Love Spell: Book 2 of The Grimm Laws

by Youngblood, Jennifer

  “I never said I didn’t care about Jack,” he yelled, “I was simply asking why Adele was choosing a particular course.”

  Blood rushed to Wisteria’s face, and she had the urge to slap Alexander. Before she could articulate a response, Adele began drumming her fingers on the arms of the chair. “Children, there’ll be no time for that,” she said, her voice raining down judgment on them. “I would’ve thought by now that you would’ve figured out a way to navigate around your petty differences. Don’t you think it’s time to put aside the past and start building a future together? You’ve caused enough damage as it is!”

  The reprimand startled them both into a sulky silence.

  Adele focused on Wisteria. “Now, to get back on topic. Where to begin …” She looked at the ceiling. “You know, you really could come down and give me a little assistance. These two are nearly impossible!”

  Alexander sat up. “Is Merek here?” he asked eagerly. “Please tell him to show himself.”

  “Oh, yes, that’s right. You couldn’t make a move without Merek in the old world, I’m sure you’ve had separation anxiety ever since,” Wisteria said sarcastically.

  “What do you have against, Merek?” Alexander wanted to know.

  “Did you hear that, Merek?” Adele said. “Your assistance is requested …” she gave Wisteria a reproving look “… by at least one person, anyway.”

  Wisteria ignored the jab. “Can he really hear us?”

  “Yes, I suspect he’s hearing every word—even though he likes to pretend he can’t.” She rolled her eyes. “You know men.”

  “Yes, I do,” Wisteria said, giving Alexander a blistering look.

  His eyes went wide. “Was that really necessary?”

  “I just don’t understand how you can be so casual about this whole Jack thing,” Wisteria said.

  “I told you, I am not being casual. I was just asking questions to make sure I understand all of the information.” His eyes met hers in a challenge. “It’s called being informed.”

  She balked. “Is that what it is? I can think of another word.”

  “ENOUGH!” Adele’s face was the color of the fire. “If I hear one more blip of an argument, I’ll bind your tongues.” She gave them a warning look. “And don’t think I won’t!”

  Silence.

  Adele waved a hand through the air. “Look what you’ve done—you’ve gotten me off topic. There are some important things we need to discuss … very important things.” She zoned in on Wisteria, giving her a probing look that caused Wisteria to squirm.

  “What?” Heat crept up her neck, and she had the impression that she was a bug under a microscope.

  “For all of your blubbering on, you’ve neglected to ask me the most crucial question of all.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t understand what you mean.” Unease trickled over her. She could tell that Adele was building up to something, and she had a sneaking suspicion what it might be. Oh, how she hoped Adele wasn’t going there.

  “That’s exactly where I’m going,” Adele countered.

  Wisteria’s nostrils flared and she slung back her head. “This mind reading thing is getting old fast.”

  Adele laughed. “Is it now? It’s not always pleasant to be on the receiving end of someone else’s magic, is it? Well, I suppose you’ll find a way to deal with it.” She leaned forward in her seat, not letting Wisteria have an inch. “Now would you care to explain to Alexander why it is that Griselda has been able to amass enough power to send her shadow crawlers to this realm?”

  The air seemed to hold its breath as Alexander frowned. “What’s she talking about?”

  She took in a breath and let it out slowly to calm her pounding heart. Her eyes remained fixed on the fire, burning hot and red. How she wished it could burn through her and cleanse her of her sins. But there was no salvation in the fire—only destruction. She dragged her eyes from the fire and turned to Alexander, giving him a pleading look.

  “What is it?” he demanded.

  “Griselda has the bloodstone.”

  He gulped in a ragged breath. Time seemed to slow as Wisteria watched his face grow a shade darker. And then it contorted like he was choking. He seemed to age a decade before her very eyes. Finally, he gained enough control to be able to speak. “How did this happen?” he croaked, his eyes going filmy.

