Page 118 of Hateful Prince

“Are you well?” Pan asked, brow cocked in concern.

“Come on, boy, let’s dance.” I got into position, ready to jab at him with my invisible sword.

“I’m confused. Are we dancing or fighting? Either way, I’ll wipe the floor with you.”

Lunging forward, I slapped the side of his face, imagining that I was slicing him with the tip of my blade. “Coward!”

Pan gaped at me, his shock swiftly bleeding into fury. “You dare lay hands on me? Me?”

“Annd I th-think that’s a-about enough of th-that,” Bentley said, taking Pan by the wrist before he could return my strike with one of his own.

“I could’ve crushed that ridiculous pirate with one blow if I were still in my demon form. You know that, right? You remember the destruction I wrought?”

“Yeah, s-sure I d-do. Rosie’s a-asking for y-you. Go spin h-her around on th-the dancefloor.”

He smoothed out his shirt. “Good idea.” Pan gave me a final withering look. “Let’s never do this again.”

“That’s right, run away! Ha! Never would be too soon.” Then I chuckled, giving Ben a nudge with my shoulder. “The day was won by Captain Hook. You’re my witness.”

“G-great.”

Ben left me there, watching forlornly once again as Hades held my darling close.

The tidal wave of energy that I’d gotten swept up in at the thought of facing off with my nemesis began to ebb as the reality of my situation crept back in.

“You’re never leaving this place.”

“You’re going to die here.”

“And so is she.”

There was no reprieve, for on the heels of the whispers came the cursed beat of the dreaded clock.

Tick

Tick

Tick

“Stop it,” I hissed, plugging a finger in each of my ears to drown out the sound. I knew it was useless, but I couldn’t help the reflex any more than I could cease loving my Dahlia.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of the distinctive flick of a heavy, scaled tail as it slithered along the floor, weaving between feet.

“Crocodile,” I whispered.

Tick

Tick

Tick

I blinked a few times, shaking my head to clear my vision. The croc was gone, but the tick, tick, bloody fucking ticking continued.

“Cas?” My name in that most beloved voice didn’t register before the gentle touch at my shoulder.

I flinched so hard you’d think I’d just been shot. “Jesus, darling, don’t sneak up on me like that. I’m a pirate. I’m liable to stab first, ask questions later.”

“I said your name four times. Are you okay?”