Whispered Music (London Fairy Tales #2)(74)

“Forgive me.” He caught me as I tried to rush past and pulled me to his chest. I started to protest and he covered my mouth with his hand, even as Cotton emitted a low bark just outside the barn door.





Another great read





Chapter One


Dallas, Texas

Present Day

Lexy Newberry knew the castle’s inhabitants never suffered delusions of grandeur. Its humble form inspired no poet to greatness or tourist to ask for souvenir postcards. No love-struck princess would degrade herself to seek refuge in the stocky towers, and no noble prince would see the point in storming the tattered gates. In fact, the only claim to fame the castle held was the speed with which one forgot its very existence.

Yet she had the craziest déjà vu feeling she’d forgotten not only the castle, but something much more important. Something she had no business forgetting.

“Lexy?” Her concentration shattered at the sound of Cara North’s voice. “Sorry I’m late.”

“That,” Lexy pointed to her friend, “is the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen.”

An odd look of pride settled over Cara’s features. “Yes. It is, isn’t it?”

“You meant for it to look that way?”

Cara chuckled. “I don’t think it’s possible to create the world’s ugliest castle by accident.”

“I’ll never understand you business-types,” Lexy said. The feeling slipped away. Whatever memory it held bothered her no more.

Cara pulled her back a few steps. “I did it to create a mood.” She spread her arms wide. “Welcome to the lost island of Dresdonia.”

“It’s not lost,” she told Cara. “It’s abandoned. Everyone moved to Florida. They wanted a real castle.”

Cara stared at her in mock horror. “Tell me you didn’t just say that.”

Other theme parks were evil in Cara’s opinion. The Lost Islands, the new theme park owned by Cara’s family, would open in two weeks. Lexy had been invited to a VIP preview, a last hurrah before she moved cross-country the next day.

Lexy shrugged. “Sue me.”

“And they didn’t move,” Cara said. “In 1555, Dresdonia was invaded by Anders Severon. The royal Delamere family–”

“I know. I know,” Lexy said. “You’ve told me. I came to ride today, not to learn.”

“Okay, fine. But when you enter the castle, you’ll be asked to help find the missing princess.” Cara crossed her arms in mock disgust. “Don’t blame me when you fail completely.”

“I’ll take my chances,” Lexy said. “Besides, I already told you—she moved to Florida.”

Cara punched her arm. “Stop.”

A carload of screaming guests passed over the castle’s stubby towers. Whoever heard of a castle housing a roller coaster? The dilapidated building should have been a haunted house.

“I can’t believe you’re leaving tomorrow.” Cara changed the subject.

Lexy blew an errant piece of hair out of her eye, then gave up and released the tangled mess from its clasp. “Please. You’ll be so busy, you won’t even notice.” She shoved the barrette into her pocket. Cara had a new park to run, family nearby, and a steady stream of men begging for the opportunity to buy her dinner. Lexy had…well, she had the promise of a thirty-five-hour car ride to a new city filled with complete strangers and a depressing number of boxes to unpack.

Lord? she prayed. Seattle is where I’m supposed to be, isn’t it?

“It’s not me I’m worried about,” Cara said. “You’ll get to the West Coast and forget all about Texas. Of course, on the other hand, maybe you’ll finally find someone special.”

Lexy crushed a discarded piece of popcorn with the toe of her tennis shoe. “I don’t need or want someone special. Thank you very much.”

Cara slid out of the way as a family of five passed by, kids running up the steps to get to the castle. “Just admit it. Sometimes it’d be nice to have a man around.”

“Sure,” Lexy said. “Just like the Delameres. Fat lot of good a man did the poor queen when that Severon guy killed her.”

Cara’s expression grew wistful. “At least they had each other in the end. Think about it—a king and queen standing strong, knowing the end is near, but caring enough about their land and people to fight anyway. It’s so romantic.”

Lexy snorted. “I find nothing even slightly romantic about being slaughtered by a man named Severon.”

“What am I going to do with you? It’s all about giving yourself to a higher cause, fighting the good fight. Maybe romantic’s the wrong word, but it’s noble.”

Lexy glared at her friend. “I’ve seen too often what happens when women try to stand against an evil force coming at them. Get out of Dodge. There’s nobility in that. It’s called life.”

Cara paled. “I’m sorry.”

The apology hit Lexy in the pit of her stomach. Her work at the battered women’s shelter made her sensitive, but Cara wanted it to be a fun day. “No. I’m sorry. The move’s made me antsy. I should loosen up.” Lexy waved toward the castle. “Tell me about this roller coaster of yours. And not the history lesson part.”