Chapter 209

Chapter 209
And then Lara appeared, because of course she did, swooping in like his accomplice. Her eyes lit up as she held up this elaborate black and purple gown, complete with lace sleeves and a corset bodice that looked like it belonged in Maleficent’s closet. “Aya. This. You HAVE to wear this.”

“Oh, no. No, no, no—” I started, backing away, but Lara and Nathaniel shared this evil sibling mind link, and I was doomed.

Minutes later, I was shoved into a dressing room with an armful of fabric and Lara’s voice yelling through the door, “Don’t you dare half-ass it! Put it all on!”

By the time I stepped out, I didn’t even recognize myself. The gown hugged my waist, flared dramatically at the bottom, and the corset gave me curves I didn’t even know existed. A shop attendant immediately swooped in with a little makeup kit, offering to “complete the transformation.” Before I could escape, Lara practically shoved me into the chair.

“You need dark lipstick. Ooo, and smoky eyes,” she said gleefully, while Nathaniel leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, smirking like he’d orchestrated my entire downfall.

Ten minutes later, the mirror showed me a stranger. My hair was teased into wild curls with a silver crown perched on top, my eyes smoky and dangerous, lips painted a wicked plum. I looked like the final boss in a fantasy video game.

Lara clapped. “YES. Evil Witch Queen vibes. You’re perfect.”

I turned slowly, glaring at Nathaniel. “You planned this.”

He didn’t even bother denying it. He whistled low, eyes traveling from head to toe in a way that made my stomach do annoying gymnastics. “Damn. You look like you’re about to curse me. Ten out of ten. My evil girlfriend.”

“Don’t call me that,” I hissed, though my face was already heating up under the makeup.

“Oh, but it fits.” He stepped closer, leaning down so only I could hear, voice dripping with fake reverence. “Dark. Powerful. Beautiful. And dangerous enough to keep everyone else away from me.”

I blinked. My brain short-circuited for a second. “That’s… not why you dressed me like this.”

“Mm, maybe,” he said, lips twitching. “Or maybe I just like seeing you look like you own the place.”

Lara groaned dramatically, throwing her hands up. “Ugh, you two are disgusting. I’m going to find a flower crown for myself. Don’t make out on the armor display, please.”

I shot her a glare, but Nathaniel? He was still smirking like the cocky bastard he was. “So, Evil Witch Queen,” he teased, offering me his arm like a proper knight, “shall we go curse the jousting arena together?”

“Lisbon, I swear, if you keep calling me that—”

“You’ll hex me? Promise?”

And damn it, I couldn’t stop myself from laughing as I let him lead me out, cloak swishing behind me like I’d actually stepped into the role he’d shoved me into.



Let me tell you something: walking out of that shop in full witch-queen regalia was like being shoved onto a stage you didn’t sign up for.

People actually stopped. Like, mid-turkey-leg bite, mid-sword fight with foam swords, mid-funnel-cake devouring. Their eyes went wide, some even pointed, and a little kid literally gasped and whispered, “It’s the Witch Queen.”

Oh, great. Perfect. Exactly what my anxiety needed—an audience.

Meanwhile Nathaniel? Oh, he was eating this up. He strutted at my side like he’d just won the medieval lottery, arm proudly linked with mine, smug grin carved into his face.

“See?” he whispered in my ear as a group of knights-in-fake-armor bowed dramatically when we passed. “I told you. You were born for this role, my witch.”

I elbowed him hard. “Don’t. Call. Me. That.”

“Oh, but the crowd loves it,” he drawled, nodding toward a group of college girls in flower crowns who were openly whispering and giggling at us. “Look—they’re jealous of me. Because I’ve got the most dangerous, most beautiful woman here.”

I rolled my eyes so hard I was surprised they didn’t fall out. “Or maybe they’re staring because you look like a cowboy who got lost in the wrong century.”

He gasped, clutching his chest theatrically. “Blasphemy! You wound me, my dark queen.”

And damn it, I laughed. Right there in the middle of the festival, people gawking, music blaring, the smell of roasted turkey legs and candied nuts in the air—I laughed so hard I had to cover my mouth.

And that’s when she appeared.

A woman in a velvet gown that looked straight out of a royal portrait swept toward us. Golden hair piled high, jeweled crown gleaming, and—oh, look at that—ample cleavage on full display. She screamed Renaissance Barbie Queen.

“Oh my god, Nathaniel!” she squealed before I could even process, throwing herself at him with both arms. And because apparently the universe hates me, he caught her, grinning like she was some long-lost friend.

“Ivy?” Nathaniel said, laughing, hugging her back like it was the most natural thing in the world. “It’s been forever.”

Forever? Hugging? Laughing? Oh, no. Nope. I narrowed my eyes so hard it was a miracle she didn’t burst into flames on the spot.

Ivy finally pulled back, flashing me a once-over. And let me tell you—her smile was the fakest thing since plastic tiaras. “Ohhh, and who’s this? From the city, I assume?”

From the city. Like it was some sort of disease.

Before I could strangle her with my cloak, Nathaniel opened his big fat mouth. “This is Aya—”

“That’s his girlfriend,” I cut in, sweetly sliding my hand around his arm like a boa constrictor. “Right, darling?”