The Princess and The Jester - A.D. McCammon Page 0,63

too late to help him. There’s no undoing what they’ve done. But we can try to stop them from doing it to others. We can strip them of the power they wield around like a sword.

“I’m in.” Thatcher’s tone is dark, his expression thoughtful as he nods. It’s almost as if he’s taking inventory of the awful things those girls did to him.

Arwen takes a deep breath, crossing her arms as she eyes both of us. “Oh, what the hell. Let’s take those bitches down.”

Chapter Thirty

Present

GWEN

Cole leads me through his house, my hand in his as he gives me the tour. The cute ranch style house has so much charm and warmth. Every room is filled with personality, the pop of bright colors fitting each space perfectly.

I’ve only been in their home once before this. After they were settled in, Cole’s mother invited my parents over for dinner. It was right after Cole and I broke up, making the night extremely uncomfortable. He glared at me all night, while I tried to pretend not to notice.

Being back here as his girlfriend feels surreal. Much like the rest of the past month. Things with Cole are going perfectly. When his mother got back and he had to come home, there was an adjustment period. I don’t think either of us slept well for the first week. We’ve been forced to sneak moments wherever and whenever we can get them. But it only makes the time we have together seem even more precious.

It took longer than I wanted, but even our friends are starting to blend together nicely. Arwen and Aidan are officially an item. Which I wasn’t entirely thrilled with at first, but she’s growing on me. And now that Thatcher and Violet have patched things up, they’re bearable to be around.

Even Mia and Cole are friendly with each other. Except when they’re both bidding for my attention.

Cole wiggles his eyebrows as we stop at the door at the end of the hall. “Are you ready to see where the magic happens?”

I quirk an eyebrow, my lips twisting. “You better not have been using your wand with anyone else inside that room, mister.”

He laughs, leaning in to give me a quick kiss on the lips. “I love it when you get all territorial. It’s so hot.”

“Yeah, yeah. Are you going to show me your room or just tease me with it?”

The last time I was in Cole’s room, he was fifteen years old. Back then, his room was still plastered with comic book stuff. Mostly the Joker. He said he related to him more than Batman.

“Hang on. We might need to set some ground rules before we go in here. I know I’m irresistible, but don’t try to take my clothes off and shit. I’ve got dinner in the oven and my mother will be home any minute.”

“I’m sure I can manage to keep my hands to myself,” I quip.

Cole grabs my hips, pulling me to him. “You sure about that?”

His mouth connects with mine again, but this time his kiss is hungry. His tongue sweeps across my bottom lip, eagerly connecting with my own as I open up for him. It doesn’t take long for my body to melt into his, my head growing dizzy as need tugs deep in my belly.

He breaks the kiss a second later, snickering as my eyes flutter open.

“You’re an asshole,” I say, panting.

He smirks and then opens his door. “And you love it.”

I walk into his room with a huff, the curve of my traitorous lips giving me away.

There’s a flutter in my heart as my eyes roam. He’s come a long way from the cartoon style bedding and toy figurines, but the theme has remained the same. Touches of green and purple float in the sea of black. Playing card aces are painted behind his bed, the black paint dripping down the wall as if it were blood. Above his dresser is a gorgeous painting of each cinematic joker. The white rug under my feet is littered with green HAHAHAs.

It’s perfect. It’s Cole.

He comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “What do you think?”

“Your room is kind of awesome.”

He pulls the hair away from my neck, his lips blanketing the vacated space. “I can’t wait to have you in my bed.”

I moan, my head tilting to give him more access. “Don’t start something you can’t finish. I don’t want to be all worked up while we’re eating dinner with your