Page 59 of Must Love Scones and Secrets
“If I’m going to confront royalty tomorrow, I should probably look less like a disaster area,” I murmured, heading for the bath.
Running the water into my claw-footed bathtub, I sprinkled in some relaxing bath salts mixed with dried flower petals, one of Juniper’s creations. Pulling off my clothes, I stepped into the bath, letting the warm water envelope me. Deep sensations of relaxation washed over me as I inhaled the floral scents of the flowers mixed with the steam. Snapping my wet fingers, I set the candles sitting around the room to light.
As I washed away the evidence of my stress-baking, I rehearsed what I would say to Bjorn tomorrow. There were still so many questions. He said he didn’t have a girlfriend. Was he being honest? Why had he really come to Moonshine Hollow? What did his royal duties entail? Could there be any future for us across such different worlds?
“Your Royal Highness,” I addressed the absent man. “I kindly request an explanation for your deception.”
I sighed.
This was ridiculous.
I was ridiculous.
The whole situation was ridiculous.
But beneath all the jokes and questions, there was a simpler truth: I missed him. I missed his quiet strength, his gentle humor, the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled. I missed the man who had held me through the night as if I were something precious. I could imagine him in my bathtub, sitting across from me, the pair of us grinning stupidly at one another.
Prince or not, I loved the man behind the title. And tomorrow, I would find out the truth.
I could only hope that he wanted me as much as I wanted him.
CHAPTER 18
BJORN
The ceiling in my guest room at Elder Thornberry’s estate had a fascinating water stain. If I squinted just right, it resembled a unicorn or possibly a lopsided rabbit. I’d been staring at it for hours, having not slept all night. The events in the Whispering Woods kept replaying in my mind: the Ley lines shifting back into place, Elder Thornberry’s excited exclamation, and the expression on Rosalyn’s face. The hurt in her eyes had been unmistakable. Her formal “Your Highness” was like a dagger to my heart.
Smoke whined sympathetically from his spot at the foot of my bed.
“Yeah, I know. I really messed up,” I said with a sad sigh.
Reaching out with his paw, Smoke batted my leg.
I reached down and gave him a pat, grateful for the support, even though my stomach was twisting with dread.
My bag was already packed. After returning to the estate yesterday, I’d done my best to avoid the elder’s enthusiastic questions about my royal heritage, pleading exhaustion from the magical work. He’d been understanding, though clearly bursting with curiosity. I couldn’t face another day of it, not when eachpolite “Prince Bjorn” from the elder’s staff reminded me of how Rosalyn had reacted.
The magical task I’d come to accomplish was complete. The Ley lines were realigned, the unicorns would recover, and Moonshine Hollow would return to normal. There was no reason for me to stay, especially now that my secret was out and Rosalyn wanted nothing to do with me.
I’d spent half the night writing and discarding letters to her. Apologies, explanations, declarations. None of them seemed adequate. How could I explain that I’d lied to her because I wanted her to see me, not my title? That, for the first time in my life, I’d felt like myself with her? That I’d fallen hopelessly in love with her?
Ultimately, I’d burned all the letters in the small fireplace and decided to leave early the next morning. A clean break would be best for both of us.
Dawn had barely broken when I went downstairs, hoping to speak with Elder Thornberry before departing. Despite the early hour, the elder was already up, enjoying a bountiful breakfast on his veranda.
“Prince Bjorn!” he exclaimed, jumping to his feet with surprising agility. “What a pleasant surprise! I was just telling my wife about your remarkable magical display yesterday. Please, join us for breakfast.”
“I’m afraid I can’t stay,” I said, bowing politely. “I came to bid you farewell and express my gratitude for your hospitality. With the Ley lines restored, I must return to Frostfjord.”
The elder’s face fell. “So soon? But we’d hoped to host a celebration in your honor! The citizens of Moonshine Hollow would love to properly thank their royal savior.”
The thought of being paraded around town as “the royal savior” made my stomach turn.
“You’re very kind, but I must decline. My father will be expecting me.” This wasn’t entirely true—I’d left Frostfjord without specifying when I’d return—but Elder Thornberry didn’t need to know that.
“Well, if duty calls,” the elder said, looking disappointed. “But you must promise to visit us again. Right, dear?” he asked his wife.
Petunia nodded enthusiastically. “Moonshine Hollow will always welcome you, Prince Bjorn.”
