Resentment flashed in Bubbles’ eyes. “They’ll forget about you in a second.”
“We really won’t.” Jon’s voice was steel as he moved to stand beside Kate. “Rest assured, Fairy Godmothers, Inc. has made a lifelong enemy.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Bubbles glared at them both, refusing to back down. “The justice system will be on my side, not yours. Fairy Godmothers, Inc. hasn’t broken any laws.”
“What about ethics violations?” Everyone turned at the highly unexpected sound of the king’s voice. He cringed a little under the sheer weight of all the attention suddenly focused on him, but he pushed ahead. “I know the Council of High Sorcery gets really upset when magic is used outside of the rules. If Fairy Godmothers, Inc. is using evil spells, won’t the council have something to say about it?” When everyone just kept staring at him, he shrugged. “What? Like I said, I pay attention.”
“That’s nonsense,” Bubbles snapped. “I keep trying to tell you, we don’t use evil spells!”
“But you do use compulsion spells, which is close enough that a sufficiently clever lawyer should be able to persuade a jury,” Lawton said, moving to stand on Kate’s other side. “And one thing we do have in surplus here is clever lawyers.”
“Curses aren’t illegal.” The frustration in Bubbles’ voice was soothing. Kate knew she was still going to get arrested, but at least Bubbles wouldn’t get to enjoy it.
“Unauthorized curses are.” Now that he had a new angle to work, Jon’s voice sounded more controlled. “My guess is that none of you are licensed evil sorceresses, who are the only people legally allowed to use curses or compulsion magic. Given how many years you’ve been operating, I can only imagine how many times the company has broken that particular law.”
Bubbles looked horrified. “We’re not evil sorceresses!”
“Which is the exact reason the council will be so annoyed with you.” Lawton almost sounded cheerful. “We won’t even need to bother with destroying you in court. The council will do that for us.”
“And even if you did get licensed, where would that leave the company?” Kate’s smile had absolutely no humor in it. “No one wants their children or grandchildren in a marriage arranged by an evil sorceress. What would the neighbors think?”
Before Bubbles could answer, the ballroom doors opened to reveal several very confused members of the local police force being guided inside. They paled a little when faced with most of the royal family, but their leader was resolute. “I’m Captain Green, and I’ve been told there’s a thief on the premises.”
Kate sighed, holding out her wrists. “That’s me.”
Next to her, Jon tensed. “Did she show you any evidence?”
The Captain actually looked apologetic. “Ms. Bubbles here mirrored us the video she had of the theft. I’m not sure what’s happening here, but the case looks pretty open and shut.”
“It is,” Bubbles said, the distraction having given her time to collect herself. Hate shone out of her eyes as she glared at Kate. “It doesn’t matter what nonsense story about curses and evil spells you tell these people. You can’t prove any of it, and no one will listen to a useless little nobody like you.”
Kate lifted her chin as one of the officers put the cuffs on her. “It doesn’t matter. I still have no regrets about what I did.”
Bubbles looked disgusted. “Does that idiocy actually comfort you?”
Next to Kate, Jon was talking to the Captain. “Let me come with her to the station. I’ll have her lawyer meet us there.”
Behind her, Kate heard the queen’s voice. “Jon, you’ll do no such thing. You can’t be seen at a police station!”
“Why not?” Lawton asked the queen. “Your elder son is quite a familiar guest there.”
The sound of running footsteps immediately distracted Kate away from the rest of the argument. She looked over Bubbles’ shoulder to see Ned and Rellie running into the room, with Ned frantically waving his fist in the air.
Kate was confused for a second—she had thought both of them were still behind her—then, panic hit and she tried to catch one of their gazes. She couldn’t gesture at them to run because Bubbles would see it, but maybe she could glare them both back out of the room. Ned might think he was trying to help, but the last thing Kate wanted was for him to go to jail with her.
Sadly, Ned didn’t seem to be in agreement with this plan. “I have it!” he shouted.
Everyone’s attention immediately turned to him. At the sight of the wayward intern, fresh indignation lit Bubbles’ eyes. “Arrest him, too! He’s her co-conspirator!”
The police moved toward Ned, and Rellie stepped in front of him as if she could shield her sweetheart. “Not yet. He’s got something to say.”
