Page 57 of Not Another Happily Ever After

“I was wondering if…maybe you’d—” Frog breaks off, still facing away from me, dragging his hands down his mask. He seems entirely unaware that I’m watching him. “If maybe you’d like to…to frolic near a field of deadly butterflies,” he finishes weakly, shoulders wilting beneath his cloak.

My brow arches above my good eye as I lean out of the carriage.Is this pre-rehearsed speech for me?I wonder.

No. Nope. Do not even entertain such an idea.

I should return to the carriage. Leave the knight to his private thoughts. That would be the respectful thing to do. And for the best, really…

“I would love to,” I blurt instead.

Frog’s head snaps up, his eyes wide as he turns toward the sound of my voice.

For as lethal as he’s rumored to be, he certainly does spook easily. Or maybe there really is something about me that puts the man on edge. If only I could help him to relax a little—to see that I’m a friend.

Wait.Yes, that’s a brilliant idea!

Without waiting for Frog to right himself, I hop out of the carriage and onto the blue, brittle path with newfound determination.

I can’t change the course of the path we’re headed on, but I can make it more enjoyable for those walking it with me. And right now, that means showing one painfully shy knight how to have a little fun.

“Are you just going to stand there or are you going to take me?” I ask, rocking on my heels just beneath his chin.

“I, uh.” He swallows hard, stumbling back a step so that our torsos no longer touch. “Take you?” he asks, his gaze holding mine.

“Mm-hmm.” I tilt my chin, daring him to hold my gaze. “Take me to frolic through the field of butterflies.”

“Through?” His eyes linger on the playful lilt of my lips before shuddering closed. “We shouldn’t?—”

“Oh, but we should. It’ll be fun!” I promise, catching my lower lip between my teeth as I bring my palms to his chest.

“Wait—” his eyes fix on where my fingers spread across his thin gray tunic. His pulse hammers beneath them.

“And let you win? Not a chance.” A slow smirk curves my lips as his breath hitches beneath my palms. He gives ground with another step back.

“Miss Sunday.”My name falls from his lips in a breathless whisper, but his eyes…Oh, his eyes.There isn’t a single trace of fear.

Finally.

I take another step forward.

Then another.

He gives ground to each, his racing heart all but in my hand. Until his foot catches, and I close the distance so we are but a breath’s width away. Somewhere between the soft glow of pink wings and the gentle brush of tall blue grass, we stand, caught in a moment I swear we’ve lived before.

And then his boot lifts, ever so slightly, and I bolt.

Chapter

22

I have never been a man without words.

I know plenty.

But all fall short in her company.

The realm blurs into a kaleidoscope of color as I push through the field, each step drawing more and more pink-lit wings from a sea of cobalt blades. Everywhere I look, the dazzling glow of night guides me, bringing to light the enchanting beauty of a world I thought lost.

My steps turn to spins as I fall into a dance with the sharp wings of a dallying butterfly. Together we twist and turn against the frigid night air. Once. Twice.