Page 32 of Lifebound

“Why not?”

“Because I’m not going toget married—I’m going to heal him of a disease!” That we were even talking about this was ridiculous.

“But after you heal him and he proposes?”

“He’snotgoing to propose.”

“But if he does?”

“I’ll sayno.” Her mouth opened but I didn’t even let her. “Because I’m eighteen, and I don’t know him.There.” It had to be said; otherwise, she’d have never left it alone.

Betty thought about it for a moment. “Okay, yes, fair points. But what will you be getting out of it? Seriously—how much?”

“Nothing!He healed me first!”

She waved me off. “He’s a prince, Nilah. He’s loaded. When you do heal him or whatever, you’re going to demand he bring you back here with loads and loads of riches. We’ll take gold and diamonds and anything precious.”

“You’re fucked up in the head,” I said.

“No—I’m a smart businesswoman. This is an incredible business opportunity that is going to set us both up for life. We’re going to be billionaires and live on yachts and stuff.” She grabbed me by the shirt this time and pulled me closer until our noses touched. “Demandriches.”

I rolled my eyes. “Sure, Bet. Sure. I’ll demand riches from people who can do actualmagic.”

“Good, good,” she said. “And as soon as you get there, you find an insurance company first.”

That stopped me for a second. “What do I need an insurance company for?”

“To insure that ass.” She leaned forward and slapped me hard on my ass.

My blood came near a boiling point, and it was a damn miracle I didn’t scream. “For fuck’s sake!” I hissed instead.

“I’m serious. J.Lo did it. It’s a thing,” she said. “Just don’t argue with me and do it.” Yes, her face was straight as she said this. Meanwhile, I was still fuming from the ears. “And, also, when shit gets tough and you don’t know what to do or whatever, you ask yourself WWBD? And, no, BD does not stand forbig dick,you dirty slut. It stands forWhat Would Betty Do.” Again, she leaned in closer. “Raise hell.That’s the answer. That’salwaysthe answer.”

“Wow. I’d have never guessed,” I deadpanned.

“Just don’t take it lying down is all I’m saying.”

“I am not going totake anythingin any kind of way. I’m going with them to the prince, and then they’re going to bring me back. Eight days,” I reminded her. “Eight days and I’m coming back.”

She nodded. “Eight days. It’s not that long.”

“Exactly,” I said. “And I need you to watch out for her, Betty.Notby getting in trouble or by getting her intomoretrouble—but just make sure nobody touches her, okay? Take care of Fi.” She was the only person in the world I would trust with that.

“Of course, I will,” Betty said. “That doesn’t need saying. And you’ll be back in no time—with riches. We’ll be just fine.”

I grabbed her in a tight hug and held her there for a moment. She didn’t like hugs all that much, but she would deal with it.

“Eight days,” she whispered in my ear.

“Eight days.” We pulled apart, and she wasn’t crying, and I loved her for it. If she were, I’d have been a mess by now. “I’ll be back in a blink.”

“Good. Write down everything that happens because I want details, okay?”

“You got it.”

Together, we made to go back to my house, and there was something about knowing that I was about to leave.

Leavefor another realm,that is, because I doubted I’d have felt like this if I had stuck to my plan to fly to New York City.

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