Page 23 of Kiss and Spell
He snorted. “I don’t feel delighted. The Faerie Queen thought I needed to learn a lesson.”
“Do you need to learn a lesson?” Ursula asked subtly. She didn’t get a beastly vibe from him, but he seemed to give off a sense of innate authority. That wasn’t a surprise considering he was born a prince.
Xavier moved his shoulders in a shrug of anger. “I learned not to drink lilac wine ever again—I put my whole foot in my mouth, Madame. The Queen decided to enchant me for my rudeness.”
What did he say to end up on the bad end of a wand? She held on to that question for later, worried that her fae prince was really a frog in disguise. Wait. He’s not yours. Pump your brakes. Ursula knew enough about fairy tales to realize he’d probably have to complete a task to unburden him of this magic. “How can you break it?”
He frowned. “I have to find my perfect kiss.”
“Oh, okay,” she said. Ursula licked her lips. Awareness sparked her nerves. Well, that was new. It was usually the princess waiting for a kiss to free her from a wicked spell. She wanted to push for more details, but she held back and truly looked at him. His lively eyes shone with weariness. In all the stories she had read, those who were enchanted often had the power to set themselves free from their spell.
A growl of frustration left his mouth. “I don’t even know what that is, a perfect kiss.” He glanced at her mouth. “Have you ever had one?” he asked.
Oh. Ursula touched her lips, trying to remember kisses from previous romances. They all blended into a mental scrapbook of intimate caresses and smooches. She’d had some great kisses in her time, but not a single perfect one.
He lifted a brow in curiosity, but she shook her head. “I don’t kiss and tell.”
Xavier gave her a grin. “Does there have to be fireworks or rose petals thrown from the rooftops to make it perfect?”
“It doesn’t have to be perfect; it has to feel perfect,” Ursula said.
He gave her a questioning look, as if asking her to go on. She continued. “Think about the last perfect day you had. A day when you felt like anything was possible if you believed it could be. A good kiss should hint at the possibility of love. A perfect kiss should make you believe in a lifetime of love.”
Xavier watched her for a second. “Whoa.”
There was a world of wonder in that single word.
She shrugged sheepishly. “I know a little bit about storybook kisses. I have an unofficial degree in fairy tales, folklore, and mischief.”
His jaw moved side to side, as if considering her. “I could use your knowledge in my quest. Will you aid me, my lady?”
Ursula smothered an uncertain groan. She was good at breaking budgets, but not enchantments. Xavier smiled again, but this time there was light behind it. It reminded her of the morning sun rising and setting the world aglow with the promise of a new day. Thoughts skittered to a halt. Ursula knew that smile would be the end of her sanity if she allowed it. Fae, in all their vicious beauty, could drive humans to distraction with the promise of satisfaction. He stared at her long enough that she saw the flecks of gold in his eyes, tempting her to tell him yes. A voice in her head whispered a dire warning. If you start saying yes to him, you probably won’t be able to stop. A ripple of excitement went through her at that possibility.
Keep yourself safe. Yet her whole being filled with want.
She had her own problems to solve and didn’t know if she could take his enchantment on right now. Besides, she’d sworn off fairy tales, and he was a whole storybook prince. Then again, he’d shown her kindness today on the sidewalk. Ursula wasn’t saying no, but she was saying not now. Her phone buzzed in her clutch, but she didn’t reach to answer it. She wanted to give Xavier the same time and attention he’d given her earlier.
Finally, she spoke. “I have to think about it.”
“I respect that,” Xavier said. “Would you like to discuss this offer over a drink?”
“My nana warned me about taking a drink from a fae.”
“Is there anything you can do with me?” he joked.
There are about fifty things I’d like to do with you or to you.
She mentally shoved that aroused thought in a broom closet and locked that door.
“I’m sure we can think of something.” Ursula glanced over his shoulder to the wall clock. She clicked her teeth together once she noticed the time. It was way past her bedtime. “It’s getting late. I’m opening the shop tomorrow.”
The power had been fixed shortly before she came to the party.
Ursula stood up, holding her clutch. Xavier rose with her. His lips dropped into an endearing pout. Oh, he was dangerous.
“Stay a little longer. Celebrate the equinox,” he said. “I promise to have you back before midnight. I’ll order you a ride.”
Why was she racing home? Her plants were probably having a great time without her. It wouldn’t hurt to stay out a little longer.