Twice Upon A Time (Unfinished Fairy Tales #2)(72)

A hand tugs on my gown. I look down and find Lizzie looking up at me with wide, plaintive eyes.

“Is there something wrong, Lizzie?”

“I can’t see the birdies. Can I get a stool from the greenhouse?”

“Oh, honey, that’s too dangerous for you.”

Edward suddenly plucks the little girl up and sets her on his shoulders. “Better?”

“Ooh, yes.” Lizzie grins and wiggles her body so she can sit more comfortably. “Much better. Oh look, the birdie is so colorful!”

“Wait.” I waggle my forefinger at her. “You forgot the magic word.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

I glance at them. Lizzie is obviously delighted. Edward, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to enjoy having the little girl swing her legs and play with his hair, but he wears a mask of patience. My heart swells—he could have refused this outing. He could have gone back in the afternoon, and yet because of me, he is willing to tolerate a thankless task. It also occurs to me, as Lizzie paws on Edward’s hair, that he would also make a good father.

When we move to the next stop in the menagerie, Edward lets Lizzie slide to the ground. This time, the little girl is astute enough to thank him again before trotting off to join the others.

“Thank you.” I sidle up to Edward and slip my hand into his. “For giving the children a memorable lesson.”

“It is difficult for me to reject any request from you, as long as it is reasonable. And I have learned much as well, so it is not only you who is gratified.”

I look up at him, my heart in my eyes, and for a moment we stand there gazing at each other, like no further words are needed to communicate our feelings for each other.

“Uncle Ed?” Rosie’s voice becomes louder. “Aunt Kat? It’s time to see the butterfly house.”

I break eye contact from Edward, but I don’t let go of his hand. That moment we just shared was short—not more than a few minutes probably—but it was so entrancing and magical that any hesitation I have of staying in Athelia has vanished. Edward has bound me to him, both legally and figuratively. I can’t imagine the rest of my life without him.





34





After Elle and I see the girls safely conveyed out of the palace, I return to the suite, humming a tune that no one in Athelia would have heard. I had sung a few pop songs for Edward when we were alone, but although he tried to look interested, I could tell that our modern pop is too bizarre for his liking. I feel a bit sad, knowing that I won’t be able to listen to songs on my phone anymore. Here, I need an orchestra that only plays classical music.

I discover Edward fast asleep in the study. For some weird reason, he reminds me of Sleeping Beauty, albeit a male version. It certainly is a breathtaking picture—him lying on the low sofa near the window seat, and the curtains drawn back, revealing the panorama of magnificent fall foliage in the gardens outside.

He must be exhausted from all the parliamentary sessions. A gust of wind blows in one window that’s propped open, causing goosebumps on my arm.

I tiptoe to my bedroom and grab a fine cashmere blanket, planning to drape it over Edward. Even though he has a great physique, it’s still possible that he could catch a cold. Just when I’m tucking the material under his chin, he stirs and opens one eye.

“Kat?”

In an instant, he wraps an arm around my shoulders, dragging my body down to his, like a typical romance scene in a shojo manga. I land on his chest, and my head bangs under his chin. Another gust of wind enters the windows, making a stack of papers on the desk flutter. Luckily, there’s a paper weight, or those papers would have scattered on the floor by now.

“Edward, the wind is coming in. I should close that window.”

His other arm settles over my back in an ironlike grip. Combined with the heat from his body and the blanket underneath, I admit it is warm enough.

“I dreamed of you rising in the air,” he murmurs, and there’s pain in his voice. “All I could think of was pulling you back. However, you floated away, and no matter how I tried, I couldn’t get you.”

“It was only a dream.”

“But it could happen.”

“It won’t.” The words are out of my mouth before I realize I mean it.

His arms tighten around me. “Truly?”

There’s no sound from Krev, not even a teeny whimper. Good. I can say and do whatever I want without his annoying influence.

I swallow and take a deep breath. In my mind, I silently apologize to my mother, my sister, and Jason. I really, really don’t want to give them up, but if forced to make a choice . . .

“Even if Krev shows up, I’ll tell him that I want to stay in Athelia. I’m not going back to my own world.”

He suddenly flips me over so I’m lying beneath him. Edward’s gaze bores into my face, as though he wants to make sure I’m being sincere. That my facial expression matches my tone.

“Say that again.”

I raise my hand and caress his cheek. “I love you, Edward. I promise you that as long as I live, I will never leave your side.”

A choked sound escapes him. The next second, he covers my mouth completely. He kisses me, fiercely and hungrily, as though I am the only meal after days of starving. He kisses me over and over again, as though each kiss will anchor me more firmly in Athelia. He kisses me so deeply that I can barely breathe, yet I don’t want him to stop.