Page 11 of Angels Don’t Date

I smiled brightly at the camera. “Katriana actually, but for awhile I went by Kristin because I wanted to feel more human. And you’re Pearly White. Such white, sharp, terrifying teeth.”

He widened his smile as he faced the camera and said in a low, mesmerizing voice. “Pity I’m not on the roster of potential candidates. I’m not sure who could resist such a charming beauty. Go ahead, Princess Katriana,” he said, once more smiling at me and gesturing to the next man in line.

The werewolf wore a suit, but no shirt. His pectorals were waxed, bare in a way that most werewolves would mock. He flashed a sharp smile at me and gave me a thorough perusal, making me feel ridiculous in my corseted Swiss dot dress, with pink satin waist tie. Also the ringlets. Should probably have gone for sleek vampire instead of pastel princess, but I was building my brand.

“You look good enough to eat,” he rumbled, holding out his hand for me to shake.

I bared my teeth—no fangs—in a smile and then put my hand delicately over his and gave him a very graceful curtsy while butterflies fluttered around and magical sparkles sparkled. “Mr. Raferty, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

He puffed up his chest and nodded. “I know. It’s always a pleasure for females to meet me.”

I stared at him until he laughed, like he’d been joking about his enormous ego. I laughed along, but feebly. Okay then. He was going to be lots of fun to hang around. Um.

Pearly White led me to the next candidate, Zander Spinnera. The tall, silver-haired elf gave me a serene smile, but didn’t try to touch me.

“Princess Katriana. It’s a pleasure to meet you in the flesh. I look forward to furthering our acquaintance.” He bowed, I curtsied, and then we were moving on. He didn’t leave much of an impression, not even of arrogance, so that was interesting. Um.

The next candidate was the Devil of Wonderland, who gave me a shark-like smile that showed seemingly human teeth beneath his soft lips while his dark eyes glowed . “I’m so honored to be included in the list of your possible suitors. I’ve long believed that romance is the height and pinnacle of sophistication. That’s why I recently installed the world’s most luxurious honeymoon suites in every one of my casinos. I have one on each continent and the finest cities as well. Have you ever been to Wonderland, Princess Katriana?” His gleaming eyes twinkled with avarice and desirability. Happily, I didn’t have any kind of personal response to him.

Now I knew what representing meant to him. Product placement. His casinos as product. I batted my lashes at him and then let myself get distracted by the lovely blue butterfly fluttering around eye-level.

“I’ve never had the pleasure. What do I call you? Devil or Wonderland?” I refocused on him and gave him a saccharine sweet smile.

His brow twitched and he bowed. “You may call me Philius Gray. Should I call you Princess, or Katriana?”

“Princess Katriana will do very well.” I walked past him without waiting for Pearly White to move me along. It was one thing to be here to promote a product or your own brand, but for him to be so obvious about it! At least the werewolf didn’t hold up a canister of his elixirs right off the bat. Even he wasn’t so rude, and he was certainly rude enough.

The next candidate was Monterose Fellicci, the fairy opera singer. He wore a dark green suit with an embroidered vest. His wings sparkled along with his cheekbones. He’d put a lot of shimmer powder on there.

“Mr. Fellicci!” I exclaimed, curtsying and beaming at him.

He fluttered his wings and then bowed low, hand over his heart while he looked at me like he was dying. “Princess. Has there ever been a lovelier rose amidst the thorns? Singing with you was, how do you say, the breath of life!”

I giggled and batted my fluttery lashes at him. “It was an experience I will treasure forever! I’m so glad you were able to make time in your busy schedule for this competition.”

His eyes sparkled, literally, and I wasn’t sure if it was the work of the enchanter or his own special effects. “How could I miss an opportunity to find true love?”

Um. Did he actually think love was found on a stage? I mean, he did opera, so maybe?

Pearly took my elbow and dragged me to the next contestant, who was none other than the billionaire executive politician, Banus Jones.

“Princess Katriana.” His voice was sin and chocolate and the incubus looked at me with bedroom eyes that gave me goosebumps. No, that was the distant sonic boom that had me looking up, searching the skies for the missing angel.

There he was, a streak of gold across the blue sky.

My stomach twisted into a double-knotted pretzel when they slowed enough that I recognized the Pegasus and his golden rider.

The cameras were all trained on him as he made his entrance, a golden figure caught by the rays of the sun spiraling down to us. His wings framed his broad shoulders encased in armor of heavenly gold. It was too much gold, too much glory, and that didn’t count the music that trailed from his horse’s hooves along with streams of gold sparkles. Overkill. But what else would you expect from the most bloodthirsty angel of our time? Probably any time.

He landed on the far side of the group and slipped off his steed, coming towards us while taking off his golden helmet. He shook back his long golden locks, and caught me with his bright blue eyes.

No. No, no, no, no, no!

I was caught there, frozen in horror while Richard the Lion came towards me, slow, with a diabolical smile curling on his mouth as he neared. He dropped to a knee, gazing up at me like I was his salvation, and then conjured a daisy out of thin air. A daisy! It was bright and cheerful, my absolute favorite flower, but it’s not something I advertised. And it matched my dress. It did not match him and his elaborate armor.

Two things were absolutely certain: the angel knew how to make an entrance. And he was even more terrifying now than the first time we’d met. Also, he smelled incredibly good, sweet, fresh, and delicious, like fresh croissants from the finest bakery.

“And here is our final contestant,” Pearly said, coming over with his sharp smile, but even he looked slightly intimidated by the angel. “And he brought a flower. Such a romantic gesture!”