Lucky Charm (Reverse Fairytales Book 2)(29)

“Who?”

“Frederick Pittser, the reporter that spoke to us at the TV studios in Thalia, remember? I thought he was nothing more than an outspoken anti-Mage, but Cynder found out that he was actually high up in an underground anti-Mage group who were plotting to kill me. He took me from your palace to save me. In doing that he saved a lot of other people too.”

“How so?”

“Pittser or one of his cronies tried to shoot me as I escaped with Cynder. If I’d still been at the ball, he would have come for me there, shooting anyone in his path until I was dead. It’s ironic that last year it was the Magi who were trying to bring down the monarchy, but this year it’s the anti-Magi.”

“So you and he...”

“Nothing happened. I promise. I’ve chosen to marry you, and I will. Cynder dropped me off in Silverwood and left. He’s on his way back to Thalia.”

I heard him sigh in relief as though I’d alleviated all his fears. Part of me still felt bad that I’d left out the most important part—that my heart still beat for Cynder, but there was no future with him. He was on his way back to Thalia, and the likelihood was I’d never see him again, or if I did, it would only be on the occasions he was either serving me dinner or maybe in a few years, cooking it at the Thalian palace.

“Hmm.”

“What?” I asked.

“These past few days, I’ve been wanting to kill him, but it seems I should be thanking him.”

“He’s gone back to Thalia. I think the best way to thank him would be to get word to your parents to tell them not to fire him. He’s a great chef. He’d be an asset to their kitchen team.”

“I’ll do that. If he’s there, that means he’s not here near you. I understand now why he took you, but that doesn’t stop me feeling jealous.”

I looked up at his gorgeous face. It was almost comical how someone could be so utterly beautiful could be jealous of someone like me, and yet, I could see the pain in his expression.

He was quiet for a moment, so for the first time since he’d been home, I touched him. I put my hand to his face which softened immediately. He looked so relieved and so handsome. When he leaned forward to kiss me, I moved forward to meet him in the middle. This time, there was no hesitancy on my part. I’d made the decision to be with Luca, and the flutters I thought I’d lost long ago came back. Luca was the most wonderful kisser. The way his lips moved against mine as we explored each other made the flutters turn into tingles then great earthquakes that shot up my spine. His tongue found mine as I pressed my whole body into his, matching his passion. I was ready for him and everything he had to give.

Somewhere a flash erupted. Luca pulled back, and we both looked to the high wall that encircled the palace grounds. A photographer dipped quickly below the top of the wall, and we heard him jump from his ladder and run away.

Luca and I laughed, which broke the tension that had been between us even more than the kiss had.

The very same thing had happened to us last year. It had been our very first kiss and had taken me by surprise. The photographer that had caught us then had left me in the worst position possible, and it was only because Jenny had woven her magic with the press, that we’d managed to stop the photo being published. Now, it didn’t matter. I’d picked Luca, and he’d picked me, and it didn’t matter if the whole world knew about it. After the nightmare of the day so far, having a photo of us kissing would only cement the words I had said earlier.

Luca took my hand, and we headed back into the palace.

The group we’d left behind had migrated to the parlor where they were all drinking champagne. My advisors had retired for the night, but my mother, Jenny, Elise, Leo, Daniel, and Dean were still there drinking.

When they saw us walk in hand in hand, they came bounding over and continued the group hug they’d started earlier. Someone passed me a glass of champagne and one to Luca. For the first time in a long time, I stopped worrying about the state of the kingdom and decided to celebrate my small victory. The Magi were coming back, Luca was by my side, and the people of Silverwood were finally beginning to believe me.

I took a swallow of champagne, feeling the bubbles tickling my throat.

I tried not to think of Cynder. He would be halfway home now on his horse. If Luca was true to his word, Cynder would have a job to go back to. I still had a very long way to go to pull Silverwood together, but hiring a Mage chief of police to work alongside Grenfall, was a stroke of genius. With any luck, Grenfall would quit his job, saving me from having to fire him. Either that, or he’d become more tolerant. Either way, it was a win-win situation.

I sipped my champagne and felt at peace. Looking over at Luca, confidently chatting with Leo and Elise, I knew I’d made the right decision. Someone tapped me lightly on the arm, and I turned to find Daniel. I hugged him tightly.

“Hey, you’ll crease the shirt,” he quipped and then a moment later, “Can we talk?”

He led me to the quieter side of the room, and we sat on the long ornamental sofa.

“I guess you know about me, huh?”

“Cynder told me everything,” I admitted.

“I’m sorry to have deceived you. I hated myself for doing it. Right after our first date, I wanted to back out, but I saw that you needed me more than ever. I came in here with the intention of pulling your father down, but when I met you, I realized it would mean I’d end up pulling you down with him. You were so sweet and fearless that I couldn’t bring myself to do it.”