Page 11 of The Mirror and the Curse

“Yes.” Eddi stretched out the word, sensing unwelcome logic in the offing.

Beatrice didn’t let her down. “You might think he’s a man, but he’s still just an overgrown boy. Some people know exactly who they are and what they want in life by the time they’re twenty, but most of us don’t. I know I didn’t have a clue, and I’m not so sure I know myself much better at twenty-four.”

“Maybe you don’t, but I do.”

“Right now, you want to marry Prince Fidelio. What about next year?”

Eddi’s scowl deepened. “Bea, you know I’ve been in love with him for years—”

“You mean you’ve crushed on him since last summer. And before him it was a dozen other guys. Sometimes several at once. Even a merman in the mix.”

“You would bring that up.” Eddi’s head ached, and a sense of betrayal stiffened her spine. “Now that I love Fidelio, I don’t even notice other men. I mean, okay, Inotice, but I would never lead on one man while I was in love with another.”

“I sincerely hope you never do, at least not on purpose. So why not simply enjoy all the flattering attention you receive and leave it at that? You’re so young, Eddi, not even nineteen yet. Why not simply be friends with several guys while you’re figuring out your life? Why not wait for love to take you by surprise?”

Eddi rolled her eyes. “It already did, Bea. I never expected to fall for Fidelio, but he’s sweet and uncomplicated, and he likes to race flying horses. How much more perfect for me could a man be?”

There was a pause. “Do you want my honest answer?”

Setting her jaw, Eddi said, “No.”

“That’s what I thought.” Beatrice sounded resigned. “You know what, girlfriend? Life can be interesting aside from romance.”

“You think I should give up on Fidelio?” For a moment there, the idea sounded tempting.

“I didn’t say that. But I think you’d be happier if you focused on being his friend without expectations.”

“I’ve never had much luck being friends with guys.” Eddi frowned.

“What about Kai? He took no guff from you, and you respected him for it. Remember when—”

“Kai’s a dwarf, and he’s not even nobility. He doesn’t count.” Eddi’s throat felt tight.

“Eddi?” A deep voice called from somewhere in the darkness above her hideaway, providing a convenient excuse to end the conversation.

“Carlo’s calling for me. I’d better go.”

“Okay. But Eddi . . .”

“What?”

“Kai is a guy. He counts.”

Eddi mentally shelved that conversation. She chatted with Beatrice twice during the next few weeks while she was home in Bilbao arranging for White’s stay at Faraway Castle, but she carefully avoided mentioning Kai. Or even Fidelio.

To her relief, the arrangements came together with remarkably little fuss on either end. Her family even accompanied her to the private airport for an unexpected send-off. After she loaded White into the royal jet’s stable compartment, they joined her in its luxurious lounge for goodbyes.

Eddi first gave Jakinda a token hug, then claimed Prince Zorion for one last cuddle. “Now don’t you start talking or anything before I see you again,” Eddi warned her baby brother. He responded with a beaming toothless smile.

Jakinda chuckled. “Brilliant though we all know him to be, I hardly think you need to worry.”

“Okay, then don’t forget me,” Eddi amended, kissing his chubby cheek. “Weeks and weeks of no Zorion! How will I survive?” Turning to her father, she added, “Don’t you forget me either.”

“As if I could,” he growled and briefly crushed her close.

After the door closed and Eddi had settled into her comfortable seat to be waited on hand and foot, she briefly appreciated the perquisites of being a royal. The very idea of transporting a winged horse on commercial airlines made her shudder.

By the time their luxurious rented horse van and limousine entered the public carpark outside the gates of Faraway Castle, Eddi and White were both ready for fresh air and freedom. After Eddi removed the restrictive wing nets required during travel on public roads, White waited politely at her side while her father’s servants unloaded the princess’s royal and equine luggage into the resort’s magically propelled tram cars. Then Eddi individually thanked each bodyguard and servant before they all climbed back into the hired vehicles for their drive back to the airport.

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