Chapter 4 #2
“I’ve never had the pleasure. What do I call you? Devil or Wonderland?” I refocused on him and gave him a saccharine sweet smile.
His brow twitched and he bowed. “You may call me Philius Gray. Should I call you Princess, or Katriana?”
“Princess Katriana will do very well.” I walked past him without waiting for Pearly White to move me along.
It was one thing to be here to promote a product or your own brand, but for him to be so obvious about it!
At least the werewolf didn’t hold up a canister of his elixirs right off the bat.
Even he wasn’t so rude, and he was certainly rude enough.
The next candidate was Monterose Fellicci, the fairy opera singer. He wore a dark green suit with an embroidered vest. His wings sparkled along with his cheekbones. He’d put a lot of shimmer powder on there.
“Mr. Fellicci!” I exclaimed, curtsying and beaming at him.
He fluttered his wings and then bowed low, hand over his heart while he looked at me like he was dying. “Princess. Has there ever been a lovelier rose amidst the thorns? Singing with you was, how do you say, the breath of life!”
I giggled and batted my fluttery lashes at him. “It was an experience I will treasure forever! I’m so glad you were able to make time in your busy schedule for this competition.”
His eyes sparkled, literally, and I wasn’t sure if it was the work of the enchanter or his own special effects. “How could I miss an opportunity to find true love?”
Um. Did he actually think love was found on a stage? I mean, he did opera, so maybe?
Pearly took my elbow and dragged me to the next contestant, who was none other than the billionaire executive politician, Banus Jones.
“Princess Katriana.” His voice was sin and chocolate and the incubus looked at me with bedroom eyes that gave me goosebumps. No, that was the distant sonic boom that had me looking up, searching the skies for the missing angel.
There he was, a streak of gold across the blue sky.
My stomach twisted into a double-knotted pretzel when they slowed enough that I recognized the Pegasus and his golden rider.
The cameras were all trained on him as he made his entrance, a golden figure caught by the rays of the sun spiraling down to us.
His wings framed his broad shoulders encased in armor of heavenly gold.
It was too much gold, too much glory, and that didn’t count the music that trailed from his horse’s hooves along with streams of gold sparkles.
Overkill. But what else would you expect from the most bloodthirsty angel of our time? Probably any time.
He landed on the far side of the group and slipped off his steed, coming towards us while taking off his golden helmet. He shook back his long golden locks, and caught me with his bright blue eyes.
No. No, no, no, no, no!
I was caught there, frozen in horror while Richard the Lion came towards me, slow, with a diabolical smile curling on his mouth as he neared.
He dropped to a knee, gazing up at me like I was his salvation, and then conjured a daisy out of thin air.
A daisy! It was bright and cheerful, my absolute favorite flower, but it’s not something I advertised.
And it matched my dress. It did not match him and his elaborate armor.
Two things were absolutely certain: the angel knew how to make an entrance. And he was even more terrifying now than the first time we’d met. Also, he smelled incredibly good, sweet, fresh, and delicious, like fresh croissants from the finest bakery.
“And here is our final contestant,” Pearly said, coming over with his sharp smile, but even he looked slightly intimidated by the angel. “And he brought a flower. Such a romantic gesture!”
Right. We were on a show being watched by millions of viewers.
I couldn’t knee his face and run away. I took the daisy, carefully avoiding skin-to-skin contact while the angel’s eyes danced with amusement at my expense.
He stood and I found myself looking up at him.
He wasn’t as tall as the elf or the devil, but he wasn’t as short as the fairy.
And he was so close. And he emanated heat and glory that made him shimmer like he was a mirage. I wished he were only a hallucination.
“And that’s all for today until this evening’s meet-and-greet hot cocoa hour.
We’ll see you after this.” Pearly White winked at the camera and then turned to give the angel a cold glare.
“If you ruin the next segment, I’ll personally see that you regret it.
” He turned and stalked off, barking orders at the camerawoman who followed him hastily towards the drawbridge.
“Such a diva,” the werewolf said, rolling his eyes at Pearly and then coming over with his hand extended towards the angel.
“Your entrance was epic. He’s just jealous he didn’t think of it.
I’m Rafe. Or Hugh. Either way. What’s your bench?
I insisted they had a fully functioning gym.
I can’t let my body fall apart just for a PR set, you know?
I can spot you if you’ll return the favor. ”
The angel stared at the werewolf then turned and went over to his Pegasus, apparently finished with us since the intro was done.
“Proud piece of angel trash,” Hughenot Raferty the werewolf muttered, scowling after the angel. Proud? Of course he was. Trash? No, garbage wasn’t nearly that dangerous.
“Katriana,” Mitt growled, eying all the candidates with a glower, “Let’s get you settled. Remember, you aren’t available for one-on-one interviews unless they’re strictly monitored and chaperoned.” Chaperoned? He meant with a not-bodyguard like himself or Mini.
I gave a smile to the remaining men. Only Banus Jones the incubus returned my smile with one of his own. That time, I got goosebumps from him. I was used to Sultry, who was a succubus, but she kept her personal life completely separate from her work, and her work was her passion.
I turned and went off with Mitt on the narrow path into the trees.
I gave one backwards glance before stepping beneath the foliage.
The Pegasus chomped at the closest person, Monterose the fairy.
He shrieked and leaped back, hitting the Devil who was on his phone.
He didn’t knock the devil over, maybe because the devil side-stepped so the fairy fell over in a pile of sparkles.
The elf looked at the down fairy with something like curiosity while the angel started laughing.
His voice was golden honey and languid summer afternoons.
For a second he met my eyes before I turned and hurried after Mitt, Mini following me into the shadows along with the angel’s disgustingly delicious laugh.