Page 87 of The Beauty and the Griffin

From the time we arrived at Faraway Castle in the morning, everything about that day flowed naturally with no formality or stress. I was never sure of the time but didn’t mind at all. Niel gave an impressive speech of gratitude in honor of the mer-warriors before they returned to their side of the world. Rosa’s animated plants even strolled through the castle that day, with brownies following behind to sweep up their shedding leaves.

The stubborn resort guests who’d refused to leave during the crisis complained about the crowds at mealtimes but otherwise seemed as oblivious as ever despite seeing centaurs, fauns, griffins, and other magical creatures wandering about. “Some people see only what they wish to see,” Niel explained. “Might as well let them.”

The gathering that evening was significantly smaller, but the banquet was every bit as jolly. Many tales of valor and courage were told that evening, and I finally heard the story of “Chicky and the Mirror of Alviss,” which freaked me out. I hadn’t seen Chicky or my grandaunt anywhere, but no one else seemed concerned, so I didn’t worry. Dodger received his share of praise for attacking the turul, and when he obligingly bowed, the crowd burst into cheers.

Queen Pukai was sincerely thanked, and she spoke a few words of gracious solidarity with the Trollkarl, Lady Arabella, the newlywed royals, and the many faithful friends who’d laid their lives on the line to preserve magical freedom in our world. Even Prince Omar related firsthand accounts of the courage and valor of Prince Briar, Princess Rosa, and Crown Princess Marielle during the siege and brief battle.

After that banquet, everyone moved to the ballroom, where a buffet of desserts and hot drinks was available. Friendly faces and greetings came and went all evening, and I nodded and smiled until my face felt numb. While Niel sat at one of the round tables, talking with a stern-looking dwarf, and I felt ready to plant my head on his shoulder for a snooze, someone gripped my shoulder.

“Auntie Bella?” I mumbled, recognizing that almost painful pinch.

She dropped into the chair beside me where Princess Eddi had most recently been sitting, and her familiar brown eyes met my gaze . . . but the face was all wrong. I blinked hard. “Who? Wha—?”

She rolled her eyes. “My girl, you’ll have to get used to this. Of course it’s me. I decided to switch to my real face. I don’t feel ancient anymore, so why look it? My fairy blood will keep me kickin’ for many years yet.”

I had scarcely taken in this revelation before she sprang a new one on me. “AndI’m engaged to marry the one and only love of my life, General Kapono of the West Dynamic Ocean’s First Army.” She held out her hand to display a gold ring set with a gleaming pink pearl.

When I remained speechless with surprise, she rambled on. “We fell in love as teens, but he was betrothed at birth to a princess from the South Dynamic Federation.” She shrugged. “He was too honorable to desert his duty or break his parents’ hearts, and he eventually rose to become a General of the Oceanic Armies. I wasn’t quite as mature . . . You see, not long after he married, I made my foolish choice to help Othniel seek his happily-ever-after, and you know what became of that!”

“You mean when you changed him into the Gamekeeper?”

She winced. “Well, that wasn’t my original intent. Let’s just say, he tried to pull a fast one on us—”

I shrugged, giving my grandaunt a sympathetic smile. “He told me about that.”

“Did he? The spell was nearly finished before I realized what he’d done, so all in a rush I made him look and sound like a monster sort of thing. Then news of what we’d done spread. I was blacklisted for several decades but still did some clandestine fairy-godmothering. Once the scandal blew over, I rejoined the fairy-godmother league and made a career of it, moonlighting as a Wise Old Woman on the side. Niel had given me some key details you’d mentioned during your dream meetings with him, such as your family name and your Auntie Bella—obviously that had to be me—so I kept watch over my extended family until I learned of your mother’s engagement and marriage to a de Callen. I befriended the dear girl and became your fairy godmother. Your father never suspected a thing, and when your mother tragically passed away, I stepped in to help him raise you. He is a very good man despite his prejudice against magic.”

She gave me one of her puckish smiles. “The rest, you must already guess. Pukai and I plotted, conspired, despaired, and hoped through all those years, giving my beastly cousin some crazy coaching at times. But really, it was his faithful love for you that did the trick.”

My mind whirled from this deluge of information, but every fact clicked into place and made sense, so I nodded. “Yes, it did. I fell in love with him as the Gamekeeper more than as Niel, but now I can freely love both sides of him.”

And love Chicky too!The voice spoke into my head.

Starting in surprise, I turned in my chair to look up into bright golden eyes. Rising quickly, I wrapped my arms around my legendary griflet’s feathery neck and felt her heave a satisfied sigh while tucking her head over my shoulder. “You are amazing!” I whispered.

I know.Then she did her wacky chortle that passed for a laugh, flapped her wings, and squawked stridently enough to drown out every conversation around us: “Chicky loves Beeetrice!”

Once my ears recovered, I shouted back, “And Beatrice loves Chicky, the Golden Griffin of Faraway Castle!”

I hadn’t realized quite how much attention we’d gained, so I was thoroughly surprised when nearly everyone in the ballroom applauded.

Thankfully, Niel diverted attention from me when he rose and drew my weakly protesting aunt to her feet. “And another cheer for Lady Arabella, the Golden Griffin’s rider!”

It was nearly midnight when Auntie brought her betrothed to meet us. “Beatrice, this is Kapono, my dear friend and soon-to-be husband. We’ve already arranged a small ceremony in the resort chapel tomorrow evening.”

The General was a powerfully built man with the biggest shoulders I’d ever seen, and his expression was sober. But Auntie obviously adored him, so I took his broad, callused hand in mine and looked into his dark eyes, where I recognized a gentle kindness that won my heart. “I am so happy for you and Auntie Bella! Many blessings and much joy to you both.”

“Good girl,” Auntie observed before he could speak, then added in an offhand tone, “And this is my distant cousin Othniel—you know his story. He’s a good boy no matter what you’ve heard.”

“Hey!” Niel protested with a smile and gripped Kapono’s hand. “Call me Niel. And I’m only half as bad as she’s told you.”

An amused smile lit up Kapono’s face. “I am honored to meet the Trollkarl and Gamekeeper of Faraway Castle, and I wish you equal joy with your lovely Beatrice.”

“Ooh! I just had an idea,” Auntie blurted.

“Uh oh!” the men spoke in unison.

I burst out laughing. “You two sound like family already!”

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