Cinderella Dreams of Fire (Fairy Tales Forever #1) by Casey Lane Read Free Book Online Page B

daughter of the piece of glass she brandished, the little lady collapsed into her arms.
    In her years working for the Godmother, Cinderella had learned where all the queen’s soldiers lived. She left the girl on the doorstep of the army's second-in-command, waiting just long enough to make sure she was inside before dashing off. She rushed back to make sure the prince was still where she left him. Sure enough, he remained unconscious but breathing.
    Fortunately, the Godmother's place was only a few streets away. And while the prince was heavy, he wasn't even close to the heaviest man she'd ever carried.
    To distract herself from his weight, she tried to put some of the puzzle pieces together. “How did the girl know Kiyara? The captain knew her, too. She hardly even leaves the house without being under her mother's thumb. It doesn't make any sense."
    She looked down at the unconscious in her arms. “And how did he get so damn fast? If he'd been that quick on the rooftop, then it would've been at least a little tougher to punch him in the face."
    Cinderella took the bruising on the side of Braedon's cheek as a sort of trophy.
    "Never injured a prince before.”
    He murmured in his unconsciousness.
    "But I'm not against doing it again."
    It felt like ages before she reached the Godmother's home, and laid the prince down just inside the front door. As she sat and rested off the exhausting walk, Braedon awoke and clutched at his knee.
    "Do you have a healer?"
    Cinderella scoffed. “Sure. I think he comes in about a half-hour after the massages, and the live-in musician."
    He tried to smile. “The girl's safe?"
    Cinderella nodded.
    With pain covering his face, he moved himself into a sitting position against the wall. “Good. I think I've done my good deed for a lifetime, then. Where are we?"
    "If I told you about this place, I'd have to kill you."
    The prince grinned and grimaced. “Sounds nice.” He looked straight into her eyes. “Seems like as good a place as any for our second date."
    He saved a little girl. Do not punch him in the nose.
    Cinderella stood up and paced around. She could feel Braedon's gaze upon her.
    "You know, I've seen so many women who are full of themselves in court, but you're the only one I've met who is truly confident in herself."
    She sighed. “Uh-huh."
    Cinderella wished the Godmother would just show up already. Then she could figure out what exactly happened to the captain. She could also get away from the eyes that followed her every move.
    "How does one get to be that sure of oneself? Lots of stolen jewels?"
    She glared at him. “More like dozens of slain princes.” She put her hand to her chin as if she were in deep thought. “Where should I bury the body this time? The north bank of the river is particularly nice for corpses, but the catacombs might be a better fit. Such difficult decisions to make."
    Braedon laughed uncomfortably. “You're kidding.” A few beats of silence went by. “You are kidding, right?"
    "She's kidding."
    They both looked over to see the Godmother gracefully walking in with a medical bag of some kind. Nothing ever seemed to faze the woman, and now she could add broken-kneed prince to the list of situations she could easily handle.
    Without introducing herself, Cinderella's mentor began rolling up Braedon's pants leg. He squirmed from the pain, and the Godmother quietly shushed him. She looked over the injury with gentle, soft hands and nodded to herself. The way she inspected the leg with such care was mesmerizing.
    "Lay him down somewhere with light so I can get a better look."
    "Carrying him all the way here wasn't enough?"
    The Godmother returned an irritated glance that compelled Cinderella to take action.
    She hoisted the prince up with ease.
    His eyes widened. “You carried me here? What are you, three quarters goddess, one quarter elephant?"
    "Call me part elephant again, and I might have to drop you on your head."
    The prince kept his lips sealed as