‘You still want to marry me?!’
He sat up. ‘That never changed, Buttercup.’ He caught her hands, ‘I was angry at first, yes, but I understand why you did it now. Everything’s back to normal in Brandydook. There’s nothing to fear anymore.’
Buttercup stared at him. ‘But you have to get married before your next birthday and…and that’s tomorrow.’
He shrugged. ‘Doesn’t matter. I will still be a prince just… not a king.’
Buttercup’s heart exploded with joy. ‘I don’t want us to get to know each other.’
Morgan frowned. ‘You don’t.’ His face turned cold. ‘I have taken up too much of your time,’ he said getting up to leave.
‘No,’ Buttercup cried. ‘You don’t understand. I don’t need to get to know you. The fact that you were prepared to give up the throne for me tells me everything I need to know about you already. I’m not afraid anymore. Let’s do it. Let’s get married.’
‘What! Are you sure?’ his eyes glowed.
She nodded, out of breath. Prince Morgan gathered Buttercup in his arms and together they soared into the sky above the pixie homes and palace. ‘The wedding’s back on!’ He cried to everyone working below. Then he leaped into the air and holding Buttercup close somersaulted on to an oak tree in excitement.
***
‘Is it true?’ Peblo stuttered much later.
‘Yes Father, and we are so happy ,’ Buttercup smiled. ‘The wedding will take place tomorrow.’
‘Oh, my darling daughter that is marvellous,’ he cried, enfolding her in his arms. He clapped. ‘This is wonderful news.’ The door opened and Flora bustled in with a wicker basket of clothes.
She glanced from one to the other, saw their excited expressions and asked, ‘What’s going on?’
‘My dear, Buttercup has something to tell you.’
Flora set the basket on the table and turned to her daughter.
‘Prince Morgan and I are getting married tomorrow,’ said Buttercup.
‘I see, and are you happy—truly?’ asked Flora warily. Buttercup nodded and hugged her mother. ‘Then,’ said Flora with a broad smile, ‘I’m thrilled for you both.’
***
Queen Tulip wasn’t at all surprised. They were having drinks in the drawing room. Talking and laughing, discussing plans when some time later the queen drew Buttercup aside and said, ‘If you ever do that to my son again I will personally banish you from the kingdom myself. Is that clear?’
Buttercup nodded, her eyes wide.
‘Walk with me to the garden.’
Fish danced and leaped in the fountain. Lilies, orchids, roses and daffodils swayed to the light summer breeze turning their heads up to the sun, basking in the heat. Buttercup followed the queen down the steps to a garden seat. She had dressed for the meeting with the royal family in a gown of peach and white satin with silver beads that glittered in the light. The queen wore green velvet with a green and white wrap and fur collar and a crystal crown.
‘I’ve spent many a day in this garden, playing with the fish, paddling. Gosh, how times fly.’
Buttercup waited for her to continue. ‘You see, Morgan is like my garden, he needs nourishment, love and attention, room to grow and blossom.’ She turned to the pixie. ‘Do you understand?’
‘Yes, Your Highness.’
‘Hmm,’ the queen rose from the seat and went over to examine her flowers. She bent to smell an orchid. ‘But in order for a flower to grow healthy and strong, one has to snip a few leaves here and there. Make some changes. Sacrifices.’
‘I don’t see what you mean.’
‘Buttercup my dear, Morgan has told me how much you love adventure. Once you marry my son things will be very different for you, and you will have to make sacrifices. It won’t be easy.’ She lifted Buttercup’s chin. ‘But your smile and laughter will light up my son’s heart, for that I am willing to make some concessions.’ She paused. ‘With the accompaniment of two royal guards you may leave Brandydook from time to time as long as you are back within the day.’ Buttercup beamed. ‘Is that okay with you?’
‘Thank you, Your Majesty!’
She and Morgan could go exploring together. Oh, what adventures they would have. Buttercup threw her arms around the queen’s neck. ‘Thank you so much.’
‘And it’s Tulip from now on.’ She put her arm around Buttercup’s shoulders. ‘Come, let’s go back and see what the boys are up to.’
Chapter 24
Buttercup felt so happy she thought she would burst. All the pixies were gathered at the top of the hill awaiting the royal wedding. This time she had no doubts. Below the oak tree, Goodwin and Aluna walked hand in hand up the hill to attend the wedding ceremony. Buttercup wore an ivory satin gown, crystal slippers with matching diamante tiara and her blue hair tumbled in curls around her face. Accompanied by her father she climbed into the waiting carriage that would bring her to her betrothed. The king and queen stood to the right at the top of the hill, ready to welcome their new daughter.
