15. Waiting for the Shoe to Drop
Chapter 15
Waiting for the Shoe to Drop
CINDER
T he last couple of days have been too intense. I’ve returned to my childhood home, laid eyes on my abusive stepfamily, got trapped in a castle, assaulted at work, and oh yeah, engaged to the Prince of fucking Midnight.
After that guy grabbed me, Snow and Goldie descended on me, to see if I was okay.
“Did you see him, Goldie,” Snow gushes. “He was a flash of danger. All he needed was some shining armor.”
Goldie throws her arms around Kaison, squeezing him in a near back-breaking hug.
Then Rap finds out. She just about blows a gasket. My boss's face turns this mottled red color as she barks at the security guards to get the bastard's picture off the camera and make sure to call the cops if he ever comes back.
She tries to send me home. Usually what she says goes, but I tell her I want to finish out the night. It will make me feel normal. Otherwise, I'll stew over what happened. We compromise. I sit across from her and drink a cup of tea while she works on her computer. Then I get thirty minutes with some paper and the charcoals I have in my locker.
When I return to the bar, the crowd has died down and I find Snow and Goldie have created a fan club for Prince Charming in my absence.
The three of them fall into an enthusiastic discussion about Goldie's love life and the best brands of gin. I busy myself with cleaning glasses, trying to ignore the strange lurch in my gut as I watch them get along like a house on fire.
“So you keep thinking your beau is going to propose to you, but then he doesn't,” Kai asks Goldie as he sips on another martini.
“I mean, I thought so.” Goldie groans before dropping her head into her hands. “He set up this perfect picnic, and it was super romantic. He even made a pink heart cake, or tried to anyway, like I made him when we first met. But then the sky opened up and a torrential rain came down on our heads. The cake melted, and he practically scooped it into the picnic basket before we ran to the truck to keep from drowning.”
I listen halfheartedly as Kai lets out a low, throaty chuckle. “The ring was in the cake.”
“Shut up,” Snow says, even as her face registers shock. “You can't know that.”
“Oh yes, I can,” Kai says with a knowing smirk. “You have to ask yourself, why would a man scoop up wet cake and put it back into a picnic basket?”
I roll my eyes at their antics, focusing on wiping down the counter. But I can't help the twinge of envy that creeps up my spine. They are so at ease with each other, laughing and joking like old friends. And here I am, the outsider, the dark stone blocking the path of their effortless flow.
As their laughter rings out over some ridiculous joke, I feel myself retreating further into my shell, hardening against the warmth of their camaraderie.
Later, Kaison walks in silence next to me on the way to my apartment, his hands shoved in his pockets. I inhale deeply, trying to let the crisp chill of the Boston air calm me.
All I want is to put on my sweats, wrap myself up in a cozy blanket, and drink, eat, or smell something pumpkin spice. Or better yet, get my hands on some paints or charcoals again and lose myself in creating something outside of myself.
By myself.
I want to be alone.
“We need to get to Midnight,” Kaison says once we are a block from my place.
“I know,” I snap. “But I need to make another stop.” I can’t keep the irritation out of my voice. He doesn’t say anything else or ask questions, just lets me lead.
I don’t want to think about what’s got me in such a shitty mood. While I can pin it on that asshole putting hands on me at work, it’s more likely I’m pissed about how much Kaison gets along with my friends. Or maybe it’s that he made this big public display of saving the day. That he defended his girl.
But I’m not his girl. And I told him that.
So why do I feel so fucking twisted up inside?
Because I wish I was?
We head up to my place so I can grab the ballgown before immediately heading back out. It's only a fifteen-minute walk to a building where big neon signs glow above the door—the Pumpkin Coach Club.
Kaison's face lights up, but I walk by the front door, opting for the alley.
“Wait, but aren't we going to—” he points at the front door.
I shake my head. “We are here for business, not to drink daiquiris and egg on the performers.”
The prince juts his lower lip out in a pout and shuffles after me.
For fae fuck’s sake, he’s actually cute. I’m sure with that look he’s gotten away with every little thing in his life.
My craptastic mood dissolves by half.
The Pumpkin Coach Club's back entrance is decidedly less glamorous than its glittering fa?ade. I lead Kaison through the dimly lit alley, ignoring his continued pout at being denied the full club experience.
We find the Fairy Godmother in her dressing room. The muscular, Black drag queen sits as if she is on a throne, surrounded by a whirlwind of sequins, feathers, and wigs. She looks up from her vanity, her expression morphing from surprise to delight as she takes in my unlikely companion.
