Page 1107 of One More Kiss

Chapter20

The crowd released a shocked gasp.Princess Petulant sought to fly, but her dress must have gotten tangled between her feet. Suddenly, she careened forward, stopped, dropped, and rolled the rest of the way only to land wailing at Edan’s feet.

I had to contain myself and not laugh. It was not funny.

“I forgive you, as you are confused about wanting to marry her over royalty such as me. I can give you all of the privilege your kingdom requires. Think of the throne, Edan.”

“Neither my throne nor my heart is any of your concern, dear Princess.” Edan turned away and moved to my side.

With everyone staring at Princess Hadley, her eyes grew overwhelmingly wide, and perhaps even asense of shame settled in. “I never meant to hurt anyone. I am a princess.” She rolled to the side and finally tugged her high heel free from her skirt’s hem, with the loud tearing of the dress’s underskirt causing me to cringe.

“I’d suggest you hurry along before even more of your wishes wear off, Princess.” Renora pointed and nodded toward the door.

Like a sad, rabid puppy, with her curls no longer bouncing and her back no longer board straight, Princess Hadley did just that, smacking at the butterflies to leave her alone as she raced back up the aisle. “Shoo, shoo.” She swatted and cried out as they continued to land upon her cheeks and hair. It appeared as if some were now taking nosedives toward her face.

“Renora, what did you do?” My eyes nearly bulged from my head.

“Wishes come in all sorts, and she’d once wished to be graceful. Now, she is as she’salways been: a dingbat.”

“But your wand?” I continued. “Why?”

“I stand with you and your mother.” She turned her attention back to Beatrice. “Look at me. We are not enemies. You were my best friend. We grew up together, kept one another’s secrets, and I was there the day your precious daughter was born.”

Mother took a step back, away from the king and Renora, shaking her head. “No. I will not stop. I cannot be broken. Not again. I must save Tatiana. You wouldn’t understand, Renora. She is mine.”

Renora’s lip wobbled. “But I do. If you remember, I loved her, too. I still do. I was there with you when”—She choked back a sob—“when we learned the news of Reginald.”

“Reginald…but how do you remember? The memories?”

“Tatiana. She asked questions about her father, and I have no idea what happened. It’s as though a fog has been lifted. They have slowly returned to me throughout the day.”

“And the lies I was told when I left you…” King Fredrick dropped his head and then peered up again. “When I left you at the altar. I cannot take back what I did, but…I, we, can move forward. I never stopped loving you.”

Tears sprang from my mother’s eyes at Fredrick’s words, and her features softened. “I love you, too, Fredrick. And you, my baby girl. Always.” As soon as the words left Beatrice’s lips, her body began to hover in midair, her arms splayed out, and her back arched.

Mother appeared as if she were in pain and I cried out, but Renora held onto my hand and squeezed. Black and gray dark magic filtered from her mouth, as it seemed to be opened in a silent scream. It dripped from her fingertips, and as soon as it touched the air, it dissipated into ash, then floated to the floor.

We watched—well, I looked on in horror because it appeared painful, and I feared my mom was hurting, but no sooner than it had begun, it ended, and she dropped back to her feet with a bright smile on her face.

Dear goddess! I could see the light of Inanna radiating from her. She was glowing—she’d been restored! True love was the key…

“Mamma!” I ran to her and engulfed her in a tight embrace. “You’ve returned to me. “Oh, Mom, I’ve missed you. I love you.”

“And I you, my darling girl.” She grasped my cheeks and looked me over. “Goddess, you’re beautiful, and you’ve grown into such a strong young woman. I am proud of you, Tatiana.”

Those words…the words I’d longed to hear for more than half my life. I would not cry, but I had my mother back. I couldn’t have been happier!

I heard the unmistakable sound as three more wands snapped, and we turned to see fairies coming forward to stand with us. Throughout our airing of family dirty laundry, memories were coming back and free will had been restored. The townspeople were pissed off. Many of which were now surrounding the few members of the guild who’d dared show their faces. Griselda being front and center. I sort of wanted a bar of chocolate to watch that piece of action, but we were having a family moment. I figured it would be in poor taste.

“We join you in solidarity.” Two of the mean girls who hated me—not Nissa—joined our little group, and I was shocked.

“Welcome.” Renora nodded.

Suddenly, the girls hugged my mother. They hugged her. “We are so sorry for everything the guild and the council has put you through. We overheard bits and pieces and that’s enough.” Bobble Head One and Bobble Head Two (I should really learn their names now), then hugged me. It was a bit awkward. “We’re sorry for the way we’ve treated you. It was…ordered.” They hung their heads.”

“Wait. What? Ordered by whom?” Did I really need to ask?

“The Head Fairy Godmother.” They pointed and said in unison.

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