Page 75 of Once Upon an Enchanted Kiss

“Phillip!” She said his name on a breath.

“Where have you been, Mother?”

“I’ve just come from speaking with the queen. I told her what you told me about—”

“Mother!” he admonished.

But she pressed on without pausing. “She does not want to call off the wedding. But wemustfind a way for you to break the curse—”

“I know how, Mother.”

She clamped her mouth closed and drew up straight, blinking surprise. “You do?”

“Yes, and I need to get to Rosenow.”

Calm passed over her features. Then she gave one quick nod and held her hand out to him.

“Come with me, dear. I’ll take you to her.”

Chapter 28

Whenthedoorclosedbehind them, both guards gave them a sideways look. His mother dipped a quick curtsy and gave them her best congenial smile.

“I’m taking my son to the gardens for a late afternoon walk. I hope that’s all right?”

The guard on the left nodded. “Very well. But only the gardens.”

“Of course!”

She gripped his hand tight in one hand and in the other her skirt as she hurried down the hallway out of sight from the guards. She headed for the staircase.

“How do you know where her chamber is?” he asked, a bit out of breath.

“That’s where I met Queen Eleanor.” Though she walked at a brisk pace, she did not sound out of breath.

His mother amazed him. He had no idea how she managed to get an audience with the queen while in the princess’s bedchamber, but he was grateful. She released his hand and picked up her skirts, holding them with both hands as she practically sprinted down the stone steps. He followed closely behind her and came to a jarring halt when he realized she’d stopped at the foot of the staircase.

“Wait here one moment,” she said on a breathy whisper.

She hurried around a corner, her footsteps so light she made not a sound. Then she returned a moment later and grasped him by the hand again, tugging him along behind her without a word. He said nothing as he followed her through the corridors, the great hall, and then to another set of stairs. She released his hand, picked up her skirts, and ascended quickly.

“The royal family’s chambers are here in the north tower,” she said as she climbed the stairs. “I’ll take you straight to Rosamund’s chamber.”

“Thank you, Mother,” he said, panting.

His legs burned hot with his quick ascension, his heart beating so fast he thought it might pound right out of his chest. Not to mention the explosion of sudden nerves that skittered through him at the thought kissing her and trying to break the curse.

True Love’s Kiss!

Her words rang in his head as they paused at a door. His mother gave a swift knock and then stepped behind him. There was such a long bit of silence, he thought for sure no one was coming to the door. He lifted his hand about to knock again when the door opened and he came face to face with Queen Eleanor. Surprise flickered over her features as their gazes met.

He bowed low. “Your majesty.”

“What are you doing here? If Stephan finds you here—”

“I brought him,” his mother said from behind him. “He knows how to break the curse.”

The queen’s eyes went wide and round as she stepped aside and ushered him into the chamber.

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