  She could feel everything crumbling around them. The chairs they were sitting in … this room … this world … it was all a cruel illusion, for they would forever be shackled by the choices they’d once made. Nothing they did in this world seemed to matter in the end. “In the other realm.” Wisteria coughed and then began again. “In the other realm, I gave it to Rushton, so that he could strengthen the protective shield. Then the dragon attacked.”

  “Are you referring to the dragon that killed an entire company of my men?”

  She caught a glimpse of the unyielding king that he once was as she nodded slowly.

  There was a hard edge to his voice as he continued. “The dragon that left Rushton unscathed?”

  “Yes,” she admitted.

  Alexander sat back, trying to take it all in. He scratched his head. “I don’t understand. You sent Rushton to strengthen the shield?” He made a face. “But you hated me and the kingdom. Why would you go to the trouble of sending Rushton to strengthen it?”

  “I may have hated you, Alexander, but I never hated the kingdom. Before you lost all reason, sent my husband out to die, and forbade the use of magic, I was one of your greatest allies.” She searched his face. “Remember all that we accomplished—side by side?” She sighed. “I didn’t want the kingdom to fall into Ruben’s hands anymore than you did. He’s a ruthless killer, and if he were somehow able to take the throne, it would be calamitous for Aandover Peaks.”

  Tenderness settled into his eyes. “I never knew you cared so much.”

  The ache in her heart surprised her. Maybe there was hope for them after all. Maybe what they did in this world could change things. She clung to the possibility, letting it take root in her hungry heart. Emotion clogged her throat, and she coughed. “There were many things you didn’t know, Alexander. Your eyes were blinded with hatred because of all that happened between us.”

  Regret tinged his features as he reached for her hand. “I’m not blind anymore.”

  She offered him a tiny smile, placing her other hand over his. “Neither am I.” A feeling of relief settled over her, but it was quickly extinguished in the next second when Adele opened her wretched mouth.

  “This is all well and good, but the two of you will never have a true reconciliation until the entire truth comes out. One must clean out the wound before throwing a band-aid over it.”

  Wisteria wanted to take those wormy curls of Adele’s and wrap them around her neck. Now was certainly not the time to open old wounds. “You know, if I were you, old bag, I’d stop interfering. My powers are returning, and when they do—”

  Adele’s laugh cut her off short. “Old bag? My, my, the bite has returned with a vengeance.” Her eyes narrowed. “Save it, Wisteria. I’m not the enemy here. In fact, I am the only one who can help you, dear.” She peered over her glasses. “Tell him the rest. Tell him the real reason you sent Rushton with the company of men.”

  Wariness crept into Alexander’s voice. “What is she talking about?”

  She blew out a breath and withdrew her hand from Alexander’s. “Okay, I did have another reason for sending Rushton with your men.” She cringed at the next part, knowing that this was not going to sit well with Alexander. There was no way to tiptoe around it. She decided to plunge in and get it over with. “Griselda was the dragon that attacked. I orchestrated the entire thing, so that I could remove Rushton from Cinderella’s grasp. The intent was to force Cinderella to get engaged to Edward.”

  “And to seal the deal by having the engagement written into The Grimm Laws,” Adele added.

  Wisteria’s heart sank when she saw the look of dis
gust that twisted over Alexander’s face. He looked at her like she was a monster. “How could you? Griselda killed an entire company of men!” he roared. “Those men had wives and children who depended on them!”

  “I didn’t realize that Griselda was going to kill all of those men. And I certainly never imagined that she would end up with the bloodstone. My only desire was to protect Rushton from Cinderella.” She swallowed hard as the weight of her actions settled like a block of concrete on her chest. “I made critical mistakes.” The horror of it all overtook her as she put a shaky hand to her mouth. “I will forever have to live with the terrible knowledge of what I did.”

  Alexander leaned forward and pressed his fingers into the bridge of his nose.

  Wisteria turned to Adele. “Are you happy now?” she spat.

  “You must clean the wound before it can heal.”

  “No, you’re wrong. Some wounds are too deep to heal.” She hugged her arms, tears forming in her eyes. “I guess Alexander and I are a lost cause.” She let out a humorless laugh. “I suppose it was always too good to be true. There’s no such thing as soul mates. We’ve been living in a dream world this entire time.”

