Page 88 of Once Upon an Enchanted Kiss

She darted forward, her heart in her throat, as she clutched the dagger. Before Rowena realized what was happening, Rosamund shoved the dagger hard inside the soft place under her wing.

The dragon emitted a shrill growl as she reared upward. Rosamund staggered away from her, watching in horror as the dragon stumbled and fell to the ground with a thunderous noise, making it shake.

“You vile little creature!” she cried out.

She flopped from side to side, as if trying to reach the dagger sticking out of her side but couldn’t. Titania used that moment to step forward, her hands outstretched and glowing. Elara joined her. The two of them used their Fae magic to surround Rowena with their white glowing magic and force her to transform back into her Fae form. The dagger was sticking out from under her arm.

Titania moved closer and kneeled down to look at the dark Fae queen.

“Your rule is over, Rowena. You will face your fate at the Tribunal. When you are found guilty, you will spend the rest of your immortal days imprisoned in the Eternal Tower.”

Dark menace crossed the other queen’s face as she glared up at Titania. Then she said something in her Fae language and spat.

The two Fae kings joined them. Draco held a length of rope in his hands. With Rowena subdued by Titania’s and Elara’s magic, he wound the rope around her wrists and tied it with a tight knot. King Atlas took her by the upper arm and hoisted her to her feet.

“Atlas and I will make sure she’s properly guarded,” Draco said.

The two Fae queens released their magic hold.

“See that you do,” Titania said, her voice stern.

And then the three of them disappeared out of sight.

As soon as they were gone, Rosamund broke into a run toward Phillip. She dropped to her knees by his side and scooped him into her arms, cradling his head against her chest. She brushed away a lock of hair on his forehead. His eyes were still closed as he groaned, his brows drawing together as if he were in pain.

“I’m here,” she whispered. “Your Rose.”

Finally, he opened his honey-colored eyes, his gaze meeting hers. Her heart tripped in her chest as relief sputtered through her. She smiled.

“Rose…what happened? The last thing I remember was a cloud of smoke.”

“She blew her breath on you and it knocked you out,” she said. “But you’re all right now. The threat is over. The dragon is gone.”

“Gone?” He pushed out of her arms to a sitting position and then immediately grunted. He put his head in his hands. “Where is she?”

“Take care, prince. The effects of her dragon’s breath will take a bit to wear off,” Queen Titania said as she gazed down at the two of them.

Phillip shook his head to clear it, then looked up at the queen. Question creased his face.

“Where is Rowena?” he asked.

“Vanquished. She will face trial for her misdeeds at the Tribunal. And then she will be punished,” the Fae queen said.

Rosamund helped him to his feet, then. He glanced around at the destruction. The royal gardens had been decimated by Rowena’s dragon fire. Their wedding arbor was shattered in pieces. The chairs were scattered everywhere. Trees were down. Plants were flattened. The ground was scorched in places.

“Oh…” he said on a breath as he took in the sight.

“I’ll all right,” Rose said quickly. Her voice wobbled only a little.

“All right? Rose, the wedding—”

“We will find another place to marry,” she said, trying to sound hopeful. Though, in truth, seeing the devastation around her was disheartening.

Then he took in her appearance, glancing down at her ripped and soiled gown. His face contorted in pain. “Your gown…”

“It’s fine.” She waved away her concern. Because if she didn’t, she would break into tears over the ruination of her beautiful gown.

“No, it’s not,” he said, stepping away from her. “There has to be some way to repair it.”

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