Blitz jolted awake in alarm and looked around the League’s headquarters, spotting Agatha and Tedros instantly. He exhaled in relief, thankful the mission had gone well, then decided to just double check.
“Did they get Sophie?” he asked Cinderella, who looked as snappy as ever.
“They did.” A new voice snapped.
Blitz whirled to see a well-built guy, probably a few years older than him, around Tedros’ age maybe? He stood with his arms folded in front of a moth-eaten curtain, as if guarding something. Blitz frowned.
“Who’re—”
“His name’s Hort.” Uma whispered from where she was helping the White Rabbit with breakfast. “He’s here to guard Sophie.”
“Was he--?”
“No, not part of the original plan, he kind of dove after them…quite literally.” She sighed. “Heard this all from Merlin, considering he himself won’t say anything unless it’s about Sophie.”
Hort narrowed his beady eyes at them and Blitz bristled. Had Phoenix really been stuck in a castle with this douche? Surely Evers would be raised with more tact…unless he was just an unfortunately good-looking Never. Then he realised the lack of his two brothers in the hideout.
“Prince Blitz.” Merlin waved him over to join him and Tedros. “I thought you’d like to be included since you’re so insistent on rescuing your sister.”
“Where’s Jay and Burn?” he demanded.
“All in good time my boy.” Merlin waved his hand. “They’re safe.”
“What’s going on?” said Agatha, approaching her prince.
Tedros turned, his stare brilliant and blank. “I’m sorry. Do I know you?”
Agatha gaped at him, so did Blitz.
“I’m Tedros of Camelot, Heir to Arthur Pendragon, Guardian of Good, and Eligible Bachelor, seeking my future queen.” He extended his hand. “And you would be…”
Agatha didn’t take his hand. “Bachelor?”
“You wanted a ‘New Beginning,’ remember,” Tedros joked, irritated she wasn’t playing along.
Blitz looked between them, completely lost. Had they made a bargain with Sophie for Tedros to give her another chance? Why would he give that daft woman another chance? Agatha was the better character in the Tale of Sophie and Agatha anyhow.
“Right. Sure,” Agatha said, stiff as a board. “New beginning.”
Tedros saw her making eye contact with everything but him. “Look, Agatha. Don’t worry. Everything’s fine. I just have to pretend to give Sophie a chance.”
Oh. Blitz thought. The prince wasn’t dumb!
“So on that note…” Tedros bowed dramatically. “Lovely to meet you Agatha of Woods Beyond, Daughter of Callis, and Friend of Sophie. I look forward to seeing whether you’ll indeed make an acceptable queen.” He kissed her hand and winked.
Agatha yanked her hand away reflexively. Tedros gave her an odd look.
“If you two are finished with your adolescent theatrics, can we get back to saving lives?” a voice snapped.
YOU ARE READING
Fire Princess
Hayran KurguYears ago, once her fairytale had ended, Rapunzel married a prince who's entire family possessed the powers of phoenixes. That same power was passed onto her children. This is the story of her daughter, Phoenix of Firebirch, who attends the School f...