  At that, Alexander sat up and looked at her. “No, you’re wrong. I love you.” He reached for her arm, but she yanked it away.

  “Don’t,” she said.

  “Don’t what? Love you?” He caught her arm and held it so that she couldn’t pull away. “We are not a lost cause, Wisteria. I’ll be the first to admit that we’ve made our share of mistakes.”

  “We are tarnished individuals, Alexander.” Tears gathered in her eyes. “Don’t you get it? No matter what we do here in this realm, we can never undo the past.”

  “We are already changing the past. It is our love for each other that will save us in the end.”

  Despite her best efforts to crowd it out, a tendril of hope sprouted inside her.

  His eyes pled with hers, and in that moment, she saw again the young prince that she’d fallen in love with all of those years ago. “Please don’t shut me out this time,” he continued. “The only way we can get through this is if we are united.”

  Silence settled between them, each of them lost in their own thoughts. The only other sound in the room was the crackling fire.

  Finally, Adele spoke. “When Griselda gained possession of the bloodstone, she, in essence, gained portions of your powers. She is using the bloodstone to speed up the clock.”

  “What does that mean?” Alexander said.

  “I didn’t know exactly what it meant … at first. But Merek has since sent out spies to gather information.”

  Wisteria arched an eyebrow. “I wasn’t aware that Merek utilized spies.”

  Adele flashed a smile. “I know you do not think highly of Merek because you have always been envious of his close relationship with Alexander.”

  Heat pricked over Wisteria. She thought about denying it, but considering Adele could read her thoughts, she knew it would do her little good.

  Alexander looked surprised and a little pleased at this revelation. “Jealous, huh,” he murmured.

  Wisteria smirked. “Don’t believe everything the old bag says.”

  Adele chuckled. “Merek is much more capable than you give him credit for being, my dear. And contrary to what you think, he has a high regard for you.”

  “Yes, I noticed that the last time he tried to kill me,” Wisteria said dryly.

  “Ah, yes, I remember that incident well.” She lifted an eyebrow. “You brought that on yourself. You were being a bit of a menace, dear. Don’t forget that little tidbit.”

  The fire suddenly felt too hot as she pulled at the collar of her blouse. “Point taken,” she muttered. She could tell from the vindicated look that Adele was giving her that the old woman relished hearing her admit it.

  Amusement twinkled in Adele’s eyes. “Yes, I do appreciate the admission … even though I don’t appreciate being called old.”

  Alexander looked confused. “What’s she talking about?”

  “Oh, never mind, it’s not worth explaining.” Wisteria waved a hand in the air. “Can we get back to Merek?”

  “Oh, yes, I’ve gone off topic again. As I was saying, thanks to Merek, I have a pretty good idea of what Griselda is planning to do. You see, everything is building up to Elle’s seventeenth birthday next week.”

  Wisteria made a face. “Birthday? What does Elle’s birthday have to do with anything? Are you sure Merek’s source is correct?”

  “Well, we can only hope. Otherwise, we’re fighting a losing battle. But it does make sense. Since Elle is the bridge that has made it possible for us to come to this realm, everything hinges on her. She has only caught a glimpse of the first key thus far. She must actually gain possession of the first key before she can progress to the second and third.”

  “But there was no time limit,” Alexander countered.

  Adele held up a finger. “Ah, there was no time limit … originally. But now that Griselda has the bloodstone, she can manipulate the plan to her liking. Griselda has added her own addendum—an addendum which has the potential to strip not only the two of you of your powers but Merek as well.”

  Alexander balked. “That’s impossible! Only Merek has enough power to initiate a plan of such magnitude.”

  Wisteria thought for a minute, her mouth growing dry. “No, that’s not true. Only a guardian has the power to initiate a plan.”

