Page 46 of Must Love Scones and Secrets
Winifred smiled knowingly. “How do you know what she wants? Have you asked her?”
Before I could respond, a tall figure approached from the direction of the river. From the branch-like horns sprouting from his head, I took him to be the dryad.
“Bjorn Runeson?” he called.
“I… Yes,” I said, relieved for the interruption. “I’m sorry. I was just on my way, but the compass bird turned me around.”
The bird cocked its head at me, as if to say “really?”
“You must excuse me,” I told Winifred, terrified of what she might tell Rosalyn. “Winifred,” I added, “please give me a moment to do the right thing. Please don’t say anything to Rosalyn yet. I promise I will make it right.”
Winifred gave me one last measuring look. “Tread carefully,MisterRuneson. Rosalyn has many friends in this town.”
With that, she stalked off, disappearing back into her shop.
I joined Kellen.
“Is everything all right?” Kellen asked, his gaze going from Winifred to me.
“Just a misunderstanding,” I said. “Everything will be all right.”
“Very well.”
“I need your help. Last night, I spoke with the fairies who live near the unicorn fields. They have a theory about what’s causing the magical disruption. I need your guidance.”
Kellen nodded. “The fairies? That’s very curious. I’m happy to help.”
“Thank you. Shall we go to Elder Thornberry’s?”
Kellen inclined his head to me.
I cast one last glance toward The Sconery.
For Rosalyn’s sake, I knew what I had to do. The right thing. The honorable thing. I had to let her go before I hurt her more. There was no future for us. I could never ask her to leave Moonshine Hollow, and there was no way my family would let me leave Frostfjord. This love was impossible. The thought broke my heart, but I hardened my resolve.
It was better if I made a clean break now rather than shatter her heart later.
I’d come to Moonshine Hollow seeking myself. Rosalyn…that was all she’d ever seen. Me. Just me. I’d carry that in my heart all the way home to Frostfjord. Once, a woman loved me for who I was. That thought would have to warm me the rest of my days, because in Frostfjord, the real me would be buried once more beneath the weight of my title and responsibilities.
At least Magnus had escaped a terrible fate.
For now.
I sighed. At the very least, I now knew I was lovable just as I was, even if this would be the only chance I ever had to feel such love.
Now, I had to put my feelings aside. My mother had taught me well. Princes put the good of the realm over everything else—even if that meant breaking my own heart.
I would do what I had to.
Even if that meant letting her go forever.
CHAPTER 15
ROSALYN
Wizard Thorne’s shop smelled of ancient books, sulfur, something vaguely citrusy that I couldn’t quite place, and burnt bread—which actually turned out to be exactly that, a problem for which my magic came in handy. With a snap of my fingers, I magicked the wizard’s burnt cinnamon bun back to golden-brown perfection.
“Thank you, Rosalyn,” the wizard said, stuffing a bite of his perfectly baked cinnamon roll into his mouth. “Ever the clever pixie.”
