Ugly Girl Read online

  “Call for me if you need anything. Otherwise don’t move your leg. The stitches are still fresh, and you can’t put any pressure on your leg.” Remy paused to smile at my halfhearted wave of acknowledgement. “It was a privilege to talk to you, Princess Rosie. Thank you for hearing me. Rest well.”

  “Anytime, Remy. I’m always here to listen.” My voice was shaky and my sigh uneven as the door finally closed, leaving me with an audience of just the one. Bastien settled in next to me on the bed, unwilling to leave just yet. “Making yourself comfortable there?” I bit my lower lip through the pain that kept knocking me over the head in waves.

  “You asked me not to leave you, so here I am.” He reached over my body and tugged the shirt I was wearing downward to cover my naked thighs. He pulled the sheet up over me, careful not to let the material scrape over my wrapped wound. Then he held my hand, giving me something to grip through the internal fire that wasn’t through screwing with me yet. Bastien kissed the tip of my nose, offering up a crooked smile that endeared me to him. “I like you in my clothes.”

  I don’t know why that struck me as funny. Probably because the second sexiest moment I’d ever had happened when snakes were pouring out of my body like vomit. I brushed my nose to his, widening his grin to that of a churlish boy who needed a good scolding. “I like you in my clothes,” I told him. “I think we should trade. You’ve got nice boobs. You could totally hold your own.”

  Bastien laughed, snorting into my hair. “Thanks. I don’t think I need to tell you how nice yours are.” He observed my expression twist from teasing to torment as the misery struck me afresh. Though there was no scalpel in my leg anymore, the nerves inside weren’t aware the danger had left us alone for the moment. Bastien let me squeeze his hand through the agony, and when it left me again, he kissed my knuckles. “I’ll be right back. Get you something for the pain.”

  “What makes you think I’m in pain?” I joked.

  “I’m good like that.” He was careful as he climbed over me, pausing to do a pushup over my body just to make me snicker. He returned not a minute later with a cup and a rag that was wet with warmed water. “Liquor for the worst of it,” he said quietly.

  He moved slowly as he helped me to sit up, tipping the cup to my trembling lips to let the green-colored licorice-smelling gasoline-like liquid trickle down my throat. The numbing effect was strong and quick, and as he laid me back down, I thought to myself how weightless I felt. My limbs were no longer a problem. After a couple minutes of quiet, nothing was a problem. I’d never had anything that strong, and wondered if it was magical liquor or something.

  Bastien wound my hair up above me over the pillow and dabbed at my face and neck with the rag, sweeping the sweat from me so I was a little more comfortable. I tried to reach for him, but my hand was too tired to commit to the effort. He caught my fingers and started rubbing my arm. “What do you need, Daisy?”

  “Stay with me. Just until I fall asleep. I don’t like sleeping alone.” I watched the contented smile spread across his handsome features, stretching his lips and dimpling his cheeks in the roguish way I couldn’t help but be attracted to. “I want something happy to remember for the next time you turn into a jackweasel on me.”

  Bastien made a slow seduction of climbing up my body and kissing my cheeks, brushing his lips across mine as he switched from left to right. I was so needy for him, despite everything. There was something about him that resonated with me. We both guarded our innards probably a little too zealously, clamming up or lashing out when we were poked with the wrong stick. Bastien checked the door twice to make sure it was locked, and then he settled in between the wall and me. He dragged his knuckles down the slope of my face and fingered the collar of his shirt on me. “Goodnight, Princess Rosalie of Avalon.”

  “Shut up.”

  Bastien sniggered. “’Night, Rosie.” He touched the tips of my eyelashes as the lids swept shut. “Daisy. Roses have too many thorns. You’re a daisy, if I ever saw one. No matter how angry you think your bite may be, I see the softness.”

  “Goodnight, Bastien. The snakes,” I muttered sleepily.

  “Remy got them all. Don’t worry.”

  “Don’t let the snakes get me.”

  “I’ve got you,” he promised, kissing my cheek. “I won’t let anything hurt you. From now on, if I’m around, you’re safe.”

