Page 91 of This Prince Is Not Charming

Marsten and I shot each other looks.

“I might not like shifting to my human form, but I do still recognize your little silent looks.” Meera blinked. “What was that about?”

“I just think it’s the first time I’ve ever heard you be something other than cynical. You were being very uncynical.” Marsten wrinkled his nose. “Is that a word?”

We got to the end of the aisle and turned into the next one. Here, the spines of the books were decidedly thinner.

I groaned. “Well, we’re out of the historical section. Now what?”

“Ooh.” Marsten skipped toward the middle of the aisle, pulling out a thin book with golden lettering on it. “You know, I might not like reading, but this was one exception. I read this story over and over when I was little . . .” He trailed off. “Wait, why is it glowing?”

I gasped. “True love’s kiss. That’s the name of the book. Of course. I read that book, too, as a child. Actually, Papa read it to me and my sister at night. Brea was obsessed with the story of the cursed maiden statue and the child who’d saved her with a kiss.”

We’d re-enact it and fight over who got to be the hero, and because I was oldest, I usually won.

“Do you think Castle wanted us to find that book?” I asked. “A children’s book?”

Marsten scoffed, trying to put the book back. He shoved it toward the bookshelf, but golden swirls rose up, blocking his attempt.

“I’d say that answers that question,” Meera said.

“Marsten found the book,” I said, stomach dropping as the floor disappeared from under us and we began to fall.

I didn’t even have time to let out a scream before we were dropping into the throne room, all of us landing on our feet in front of the dais.

“Ceri!” Arms wrapped around my shoulders, and a familiar scent of cedar washed over me.

I leaned into Cillian’s touch, not even realizing how much I’d missed it in the hour we’d been apart. I’d only experienced one night in Cillian’s bed, and yet it seemed I was now addicted. I inhaled deeply.

“We’re fine, too, thank you for asking.” Marsten waved.

“Congratulations to the winner of today’s trial.” We all turned to see Morton at his usual place on Cillian’s throne. “Marsten, you found the book.”

Marsten held it in the air, giving a strained smile while shooting nervous glances toward me. “I didn’t mean to,” he said. “Ceri was supposed to take it, but note to future self: glowing books are not normal. Do not grab them.”

“Unfortunately, that means one of you will be eliminated today.”

Cillian tightened his hold.

“If it’s me,” I started⁠—

“I won’t let Castle take you,” he said, voice fierce.

I turned to face him. “If it’s me, Cillian . . .”

He swallowed thickly and nodded. “I’ll take care of him.”

“The person eliminated today is Cerriwen Morgane.”

CHAPTER 40

Ceri

Istood in a cavern, one filled with carpets, treasure chests full of jewels, and statues.

“Ceri, hi!” Lila chirped, spread across a couch while a bunch of grapes floated in the air over her mouth, dipping down and feeding her.

“Welcome.” My head snapped in the direction of Siobhan, who sat in a stuffed armchair by a crackling hearth, reading a book.