When the soup course was finished, the bowls and wine glasses disappeared. Thankfully I was able to empty my glass before it vanished. The second course was plates filled salad greens, along with chunks of pear and cranberry and celery, cucumber and slivered carrots. Another wine glass appeared at the top of my plate. It held a clear, bubbling liquid. I took a bite of the salad, enjoying the textures and flavors as I waited for a blasted man to drink from his glass.When no one did, I leaned over to Leo. "Care to take a drink so I can?" I winked, and he chuckled. "Of course." He picked up his glass. I watched his expression as he gulped down a large swallow. He was focused on his father, as though they were having a conversation only they could hear. Finally, Leo set his glass down. "I - " Leo began but wasn't allowed to finish before the king stood. He raised his glass, and everyone else in the room followed suit."To Cinderella. We welcome you to our humble land of Polonias.

I liked the idea of Leo coming with me. At the same time, I didn't. It could get awkward. "Um, that isn't necessary." My heart sped up.Leo tucked his hands in his front pockets. "I'm going." He threw his shoulders back. "That's final, Cinderella."For him to use my full name made me feel like a child being scolded by an unhappy parent. I didn't like it. Through gritted teeth, I said, "Since when did you start making decisions for me?"He crossed his arms. "This isn't only about you. It's about this land. As the Prince, I feel it wise to go wherever you go." He raised an eyebrow, and I got the feeling he wanted me to understand more than what he was saying. This had to do with his father, the king. He must've ordered Leo to go with me, which meant he had to go. He wasn't given a choice."Fine," I said. "When do you want to leave?"Leo stepped close. "Now," he said, taking my hand.I didn't mention I used the hourglass to travel to Sharra the day before. Instead, I took hold of it

Leo came up behind me and touched my shoulder. I shrank away, repelled at having someone other than Gabe touch my body. I was still mad at Gabe, but I didn't love him any less. I couldn't shake the fact that Leo might be lying. Stupid boys."Is it true? The glass lyre is a person?" I asked the question but already knew the answer. Gabe had no reason to lie about that.Leo went over to my bed and sat. He stared ahead, not looking at anything. "I hoped to wait until we found it - him or her or whatever."I was frustrated. "Well, which is it? An it, him, or a her?" The words came out clipped, sarcastic - my way of dealing with things I didn't understand or was afraid of. Also, I was tired and needed this day to be over. So tired. A spell from The Eye of Abernathy flitted off my lips. "Bohemia coverith irreavilth." That would keep us invisible to anyone who came into the room. I should've done that in the first place instead of asking Snow if we could stay at her old house next to

I wasn't the greatest cook. Okay, I sucked at all things cooking related, but I was at least proficient enough to put some ground meat in a pan and slap it on a bun. I got him some chips, a pudding cup, and a large glass of ice water too. When he finished it all, he was still hungry, so I made him a banana split. That finally satisfied him."You are amazing," he said when he sat back in his chair.I resisted the urge to blush. It dawned on me after I put the cherry on the banana split that I could've used magic and made him a meal fit for a prince. Too late now. "Thanks," I said, putting the empty bowl in the sink and rinsing it.He got out of the chair and came around, taking my hand. "I guess we need to go confront my father and brother."I held my nose. "First, I think you need a bath." If I had to be around him, he needed to smell tolerable. Also, I wasn't ready to give him up just yet. I hated to admit it, but I enjoyed being around him. He gave off a quiet, kind aura.

"Will you marry me?" I said the words aloud, hoping practice would calm my nerves and steady my beating heart. It didn't. So I tried again. "Gabe, my one true love. Will you marry me?" I grunted. That sounded stupid. I had just left Polly and was clinging to the hourglass charm dangling from the chain around my neck, desperate to reach Gabe. Before entering the witch mists, my thoughts were clear and focused on Pops' mansion since that was where Gabe lived when he wasn't out saving humankind from evil supernaturals. But then I became distracted by all I needed to do."I'll marry you." The voice came from within the witch mists and I started. Those words were the first I understood coming from the beings who dwelled within. I turned at the sound, slowly seeking out the one who spoke. Though I knew I wasn't supposed to. Leo - no, Lawson - advised some of the creatures within wanted to trap unsuspecting travelers. "Who said that?" I squinted, searching for the culprit, my steps slo