Lucky Charm (Reverse Fairytales Book 2)(30)

I smiled at his words. “I was anything but fearless. I spent most of last year quivering under my clothes.”

“If that’s the case, you hid it well. I saw that you could become the leader we always imagined. The Magi wanted the royalty to be gone completely, but when I met you, I saw another path.”

“Oh yes?”

“I saw you as queen. I knew even then you’d do a much better job of it than your father or your grandfather or any of your ancestors before you. Instead of greed and prejudice, you looked around you and saw what needed to be done. It’s no surprise to me that Silverwood is a small country with little going for it. For years, its subjects have been so busy warring amongst each other that we’ve wasted energy we could have put into building it into a respected kingdom. A kingdom that prospers and is equal to those around it.”

It might have been the champagne talking, but I was feeling bold. “That doesn’t sound like much of an ambition. Why not make it a kingdom that has no equal?”

Daniel grinned and held up his glass. “And that’s why I know you’ll make a great queen.”

“Thank you, Daniel.” I took a sip of my champagne and looked over my shoulder to where the others stood. They were all so busy chatting and laughing and drinking that they wouldn’t hear me.

“I know that you and Cynder knew each other and I know why you came to the palace. I’m wondering...” I trailed off

“You are wondering why I stayed?”

“Yes,” I admitted. “You got what you wanted. My father died. I became the queen. You live outside the palace, but you are here all the time. You and Dean may as well move in here.”

“Just because the Magi are now free, doesn’t mean you are.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“You got shot at the other night. Your father might be dead, but there are still people that want to kill you. The Magi Death Squad will not stop until we overwhelm them. Thanks to you, there are hundreds of Magi coming back into Silverwood. You’ve provided opportunities for us that we couldn’t hope to have as recently as last year. Just as the Magi wanted one of theirs in power instead of a king or queen, the anti-Magi want the same thing now except with one of their kind. You have no heirs. It’s possible that Elise could take over, but if they kill you, there’s nothing to stop them going for her too. They’ll already have someone in mind to take over when you die.”

“Frederick Pittser?”

“No. He’s high up, but there will be people above him. I’ve been given word that there is a man they call The Regent, but I don’t know who he is. Whoever he is, he’s ready to become the new ruler when the time comes. With all our intelligence, we are still no closer to finding out who he is so all we can do is protect you and let you continue to spread your voice to the people. The best thing you can do for your safety is to promote Magi rights to the point where the Magi are so ingrained into society that no one even notices or cares about whether someone has magical ability or not.”

“But that could take years,” I pointed out.

“It will take years. It’s likely that it won’t even happen in your lifetime, but you are setting the groundwork for a Silverwood that can live together in harmony. Your children and your children’s children will continue that legacy I hope. Until then, I’ll be here as long as you need me to protect you.”

“Does Dean know?”

“That I’m a Mage or that I’m here to protect you?”

“Both...either.”

“No. I’ve not told him.”

“Do you love him?”

“I love him more than I ever believed possible.”

“Then tell him the truth. He deserves your honesty.”

Daniel came over to my side and hugged me.

I grinned. “You know, now that I know you are a Mage, I might have to get you to do more around the palace.”

“For you, Mi’lady, anything. Just call me your fairy godmother.”

I gave him a playful swipe and grinned.

I felt so safe in his arms. I truly was the luckiest girl in the world to have all these men looking out for me.





A New Competition


I went to bed with a smile on my face. Thanks to the champagne and the long, long day, I slept better than I had in months.

It really felt like a new beginning. A new start. I woke up with plans on how to accommodate the new Magi and what I could do to help them settle back into their lives. The first job would be to round up my advisors and make a plan. I pulled on some trousers and a sweater and fixed my hair into a plain ponytail. Today was not a day to be a pretty princess, it was a day to be a ruthless queen!

In the breakfast room, the table had been set out for the five of us as usual. Mother, Elise, Leo, Luca, and I.

In the middle were the day’s newspapers waiting for me to read them as I always did. I was surprised to find myself alone until I saw the time on the ornate carriage clock on the mantelpiece. It was 6.00am. I’d slept so well, I’d woken up way earlier than usual. No wonder no one else was down yet. I seated myself in the usual place and poured myself a glass of juice that had been left out in a crystal jug. After taking a sip, I picked up the first paper.

I never made it to my second sip of juice. I couldn’t. I was too busy trying to comprehend what I was seeing on the front page. I picked up the next paper. It said the same as did all of them.