Ever After (Unfinished Fairy Tales #3)(14)

She nods, her gaze on the ground. “It’s thanks to Kat that my parents could be reunited. They’ve never been happier since. Wait...are you saying that Kat has a problem? Why did you call me instead of her?”

I take a deep breath. “It is a long story, but hear me out.”

And I tell her the entire story between Kat and I. Her eyes grow so large that it looks alarming on her face, and she shakes her head so many times that it’s a miracle she isn’t dizzy.

“Oh my God! Oh my God! Are you telling me that Kat is from another world? Are you saying that Krev is responsible for bringing her into Athelia?”

I nod. “You fairies also have magic. Can you not find a solution to allow Kat survive in Athelia? I love her.” My voice is hoarse, and it is not because I have exerted myself talking. “I cannot do without her.”

“But we haven’t heard of any humans existing in another world.”

“Please,” I interrupt her. “I beg you. I do not care, whatever it costs, but I need Kat here with me. I know she wants to return. If your mother left word that Kat could come to you when she needs help, this is it. Please bring her back to me. Please.”

Meg is shaking her head. “I’ll see what I can do, prince of Athelia. But I can’t promise anything.”

“I will be forever in your debt if you succeed.”

She nods, and the glow disappears from the mirror. In a second, it looks like any ordinary mirror, and I find myself staring at my own face.

I have done what I can. I pound a fist on the table and sink into my armchair, weary and disappointed. Yet I remind myself that the fairy did not refuse my request. There is hope. I will keep on trying, anything I can think of, and one day, I will have Kat return to my side. One day.





9





Kat





We return to Canada in a few days. I spend every day looking up stuff on the Internet, on what I might find about Athelia. But no matter how hard I try, I can’t find any information. Professor Bartlett has been working on this for twenty-five years, but still, it’s disheartening that my efforts yield to nothing.

I also research the possibilities of surviving without oxygen. I find oxygen masks, diving equipment, other kinds of expensive gadgets that could allow me to survive for days, but it isn’t enough. I need to use oxygen for a lifetime. Besides, even if I could bring one of those self-contained breathing machines with me to Athelia, how are people going to perceive me, carrying those around?

Witch, Bianca’s voice hisses in my head.

Even if I can shut myself away in the palace, the gadget might break down one day, and I’ll be dead in no time. Maybe I can make frequent trips back to my own world to have the machines polished and updated and maintained, but that’s highly impractical. Too many things could happen. And Edward would always be worried about me.

Maybe I can rip up the book again and go back to Athelia in the body of Katriona Bradshaw? But that would be repeating the same thing again. I’ll still have to return after marrying Edward. No way am I going to subject Edward and myself to a devastating separation for a third time. If I am going to go back to Athelia, I’ve got to make sure that this time I’m staying there for good.

“Hey Kat.” Paige knocks on my door. “Want to come shopping with me?”

I look up from my laptop, where I’m looking up information on survival. “I’ll pass.”

She comes in and sits on the bed. “Kat, you’ve been locked inside this house for days. You need to get out.”

I glance at her. At eighteen, Paige looks almost like Mom when she married Dad. She’s gorgeous, with Mom’s black-diamond eyes, full lips, and olive complexion. Usually when people compare us and compliment her, I’d laugh and shrug in a good-natured way, but there’s this tiny jab of jealousy and frustration that she got to inherit my mother’s good looks. But since I came back from Athelia, strangely, I've discovered I don’t mind anymore. I have Edward, who loves me for who I am, and isn’t attracted to someone like Bianca. It's lovely to be recognized for being yourself.

“Where’s Mom?”

“Ryan is on the phone.” Paige shrugs. “He’s discussing with Mom about taking us on a cruise. Like, to Alaska or the Caribbean. He says you deserve something relaxing after what happened to you.”

When I was a kid, I used to dream going on a luxury cruise. In any time I would have jumped at the opportunity, but now nothing sounds appealing, unless it’s a trip to Athelia.

Paige launches off the bed and grabs my arm. “Up with you now. Your prince over there would want you to stay healthy, right?”

“All right, all right.” I hop up and grab my coat. “Let’s go.”



* * *



Later that night, I lie in bed, unable to sleep. Paige tried to get me a new sweater—it was weird to be looking over ready-made, mass-manufactured clothes instead of having tailors and seamstresses custom-produce my outfits. We went to a cozy little coffee store and even chatted with some cute guys. Surprisingly, not all of them have their eyes glued on Paige. There was one guy who sat next to me and offered to buy me a cup of coffee. I did my best to smile and make small talk, and in the end I even allowed myself a brief idea of moving on. That’s what Edward would have wanted; he always puts my happiness above his own.