Page 66 of Must Love Scones and Secrets
“Oh, Bjorn,” I said with a laugh.
“My family will be wondering about me, and I’ll need to tell them about us.”
“Do you think they’ll approve?” I asked, unable to keep the worry from my voice. “Your mother…”
“My father will be surprised but ultimately supportive. He’s always been more concerned with our happiness than political alliances.” He hesitated. “My mother may take more convincing, but she’ll come around once she meets you.”
“And if she doesn’t?”
“She will,” he said firmly. “I know her. She will be as charmed by you as I am.”
The conviction in his voice soothed my fears somewhat. “And what about after? Would I be expected to live in Frostfjord? What about The Sconery?”
“The life you’ve built here is beautiful. I would never ask you to leave it, but I would ask to be part of it.”
“Would that be okay with your family?”
“I have four siblings. Plenty of royal heirs to go around. It will be all right. Although, we will probably have to visit occasionally, and you will have to learn our anthem.”
“That song?”
Bjorn laughed. “Yes. That song. And I need to warn you, the royal attire is very uncomfortable.”
“As long as I can cut some holes for my wings, I can make it work.”
Bjorn kissed my head. “Thank you, Rosalyn. Thank you for your forgiveness…and for seeingme.”
“Oh, Bjorn,” I whispered. “There is nothing to forgive. You’re everything I’ve ever dreamed of. I can’t wait to start our life together.”
And with that, we kissed again, visions of a golden future—part ice and snow, part sugar and flour—dancing through my mind.
EPILOGUE: ROSALYN
TWO MONTHS LATER…
The mirror reflected a bride I hardly recognized.
My wedding gown was a masterpiece of magical craftsmanship with layers of frost-white silk that shimmered with crystalline-like enchantments, catching the light like freshly fallen snow. Silver embroidery traced intricate patterns across the bodice, echoing the royal runes of Frostfjord while incorporating delicate flowers, butterflies, and other pixie symbolism. The long, flowing sleeves were edged with crystalized moon blossoms that would never wilt, and the train behind me seemed to float like morning mist. Most remarkable was the special design that accommodated my wings, framing them with delicate silver filigree that enhanced rather than concealed their natural beauty.
Merry sat regally on a velvet cushion nearby, his golden horn polished to a brilliant shine for the occasion. The caticorn had surprised everyone by adapting remarkably well to the journey through Kellen’s hollow trees, magical passageways which allowed one to take far journeys without ever stepping on a boat. Merry emerged from the portal with a smug expression that said, “Of course I handled it perfectly. I’m Merry.” Now, hewore a tiny silver collar adorned with miniature frost crystals that matched my gown, looking every bit the noble companion.
“You look absolutely enchanting,” my mother, Rin, said, her voice soft as she adjusted my elaborate headdress, a pixie-style crown of blue ice roses and crystallized moon blossoms that Winifred had crafted for the occasion.
“Thank you, Mother,” I replied, still surprised she had made the journey. When she’d initially hesitated, claiming the winter travel would be hard on her health, I’d resigned myself to her absence. When she arrived with the last group from Moonshine Hollow, transported through Kellen’s hollow tree network, I felt surprisingly relieved.
“I wouldn’t have missed this for anything,” she’d told me, embracing me. “Even though I needed a few special elixirs for the ride through the trees,” she said with a tinkling laugh. “My daughter is marrying a prince. I have to be here. But prince or not, as long as you are happy, Rosalyn, that’s all that matters.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
She tilted her head, eyeing my makeup once more. “More glitter,” she said, opening her makeup case and applying more glitter to the corners of my eyes.”
“Kellen deserves a medal for getting everyone here safely,” Primrose remarked, straightening the folds of her ice-blue bridesmaid dress. “Those hollow tree passages are not for the faint of heart.”
“It was quite the experience,” my mother agreed. “Like being wrapped in living bark and whisked through the earth itself. Efficient, if unsettling.”
“I’m so grateful to him,” I said.
From across the room, Zarina, my kitchen witch apprentice, approached. Her dark eyes shimmered with both excitement and slight awe at the grandeur of everything.
