"Worried about your competition?" he teased.

"Of course not," she lied.

His eyes danced, and he grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the bookcase, leading her down another aisle and to a side door that she'd completely missed. Even if she had seen it, she doubted it would have opened during the trial.

Teague paused before the door and gently rubbed off a spot of dirt on her cheek. Her skin burned from the touch of his hand and she had to settle her heart, beating out of control. The Grimoire was right in front of her, inches away, beneath his coat. All she had to do was grab it and open it, and all of her troubles would be over.

But she couldn't. She was frozen under the spell of his touch. She felt her eyes close and her breath catch.

His warm scent rolled over her as he leaned closer. She didn't want to move and yet she couldn't look. Was he going to kiss her?

She felt a breeze and heard the door open behind her. He pressed forward, but only to make her pass backward through the door into the hall. Then he followed.

That was awkward. Her heart sunk at how she'd let her feelings run so amok. Feelings were weakness. She turned with the intent to walk quickly down the hallway with her head held high and cheeks on fire. Walk? Who was she kidding? She wanted to run away in embarrassment.

He grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a side corridor before she got too far ahead.

"What?" she snapped, which only made him smile. A smile that was so much like Jared's. Every inch of her wanted to reach out and slap that smile from his face.

He wasn't Jared. He wasn't the person she had fallen for. The person in front of her would eventually curse her family. She was finding it hard to breathe. Mina tried to pull away from him, but he wouldn't release her.

"Don't be distressed, Elle, about the other girls and who made it. With you here, I'm not sure there is much competition."

Chapter 25.

Those words, those few little words, sent Mina soaring for a whole three-point-two seconds before crashing down into reality with a flop.

Stop it! She told herself. Don't let him fool you.

Who was she kidding? If she didn't do what she'd come here to do, everyone was doomed. Her ancestors, her brother, her family.

Teague had left her alone after escorting her to the door of the gathering room. She assumed he had to get back to finish the testing with the last two girls, although he had said there would be a delay since they had to find another ogre.

Somehow, that thought infuriated her. They were taking advantage of ogres and making them pawns in a princess test. So what if the ogres were naturally evil and most of the girls were no real danger to them? Mina had imprisoned one forever. She'd had no choice. Evil or not, Royals shouldn't just use them as bait.

She would really have to have a talk with Teague again later.

Mina entered the waiting room to find Dinah and Ever alone. Dinah seemed surprised at Mina's appearance, but she masked it quickly. Ever didn't even look at her. She was too busy reading a book on a settee.

"Is this it?" Mina asked. "Did the others not pass?"

"Looks that way," Ever answered shortly. "Do you see anyone else? I guess it's just us...and probably Annalora."

"What makes you so sure?" Dinah asked.

"Oh, she'll pass the test all right. One look at her face and the ogre is sure to drop dead." Ever delivered the dry line with a deadpan face and perfect timing. Dinah snorted, and Mina had to cover her mouth to keep back the giggles.

"No, she'll pass because the ogre will hear her complaining a mile off and run before he ever sees her," Dinah added.

Now Ever started laughing. The jokes definitely helped to relieve the mounting stress that made the room so suffocating. "Or she'll try to sing, but it will be so bad, the ogre turns himself to stone."

The tittering laughter continued on, until a small cough at the door made them look up in surprise.

Annalora stood there in her slim blue dress, which didn't look wrinkled at all. "Or Annalora will pass the test, because she is worthy of being queen, and she will kill anyone who gets in her way."

Mina was stunned. "You passed the test already? How many were there?"

"What does it matter? They're dumb and illiterate like you," she taunted. "What would really help everyone would be to banish all of the horrible, evil, and dangerous creatures to a faraway land. Elle, what land did you say you were from? I'm sure there's plenty of room for more stinky ogres." Annalora smiled cruelly, waiting for Mina to respond.

Hateful, spiteful, inappropriate names were on the tip of Mina's tongue. She was seriously ready to lash out against the ignorant girl. But she curbed them. Something about Annalora's smile seemed a little too eager. She was ready to start a fight, and Mina knew how to read between the lines. Responding to her jabs would just be adding fuel to the fire. The girl thrived on the emotional turmoil she caused others. Mina had seen plenty of girls like her in her school and on the Internet. They called them trolls. Man, that thought entertained Mina.

