Reign (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale 4)

“What did you do? Unfreeze her now!” Mina rushed to her friend and checked to see if she’d been harmed.

“She’s fine and will unfreeze momentarily. We just need a minute without her to discuss our terms before we proceed.”

Mrs. Colbert gently opened up the lid and then pulled the sides open to reveal a hundred small compartments, each covered with a unique symbol. Her fingers flowed across each of them as she searched for the one she wanted.

“Aha!” she said softly. As she pulled open the small compartment, a tendril of light began to trickle out of the box. She wound it around her finger, and it solidified into a small golden charm. Quickly, she closed the drawer, as another tendril of light wanted to escape after the first one.

“What is that?” Mina asked, wondering if these were the charms her mom wore.

“Pandora’s box,” Mrs. Colbert answered, walking toward Nan with her hand outstretched.

“Like the Greek myth? Where Pandora opened the box to release all of the evil into the world. Is that the same box?”

“No, that box was destroyed. Since then, Pandora has tried to make up for her transgression by collecting the strongest and best attributes in the box as a way to make amends. We’ve been the protectors of this box for over a century now. This is Pandora’s jewelry box.”

Nix moved over to stand closer to the box, highly interested in the other symbols, his lips moving as he read them. Ever kept to the edges of the room as she watched in silence. She had her arms crossed in front of her and leaned against the wall, pretending she wasn’t interested in what was happening.

But Mina could tell. She was as curious as Nix.

“It took many years, but we were able to add locks to each compartment.” Constance approached Mina and leaned down to speak quietly with her. “The Guild and I have spoken. We listened to your request for help, and we’ve voted in your favor.”

“Meaning?”

“We’ve decided to allow you one.”

“One?”

“Yes, you are allowed to tell one human. We will allow only one to know of our existence. Other than your immediate family of course...and your Fae friends.” She looked over at Ever and Nix.

Mina was quiet for a second, contemplating how wrong all of this was. There were hundreds of Fae that knew about her, but she could only tell one human person. She had already told Brody and now Nan knew. She was already over her allotted human limit. “What happens if I want to tell more?”

Constance shook her head. “We can’t allow that. We would have to erase their memories ourselves. Any more and they become a liability to us, to you— to all Fae. So I have to ask you now…” She held out the small gold charm in the shape of an anchor. “Is Nan Taylor your one?”

Mina’s eyes flew to Nix who leaned back in surprise. He pinched his lips tightly, signaling that he wouldn’t say anything about Brody knowing. Now—when they were locked into a magic room with Pandora’s box—was not the time to argue. But this clearly made him even more interested in the box full of charms.

When Mina hesitated, Constance added, “Because if she’s not, we need to erase her memories before she leaves this room. And unfortunately, we aren’t as skilled as the Fates in doing it.”

Her veiled threat made Mina rush out her answer. “Yes, yes. She’s my one.”

“Okay then. The Guild will be happy to hear you’ve chosen.” She waved her hand and Nan picked up right where she left off.

“—ing to escape?”

“Nothing that you need to worry about. Here, Nan. Take this charm and wear it, but do not ever take it off.” She pressed the small key-shaped charm into her hand. “It will help unlock your memories and keep them from being altered in the future.”

Nan looked at the little golden key charm. “Sweet.” She lifted it up in the air and promptly dropped it. The charm slipped across the floor. “Oops.”

Nix moved away from Pandora’s box and reached down to pick up the runaway charm. He handed it to Nan, shooting Mina a disappointed look.

Mina understood. If the Guild caught her—she’d just chosen her best friend over Brody. They would once again be back to square one in their relationship. But in that moment, she’d had to make a choice.

She would just have to make sure the Guild didn’t find out.

Mina was silent and despondent as Constance led them back to the main hall. Nan seemed as chipper as Mina had expected and took everything in great stride. She had a spring in her step. It also helped that Nan held onto the charm and continued to rub her finger over it like it was a good luck token.

“I’m to bring you to the hall of mirrors,” Constance said.