Page 50 of This Prince Is Not Charming

“Fucking godwitches,” a voice said from nearby, but it wasn’t Ceri. Ceri was gone. “What have you gotten yourself into, brother?”

I turned my head, vision blurry as a figure stomped toward me. As he came closer, I recognized the maroon cloak and hood. The same one that all brotherhood members wore, except this one had a shiny golden badge pinned to it that only the highest-ranking members received.

I tried to sit up, but along with my emotions, my body was too numb. I couldn’t feel anything. “Who are you?” I slurred. “What do you want with me?”

The figure crouched and removed his hood. His stubble was peppered with grey, his hair shoulder-length and wavy. His features were rugged and tired like the weight of a thousand worlds sat upon him. But nevertheless, I’d recognize him anywhere.

“Lor,” I said weakly, knowing none of this was real. I wasn’t even sure this meadow was real. Ceri definitely hadn’t been real, and that thought made my body relax even more. Fake Lor could say whatever he wanted. Could do whatever he wanted. He couldn’t hurt me, not if he was in my head.

My older brother picked up the vial lying next to me and swore under his breath. “Did you drink this whole thing, Cillian?”

“Mmm,” I said.

“Fuck,” he responded. “The brotherhood doesn’t even have to try and kill you. You’re going to kill yourself. You have to stop taking this.”

Laughter bubbled out of me. “That’s funny. You’re funny.”

“This isn’t a joke, Cillian. It’s your life. This stuff is dangerous.”

I shook my head. “No it’s not. I’ve been taking it for over ten years, and I’m fine.”

“This is not fine,” Lor said.

“Please go away,” I said, squeezing my eyes shut and hoping he’d disappear like Ceri had. I was finally feeling completely at peace, and my brain just had to ruin it. I opened my eyes, annoyed that my hallucination of Lor was still happening.

“Let me guess,” Lor said, “you started out taking smaller doses, but you’ve had to increase those doses over the years.”

“Hey,” I said, “how did you know that? Oh right, you’re me. I’m you. You’re a figment of my imagination.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Cillian, please listen to me. You’ve got to stop taking this. It’s meant to help people with extreme anxiety for short periods of time. It’s not meant for longer use.”

“It helped Ceri’s father,” I said, amused that I was basically arguing with myself. “After her sister died and he completely lost his mind. They gave this to him, and it worked.”

“And is he still taking it?” Lor asked.

“No,” I said. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t.”

“You’re not listening.”

“Look at the stars.” I pointed toward the sky. “Aren’t they lovely tonight? I could just lay here and stare at them for hours.”

“How did you even get here?” Lor asked.

“Through a portal,” I said, and he sucked in a sharp breath that I didn’t understand. “But I don’t think I’m going to go back.”

“You’re the high prince. You have to return.”

I snorted. “Castle couldn’t care less about me. It doesn’t like me, you know. I was its second choice.”

“Who was its first?”

“Wish I knew. I’d find them and bring them to Fairwitch Isle so Castle could have the ruler it really wants on the throne.”

“You’re rambling.”

“Probably.”

Another deep sigh. “Does anyone know you’re out here?”