Page 1098 of One More Kiss

Chapter14

Edan caughtme before I hit the ground. My mother. I had no idea how I’d feel seeing her after all these years. The pain in my chest sliced like a knife. The utter betrayal as she stood there without so much as glancing my way. Draped in black feathers that trailed behind her as she walked—an aura of power surrounded her. The air buzzed and sizzled. I couldn’t understand why she’d do such a thing to her own daughter for that of… for Hadley!

My hands trembled at my side, mypulse pounding loudly in my ears, and a scorching wave of heat crashed over me.

I. Was. Angry.

King Fredrick and Renora rushed to me and Edan. Renora brushed a lock of hair from my face. “Let’s get Tatiana inside away from prying eyes. I believe the kingdom has seen enough for one day.”

I pulled away from them. “Absolutely not, as I wish to address them all.” I seethed, wanting nothing more than my traitorous mother to stand before me and answer for what she’d done. However, those in attendance would have to do for now. I wanted to see for myself where their loyalties lay.

Edan leaned in. “Are you certain this is what you want to do?”

I understood his concern, but I had to put a stop to the trickery, the unsanctioned magic, and those who wished to do us harm. The whole of Fairy and Wisteria were going to learn what had transpired. “Yes, more certain than I’ve ever been.”

He kissed my temple. “Very well, my love. I shall stand at your side, always.”

“As shall I.” Renora interjected with an expression of confidence as she lowered her hood.

King Fredrick took my hand and stared into my eyes. “Do what you must, Tatiana. We are all behind you.”

I squeezed his hand in return. “Thank you, Fredrick.” At that, I stepped before the crowd. It seemed I didn’t need to catch their attention after all, as all eyes were upon me.

My mouth dry, I cleared my throat. “You’ve witnessed today that I have indeed not used magic against the prince or enticed him, as some of you claimed.” I eyed the fairies in particular. “I stand before you as a fairy godmother, one who has always hidden in the shadows because of ill deeds in which I had nothing to do with.” I spread my arms and lifted them toward the assembly. “How many of you have been the victim of a fairy’s wand? How many of you requested wishes that were against someone else’s free will?”

I lowered my arms, took another step forward, and swiveled my gaze across the dumbfounded crowd. “Would you rather live a life of free will where you’re free to love whom you choose? Or would you rather that be stripped of you by a wish or a whim? All it takes is the wave of a wand.” I unsheathed mine and raised it for all to see. “This thin piece of wood changes lives, lives that could have been different if not for magic. Magic that was paid to the guild for wishes, regardless of the cost to the being the wand was waved upon.”

Gasps, glares, and obscenities were thrown my way, but it did not deter me. If anything, it made me stronger.

“Who are you to say what the guild executes suppresses that of free will?” Griselda appeared at the front of the gathering, evil lurking on her face. She knew exactly what I was speaking of.

“You, Head Godmother, should know what I say is true, as you are the worst offender of them all. You’ll accept coin from anyone willing to pay, even for the most dreadful of wishes.”

Her face contorted into an expression of hatred and complete fury. “How dare you?”

“How dare I?” I lowered my wand. “Let’s give them an example, shall we?” I faced the now-silent gathering, turning away from Griselda’s angry stare. “I was tasked by the Head Fairy Godmother to grant a wish, one where Prince Edan would fall in love with and marry Princess Hadley—”

A red-haired human woman—around the king’s age—came forward, her anger apparent as she cut me off. “She attempted to cast magic against the prince? Against his will? Is that not treason against the Crown?”

Several more humans from the kingdom rounded on Griselda. “Where is Princess Hadley now? This is—”

Shouts of discontent continued to interrupt me, and I raised my voice. “Hear me out—that is not all. When I refused because Edan and I are in love, Griselda and Princess Hadley took it upon themselves to threaten me and the prince. And now…” I paused to take a breath. “My mother has been hired by the princess herself to curse our union and all of Fairy if her wish is not granted.”

The crowd separated, many pointing accusing fingers toward Griselda. Others, fairies included, stood to the side shaking their heads. I could hear whispers of my mother’s reappearance and what that might mean, but none of what they said was directed toward me.

Until Nissa, one of the fairies who hated me most, spoke up. “So, what? We’re to believe the ramblings of a fallen fairy?” She cast me a glare and flipped her blonde locks over her shoulder. “She can’t even perform as a fairy godmother, yet you”—She pointed to the other fairies in attendance—“wish to believe her over our own Head Godmother?”

I stared her down. “You’ve no idea what you’re talking about, Nissa.” Did she not hear anything I said about my mother?

“Oh, but I do.” She gave me a sickly-sweet smile, crossed her arms, then turned back to the now-gawking throng of people. “Tatiana here broke the rules of the guild, yet she left that little tidbit out. She, as a godmother, however shit at it she is, is not allowed to fall in love, especially with one of her charges. And that is grounds for punishment according to our bylaws.”

I grinned because she was an idiot. “Nissa, oh, dear. Bless your heart. Were you not there the day I went to Griselda, with the prince in tow, to turn in my wand and walk away from the guild? And when Griselda refused me?” I shook my head. “No, you were not. Now, take your skinny ass over there and sit down. Or, you may leave unless you wish to hear what I have to say.”

Her face turned red, and she huffed. “I…I, no. I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”

I inclined my head toward the gathering, motioning for her to return to her seat. “Thank you.”

I turned to everyone once more. “Now, I ask you again—what would you choose: free will to live and love without interference, or magic cast according to the wand-wielders’ clients’ wish?”

“That is enough.” My mother’s voice boomed throughout the courtyard, her black dress billowing around her feet like an angry dark cloud, as everyone in attendance parted to create a path.

I stood my ground and faced her head-on. “Beatrice. Here to curse me? Or shall I say, curse me further, as you cursed me the day—”

“Stop your bellowing, child.” Mother raised her hand and cut me off, silencing me with…magic.

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