I had giggled in delight and continued to skip as cabs honked their horns and drunk men on the corner shouted obscenities. None of it mattered. I was a princess. And when I grew up I would keep wearing princess dresses just like the Aurora dress my mother made me.

The images of my youth dissipate as I continue to look at my reflection. In the mirror is the image of the woman I wanted to be when I was eight. But I’m only playing dress-up. Inside I’m not a princess. If anything I’m the witch.

In all those fairy tales I once loved, the witch always used spells to make herself beautiful. But before the happily-ever-after ending, the witch’s spell would go wrong and the whole world would see how ugly she really was. That’s how fairy tales work.

And in a fairy tale, Lander would see me cloaked in layers of magical silk chiffon, and he would fall for me because he would mistake me for someone else: an innocent, beautiful princess . . . and then the real princess would step forward and he’d realize that it was all a trick.

And then he would have his minions tear me apart.

It’s so easy to be seduced by royalty. Lander with his perfect smile and gentle hands . . . hands that he keeps clean, just like a real Prince Charming. But when he realizes I’m the witch, he will find a woman who is more pure and less challenging to be his companion. And he will oversee my ruin with that same winning smile.

Because in the real fairy tales, Prince Charming never forgives. When it serves him, he’s ruthless.

I just wish I didn’t find that quality so alluring. But more than that, I wish I could be a princess. I wish there was a way we could be ruthless together, condemning his family to our dungeons while we throw lavish balls in our castle.

But we can’t. Because he doesn’t want to jail Travis.

And even if he did, it wouldn’t work. Because I’m the witch.

I lower my eyes. “It’s a beautiful dress,” I whisper.

“Would you like to try on the Nicole Miller?”

“No, I’ll take this one.” I gesture for her to help me with the zipper again. “Just make sure Mrs. Gable doesn’t slip into a coma before she up-fronts the money.”

Tanya laughs and exits the dressing room.

Slowly and with regret I slip the dress from my shoulders, shedding myself of the pretty spell.

chapter thirty-six

Upon reuniting with Jessica, I had been initially confused by how she had become more, not less, intoxicated while waiting for me. But that was before I found the half-empty flask in her handbag. By the time I get her home she’s barely conscious. The nanny is there with Braden and Mercedes when we walk through the door.