“Well, well, if it isn't the elusive Cinder,” she trills in a honeyed voice, rising to her full, imposing height that easily towers over six feet, even without the stiletto heels propping her up. “And who is this delicious morsel you've brought to my doorstep?”
Kaison flashes his most charismatic grin, bowing with a flourish. “Prince Kaison Charming, at your service, milady. It's an honor to meet the legendary Fairy Godmother.” Then he takes her hand and kisses the back of it.
I suppress an eye roll as Kiki practically swoons, batting her impossibly thick false eyelashes. “Oh, my my my. The pleasure is all mine.”
Clearing my throat I step forward, drawing her attention back to the matter at hand. “We need to talk. There's been a. . . development.”
Her gaze darts between us, a knowing gleam in her eye. “Do tell, darling. I'm all ears.”
“Prince Charming and I are engaged,” I say the words quickly and efficiently. Like ripping off a Band-Aid.
The godmother's perfectly painted mouth forms a perfect “O” of shock before stretching into a knowing smile. “Engaged? Well, I did hear that you move fast, your majesty.” She winks at Kaison, who grins right back.
Cheeky bastard.
There wasn’t an ounce of genuine surprise in her reaction. She already knew. Though I’m not sure whether it’s because she has an ability to divine the future, like she does in the crowd work portion of her act, or something else.
“It's not a real engagement,” I quickly clarify. “It's a long story, but we need your help. I’ll be spending more time in Midnight, so is there any other way to travel between realms besides the glass slippers? Sharing them is. . .complicated.” I side-eye Kaison. He blinks rapidly like the picture of innocence, acting like he didn’t insist he stay glued to my side at all times.
Gratitude and resentment have been a strange mix inside me all night.
Dame Kiki taps a long, glittery acrylic nail against her chin, considering. “I'm afraid those slippers are one of a kind, my dear. Acquiring another pair would be tricky and will take time.” A sly smile plays at the corners of her mouth. “But perhaps this shared mode of transport is a blessing in disguise, hm? A chance for you two lovebirds to get better acquainted.”
Kaison grins wolfishly while my face heats.
“We're not—it's not like that. I told you it’s temporary.”
The Fairy Godmother simply laughs, a booming sound that fills the small space. “Of course, darling. Whatever you say.” She winks again. Then her humor fades as she focuses on me. “Did you get what you went for?”
My spine stiffens, though I don’t mean for it to. I’m careful not to look at Kaison to see if he’s watching my reaction.
“Not yet,” I say in a low voice. “But I also wanted to return this.” I hand over the second ballgown I’ve borrowed. “Thank you for dressing me.”
She waves a hand that could palm a basketball. “It was my pleasure. I’d offer to keep you in the bougie threads, but I’m sure his people will want to take over.”
“I imagine so,” Kaison says dryly, setting his hip against the vanity countertop. “The grooming of my future princess shall be top priority in the palace.”
A warning of what’s to come.
“Oh goodie,” I say.
He gives me a wry, lopsided smile. A real one, just for me. My belly flips, then flops.
“Afterall, appearances are everything.” Kai turns to look at the makeup lining the counter.
“Yes, but it’s important not to focus on that so much you forget who you are and what you are about,” Dame Kiki says, giving him a weighted gaze.
Kaison’s shoulders stiffen almost imperceptibly as he blinks.
There is something serious and loaded with implications in her words, but I don’t understand.
The smile he gave me remains but disappears from his eyes. “I never do.”
I am definitely missing something.
I open my mouth to ask, but Dame Kiki turns to me. “And you, have recent events made you feel any more powerful ?” She arches that drawn on eyebrow, loading the word ‘powerful’ up like a gun.
Almost two years ago, Goldie, me, and our friend Red ate cookies created by a powerful mage—Red's grandmother. Both Red and Goldie had developed level five mage powers, which is as rare as finding an ogre shopping for china at a mall.
Since the cookies, there has been this shoe hanging over me, and I keep waiting for it to drop.
While I’m happy to watch reality mage shows where level three magic-wielders who care too much about social status scrape, connive, and sleep their way to better alliances, I don’t want to join in.
“Can’t say that they have,” I say flatly. The pressure of Kaison’s gaze pushes against the side of my face and I know he’s trying to figure out what we are talking about. My skin prickles under his scrutiny and I’m ready to get out of here.
I readjust my grip on the glass slippers. “I guess we'll make do with these, thanks Kiki.”
She waves a dismissive hand, already turning back to her mirror. “Anytime. And do keep me updated on this delicious little development. I do so love a good royal romance.”
Royal romance, my ass.