  It was a beautiful promise. A pretty vow that stayed with me when my breathing evened out as I lay on the straw mattress, surrounded by his arms and his piney scent. I cuddled into his side, closing my eyes as the gasoline I’d downed pulled me into a deep slumber.

  27

  Mrs. Robinson’s New Dress

  It was morning when I finally woke, though which day it was, I couldn’t tell you. My leg had been redressed while I’d been out, but it was still pretty useless for actually standing on, and forget about walking. Instead of Bastien beside me in bed, Abraham Lincoln was snuggled up to me. I tried not to let him feel my slight dip of disappointment at not being able to keep any man other than Judah in my bed for a single night. “Hi, baby,” I crooned to Abe, letting him lick my hand before he snuggled his face to my breasts.

  Hamish made his presence known in the form of drowsy cursing if we didn’t keep it down. He was on the far edge of the pillow, curled up with his tail tucked around him and under his chin, like a furry body pillow.

  I couldn’t quite get out of bed, so I sent Abraham Lincoln for Lane.

  “Hi, baby,” she said to me, making me smile. Her brown curls were in such disarray; I couldn’t believe she hadn’t been head-banging all night long. “You sleep well?” She was carrying a plate of eggs and fruit, which my stomach screamed for.

  I didn’t hold back, but shoveled bite after bite in my mouth as we spoke. “I’m not going to get used to the fact that all these years, you never slept. No wonder our house would always be clean when I got up.”

  “I’ve got my tricks,” she joked, sighing contentedly as Reyn came into the room behind her and coiled his arm around her waist. “You hungry? Want to rinse off?”

  “Can I seriously take a shower here?”

  “More or less. They’ve got their ways of making running water. Especially at a healer’s house. You’re just not allowed to put any weight on your leg, so I’ll have to help you. That cool?”

  I nodded and scooted to the side of the bed on my own. Lane bent over to help me up, but Reyn stopped her. “Let me.” Reyn scooped me up with his lean musculature, jostling my leg only the tiniest amount. I wasn’t sure how I felt about Lane’s boyfriend carrying me like a baby. I also wasn’t sure how I felt about Lane having a boyfriend, but Reyn seemed like a nice enough guy. Lane had been without a man my whole life; I would never begrudge her this. It just took a little getting used to.

  Reyn brought me into the bathroom and held me until Lane got the supplies situated. He lowered me slowly, letting me use him as an anchor until my good foot touched down on the floor.

  The shower was difficult to get both of us inside with me in my bruised state, but the struggle was well worth the effort to get the sweat, blood and memories off me. I waited on the stool in the bathroom after we finished, toweling off as Lane dressed in what could only be described as a Renaissance fair dress. It was dark green with cupped sleeves topping the longer sashes that covered her arms. Her breasts were on display more than usual, and the gown that showed off her hourglass figure had a skirt that flowed down like an emerald waterfall of material, brushing across her sandaled toes.

  “Whoa, dude. You look amazing. That looks crazy natural on you, yet still totally strange, because I’ve never seen anything like it on you before.”

  Lane smirked at me. “Thanks, babe.”

  The dress she slipped over my head was much the same style, but it was a dark pink – a color I rarely wore, due to it matching my name too closely. I didn’t want to be the girl named Rosie who only wore rose colors. Too nursery rhyme-ish. I looked down and got a size
able eyeful of my own cleavage, which I never displayed to the public. Even my sports bras were pretty modest, and I wore a jersey over those. “Um, yeah, I can’t wear this. What happened to my jeans?”

  “This is what the more affluent people look like here. We have to meet these new allies as ourselves. After that, we can wear peasant clothes. Much more low key. You’ll like those better.” She smoothed out her dress, and I could tell by the millions of emotions crossing her face that she didn’t know how to feel about being in her hometown, wearing the clothes she’d worn before leaving with me. “I never thought I’d be back here.”

  I stood on one leg only and leaned on the wall. I brushed Lane’s long, chocolate-colored hair with Remy’s wooden comb that was missing a few teeth. “So, Reyn, eh? You two get into any trouble last night? Do we need to have the talk?” I teased her. She’d given me the same speech when I’d gone to prom, reasoning that even though she was my date, if any guy got the glad eye for me, I’d know how to handle myself. She struck a good balance between covering all the bases and giving me space to make a few choices on my own.

