Maybe I could offer him a deal. “I’ll tell you one of my wishes, if you tell me how you got your fairy.”

“Okay,” he said.

“I wished to have a beautiful singing voice.”

Donovan shook his head, incredulous. “You really do want to be a celebrity, don’t you?”

I didn’t deny it, couldn’t. My cheeks grew warm. “What’s wrong with that?”

“With everything you could have wished for in the world, you went for pop star?” He made it sound so shallow, so stupid.

“Singing is an artistic expression,” I countered. “There’s nothing wrong with wishing for more talent. That’s better than wishing for riches and power.”

“What was your other wish? A band?”

That was a question I wasn’t going to answer. “So how did you get your fairy godmother?”

Donovan pushed his plate away, apparently full. “Jade Blossom thought I was a nice guy and offered to be my fairy godmother, no contract required.”

No contract? Perhaps no pitiable cross-species outreach program either. Maybe Jade Blossom was just looking for hot guys. Or ones with a talent for theft. “So what happened? She popped into your room wearing a sparkly dress and offered you three wishes?”

Donovan smiled. “If you want more details, you have to tell me what your other wish was.”

“We made a deal that if I told you about my singing wish, you would tell me how you got your fairy.”

“C’mon, you already know what I wished for.” He cocked his head. “Why the secrecy? Did you wish for something even stupider than singing and dancing?”

Um, yeah. I crossed my arms. “I’m still waiting for details about you and Jade Blossom.”

“Details weren’t part of the bargain. If you want those, you’ll have to give more information.”

The king and queen stood, signaling the meal’s end. The mandolin player stopped strumming, mid-song. The princesses stood almost as one, hushing their conversations as they looked at their parents. Donovan and I got to our feet last.

The king watched me stand with an aggravated sigh hovering on his lips, most likely because I should have gotten up when the other princesses stood. “I’ve business to attend to,” he said. “The never-ending work of wrapping up a war. Be glad such matters don’t fall to you, daughters.”

Several of the princesses lowered their gazes. A few others swallowed guiltily. I didn’t know what brought this reaction. The fairy tale never said anything about the war. It only mentioned the soldier had come home from it.

The queen motioned to Donovan to come forward. “Madam Saxton will give you a tour of the castle and grounds. If you’re going to stay with us, you need to know your way around.”

Donovan gave me a quick parting bow, then walked to the front of the room where Madam Saxton waited. Her calm stance didn’t hide her eagerness. She was definitely on his side and would do everything she could to help him uncover the Princesses’ secrets. And tonight they would both come to our bed chambers.

Chapter 10

After the king and queen left, the princesses filed from room in a dignified procession. A man by the door bowed when we passed and said each princess’s name, as though our leaving needed to be announced. Rosamund, Beatrix, Clementia, Philippa, Isolde, Mathilda, Elizabeth, Catherine, Penny, Darby, and Kayla.

The OP—or other princesses—had the obviously-from-the-wrong-century names. With my dark hair and tanned skin, I knew I stuck out as much as the other transplants. It felt so odd to be here, like I was part of a play but didn’t know my lines.

We retired to an empty sitting room to do embroidery. Retired in this case, meant we sat on uncomfortable chairs around a large tapestry tied to racks like a quilt. I sat between Kayla and Darby, struggling with my needlework and wondering what I could say to the other princesses to get their help. I needed to find a way to keep Donovan from following us tonight. I couldn’t just come out and tell them I was from the future and I knew what was going to happen because of a fairy tale. The BPs—blonde princesses—would think I was crazy.

I expected Kayla or Darby to ask me where I was from, comment on my arrival, something. But they seemed as unaware of my sudden addition as the BPs.

Kayla’s smooth black hair was shorter than the other princesses’ hair. She was probably the most recent addition. While the other princesses were busy talking, I bent my head toward hers. “How long have you been here?”

She didn’t take her eyes off her embroidery. “I came in the room with you, Sadie. I’ve been here as long as you have.”

“No, I mean how long have you been in this fairy tale?”

“Quiet,” she murmured. “You shouldn’t speak of fairies.”

“Well, it isn’t wise to speak to them, that’s for sure. Especially if they ask you to sign a contract.” I edged closer to her. “Did you have to sign one?”

She pushed her needle into the cloth, making it disappear among embroidered leaves. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I let out an indignant humph. “Am I the only one who had to sign a contract? Chrissy made them sound like they were standard.”

“Contract?” Rosamund called over. “What are you prattling about, Sadie?”

All the princesses stared at me questioningly.

I swallowed. “Uh . . . never mind.”

Mathilda lifted one of her delicate blonde eyebrows. “Methinks her time with Prince Donovan has addled her brain.”

Beatrix giggled. Even that sounded elegant. “Prince Donovan is quite comely—addlingly so.”

Philippa tsked as she drew her needle from the cloth. “Would you that your prince heard you utter such things?”

Beatrix stiffened and raised her chin. “I meant no disloyalty to my dear Frederick. I only mentioned Prince Donovan’s countenance because it’s a shame that such a fair lad must fail in his task. Many a woman would welcome his interest.”

Philippa sent me a reproving look. “Yes, and Sadie’s name shouldn’t be found among that litany. You must have been free with your attentions or Prince Donovan wouldn’t have asked for your hand.”

Darby nudged me with her elbow. “Yeah, spill it, girl. What went down between you two?”

“I didn’t encourage him.” I jabbed at the tapestry edge in front of me, attempting to turn my pink thread into a flower petal. “I was trying to get him thrown out of the castle.”

Darby let out a disbelieving snort.

But several of the BPs nodded knowingly, loose tendrils bobbing around their chins. Clementia fluttered her hand over her embroidery in graceful arcs. “Some men think the unreachable fruit must be the sweetest.”

I pulled my needle up through the cloth, managing to prick my finger in the process. “That wasn’t it. He just wants Madam Saxton around so she can help him.” How did I best explain Donovan to them without lying?

Catherine dipped her needle into the cloth and brought it up again in a smooth, fluid motion. “Prince Donovan should know our servants will be of no help. Nay, I fear he is smitten with you, Sadie.” She held up a hand to stop my protests. “Perhaps you had no intension to use your womanly charms on him thusly, but for honor’s sake you must behave with more decorum. What would Prince Jason say of your actions?”

I imagined Prince Jason was going to have a lot to say about my actions. Hopefully he wouldn’t say it too loudly or with too much hysteria.

Isolde’s eyes shifted to me. “Men grow weak in the presence of beauty. You may intend only to bestow a smile in friendship; however, to an eager heart it will appear an invitation.”

When had I smiled at Donovan? I didn’t recall ever smiling at him, at least not in a way anyone would think was inviting. But there was no point in arguing about it. The BPs already thought I was a tease. I had to steer the conversation, to warn them about Donovan. It was the only way to enlist their help in keeping him away from the goblet.