  “Exactly,” Adele said. “Griselda is Merek’s sister, and like him, she was once endowed with the great responsibility of being a mentor or guardian to the human race.” A shadow crept over her face. “Until she chose a dark path. Before she gained possession of the bloodstone, Merek was able to keep her in check.” She paused. “But now … now I’m afraid that things have changed. Her power is growing daily—as is evidenced by those monstrous shadow crawlers.” She shuddered.

  “How do we stop her?” Wisteria couldn’t bear the thought of being stripped of her powers. In her opinion, that was a fate worse than death.

  “There’s only one way Griselda can be stopped, and that hinges on Elle. Elle must gain possession of the first key before the clock strikes midnight on her birthday, or all will be lost.” Adele sat back in her chair, eyeing them both.

  Wisteria made a face. “Midnight? Why midnight?”

  Adele spread her hands. “Those are the terms Griselda has set forth in her addendum. I did not make the rules, dear, but now that they are established, we need to find a way to ensure that Elle gets the first key before the deadline.”

  Wisteria scooted to the edge of her seat. “Okay, so how do we make sure that happens?”

  Adele tucked a curl behind her ear. “We can’t force Elle to do anything. That part of the plan is still in tact. She must find the key on her own.”

  Wisteria wanted to scream! “Great! Once again, everything hinges on the most unreliable person on the planet!” She groaned, raking her hands through her hair. “I should’ve gotten rid of that girl when I had the chance.”

  Adele leaned forward, closing the distance between them. Indignation flashed in her eyes. An unseen power whooshed around the room before it gathered around Adele. “For all of your intelligence, you are as blind as a bat in this one regard. Elle is one of the most courageous young girls I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. We have to have faith in her.” She pointed an accusing finger at Wisteria. “And you … it’s high time you put aside this silly vendetta you have against her. Your son can no more deny his love for her anymore than you can deny your love for Alexander. Stop kicking against the pricks, as they say in this realm, and accept the truth! Otherwise, all that you love will turn to ashes. Despite what you think, the events in this realm do have the power to repair the past. Happiness is in your grasp, Wisteria, if only you’ll have the good sense to recognize it and change your ways!”

  The words were more powerful than any brute force could’ve been as they sliced through the room like a swor
d, cutting Wisteria to the quick. She sat there, stunned into silence, not bothering to wipe away the tears that were streaming down her face.

  Adele turned to Alexander. “Our conversation has come to a close. You need to get to the hospital … quickly!”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Guilty

  A fever was burning in Aalexander, and it was all he could do to sit still upon the throne. The trial was well underway, and they were nearing the crucial point—Cinderella’s testimony. The critical factor that would change everything. The great hall was filled to capacity, and there was a sense of restlessness to the crowd. The majority of the higher-ranking courtiers came out of duty, and after they’d occupied their designated seats, the peasantry was allowed to fill in the remaining spaces. Many of the peasants came to get a glimpse of the inside of the palace. A few others, perhaps, came in support of Cinderella, one of their own. The majority, however, came in search of that gruesome entertainment that the poor in mind craved. For years, there had been whispered rumors that Wisteria was practicing magic; however, none dared to accuse her. Since her “arrest” where she had been confined to the West Wing of the castle, the rumors had ignited into a full-blown fire. Most were here today in the hope that Wisteria would be found guilty. They wanted to see her burn. Aalexander clenched his jaw and glared out at the crowd. No doubt the buzzards were circling, but if he had anything to do with it, they would leave today hungry and unfulfilled. No one was going to hurt Wisteria. No one!

  The maid Millicent had been the first to testify. In careful detail, she explained how Cinderella’s demeanor had changed the moment she read Rushton’s letter. “I could sense a sinister spirit hovering over mi’ lady immediately after she read the letter.” She began to fan herself furiously with her hand. “I knew mi’ lady was headed for disaster, but there was little I could do to save her,” she wailed, tears flowing down her cheeks.

  The whole display was sickening and effective. Aalexander doubted the maid had shed a single sincere tear. She’d obviously been coached by Loreena and her calculating cohort Seraphina. But the council had lapped up every word like greedy dogs, gorging themselves on their own vomit.