Page 85 of The Beauty and the Griffin

I could only shake my head. “But . . . doing those things gave me the greatest joy!”

“And that is but one of the many reasons I love you to distraction.”

We may have paused around that time for an interlude of kisses with no fear of vanishing, but eventually communication with words resumed. “Shouldn’t we go to Faraway Castle to see if we can help?” I asked.

“The moment you promised to marry me, the war was essentially won. A few hair-raising moments followed, but thanks to our faithful company of mages and mer-warriors and heroic griffins and a lake monster, all is now well. No injuries that can’t be healed or reversed.”

“What is happening now?”

“Clean up, mostly. Soon the celebrations will begin.”

“Maybe I should change into something more practical . . .” I looked down at the silky jumpsuit, heels, and fur coat.

“Must you be practical?” He stepped back to look me over with evident appreciation. “Mm-mmm, you were wearing that outfit when I gave you the ring.”

Heat flooded my face as I dropped my gaze. “I hoped you would like it.”

“I certainly did, and it obviously made a lasting impression.”

“Then I guess I’ll just wear this.”

“Thank you. So, would you like to slip over to Faraway Castle now?”

“Yes.” I gripped his strong hand like a lifeline. “I’m still trying to wrap my mind around all that’s been happening, but I’m truly very happy.”

“Oh, Beatrice.” He pulled me close, and the profound emotion in his voice and embrace eased my insecurity. “I can’t begin to express what’s in my heart right now. I’m more than a century old, but I’ve spent most of that time alone, and . . . I mean . . . I’m a novice when it comes to personal relationships, let alone romance.”

“I’m a novice too, so we’ll learn together. Just as we learned how to raise griflets.”

We did end up returning to the palace to freshen up a bit, and then, at Niel’s suggestion, we used Auntie Bella’s magical path between gardens. To my surprise, its arbor gate turned out to be only a few steps away from where he’d lain on the path when I found him that morning.

A blend of wonder and relief filled my heart as the box hedge and arbor appeared before us. “You were lying right there—only a step or two away.” My voice choked up. “Were you trying to reach the gate?” I asked.

“I don’t remember, but it’s possible,” he admitted. “Bella showed me how to open it when you were fifteen, and the cinder sprites use it frequently.”

I huffed in mock frustration. “I looked everywhere for it, but no luck. And this morning we sat here, right next to it, right where the boy Othniel—you—stood when I told you goodbye . . .” I paused, frowning. “Which reminds me: whatever happened to Bo?”

“Bo? You mean, you don’t know?”

Before he could explain, the truth hit me. “Wait! Earlier you said something about lake monsters . . . Did you meanBowas at the battle this morning?”

“Yes. Nelumbo. I call him Bo. He’s grown a lot in the past century.”

“Wait!Bois the lake serpent of Faraway Castle? I’ve seen him many times but never realized that I’d met him when I was little! I hope he doesn’t think I’m rude.”

Niel chuckled. “Nelumbo likes you. He loves to hang around Faraway Lake. Sometimes he brings his family along.” Niel sounded like a boy again while speaking of his monster friend.

Shrill squeaks suddenly pierced our ears, and a small herd of cinder sprites poured through the gate. “Beatrice!” Moonlight cried. “Papa Starfire sent us to find you. Prince Briar is ready to tell the story of the battle, and he says he needs King Othniel and Beatrice to tell their part of the story.”

“We’re coming.” Niel’s tone was indulgent as he addressed the little sprite. “I’ve invited all the magical creatures in the Forbidden Lands to come and hear the tale of the Battle of Faraway Castle. After all, they’ve been effectively protecting its borders too.”

So it was that Niel and I followed a troop of excited cinder sprites through the garden gate and on into Faraway Castle itself, where cheers erupted on all sides. I couldn’t quite take in the throngs of people and creatures along the way, and my face felt ready to split from smiling so hard.

Prince Briar approached us first, his face beaming as he dropped to one knee right there in the lobby of Faraway Castle. “Your Royal Majesty! I learned only yesterday that you are both the last King of Adelbodenandthe Trollkarl!”

“No bowing, please. We’re equals.” Niel gripped the prince’s hand and pulled him up into a quick back-slapping hug. “Adelboden is a republic and needs to stay that way.” His words reached every corner of the castle though he never raised his voice. “Now, I’m aware that most of you have met Beatrice de Callen, but I would like to introduce her to you all”—he paused and surveyed our audience as if to welcome them into his inner circle—“as my future wife.”

“Hail to the Trollkarl and Lady Beatrice, his future wife!” a huge centaur shouted, and the excited crowd of humans and magical creatures eagerly echoed the affirmation. Niel took my hand in his, and we waved to the crowds together.

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