Royal guards blew their trumpets as the carriage approached the summit of the hill. The sun gave her blessing, casting a magical glow upon the ceremony. White petals were thrown upon her as she emerged from the carriage. Under an arch of roses, the proud prince stood in dashing red velvet. His fingers were crossed behind his back. Peblo took his daughter’s hand in his and together they walked up the petal-carpeted aisle amidst roars and cheers from the pixies and calls of congratulations from the white doves that circled overhead.
Buttercup’s heart beat faster at the thought of meeting Mother Brandydook after everything that had happened.
‘Welcome Buttercup.’ She bowed to the prince. ‘Your Highness.’
Dressed in a shimmering violet gown, her golden hair falling like a curtain down to her waist, she fixed a dazzling smile upon the crowd of pixies, and then commenced the ceremony. Peblo clung to Flora with pride. Everyone watched with bated breath as Mother Brandydook placed the prince’s hand over Buttercup’s to fuse their union and make their marriage complete.
Just then the entire ground began to vibrate beneath them. Buttercup wobbled on her feet. Morgan reached out to hold her steady but he too was having trouble staying upright. The ground shook once more, only this time the quake was a lot more powerful. Buttercup shrieked, lost her balance and tumbled down the hill rolling to a stop in front of a gigantic boot.
She looked up. Her heart almost stopped with fright. Wendy Brown was standing over her, with a big toothy grin.
‘Get out of here!’ Buttercup screamed back at the others. Pixies shot into the air in panic as she scrambled to get up but her dress got caught underneath the girl’s boot. Buttercup tore the gown so she could escape, then vaulted into the air after the others but something was wrong. She felt the stitches of her wing begin to rip one by one.
‘Fly, Buttercup!’ Morgan yelled in desperation.
‘I can’t,’ she wailed, ‘it’s my wings. Oh Morgan, help me.’
Buttercup couldn’t hold herself up any longer and started to plummet. Morgan dived after her but he was too late.
‘Gotcha,’ chuckled Wendy gleefully. ‘This is the one I want, Daddy. Told you fairies were real. Didn’t I?’
TO BE CONTINUED….
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank my editor, Verushka Byrow; my proofreader, Majanka Verstraete, for all her diligent work; my book manager, Misha Elliott; Gwen Gades, for a fabulous cover design; a special thanks to ‘The Killaloe Writers’ Group’ for their constant support and encouragement; Booktrope staff for all the effort they put into publishing this book; my parents for always believing in me; and my husband, Donal, for being there by my side. I would like to thank my sister Michelle for her wonderful imaginative contribution, whose help I’m always so grateful for.
Author Bio
Lorraine lives on a farm, in County Limerick, Ireland with her husband Donal, three cats and two dogs. Her passion for writing began at an early
age and much of her inspiration comes from her childhood. She always wanted to write about fairies and pixies and still believes they exist… Escaping the Prince is one of her favourite books and will, she says, be the first volume in a series. Lorraine studied languages, history and sociology in the University of Limerick and went on to obtain a diploma in freelance journalism before completing a course in creative writing. The Hippity Dippity Witch, her first children’s book, can be ordered where books are sold online, along with Lucy Pebble’s Miracle and many more.
ALSO BY LORRAINE O’BYRNE
The Hippity Dippity Witch (Juvenile Fiction: Fantasy & Magic) As terror, magic and mayhem abound, for the creatures of Willow Grove Wood, will things ever be the same again?
MORE GREAT READS FROM UPDRIFT
The Dragon Child by Sherilyn Putnam (Juvenile Fiction: Fantasy & Magic) An adventure through the seas that will lead a young dragon to find his true family.
The King of Average by Gary Schwartz (Juvenile Fiction: Fantasy & Magic) When James decides to become the most average kid who ever lived, he is transported to another world and joined by a hilarious cast of characters who help on his journey to find self-worth.
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Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
BRANDYDOOK
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
BRANDYDOOK
PRINCE MORGAN
Chapter 9
GOODWIN AND ALUNA
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
BRANDYDOOK
Chapter 12
PRINCE MORGAN
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
PRINCE MORGAN
Chapter 15
CHICO
Chapter 16
PRINCE MORGAN
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
WENDY
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Acknowledgments
Author Bio
More from Lorraine O’Byrne & Updrift
Escaping the Prince (Bedlam in Brandydook Book 1) Page 9