Ned, not looking nearly as worried as Kate thought he should be, turned to Captain Green. “Could you arrest Bubbles for illegal sorcery if you had proof she was using a compulsion spell on people?”
The police captain turned to Bubbles. “Are you a licensed evil sorceress?” Bubbles looked insulted. “Don’t be absurd. I’m a Fairy Godmother.”
“Then, yes, I could arrest her.” He turned back to Ned. “But I’d need clear evidence, young man. Without an open case, we can’t arrest someone just on witness testimony alone.”
Ned grinned, opening his hand just enough to reveal Kate’s bottle of True Love. She’d taken it off when she’d changed out of her uniform, and had completely forgotten about it. “Here it is. Bubbles hands these out to all the Fairy Godmothers who work under her.” Ned showed the captain the bottom of the bottle, where the company logo was clearly embossed.
“It’s a company-issued love potion,” Jon explained, giving Bubbles a single withering glance. “I was recently dosed with it against my will, and I would be happy to testify about the way it held my mind hostage and made me betray the people I care about most. Kate’s ‘theft’ was to steal the cure so that Rellie and I would be free of its effects.”
“It’s true,” Rellie added. “It made me feel all kinds of creepy things I didn’t want to.”
Captain Green looked graver and graver as they spoke. “I still need proof that this is a compulsion spell, but I can’t test it on anyone in case you’re right.”
“They’re all lying.” Bubbles seized on the opportunity. “They knew you wouldn’t feel comfortable about testing it, so they’re trying to pass off a mere bottle of perfume as magic.”
Kate smiled. “If it’s just perfume, you won’t mind getting spritzed with some.” She held her cuffed hands out for the bottle, and when Ned gave it to her she pointed the spray nozzle at Bubbles. “Come closer. Let’s see what this perfume of yours smells like.”
Bubbles froze. “No. I refuse.”
The captain watched Bubbles with growing suspicion. “If it’s just perfume, you shouldn’t mind getting some on you. Let her spray you with it.”
“No.” Pure fear filled Bubbles’ face now. She took a step back. “You can’t make me.”
“Why not?” Kate let all her anger out into her voice. “You made Jon and Rellie.”
For a second, no one moved. Then the captain nodded. “Fair enough. If you could put that thing away?” When Kate handed the bottle to one of the other officers, Captain Green stepped forward and unlocked her cuffs. “Even if she is a licensed evil sorceress and is just lying about it, that’s definitely enough to get a case started. I take it you’d be willing to testify for the prosecution?” “Absolutely,” Kate said, rubbing her wrists. “Ned will as well.”
“Then I think we can overlook the theft charges.” Captain Green looked at both her and Jon. “I hate to say this, but you’ll need to stay where we can contact you.”
“She’ll be right here,” Jon said, taking Kate’s hand again. “We’ll cooperate with anything you need.”
“We’ll even offer some assistance with interrogations, if you wish,” Lawton added. “I know a few gentlemen who can be quite persuasive.”
�
��Thank you, but I think we’ll be fine,” the captain said wryly. Then he turned to Bubbles. “You’re under arrest for the unlicensed casting of curses and other related spells.”
As he continued reading her rights, Bubbles looked at him in horror. “You can’t do this!” Her glare shot to Kate. “I’ll get you for this!”
Lawton cocked an ear. “Surely there should be some dramatic music any moment now.” After a moment, he shook his head. “Such a missed opportunity.”
Captain Green gestured to his men. “Take her away.” Jon nodded at the palace guards to follow them out. The security guards Bubbles had brought with her took the opportunity to make their own escape.
Once they were gone, Jon walked over and pulled Ned into a bear hug. “I could kiss you.”
Rellie grinned. “Sorry, that’s my job.”
Kate just stood there, still reeling from the sudden turn of events. “You mean everything worked out?”
“Well, you’ll probably have to suffer through several terribly dull days of court cases, but I do believe they at least allow the witnesses refreshments.” When she didn’t laugh, Lawton’s expression turned sympathetic. “Cheer up, Katharine. We won.”
“And you were magnificent,” Jon added, pulling her into his arms. He held on tight, burying his face in her hair. “My hero.”
