Page 1095 of One More Kiss

Chapter12

Edan jumpedfrom the couch when he saw me enter, his jade eyes widening in what appeared to be concern. “Tatiana, are you all right?”

Apparently, I hadn’t masked the pain written on my face. “Yes, yes, I’m fine. The guild is full of trickery, per usual, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

“Damn them.” He took a calming breath and peered into my eyes. “You’re not to use magic, but they can and will at their leisure.” He must have seen the resolve and determination in my gaze and then kissed my nose. “Nothing they do will allow you to falter, my love.” He paused, and his lips curved into a smile as he appraised my appearance. “You look ravishing, by the way.”

I tried not to blush, but…I had no power over the heat creeping into my cheeks. “Thank you, Edan. You look rather dashing yourself.” I leaned up to kiss him but was interrupted.

King Fredrick cleared his throat. “Dearest Tatiana, you are indeed beautiful.” He stood from his seat, crossing the room to Edan and I, and grasped my hand. “I have every faith in you. Do not allow anything the guild attempts to cause you to waver, as that is to be their diversion. The magical trial will prove—”

A loud knock at the main entrance echoed throughout the castle, interrupting our conversation, and we glanced at one another, having no idea who it could possibly be. The guild would not dare interfere with the king just before the proceedings.

Helga rushed into the sitting room, bowing before me. Not the king. “My Lady, you have a visitor, and she says it is urgent, that she must speak with you right away.”

Who on Fairy would want to speak to me? “Did she give a name, Helga?”

“She said you would know her by…” Helga paused for a moment to take a breath. “Renora. I’ve never seen her in all my days. I…” She trailed off, and my heart nearly stopped.

Renora? I hadn’t spoken to her in ages. She’d been my mentor years ago, until my mother had broken her wand. And then she’d just…disappeared, vanished. I’d thought she was dead.

“What is the meaning of this?” Edan began, but I placed a gentle hand on his arm.

“I know her. I’ll speak to her if King Fredrick allows it.”

The king’s eyes softened. “If you indeed know this woman, you needn’t ask for my permission, as this is your home, Tatiana. However, you must make haste. The trial begins in less than thirty minutes.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” I started toward the door.

“Please, Tatiana. I wish for you to call me Fredrick.”

I turned and smiled over my shoulder. “Yes, Fredrick. Thank you.” It was more than odd to call the king by his first name, but I had more pressing matters to attend to.

I walked through the main hall and met Renora in the grand foyer. Helga had her seated on a bench near the door.

She stood abruptly when she saw me round the corner, her black cloak billowing around her feet. “My dearest Tatiana, I came as soon as I heard.” Renora took my hands in hers. “You mustn’t do this. You cannot.”

“Do what? The magical trial, marry my prince, be happy? What mustn’t I do, Renora?” My tone was laced with a bit of anger. “If you’re here to mentor and give me advice, you’ve come far too late. I thought you were dead!”

“Oh, Tatiana.” She embraced me, but I held my arms to the side. “It was never my wish to abandon you. I had no other choice, not after…” She trailed off.

I pulled from her embrace and waved my hand impatiently. “Yes, yes, my mother. Please, Renora, what is it you want to warn me away from? Time is of the essence as you must know. I’m needed in the courtyard before the Fairy Council and the guild in less than half an hour.”

“I do apologize. You’ve just… you’ve grown. You’re different.” She was truly beginning to piss me off. “All right, as to the reason I’m here. You cannot go through with this wedding. And before you object, please allow me to explain. I can see the fire blazing, eager to shoot from your eyeballs.” She took a seat on the bench again and patted the spot next to her.

I sat rigidly. “I will listen, but it does not mean that I’ll do as you ask.”

Renora nodded and swiped a tear from beneath her eye. Why had she begun to cry? “I once loved a man forbidden, just as you, my sweet Tatiana.” Her voice broke, and my heart stuttered a bit. “I nearly lost it all because of that love. I beg you to reconsider. Because once you marry, the bond is sealed, it’s sacred, and cannot be broken—not by magical means, only by free will.”

I rose a brow in confusion. “And why would I want to do that? If I’m understanding correctly, you had your heart broken?”

Her rose-colored eyes shimmered. “Yes, but that is not all. The guild, much as they are attempting to do to you now, threatened his life, his family’s life—with only a wish and a wave of one’s wand. Don’t you see? The same is about to happen to you.”

I stood from the bench. “Are you saying they’re threatening the Crown?” Oh, my blood was boiling. I would fight them to the death if need be. This would not, could not happen!

Renora rose to her feet. “Your mother…has returned.”

I gasped. “What? When?”

She ran her hands through her silky chestnut strands. “Princess Hadley has hired her to curse your union and all of Fairy if things do not go her way.”

“That bitch!” I began to pace the length of the grand foyer. “She and my mother? Are you certain? My own mother would…sabotage me?”

“Yes, dear.” Renora appeared stricken. “And this is why I beg you to reconsider. Although you may not believe me, I do understand what you’re going through. You’ve no idea what your mother is capable of. She’s even more powerful than before. Wave your wand and all this shall go away. Do as the guild says, and you shall not perish as I…I nearly did.” At that, she broke down in tears, and it was then that I knew why she’d disappeared all those years ago.

“Oh, Renora.” I hugged her tightly. “I’ll no more wave my wand than cower beneath their threats, or the threats of my mother. Edan, the king, and I will devise a plan for safety. All will not be lost, and I will not allow my mother to destroy another day of happiness in my life.”

She peered up at me. “I do wish you would reconsider. I’m unsure if the price of love is worth it.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. The price of true love is immeasurable.”

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