by Anna Santos
“Just tell me what you want,” William said, defeated.
“I want your heart, your soul, your devotion, and undying love,” Edana said.
William sucked in a breath before agreeing to Edana’s megalomanic demands. She might force him into an arranged marriage, but she couldn’t force him to love her.
“That’s not going to happen,” Claire shouted from her cage. “You’re delusional. William, don’t agree. Just leave me behind and go back home.”
“Silence!” the queen ordered. Her finger aimed at the cage, and red sparks ignited and wrapped around Claire’s body.
The girl screamed in pain at the vicious punishment.
“Stop!” William raised his hands, mist enveloped them, and he sent an icy orb against the queen.
Edana lifted her hand, flipped it, and his orb was gone in an instant. Nevertheless, his attack stopped her from hurting Claire.
“You’re in my kingdom now. Your powers are useless here,” she reminded him. Aiming her hand at the fairies, she added, “Their powers are useless, too. I’m in no need of cupcakes and sneezing powder.”
The fairies chittered with clenched teeth.
Ming spoke. “Your days are numbered. You shouldn’t have kidnapped Claire. She’s our friend.”
The queen laughed. “What can you do against me? I can easily turn into a dragon and eat you right now. Do you want that?” She looked at William. “Do you want to lose the rest of your family? Aren’t they your godmothers? I let them around you because you needed someone to feed you and clean your palace. But I can easily kill them if they annoy me.”
“Let’s all calm down,” William proposed. “I’m here to negotiate.”
She smirked. “I know. That’s why I didn’t kill your little pet. I knew she was going to be useful.”
William pulled at the cuffs of his coat and cleared his throat. “What are your real terms to let Claire leave your palace unharmed?”
The queen inhaled deeply and folded her legs in a slow and theatrical movement. “Claire and I made a bet. I bet with her that you’ll do anything to save her. She didn’t believe me. Yet your butler, the one you killed today, swore that you would do anything for this creature.”
His jaw clenched.
The queen grinned as if pleased about something that he ignored. “You’re a monster like me. You felt no remorse when you killed your butler. How long has he been serving you?”
“He was your spy.”
Edana nodded. “Like many in your kingdom, he was unhappy with the way you deal with your curse.”
William met Claire’s eyes. His voice boomed inside the throne room. “I’m not in love with the human. I have no idea why you took her. Still, I’m here because I’m tired of your intrusions on my kingdom. This year, you came to ask me for my love, and I refused. What else do you want?”
“A trade,” Edana replied.
“Of what?”
“Do you think I’m stupid, Prince William?” She didn’t wait for his reply. Instead, she got up and sauntered down the steps from her throne. Her dress floated around her curvy form. Her skin glowed as if it was gold, and her copper hair fell loosely about her shoulders, covering her breasts. “I have seen the brief but substantial shifts in the weather of your home upon this human’s arrival.”
“And?” William probed.
“You care for her.”
“What if I do?”
“Then, you might be willing to do anything I ask to save her.”
William sneered and folded his arms. “Is that how you hope to conquer my heart? By threatening to kill someone I care for, just like you did with my parents fifteen years ago?”
She raised her chin. “What if I am?”
“I’d rather commit suicide.”
Edana glared at him. “Stop being so melodramatic. If I wanted you dead, that would be easy.”
“Let the girl go. She has nothing to do with the quarrel between us.”
“No,” she refused. “I want a new pet, and she’s the perfect candidate for the job.”
The prince felt sickened at the idea. He was sure none of the queen’s ‘pets’ lasted very long. She was not known for her patience or mercy.
The queen’s lips curled up. “Unless you are willing to do anything I ask. Then, I’ll release her unharmed. I give you my word.” She turned her back to him and walked to the corner of the room. “I’ll let you think about it.” Her fingertips caressed the red velvet curtains hanging from the ceiling that decorated the throne area. “You have a few minutes before I call my other pets to play with my new toy.”
William’s heart filled with dread.
“Do you think that they will kill her fast or slowly? Rip her heart out or slash her to death?”
William looked at the fairies.
Ming spoke to the prince. “We’ll do what you want us to do if that will give you a chance to save Claire and run from here.”
“My guards are outside now. I’ve let you in, but I’m not letting you out,” Edana warned. “You were foolish to come here.”
“You would kill her if I didn’t come,” William accused. “I know you.”
“I would.” She walked back to his side, her nail scratching against the fabric of his coat. “You’re so handsome, my prince. How can I control myself when there’s an unworthy being trying to steal you away from me?” Her finger traced the path of the bottoms on his jacket. She sighed and puckered her red lips. “It’s been so long since you deny yourself to me. Other women wouldn’t be so patient.”
“I’m not that important to him,” Claire said with a raspy voice. She moved in the cage and tried to look down. “I had to beg him to take me back. He didn’t want me with him. He doesn’t care about me like you think he does. And why would he marry the one who murdered his parents? You’re insane.”