She hugged him back just as hard, feeling tears prick. “I finally had something worth fighting for.”
Rellie threw her arms around both of them. “That was so cool!” She laughed, squeezing them tight. “You and Jon totally have to start that company so I can be a Fairy Godmother just like you are.”
Ned came up to add himself to the hug. “You did good, Boss,” he told Kate.
She moved her arm so it was around him as well. “So did you. You got over your fear of True Love.”
“No, I didn’t.” Ned pulled away at the same time Rellie did, and a second later the two of them were holding onto each other. “But like you said, some things are more important.”
“I am vastly impressed with all of us, which means this is a perfect opportunity for us all to celebrate our mutual magnificence,” Lawton said, turning to look for a convenient page. “I’m sure they have some sherry tucked away somewhere.”
“Jon, don’t be absurd.” The queen swept forward, looking upset. “You can’t get us involved in a court case! Fairy Godmothers and evil sorceresses are both part of the service industry!”
“I can, and I will,” Jon said firmly. “And she’s going to be your future daughter-in-law, so you might as well get used to the idea.”
“We’re going to open a fairy godmothering company together,” Rellie chimed in. “If Kate still has her wand, she can make you all kinds of neat dresses.”
The queen looked as appalled, and Kate made a mental note to figure out some way to distract Rellie from that particular idea.
Then Ned spoke up. “Can I get a job there, too? I don’t think I’m ready to be out in the field just yet, but I could do office work until I am.”
“I’m sure we’ll have a place for everyone once the details get worked out,” Jon said. When Kate smacked him on the arm, he grinned at her. “Face it. Marrying me and starting a company is your destiny.”
She sighed. “You’re all going to make me crazy.”
Lawton chuckled. “And you’ll enjoy every minute of it.”
The queen’s skirt moved in a way that suggested she’d stomped her foot. “I refuse to let my son marry a member of the service industry. I’m sorry, my dear, but a princess can’t be a Fairy Godmother.”
“Even when that would also make her a fairy princess?” Jon said, gesturing to Kate’s wings.
The frustration melted out of the queen’s expression. “We’ve never had a fairy princess in the family . . .”
Before the queen could get too many ideas, a little girl suddenly appeared from between two people and dove beneath the edge of her skirt. The queen jumped, frantically trying to lift the layers of fabric hiding the child from view. “Jonathan, I’m certain I didn’t approve my gown being used as play equipment!”
Kate and Jon grinned at each other, then she pulled out of his arms to crouch down in front of the queen. “If I may, Your Majesty?” She lifted several layers of skirt just far enough to reveal the curly-haired child, who giggled at being discovered.
Jon leaned forward. “Hide and seek, I presume?”
Just as the girl nodded, a much taller figure burst through the crowd. “Lucy, I told you you’re not supposed to go . . .” The voice trailed off, and the little girl dashed off again as everyone else looked up at the suddenly frozen Rupert.
He stared at his mother. “Um . . . hi?”
The queen’s eyes widened with delight. “You’re back from questing! Oh, darling, this is wonderful! I have so much to talk to you about . . .”
Panicked, Rupert glanced over at Jon, then sketched a quick bow to his mother before turning and disappearing back into the crowd.
The queen’s eyes narrowed again as she whirled on her youngest son. “Jonathan, explain.”
Jon sighed, and Kate smothered a laugh as she put a consoling arm around his shoulders. “It’s a long story.”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
There’s no one waiting to cut to commercial, but I’d still better keep this short. Jolly Fish Press, thank you so much for giving me this chance. Mom, thank you for reading all eighteen versions of this story and having intelligent things to say about every one of them. I know you would have read eighteen more.
My fellow authors, thank you for the much-needed advice and camaraderie. Rachel, thank you for co-plotting and doing all the ridiculous things I asked when I needed someone to help me block scenes. And to my online readers (you know who you are), thank you for helping me grow the seed of this into something more. Your interest kept me going.
About the Author
Jenniffer Wardell is the arts, entertainment, and lifestyle reporter for The Davis Clipper. She’s the winner of several awards from the Utah Press Association and the Utah Headliners Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Wardell currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Fairy Godmothers, Inc. Page 26
