Page 1082 of One More Kiss

Chapter2

“This can’t possibly be happening,”I repeated, palming the written instructions, felt as I died a bit more inside with each breath I took.

I’d been alone for so long, pretending to be a part of something greater, but always separate. No one knew my true voice, as I hid it all too well. Afraid to be viewed like my mother but paying for her sins with my own lack of true happiness. Yet, every day I suffered more under its burden. No allies, no friends—save one—and now to prove myself to the guild once again, I had to lose him, too?

Prince Edan, a man I’d grown up with, been friends with for years, played with when we were kids—he’d even attended obligatory balls alongside me—the only man who’d never treated me as though I were some sort of bad luck charm. And now, the guild expected me to flick my wand (against his will), because Princess Hadley wished it to be so? She did not wish for love. No, Princess Shallow Skirt only desired the prince for his castle, wealth, and social standing. Hadley only had one goal in mind: the crown, and she’d do anything to obtain it. That fact was well known within the kingdom. She’d never been one to keep it a secret.

I sighed, wondering just what the hell I was going to do.

The guilds’ rules were cut and dry—there were to be no deviations. A fairy godmother had to abide by the charges we were given—no questions asked. Although, I had many. One of the main rules being: a godmother could never have love of her own, only granting the wishes of those who could pay for the love they most desired. I wasn’t “supposed” to care if, when, or who he married, as those feelings were denied me. But, I did. I did care, and I didn’t want to do this.

Damn. Damn. Dammit! Damn the guild and their rules. Fairy godmothers weren’t “allowed” to have lives outside the guild. I wanted to cry, but I sucked up my tears. There was no point crying over something I had no power to change. However, my aching heart disagreed.

I imagined Prince Edan’s face and how we enjoyed one another’s company. That would all change once I granted Princess Shallow-ass Hadley her stupid freaking wish. If only there were a way to get around it.

With a heavy heart, I entered the castle’s grounds and was immediately ushered inside by Prince Edan himself.

He smiled a handsome smile, his dark-auburn hair falling in a wave over his left eye, and my heart sank in my chest. “Hey, come on in.” He motioned toward the sitting room to the left of the grand entrance. “Let’s sit and chat for a bit. I’ve missed you.”

I couldn’t help but smile in return. “I’ve missed you, too.” I ducked my head because I didn’t want him to notice the blush creeping into my cheeks.

Following him into the room, I observed his purposeful strides, his strong, muscular legs, and defined arms as he opened the sliding doors. He stood nearly a head taller than my five-foot-five frame, but he appeared what I imagined a god would look like. His chiseled face, gorgeous green eyes, resting above a symmetrical nose, and full lips. I needed to snap out of it before he caught me staring.

Edan patted the ornate, overstuffed sofa that appeared too pretty for one’s butt to rest upon. “Have a seat. What’s new in the godmothering business?”

I groaned to myself and sat down, nearly sinking into the cushion. The one thing I didn’t want to talk about. “Same as always, you know. I’m still cursed.” I shrugged and attempted to laugh at my own expense, but Edan didn’t find it amusing.

“You’re not cursed, Tatiana.” He placed a warm and comforting hand on my shoulder. “They just don’t know your worth, but you should. You’re better than all of them. You are kind, and you want what’s best for others—what they want for themselves—not something a wish can grant, but for everyone to have free will to choose their own path in life.”

I nodded with a small smile. “So, you do listen to my ramblings, huh?”

“I listen to everything you say,” he said, reaching into his pocket. “I have payment for your work in my gardens. I know how much you enjoy it.”

My heart nearly stopped again. How could I accept coin from him when I had to grant the most dreadful wish of all time?

He frowned and set the cinched purple bag of coins on the side table. “What’s wrong? Do you not wish to work in the garden today?”

He was so kind and perfect, always offering me jobs around the castle because he knew the guild rarely tasked me with an assignment. Goddess Inanna, give me strength. I closed my eyes for a moment.

“Don’t look so pitiful.” He then gave me a mischievous grin. “If you don’t smile, I’m going to tickle you until you do.”

I scoffed in mock-outrage. “You wouldn’t dare.”

He leaned forward, and I could feel his hot breath ghosting across my skin.

Don’t faint! Don’t lean in. Oh, crap! Is he going to kiss me?I thought too soon.

“I most certainly would.” He tackled me to the sofa and tickled my sides until I couldn’t breathe. I thought I might die.

“I give up!” I grunted. “You win. See? A smile. I’m totally smiling.” And I was. I was grinning like an idiot.

Edan’s body was hovering over mine, his hands resting on my waist as he peered into my eyes. “You’re beautiful, Tatiana.”

What? Did he really just say that? “So are you.” Oh, my goddess. I wanted to slap myself. So are you? That was the best I could come up with?

He laughed and kissed my forehead, then moved to the other side of the sofa, leaving me breathless. He kissed me. His lips actually touched my skin. I swallowed hard, knowing this could go no further. My heart ached, and the way he was staring at me with his wide smile only made what I had to do even worse.

Edan brushed his hair away from his eyes. “Well, seeing as you’re not here for the garden, are you going to try and sell me something?” He waggled his eyebrows with a hearty chuckle.

It was now or never. I stood from the sofa, my heart breaking and thwacking against my ribcage at the same time. I had to complete my task, whether I wanted it to be so or not. I allowed a single tear to trickle down my face. “Not to sell you something, no. But I do have a job to do.”

As soon as I pulled my wand from its sheath at my waist, Edan jumped from the sofa, eyes wide. “What are you planning to do with that?” He gestured to my wand, a hurt expression marring his handsome face.

I tried to hold back my tears, but I couldn’t any longer, and allowed them to fall freely. “I…was given an assignment from the guild. It’s you.”

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