Page 54 of Once Upon an Enchanted Kiss

“He really must have hit his head hard,” he muttered.

She took it and lowered herself to the ground next to Charles as Jeffrey lumbered off to find the other two horses. With a gentle hand, she dabbed the cloth along the gash to clear away the blood.

“I think you surprised your brother,” she said, a hint of humor in her voice.

“What I said was true.” He winced as she dabbed at the worst of the cut. One eye cracked open as he looked at her. “You are far prettier than he is.”

It was hard not to grin at that. “You flatter me, my lord.”

“You don’t believe me?”

She considered this a moment as she continued to dab away the blood. She had never really thought of herself as beautiful or pretty or anything other than plain. Her mother, though, had all the looks and she wished she was half as regal and lovely as her. Thinking of her mother sent a pang of homesickness through her.

She halted her hand, thinking of her home and her parents and wondering what happened to the soldiers who had come looking for her. Had they given up and returned to the castle? Or were they still out there searching for her?

Her mother must be beside herself with worry. Rosamund also thought of the visiting royals—Phillip’s parents—and recalled how kind Queen Adele was to her when she arrived. For the first time, since wondered what would happen when they returned together. Would their parents be overjoyed? Furious? Both?

“You should,” Charles continued, unaware of her inner strife. “You were touched by Fae magic.”

She snorted. “And cursed by Fae magic if what Phillip said is true.” She finished dabbing his forehead. “The cut isn’t as bad as it looked. I think you’ll be fine.”

“That’s good to hear.”

When she sat back, she met his gaze. There she saw admiration and something akin to affection. A faint smile crossed his lips.

“Charles, you should know—”

“You don’t have to say it.” The affection faded from his face. “I know the truth of it. You will marry Phillip. The alliance between Myst and Woodhaven will be sealed and the borders of Stonebridge will be strong and safe from those Fae royals.”

She settled on the ground next to him, leaning her back against the fallen tree. She pulled off her boot, flexing her foot to work out her sore ankle. The throbbing of her elbow had dissipated to a dull ache.

“Is there a threat from Faery?” she asked.

“I can’t say. If there is, it’s from the Fae royal who was forgotten and not invited to your christening.”

“A Fae royal would hold a grudge for eighteen years?” It was more of a rhetorical question. She didn’t expect an answer.

“People have held grudges for far longer for far less.”

She supposed he was right. As she sat there, wondering if Phillip and Jeffrey would return with the horses, she could not ignore the apprehension shifting through her. Tomorrow was her eighteenth birthday. Tomorrow, she was supposed to prick her finger on a thorn and fall into a forever slumber.

She hoped she wouldn’t run into any thorns in her quest to find the dragon’s treasure.

Rowena cackled as she peered through the All-Seeing Eye. “Yes, dear sweet child. A Fae royalwouldhold a grudge for eighteen years. And, soon, you will feel my wrath.”

The girl’s birthday was tomorrow.

Tomorrow vengeance would be hers.

Tomorrow the girl would prick her finger on a thorn.

Tomorrow the girl would die.

Chapter 22

PhillipfoundhisandJeffrey’s horse grazing peacefully in a nearby meadow. Well, nearby wasn’t exactly accurate. It was more of a hike. He tied Jeffrey’s horse to his and made his way back as the sun dipped toward the horizon.

As he did, he couldn’t help but think of all the strange happenings since meeting Rosamund. He thought of the soldiers from Myst Hall who found them in town a few days ago and how easily they seemed to have given up searching for her. He wondered why. She was a princess, after all. More soldiers should be swarming the forest by now. But they weren’t.

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