“It’s almost time for my aftinner anyway,” Mr. Beast says. “You should get some sleep, Jonah. Breakfast will be served at seven A.M. sharp.”

“What are you making?” I ask.

“A cheeseburger.”

“For breakfast?” Gross.

He laughs. “No. For aftinner. Omelets for breakfast.”

“Cheese-free, I hope,” I say.

“With homemade ketchup?” Jonah asks, licking his lips.

“With homemade ketchup,” Mr. Beast promises.

While they finish up their game, I go downstairs to find the books.

The basement is dark and smells musty. I turn on the lamp and see piles and piles of books all over the floor and scattered around messily on the shelves.

I pick up a few books from the top of a pile and bring them upstairs to Beauty.

“There are stacks and stacks of books in the basement,” I tell her, handing over the ones I chose. “Mr. Beast says you can read whatever you want. I grabbed you a few. I wasn’t sure what kinds you liked.”

“I’m too dizzy to read,” she says, putting the books on her nightstand. “But thanks. I’ll have a look tomorrow.”

“You sure you don’t want to see a doctor?”

“No, no, tomorrow it will be gone. It always is.”

“Always? How often do you eat the thing you’re allergic to?”

“A lot,” she admits sheepishly. “I don’t like to insult anyone.”

“Beauty! You can’t worry so much about insulting people. You have to worry about yourself!”

She sighs. “Can you lecture me tomorrow? I’m not really up for it.”

I pull the covers up to her chin. “Okay, I’ll lecture you tomorrow. Plus we have a fun day planned. You and Mr. Beast are going to get to know each other really well. I’ll bet you’ll even fall in love!”

“I’m not sure about that,” she says. “But I’ll stay longer if it helps you. And he has stacks of books. I love books so much. Books are amazing.”

“So’s Mr. Beast,” I press. “He’s amazing, too. You’ll see.”

She closes her eyes without answering.

Chapter Twelve: Tell Me a Story

I oversleep. The bed is so comfortable. The sheets are silky, and the purple comforter is extra fluffy.

When I open my eyes, the first thing I do is run into the sitting room and check the magic mirror to make sure my parents are still in their bed.

“Snooooooooooooooorrrshhhh —”

This time, the snore belongs to my mom. Their clock says 4:50.

I return to my room, go through the closet, and put on comfy black leggings and a sparkly orange top. Then I go check on Beauty, but she’s not in her room. Neither is my brother. I hurry downstairs and find Jonah, Mr. Beast, and Prince at the table, munching away on blueberry pancakes.

I stretch my arms above my head. “Morning. I thought you were making omelets! Where’s Beauty?”