  “Ha. Ha. Ha. No. Reyn’s sweet, but he’s a kid. He’s practically your age. I’m enjoying it while it lasts, before he realizes how very different we are.”

  “Hello. You’re not even your age. He’s what, like thirty years old? That’s hardly a kid.”

  “It’s hardly thirty-eight.”

  “I can’t even remember the last guy who made you look twice.” I pulled her hair back and started braiding one long line in a plait down her back. “I think it’s time you looked twice at this one. Reyn’s a good guy. Come on. ‘Here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson,’” I teased, making her cringe.

  “What about you and Bastien?” she asked, not so artfully changing the subject. “He’s got a few smiles for you.”

  “Yeah. He’s tricky. I’m waiting this one out to see if anything sticks. He’s confusing.”

  “The funnest ones always are.” Her smile faded. “Just be careful. He’s been around several blocks, if you know what I mean.”

  A fist knocked slowly on the door. “Princess Rosalie? We should probably get going if we’re going to make it there before the others.”

  “Huh? Get going where?”

  Lane’s head whipped from the door to me and back again before revelation shown on her face as she threw her head back. “Ah. Is that Remy? I don’t think I’ll ever get used to you being able to do that.”

  “To meet the Council. If you’ll come on out, I’ll redress your leg and we can be on our way.”

  “Sure, Remy. I’ll be right out.” Lane served as my crutch while I hobbled to a chair at the kitchen table.

  Reyn was right there alongside her, lowering me down to the seat with his eyes on Lane the whole time. “You look… I thought you were beautiful as Lane Avalon, but now? Now you’re a queen.” He sunk down to his knees, and for a second I was scared he was going to propose or something. He clutched her hands, staring up at her as if she was the most incredible woman he’d ever laid eyes on. He was not wrong. Lane was made for the dress, not the other way around. She always knew what to do, what to say, and how to be.

  Except this time. She bit her lower lip – our signature stress marker. Right then I saw the stark differences in our worlds. While Reyn needed only a few days to be completely convinced that Lane was the one for him, that kind of logic was completely lost on me. By the look of shock on Lane’s face at Reyn’s unabashed devotion, I could tell she was more from my world than his. He sensed her discomfort and stood, holding her hands between them as he faced her with unconcealed affection.

  “Okay, okay, smooth operator,” Lane smirked, trying to pass it all off as a light and breezy non-moment. “I think we should get going before you charm the pants offa me.” She looked down and gasped at her dress. “Well, whataya know? It’s already working. No pants.”

  Reyn gave her a look that was far too adult for my liking. Suddenly I went from third wheel to mother. I cleared my throat. “Alright, kids.” I clapped my hands three times to reel them back before Reyn up and proposed prematurely, and consequently pushed her away. “Let’s go see the Council or whatever. What am I supposed to be doing?”

  Reyn turned to me, and surprisingly still had a friendly grin for me even after I’d cock-blocked him. “It’s a meeting of the minds who are against Morgan le Fae. There’s someone from every free province there. They need to meet you, talk with you so we can all agree what first priority is.” He turned to Lane. “Do you want to lead the way, or shall I?”

  “Reyn, I haven’t wandered these woods in years. My last time was probably before you were born.” Lane’s levity died on her lips, her eyes closing at putting her foot in her mouth. She was the boot-in-the-mouth girl when she was nervous around a guy.

  Reyn tilted his head to the side to size up Lane’s nerves. Then a lazy look of complete and total chill swept over him when he realized she was more nervous around him than he was around the Lost Duchess of Avalon. He pulled her closer, ignoring me, Remy (who was packing a bag in the bedroom), Abraham Lincoln and Hamish as he touched his lips to hers, pulling out her lower lip so she wouldn’t be able to bite it, now that it was in his mouth. He sucked on her lip as her eyes closed and her knees weakened.

