Page 25 of This Prince Is Not Charming

Lila grabbed her head and sat up. “I’m okay. Sorry, everyone. I was feeling a little weak and lost my balance.”

“It’s all right. We’re just glad you’re okay.” Liadan got up and stretched out her hand, helping Lila to her feet.

We had to be close to the end. That motivating thought pushed me to a stand, and I winced at the pain that shot through my hands, knees, and, well, everywhere. Meera and Siobhan looked just fine, while the rest of us sported bruises, cuts, burns, and torn clothing.

Gashes slashed through Marsten’s trousers, blood seeping through, as he looked around. “I’m almost afraid to ask, but where are we now?”

“I think the better question is what is that lantern?” Meera pointed a claw at it.

Siobhan crouched in front of it, studying the object as it glowed from where it sat on the floor.

Everyone else got to their feet, crowding around it and staring at the glowing orb with golden swirls dancing around it.

“Magic,” Clio said, an ember popping from her head. I jumped back so it wouldn’t land on my dress.

All I needed was to be set on fire after the day I’d had.

“From the godwitch of fire,” Siobhan said. “Which means this is everlasting light.”

I tilted my head. I’d read about these lanterns in stories and mythology, but no one had ever seen one. This was a very valuable piece of magic. Light that could never burn out or be doused.

Siobhan slowly reached out to touch it when Meera shoved her way between my legs and slid her tail through the brass handle at the top.

“What are you doing?” Siobhan said. “I was going to pick that up.”

“You’re taking too long.” Meera curled the end of her tail around the handle, beginning to drag the lantern behind her. “I’m ready to get out of this place. So let’s take the lantern and find the exit.”

No one had time to make a move, because right at that moment, the room started shaking.

CHAPTER 12

Cillian

One minute the contestants were here with me in the throne room, and the next they were gone along with Morton, disappearing before my eyes. I didn’t know what Castle had done with them, and I felt like I was losing my fucking mind.

The doors burst open, Sir Arthur standing there, clinking and clanking as the suit of armor lurched forward. “Sir, assemble the horses! Seven people have gone missing, and I must ride to find them.”

Fucking Margaret. She was the only one who could spread gossip that quickly. The last thing I needed was to deal with Sir Arthur, yet another sentient object from our castle’s magic who, unfortunately for literally everyone, believed he was a real knight. It would be wonderful except for the fact that he didn’t trust anyone, thought everybody was an intruder, and followed the laws from thousands of years ago.

“We’ve got it handled, Sir Arthur.”

That was a complete lie, but I wanted him to go away.

“Your Majesty, as the resident knight of this castle, I must insist you let me search for them! Get my horse ready!” he called to . . . no one. “Where’s the stable boy?”

I sighed. “We don’t have a stable boy.”

We had a few horses on standby, but we rarely used them since we couldn’t leave Fairwitch Isle and all.

“What?” He gasped. “Did someone kidnap him too? Godwitches be, this is worse than I thought.”

“No.” I held up my hands. “Nobody has been kidnapped. Can you please just go back to your post in the foyer?”

He unsheathed his wooden sword. He used to carry a metal one, but after stabbing one too many people, we switched it out. He had yet to notice, thank the godwitches.

“This is preposterous,” he said. “Why would we not have a stable boy? And I’ve been meaning to ask, where is my squire?”

“What?” I asked. Sir Arthur had never mentioned a squire before.