Part 19 (2/2)

I caught the poor fox and he just looked up at me and yawned like he was bored. I almost forgot that he was hardly a day old right now. He was probably going to sleep the whole day. So I tucked him into my pocket quickly for safety.

”Gertrude? What are you doing here?” Charming asked and my eyebrows raised.

”You tossed me to the harlot woman to escort me around, you jerk!” She glared at him and didn't move from next to me. I turned to look at her.

”Harlot?”

Gabbi was snickering and twirling the circlet on her finger.

I got ignored.

”I did not. I left you with Prince Blue. Gnidori was sent to pick up some special charms and deliver them to a cottage near your uncle's tower. That way you would be guarded from the faeries.”

”Uh... what?” I shook my head and looked to charming in disbelief. How could he lie like that with me in the room? The guile he had!

”You really thought I would leave you with the woman who separated us originally after that Cinderella disaster?” Charming continued while das.h.i.+ng up to Goldie to put his hands gently on her and look into her eyes. He smiled... genuinely. ”I would never leave you with her, especially without your permission.”

I stared blankly between the two lovers. What was I? The boy who cried wolf?

Goldie softened, but pulled from his grasp. ”But then why did Hue leave me with her?”

Charming closed his hand upon her arm and rubbed it. ”Maybe he had been confused. Thinking I wanted you and not the charms to be moved to the hut?”

My mouth was hanging open. How could Goldie actually let herself be bewitched by that? I swear that smile has captured more young women than any witch ever has.

”But...” Goldie began before Charming put a finger to her lips.

”I have proof.” He declared, then turned to me. ”Gnidori, the paper I gave you when you left?”

I blinked. He couldn't be serious? I read that paper, all it had said was: Pick up at Blue's. Destination will be given then.

The Tsar held his hand out and waved it a few times like he wanted it though. His eyes didn't even waver once from Goldie. He really wished to seal his fate?

I shrugged and pulled the roll of parchment out before laying it in his hands. Gabbi b.u.t.ted in, with amus.e.m.e.nt twinkling in her eyes. ”It looks like Gnidori can be trained. Incredible.”

I ground my teeth and glared over at her. She just stuck her tongue out and grinned wildly. Charming ignored both of us and unrolled the parchment. ”This is special paper my court magician devised. It only reveals the steps as they are completed.”

My eyes fell back to the former prince. ”What?”

Of course I wouldn't have known the paper was magic. I only ever saw the parchment when my magic was sealed.

The moment Charming started the incantation though I had to step back from them due to the putrid stink of the magic leaking off the sheet.

He turned the paper to Goldie and I leaned over to look as well. On the parchment was written: Deliver the charms to Bluebeard, at his tower.

My mouth dropped wide open.

”You see?”

See? I was in shock from seeing.

”Sorry I doubted you.” Goldie squeaked before pulling the tsar into a kiss. When they were finished, Charming slapped the rolled-up sheet into my hands.

”That's okay. Considering my past, it is perfectly understandable and acceptable that you had your doubts.”

I was still speechless. Was this some kind of new Charming? Had he actually become... a human being?

There was still Hue to explain. I know Hue, there is no way he would have made a mistake like that. It could cost him a war with Charming. Unless... he wanted that?

”Wonderful. Now can the two true loves move aside so I can finish my business?” Gabbi stepped forward and half glanced to Goldie and Charming before her eyes settled on me.

”Wait.” Goldie interrupted. ”Now that I'm out of Hue's territory the faeries already tried attacking me. I'm not safe here and neither is the cabin.”

”You were attacked already? Where?” Charming searched over Goldie worriedly, looking for wounds that weren't there.

I was with Gabbi. They needed a separate room.

This was the stuff I had to put up with.

I shook my head. ”We were attacked. We're both fine. I scared them off for now, but it won't be long before a whole horde of them will descend.”

”Well, if you want, now that Gnidori has her magic she can set the charms to hide you.” Charming worriedly glanced to me, which absolutely was freaking me out. I'd never seen him like this.

”Uh... no, Gnidori won't.” I stepped back and gave him a raised eyebrow.

”You agreed.”

”I agreed to a favor to retrieve something from Hue and bring it to the destination. Even ignoring that the favor was on false pretenses of information or that I would be transporting a convict or that the favor is for a Tsar who hired someone to kill me... then the most I would ever do is take her to Bluebeard's tower. Not without something worth it though.”

”You'd just leave me unprotected for the faeries to take me, Gnidori?” Goldie asked, turning on me. I was starting to feel a little out-numbered.

My shoulders slumped, ”If only my stupid conscience would let me.”

She jumped me immediately. ”I knew it! I take back the harlot comment.”

”Uh... thanks?” I added as I pushed her from me. ”I still need some kind of payment.”

”Anything. I just want to make sure she is safe.” Charming turned to me. ”Anything.”

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. ”Anything?”

”Yes, yes. Please.”

”Then you are paying for my weapons from now on. Paying for them, not getting them made, I'll take care of that. Also I need a rather expensive spell done on my house so I can start taking it with me everywhere.” I explained, then eyed him.

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