Page 65 of Kiss and Spell

Ursula pressed a shaky hand to her cheek. The rosy blush slowly returned to her face. “I completely zoned out. I’m sorry.”

His gut told him she was hiding something, but he didn’t want to push. He wasn’t leaving until he was certain she was safe. “Don’t be sorry. You tranced out. I was worried.”

Ursula placed a calming hand to his chest. The worry within him eased a fraction. “I’m fine. I think—it was just a magical headache. I probably investigated too many crystals today.”

“Are you sure?” he asked. It was a little odd that this headache happened right after they kissed. Ursula nodded.

Her voice was shaky, but she looked much better than she did a moment ago. “I need to rest. It’s been a long day.”

“I’ll fix you a cup of tea,” he offered.

“You’re not playing fair, Your Highness. Don’t tempt me with tea,” she whispered. “Go home. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Xavier gave in for now. He’d call on her in the morning and ask after her health.

He brought her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her palm. “Sweet dreams, Sula.”

“Good night, Xavier.” She smiled brightly and it was as if the night sky appeared to him in all its radiant glory. Ursula. The constellation. Little bear. His witch. And with a strength he didn’t know he possessed, Xavier gave her one last longing glance, opened the door, and left.

Cool night air touched his skin. He patted his sides, trying to feel if anything shifted.

His attention went to the sky, looking for fireworks or falling stars. He listened for soaring music, but all he heard was growling gargoyles and singing crickets. His heart hammered foolishly for thinking that it would be this easy. He should feel something other than affection and desire racing through his bloodstream, making every inch of him feel alive.

He’d had his perfect kiss, but something was missing.

The moon caught his attention. It was a slice of light in the darkness of the night sky. He gave it a side smile. Something resilient was waning inside of him, but he couldn’t name it. Couldn’t identify it. One thing was certain: One kiss wasn’t enough. He wasn’t done.

He wanted to kiss her again. He wanted to court her.

But did she want the same thing as him?

Eventually Xavier found his way to a twenty-four-hour diner where there were more cups of coffee than customers inside. Xavier took a booth in the back. He studied the menu, trying to find a late-night snack, but his lips tingled at the memory of her touch. Absentmindedly, he licked his lower lip and caught a hint of that cherry liquor and fierceness. Her own liquor.

Nothing made sense anymore. Was this experience what the Queen intended for him? Did she truly intend to torment him for his arrogance with the promise of such a sweet kiss?

He let his mind drift back to that moment.

It takes half a fool to insult the Faerie Queen, and Prince Xavier had been a whole fool that one eventful dance. The House of Alder had been invited to dance and dine personally with the Faerie Queen, in honor of their active mediation of land disputes between local neighbors to the west. He hated going to those glittering parties where people watched his every move and reported his every misstep to the gossips. Xavier especially dreaded talking to the Faerie Queen, adorned in her crystal-encrusted gown and speaking judgment from her gilded chair. With her ebony skin and spider-silk hair, Her Majesty was believed to be over five hundred years old but didn’t look a day over seventy. Every time she glanced at him during the dinner, a shiver went through his body, leaving him icy. It was like she could see into his heart and was bothered by what she saw there.

He’d been so nervous to speak to her that he didn’t eat a bite of food during dinner. He’d drunk half a bottle of lilac wine and chased it with a glass of dandelion liquor. The world swam before his eyes as he approached the Queen. They chatted briefly about flowers and the royal gardens, then spoke about Prim’s upcoming marriage.

Xavier’s entire body felt loose, including his mouth.

That was the very instant he said that stupid thing that he said.

He knew he screwed up when she laughed full and long at his words. Fear ran wild in his body. There was a secret saying in the Realm: When the Queen laughs, you’ll cry soon after.

The Queen reached into her bell sleeve and pulled out a wand.

The gilded rod caught the overhead light and twinkled with unspooled magic. It reminded him of a scorpion’s tail dripping with venom. He took in a deep breath to keep from passing out at her feet. A collective gasp went through the crowd, but no one moved. She lifted herself from the throne, swishing her wand around his body.

He didn’t dare flee. If he did, then his family’s reputation and status in the Fae Kingdom would be decimated. He paused. Stay still. Take the punishment. Show no pain.

She swung her wand and tapped him on the shoulder. A blast of neon-green energy traveled from her wand and landed on him. His skin burned as if he’d accidentally splashed hot water all over his body. It knocked him back and stole his breath. Even now, months later, he still couldn’t get enough air in his body.

Until tonight. Until Ursula touched him. Held him. Kissed him.

Now he breathed easier. He was free to leave this world, but he didn’t want to go. The truth rattled in his bones and scared him.