

“Not evil?” I cough out a laugh, certain this is a jest.

But the men don’t laugh. They don’t even crack a smile.

My expression falls flat.

“You can’t possibly be serious.” I stand, no longer able to sit beneath the weight of his words. “That woman cursed our kingdoms. Cursed our people. She destroyed everything.”

“Destroyed? Or saved?” Wolfe cuts in.

I turn on my heel, my good sense dulled by the bitter booze in my cup. “Saved? Have you not looked around? Why, the very tree you sit upon is littered with the bright blue vines that stem from her scorn. A revenge so cruel and calculated that she took what our people valued most and she ripped it away.”

Wolfe says nothing as he stares into his now emptied cup. But I am not so quick to let this go. Not when the very foundation of my beliefs is being questioned for a second time this week.

Something has got to give. And I am so tired of it being me.

I look to Rhidland, waiting for him to tell the knights they’re wrong. For some semblance of sense to be made. But he says nothing as he hangs his head low in his hands, his shoulders slumping on a heavy exhale.

My mouth parts, my feet faltering as I find my way back to my seat. Anger feels too tepid a word to describe the uncoiling in my chest.

“I can’t believe this. I won’t. But if it’s fables you want to tell, then riddle me this. What was thefairy godmothertrying to save by doing all of this?”

I gesture, arms outstretched toward what remains of the once whimsical world surrounding us.

“Oh! I know this one!” Merrek grumbles, rubbing the notch on his head. “The realm’s magic was already fading because of the kings,” he says, trying and failing to get on his feet.

“Because the people no longer believed,” he grunts, leaning on the fallen tree for support. “So the Fairy Godmother did what she could with what little magic she had left.” He finishes,resigning himself to where he’s laid out on his belly over the trunk.

“Here, let me.” I let out a breath, checking my tone as I help him into an upright position on the tree.

“Thanks.” He yawns, bumping his shoulder into mine, his lighthearted demeanor already chipping away at my foul mood. “Of course.” I fidget with my fingers, thinking back on what Galahand had once said. “Do you truly believe the crimson rot was sent to protect something?”

“Or someone,” Myrrdin answers, his focus trained on the fuzzy blue worm now climbing around his fingers.

I shift, uncomfortable in my slowly drying dress and frustrated with how each and every answer creates five more questions in its stead.

Rhidland tosses a chunk of wood into the fire, and I jump as the flames flicker and grow, their warmth licking my flesh. “I think that’s enough for tonight. Finish eating, my lady. Then it’s time for bed.”

Everyone grumbles their agreement, no doubt thankful for the reprieve. But silence has never been a friend of mine, and the more I sit and think, the more I’m left to wonder…are they right?

If Frog could be right about the Sirens, it would stand to reason that he may also be right about the Evil Queen. But even if he were, what would that change? Nothing. And yet…

I sink my teeth into my cheek as I will the dark knight to meet my gaze, to rid me of this need to know him, when Merrek leans forward.

“Whatcha lookin’ at?” He whispers in my ear.

I flinch. “I, well-I…”

The smirk that climbs up the twin’s freckled cheek as he offers me a chunk of bread from the plate beside him is all but telling. He didn’t have to ask. He already knows.

Crap.I shove the piece of bread into my mouth, only to realize how very, very dry it is.

Merrek slaps my back, giggling like a little girl as I all but choke on the wheaty brick now lodged in my throat.

“She’s good,” he calls out to the others before concern can etch its way between their brows. “I do the same thing when I see someone that I fancy. Not the choking bit. No, this…” His voice lowers as he continues to pat my back, even after the bread works its way down my throat. “This is flirting in a way I’ve never seen.”

“I…cough…am not…cough…flirting.” I scoff with what little voice I have left. “Besides, even if I were,which I wasn’t…he’d probably find it frightening. Said so himself.”

Merrek cuts Frog a look, one that has the masked knight quickly turning away and the tops of his cheeks pinkening.