Twice Upon A Time (Unfinished Fairy Tales #2)(23)

His eyes widen for a second and his lips move, but no sound comes out.

“We’d better go inside,” he suddenly says. “You will catch cold in that nightgown, and besides, there are servants sleeping in the house. We cannot let them overhear us.”

He grabs my arm and drags me indoors, shutting the door firmly behind us.

“Forgive me,” he says, lighting one of the lamps. “When I saw you levitating, I assumed your life was in danger. There was no way to know otherwise.”

“Didn’t you see the goblin?”

He shakes his head. “Nothing—all I saw was you rising into the air. I had to pull you back. On my life, I can never let any harm come to you. I had no idea that you were trying to leave me and return to your world.”

I don’t care how hot he is. I don’t care that he’s in love with me. All I know is that he stepped in and prevented my returning home. “Go away.”

But my words fall on deaf ears. Edward simply folds his arms and sits on an armchair. “Not before you explain how you rose from the ground. Seldom have I believed that magic exists, but when it comes to you . . .” he rubs a hand over his forehead. “Was it Krev who came to take you away to America?”

“Back to America,” I correct him.

Alarm flashes in his face. “Did he offer any explanation why he sent you back to me? And why is he coming to take you away, when you’ve only been here for a few days? What’s going on?”

I simply wrap my arms around my torso and look away. I’m still frustrated and mad—I was SO CLOSE to getting home.

“Kat.” Edward strides toward me. Ignoring my attempt to back away, he clamps both hands on my shoulders, forcing me to look at him. “I understand that you are disappointed, but answer me this—do you believe me now? Can you deny that we have met previously?”

Reluctantly, I meet his gaze. Those eyes—hazelnut flecked with gold—cause a sharp jolt in my mind. As much as I want to say no, I have to admit that his face is familiar, though I still have no idea how and when we were acquainted.

I nod.

He sighs, obviously relieved, and releases his hold. “I realize you are anxious to go home. No matter what you feel for me, your attachment to your family remains your first priority. That was why I had to let you leave the first time. But now” —he takes my hands— “circumstances are different. Your mother found another suitor. Your sister will be attending school far away. Couldn’t you consider a life with me?”

The intensity in his tone and gaze startles me. “But I already . . .”

“I understand that you also have a suitor in your world.” He presses a kiss on the back of my hand before I can stop him. “Promise me that you will do your best to regain your memory. If you do remember our past and still wish to leave, then I shall not stand in your way. But you must promise me—even if the goblin shows up—you won’t leave with him until you remember.”

I swallow. How could I make such a promise when I’ve just narrowly missed my chance to go home?

“Say yes.” He pins me with his intense gaze. “You owe me a second chance, Kat.”

If Krev does appear and I still haven’t regained my memory, it’s going to be tough to refuse leaving with him. And I desperately want to go back. Besides, Krev stated that I shouldn’t be in Athelia. Even if I tell Krev I cannot leave, what’s to prevent the goblin from forcefully transporting me back to America? I was powerless when the book brought me to Athelia.

Reluctantly, I nod.

He closes his arms around me. I'm too tired to struggle, but I am as rigid as a block of wood. “I know you must hate me now,” he says, his lips moving over my hair. “But I do not regret what I did. I simply cannot let you go when your impression of me is that of a stranger.”





10





It is time to return to the palace. Nervous and tense, I continue practicing on the train. In the capital, there will be a lot more servants and guards, plus his parents, relatives, and members of the aristocracy. Moreover, as it’s early summer, we are approaching the height of the Season, which means more parties, outings, balls, etc. Basically, events that I wish I could get myself out of. Katriona was a gauche young lady, but it had to be easier when everyone’s attention was on Bianca, the movie-star glamorous sister. Now that I'm princess, it’ll be difficult not to draw attention.

Once we get off the train, a camera goes off. Several reporters are gathered around the platform. Geez. This new celebrity status is really annoying. Edward puts his arm around my shoulders and whisks me toward a carriage with the skill of a celebrity’s bodyguard.

I grasp the folds of my gown and take a deep breath. Frankly, I am not sure if I can pull off this princess role—my head is still bursting from all the cramming I had to do. At the same time, I am kind of curious. You know, when I was a kid, like many girls, I imagined myself like one of the princesses in those storybooks. Mom dressed me up in a pink tulle skirt for Halloween when I was four. She kept a picture frame on the table until I got embarrassed about seeing it, especially when Paige also had her own princess picture taken. She looks so much better than I do in pink.

I never expected that my childhood playacting could be realized like The Princess Diaries, except I’m married to a prince.