Mina's silence in response to the subtle bullying did not by any means signify that she conceded. Only time would prove who was better. Mina would have to beat the girl in life, and not with words. After all, Annalora could say as many mean and hateful things as she wanted, but they would only hurt if Mina believed them, and she didn't.

But she couldn't let the conversation lead to more questions about where she was from. She had to let her pride take the hit to protect her home.

"What's that? You don't disagree? Well, when I'm queen that will be one of the first things I do."

"Well, if you become queen, I will volunteer to go to this far off land just to get away from you," Ever responded.

"Pixies are the bane of society," Annalora snarled. "Everyone knows they are the weakest in Fae magic. Truthfully, I'm surprised you made it this far without cheating."

"I didn't cheat."

The gnome rolled her eyes and answered, "Quit lying to yourself."

"I. Didn't. Cheat!" Ever yelled, her wings fluttering furiously. The wind picked up, tossing things about. A ceramic vase flew across the room and crashed into the wall inches from where Annalora's head had been just moments before.

The smug smile fell from her face at the same time the vase crashed to the ground. Ever realized her mistake and quickly calmed herself, but not before Annalora got in one last jab. "You are one messed up pixie."

"Enough!" Dinah spoke out. There's no use fighting amongst each other. This is not a battle that will be won by tearing each other down. Focus on the next test. Only one will be crowned Princess to rule beside Teague as a Fate. Only one will someday have all the power that is bestowed upon the queen. And that girl will be one of the four of us. Who among you is confident enough in your position to be making enemies with one of the future Fates? I, for one, am not willing to take that chance."

When Dinah's insight settled upon the room, a heavy silence followed. Mina looked at the nymph in admiration. She would make a wonderful princess. She was patient, kind, and intelligent. The Fae needed someone like her. If Teague chose her, there's no way he would be disappointed, and she would never betray him.

Mina paused to study the three remaining girls. Ever was already in love with Teague, and she loved him enough to follow a part of him to the human plane-which meant either she didn't pass the next test or she wasn't chosen in the end. Ever had never once let on about participating in a princess test. Surely she would have told Mina she was once betrothed to Jared or Teague. That wasn't something she thought Ever could have kept secret. There would be a very real possibility-if Teague chose Ever-that they could live a happily ever after. He wouldn't turn evil. He wouldn't seek out Mina's family and continually curse them.

But if he didn't choose Dinah or Ever that left-Annalora. The vibes Mina got from her were enough to make a polar bear shudder. It was quite probable that Annalora would be the winner. She was the only one selfish and heartless enough to send Teague to the dark side.

The proverbial light bulb switched on in Mina's mind. What if she was here to sway Teague's decision from Annalora to Ever or Dinah? Mina gently slid off a glass slipper and saw that the diamonds had started to fall again. That had to be it! Her quest wasn't to save her family but to save the prince before her time ran out.

Mina paced her room like a grounded teenager. She would try and rest in a chair for a few minutes, but then she'd have the urge to move. The slippers sat on the edge of her bed, taunting her. She was afraid to put them on. What if they sent her spiraling back to the future before she was ready?

But at the same time she was ready. She couldn't help but think of home and Brody. Her heart ached. Prince Charming was probably worried sick and she hadn't even dropped a slipper for him to find her. Inwardly, she cringed at the thought of him alone with the Lara and Daphne at the ball. Mina should be there with him, not here.

"You seem upset." His voice came from the shadows of her room. She almost cringed at how much he sounded like Jared. Teague moved from the darkness and sat on the one cushioned chair in her room, flinging his long legs over the arm and clasping his hands over his stomach. He looked completely at ease, and it didn't seem to bother him that he was once again intruding on her privacy.

"I am upset. Really. Locks on the door would be great."

"There are locks." He pointed to the door and the large iron keyhole.

Mina frowned at him. "I mean locks to keep you out."

He laughed. "There is no such thing."

"I gathered as much. Since you are once again in my room."

"This is my room." He gestured to the whole castle. "All of this belongs to me. I can go where I please. And right now, I feel like being right here."

There was no use arguing. She moved across the room and sat down on the bed, tucking her feet up under her. Closer to her shoes.