  I shooed the animals into the bedroom with Remy. I tried to hobble after them as best I could, but my leg wasn’t seaworthy just yet. Remy ran to my side, intuiting my needs before I could admit to them. He scooped me up in his capable arms and shut me inside with himself and the animals. My hand flew over my mouth, and a giddy childish squeal birthed on my lips at Lane being so totally taken by the sweetest guy I’d met in a long time. I didn’t care about the age gap. I only cared how the young’un was treating her, and so far all the flags were flying high.

  “Do you think they’ll stay here?” Remy asked, bringing a halt to my party. He lowered me to sit on the bed so I didn’t hurt my leg further.

  “What do you mean? Like, in your house? I thought we were all going to the Council together.”

  “I meant in Faîte. Do you think they’ll stay here in Avalon, or do you plan on going back to your world after you help us with ours?”

  “Huh. I haven’t really thought much about it. I didn’t know it was an option to stay here. I don’t think I know enough about your world to make that kind of decision.”

  Remy’s thoughts were disjointed and scattered in fragments, so I tuned out and pulled Abraham Lincoln onto my lap, snuggling the teddy bear I would never get too old to cuddle. He stretched his back out and lifted his chin as he flopped over on my lap, offering up his full belly to me for a good scratch. I loved how much he trusted me, and vowed to protect him so he didn’t have to worry about abandonment anymore.

  I heard Bastien walk in on the two makeout buddies, apologizing left and right as he ducked into the bedroom with wide eyes. “Um, did you see that?” He wore a blue and green flannel with his jeans, and it looked like he’d showered and shaved since I’d last seen him. His dark brown hair was wind-tousled on top and stuck up in the back, giving the perfect model lumberjack of a man just enough of a visual flaw for him to appear like he wasn’t photoshopped. He jerked his thumb over his shoulder, adjusting the full quiver that was slung on his back. “They’re making out!” His eyes fell on my dress before they widened. “Oh, I didn’t realize you’d be wearing… But that makes sense. Reyn said he was taking care of your clothes, but I didn’t… We’re presenting you as yourself, so yeah. Wear that.” He addressed my breasts, and then recalled how rude that was. “I almost didn’t recognize you without that stupid t-shirt.”

  “Oh, you with the sexy talk. Shut up.”

  “That’s, um, I…” He cleared his throat and tried to regain his hold on the conversation.

  Remy sniggered in his mind. “I’ve never seen Bastien the Bold tongue-tied before. Give him a fleet of soldiers, and he doesn’t hesitate. But put him in front of a beautiful woman and he doesn’t know his right
foot from his left.”

  “You ready?”

  I swallowed a meek smile at Remy’s compliment. No man had ever called me beautiful before. “As I’ll ever be. But give them a couple more minutes. Lane hasn’t been kissed in ages.”

  Bastien looked up at the ceiling, avoiding my eyes and the dress that was too tight around my bust. “Yeah, fine.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest to give myself a little modesty and heard Remy chuckle in his mind at our predicament. “Ah, youth. Enjoy it while you can.”

  28

  Carried through the Woods

  I was uncomfortable being so exposed in the dress. When Reyn offered to carry me, I politely declined, not wanting to shove my boobs in my aunt’s boyfriend’s face. “I’m fine. I can walk.”

  “No, you can’t. The wound’s not nearly healed, and your stitches are fresh. If you tear something? Princess Rosie, be sensible.”

  “Oh, hush. I’m fine.”

  Bastien stood at the door, his quiver slung over his shoulder and a look of determination on his face. “I can carry you there.”

  “I really, really, really don’t think that’s necessary. It’s just a little sore, is all. Remy’s just being overprotective.” I shot Remy a look that told him to be cool, but he ignored me and shook his head at Bastien, vetoing my rule.

  Reyn cast Bastien a look of concern. “I truly hope they receive her favorably.”

  “It’ll be fine. Up you get, Daisy.” Before I could consent, Bastien had me scooped up in his arms, making me feel more like a damsel than I was comfortable with. My leg jostled a little, making me hiss through my teeth at the sting. “You alright?”

  I nodded through my gritted teeth. “Do it to it, Action Jackson Bastien.”

  “Huh?”

  “Just go.”