Page 3 of The White Enchantress

“Good choice.” We look at each other, our mouths forming into smiles.

Chapter 1

6 Years Later

“He slapped you?” Joshyells, wide-eyed in anger. He never really liked Wesley, my boyfriend, well now ex-boyfriend. And it turns out I didn’t either. Wesley and I started dating after our dads set us up on a blind date nine months ago. I can’t believe it has taken me this long to realize I was in a loveless relationship.

All of a sudden, I felt trapped. Trapped like my father is in his loveless marriage to a she-demon. My heart yearns for the love my mom and dad shared. Yet, at the same time, I’m terrified. Not terrified of loving, but of losing love.

I am afraid to feel broken again, to let someone in who might tear apart my whole being. My soul. My heart. It’s still something that frightens me, but I hate feeling so hollow inside.

Wesley doesn’t have the potential to break my heart, but he would have drained me of my passion. He would have been an accessory in my life if I hadn’t woken up. I don’t want arm candy. I want a great love. A partner for life. Someone to laugh with,to cry with, to feel one with. My heart is ready to love someone completely, to give them everything that is me.

This moment of realization came to me suddenly while I was sitting in Wesley’s kitchen this morning. No matter how hard I try to have fun with Wesley, laugh with him, and find that spark of love, Wesley just doesn’t care about me. He only does these things to play along. We haven’t even said, “I love you.” Nine months should have been more than enough time for us to fall in love.

“I can’t believe he fucking slapped you.” Josh’s Irish brogue is thick with rage. “Please tell me Leo beat the shit out of him. That bodyguard of yours might be old, but he looks like he can tear a man’s head off with his bare hands. Wait,didhe tear off Wes’ head?”

Josh always knows how to bring laughter back into my soul. He has been a constant in my life since I moved to England six years ago. And he was the first person I wanted to see after the awful break-up I had with Wesley. Leo tried to convince me to go home immediately and tell my dad what happened, but I needed to calm down first.

“No,” I say to Josh after our laughter fades out. “But Leo went full Scots, swearing and muttering in what sounded like Gaelic. Very un-Leo-like. It reminded me of my mom, actually. She’d act the same way when she was angry or upset.”

Josh pulls me into a bone-crushing hug. While wrapped in his embrace, I whisper against his chest, “I’m going back to America.” I hadn’t decided until the words came pouring out of my mouth. “It’s been a few years since I went back there. I’m thinking of turning my mom’s house into a bed and breakfast. Do you want to come with me?”

I also hadn’t decided on asking Josh. My brain is not processing anything right now so my mouth is running away with any thought that pops into my head. But the thought of not seeing Josh for weeks, maybe months, makes me sick to my stomach. I can’t expect him to drop everything and run away to America with me, but I can try to convince him.

Josh smiles at me, not the least bit shocked that I want to return to my childhood home to recuperate after nine months of being in a fake relationship. “Are you sure running away is the right thing to do, love? You haven’t even spoken to your father about what happened. Do you plan on talking to him before leaving?”

“I don’t think I can. That’s why I want to go back. I need some space away from this life before making any decisions.”

“And what decisions are to be made?”

“Stepping down as his heir.”

Josh huffs, then laughs, saying I am a complete idiot for giving in so easily. “Itisyour life, Guin. I know Ed will respect whatever decision you make. Talk to him first. You owe him that. Don’t run away to America without a word to him. That’s what your mother did. Imagine how hurt he would be if you did the same.”

“Ouch. That was a knife to the gut.”

“Well, you don’t love me for my looks.” Josh winks. “And yes, I will visit you in America. I have a few gigs lined up in the next four weeks that I can’t flake out on. Is it okay if I come after?”

I nod. “I’ll talk to Ed. But then I’m on the first available flight out of here.”

“Come here,” Josh whispers, pulling me back into a hug.

“Do you have time for a jam session?” I ask.

“Right now?”

“Yeah. I won’t see you for a month. I need to absorb as much of you as possible.”

“Sure. You can play my Fender, just for this once,” Josh says, staring me down to let me know this is an honor bestowed upon me for today and to never ask to even look at his precious again.

We play for hours until my fingers become too tired and start slipping on the strings. When I leave Josh’s apartment, I feel myself becoming whole again, my strength revitalized. The magic of Josh’s presence.

When I step out of Josh’s apartment, Leo is waiting for me, sitting on a park bench reading a book. He glances up at me as I approach him, an expectant look on his face.

“I’m ready to go home now; speak to my father.”

“Very good, my lady.”

---