"Why are you here?" Teague's words lacked their usual spite. "I've been pondering the question since I met you, and I can't come up with a reason. It's obvious that you aren't here for the same reason as the others. You had no clue as to the goings on of the test. And why were you wandering around in the royal woods the other night?"

Mina felt her insides clench with nerves. "I'm here to try and save my family."

"And your family is living in the woods?"

"No." She measured her words carefully. "Someone cursed my family, and now they're in danger. I'm here to find a way to save them."

"So you're here hoping that if you become my betrothed, I'll somehow end the curse and save your family?"

"I, uh...uh...no." The words stuttered out. "That is not my intention. I'm not a fool, and I don't have false aspirations. I doubt I'll pass the next test. Everything I've done so far has been a complete fluke. But I am hoping that you will find true love and happiness."

His leg stopped swinging over the arm rest, and he leaned up to look at her. Surprise was all over Teague's face as he pondered her words. Finally, he said, "Thank you. But I can't help but wonder why."

"Why does there need to be a why? You can't just accept my well wishes?"

"Not without wondering what's your motive? All females cover their motives behind sweet words and false intentions."

"No, I'm really hoping that if you find your Happily Ever After, your reign will be a peaceful and prosperous one for all races." Mina truly believed in every single word she said. "And I think that Ever Farindale is perfect for you. She's sweet, kind, and would follow you to the ends of the earth."

A dark shadow hovered over Teague. Was he angry at her suggestion? "Why would you say such things?"

Mina wasn't sure how she'd upset him, but she sure had.

"Are you trying to influence my decision toward another competitor? Unheard of. You really are surprising."

"Is it that surprising that I tell you the truth? She loves you, you know."

"Love? Love has nothing to do with this."

"Don't you want to love the person that you will eventually marry?"

"Love, no. Tolerate, yes. The throne demands someone strong. That's all that matters. Strong bloodlines."

"That's horrible."

"That's the way it is."

She didn't speak. She simply waited and watched Teague. He seemed content to just sit next to her without talking. For a moment, he looked like he had fallen asleep. His eyes had closed and he looked relaxed. Again, he resembled Jared.

"What do you think of Dinah?" Mina asked softly.

Teague's face scrunched into a frown. "Really? This again." He opened one eye at her. "Fine. Bestow upon me all of her fine qualities, if you think to persuade me." He waved his hand in her direction.

Mina pursed her lips. "She's patient, wise, powerful, and can make a delicious dessert."

"You lie. I bet she makes horrible dessert."

She laughed. "Well, maybe for you, because of your sour attitude."

He waited a few more minutes and then opened both eyes again, watching her expectantly. "You've failed to speak up for Annalora or yourself."

"Annalora doesn't need someone to speak for her. She can tout her qualities-what few there are-loud enough to be heard in the next kingdom."

Teague smiled wryly. "True. But you? You don't want to speak up and convince me that you'd make a perfect choice?"

"No, I don't."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't belong here. And as soon as you're engaged, it will be time for me to leave." She didn't really know how else to explain it. The Fae plane could never be home to her. She couldn't abandon her family, her friends.

"It's because of him isn't it?" he asked, surprising her.

She wondered if he knew about Brody, but then he continued. "It's the one named Jared. You love him?" He sat up and studied his clasped hands.

"I-I do. I mean I did. But there's no chance for us anymore."

"You, who champion love, would give it up so easily?" He looked at her, seeming disappointed.

She sucked in her breath and her thoughts spun wildly in her head. She had to push back her feelings about Jared. "As you said before, you're not marrying for love. Please, think about what I said about the other girls. Don't waste any more time with me. Spend the rest of the night getting to know Ever or Dinah. Give them hints on the third test."

"How do you know there will be a third? What if I've already made my decision?"

"Isn't that how it always is in the stories? There are always three tasks. So I just assumed...am I wrong?"

He paused in thought. "There don't have to be three. I can end this anytime I want. The Fates will be happy if I just choose someone. The first test was to narrow down the selection down based on qualities. The other tests are only to make the final decision easier." He leaned back in the chair again. "Now you've got me interested in your stories. One day you'll have to tell me some of them. But really, you don't even want to know what the next task is?"

Mina walked to her door and motioned for Teague to leave.