Page 4 of Once Upon an Enchanted Kiss

Queen Titania, from the Boreal Court, arrived first in regal fashion. A stunning beauty, she was tall with perfect features that seemed to be carved by the heavens. Blonde hair shimmered under an opaque veil embossed with gold stars draping her head. The gown she wore was equally stunning and flowed around her lithe body. The dark blue material matched that of her eyes.

Next to arrive was King Draco of the Empyrean Court. As his name implied, he was stocky with thick arms and a full red beard that stopped mid-chest. He wore leather armor, as though he were ready for a war, and a gold crown with dragons carved along the edges. He sized up Titania, his beady brown eyes narrowed with suspicion.

Finally, Queen Elara of the Celestial Court and King Atlas of the Austral Court arrived within moments of each other. Each one clearly unhappy to be in the presence of the other. Elara was much like Titania, though not as regal and refined. Bright green eyes regarded the Boreal Court Queen with a look indicating she thought her counterpart was wildly overdressed for the occasion. She wore a simple gown in velvet with a gold and silver belt resting on her round hips. A matching cloak was around her shoulders. On her head, a simple silver circlet.

The four Fae rulers garnered quite the attention as they moved into the great hall heading toward the front to look upon Princess Rosamund. Stephan and his queen, Eleanor, stood at the head of the baby’s rocking crib. Stephan didn’t bother to hide the proud smile of a new father as they approached one by one.

Titania was first. She gazed down at the cooing baby with one slender brow raised. “Quite a…human little being, isn’t she?” Then she lifted her lethal gaze to Stephan. “My most heartfelt congratulations on the birth of your princess, your majesty.”

She waved her hand over the baby. A shower of glittering faery dust settled on the princess, causing her to emit a tiny sneeze.

“My gift for her is beauty and charm and grace. May she always be the most refined, perfect princess.”

“Thank you, your majesty,” Stephan muttered.

He and his wife exchanged a surprised glance. While he was glad the royals attended, he had never expected a gift such as that.

Then she dipped a low curtsy and moved away. Stephan watched as she took one of the seats near the front of the room, perching on the edge with her back ramrod straight.

Draco followed. He leaned over the crib and inhaled deeply which alarmed Queen Eleanor. She gripped Stephan’s arm, her fingers digging into him. But before Stephan said a word, the king straightened and gave them both a broad grin.

“She’s a beauty. Smells of rosewater and lilacs.” His deep voice vibrated throughout the room.

Like Titania, he held his hand over the crib and sprinkled a smattering of dust. “My gift to her is one of strength and bravery. May she always face adversity with those traits.”

Then he bowed deeply to them. Stephan muttered a thanks as he moved to take his seat near Titania. When she cut him a searing glance, he moved a few seats away and sat. His big body made the chair creak under his weight.

It was King Atlas who paused by the crib next. He peered down at the baby with a look of interest, one brow raised as he looked her over. Then he sprinkled a bit of faery dust over the child.

“My gift to her is intelligence and quick wit. May she never falter when she needs them most,” he said. Then he looked up at the king and queen. “Felicitations to you both.”

As he moved away, he eyed the seat between Titania and Draco. Though she gave him a withering look, he ignored it and placed himself between them without so much as a sideways glance.

Finally, Queen Elara moved to stand next to the baby. She placed her hands on the crib and gave it a gentle nudge, watching as it rocked slowly. Princess Rosamund gurgled her approval of the movement, waving tiny fists in the air.

“She’s lovely,” Elara breathed. “Indeed, she will be beautiful and strong and intelligent. For my gift—”

The doors to the great hall banged open, interrupting her. All turned to see a figure with the sun at her back standing in the doorway. She was nothing but a silhouetted outline as she stood there. Whispered questions hissed through the great hall.

It was Queen Elara who inhaled a sharp breath and whispered, “Rowena.” She snapped her head in the direction of King Stephan. “Did you invite the Queen of the Eternal Court?”

A sickly sensation pierced Stephan as he looked at the figure standing in the doorway. His mouth went bone dry.

“I…I think she was overlooked.”

“Oh, dear,” Titiania said as she rose to her full height. “A grave error, indeed.”

Atlas and Draco also got to their feet, turning to eye the queen at the end of the great hall.

Rowena sauntered from the doorway in slow, methodical, purposeful steps. Dark, baleful eyes alighted on the crowd as she went. She was dressed in a long-sleeved gown of shimmering midnight, a long train trailing behind her. Circling her head was an onyx crown that glittered like mirrored shafts of light. Angled cheekbones and full dark red lips gave her face a severe appearance. There was something sinister, yet beautiful about her. At the end of the aisle, she paused, her sharp gaze glancing from King Stephan and his wife to the baby nestled inside the cradle.

Silence descended on the gathering.

“Well, isn’t this a lovely affair.”

Her voice echoed throughout the great hall. Glittering black eyes paused on each of the Fae royals before resting on King Stephan.

“Pity I didn’t garner an invitation. Though I was able to find my way here after all.”

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