Edana glared at Claire. “Be quiet. I’m talking to my lover.” Magic left her fingers to hurt Claire, but it was stopped by the fairies’ swirling beam of magic.
Edana turned to look at the fairies.
Prince William put himself in front of them with open arms. “Don’t even think of hurting my godmothers.”
“They also like Claire. I have no idea why this girl and your fairies are so special to you. However, I’m willing to let her go if you do what I want.”
William nodded. “What do you want?”
Edana moved closer with a sly grin. “I can ask for anything?”
“You can.”
Edana glanced at Claire with a proud smile. “It seems, you were mistaken, my dear. He’ll be mine, after all.”
“William,” Claire called. “Stop being stubborn and leave me here. My life isn’t worth your sacrifice.”
The prince shook his head. “I’ll decide how much your life is worth.”
Claire rattled the bars, and he could see that she was holding in the tears.
“Where does it hurt, Claire?” he asked.
Edana’s hand pushed against his chest. “She’s fine. Just a few bruises. Now, about our deal…”
“William, I don’t want you to sacrifice your happiness because of me,” Claire claimed. “It does hurt, but it’s not the bruises. My heart hurts. Please—” Her words were muffled when the queen moved her finger and cast a mute spell that prevented Claire from speaking.
“Much better,” the queen said, inhaling sharply.
William gripped the queen’s wrist. “We have no deal if you hurt Claire.”
Edana peeled away his gloved-fingers one by one with a serene smile. “We have no deal if you’re violent to me. After all, you shouldn’t hurt your future wife.”
William’s face became paler than it was before. The extreme heat was already taking a toll, and he felt the beads of sweat rolling down his back. The notion that he had to marry the vixen to save Claire’s life upset his stomach. Faking a smile, he removed his hand from hers. “How can we marry if I’m cursed. Even as we speak, this kingdom weakens me.”
&nbs
p; “I’m the only one who can break your curse, remember? Only a true love’s kiss. I’m the only one who loves you. My lips will return you to your former glory. Together, we’ll rule over our kingdoms and conquer the rest of the ten kingdoms.” She leaned closer with puckered lips.
William stepped back. “The deal is that I let you kiss me, and you’ll release Claire. Do I have your word?”
“Yes. Allow me to kiss you, and I’ll release the girl.”
Claire’s mumbles reached William’s ears. He glanced at her and saw how displeased she was with what he was willing to do for her release. However, he couldn’t let her perish at the hands of the witch.
“I can’t hear you, dear,” Edana said, teasing Claire. “Are you protesting? Should I let you speak?”
“Stop tormenting her,” William requested.
“But I love tormenting her. She’s pitiful if she believes that she could possibly be your queen. She doesn’t love you like I do. She just loves your human beauty, your powers, your money, and your crown. But you’re so much more than that.” She glanced at Claire and flipped her hand. “You would run in fear if you saw his true form.”
“I wouldn’t. He’s not a monster like you. He’s kind, but you made him suffer. You cursed him and prevented him from shape-shifting into his dragon form,” Claire shouted once the spell was removed.
Edana frowned. “He told you about being a dragon?”
“Enough!” the prince said. “I’ll kiss you, and you’ll free Claire.”
The witch squinted at him. “She’s human. Not just that. She’s a peasant. How could you feel anything for her?”
He swallowed the urge to confess his feelings and rattle her. Yet, he knew that she would hurt Claire if he admitted that he cared about the girl.
Edana pointed at the cage. “She’s nothing. I should force you to kill her once you’re back to your true form.”
“We have a deal,” William reminded her. “If you break your word, I’ll do whatever I can to destroy you.”
Edana breathed deeply and smoothed her hands down the silky dress she was wearing. Her lips curled up. “It’s fine as long as you’re mine. When that happens, I’ll have no interest in the pitiful human. Once I prove to you how much I love you, you’ll be my husband and learn to love me back. Your dragon will claim me as your mate.” Edana chuckled and turned to the fairies. “You’ll be my servants once William and I are married.”
“William, don’t do this,” Claire begged.
The prince swallowed the anger that wanted him to rip the witch’s heart out instead of submitting his lips to endure her touch. “First, release the girl.”
“First, you kiss me.” She pulled on his arm and forced him to climb the steps to the throne. “I want your pet to see me breaking your curse.”
William’s body shook with rage. Coercing him wasn’t enough, she had to torture Claire. Yet, he had to wonder. Would a kiss truly make his heart change the object of his affection? It was Claire’s lips he wanted to kiss, not Edana’s. Still, if the curse was broken, and his dragon marked Edana, he would be forced to love her.
The idea repulsed him. Edana was cruel and insane. His dragon couldn’t accept her as his mate. Claire was a much better choice than the female fire dragon.
Edana’s voice woke him from his thoughts. “I’m happy you’ll finally give in to me and see that we belong together.”
“Let’s get this over with. I want my powers back. I’m tired of playing games with you, Edana.”
“Don’t do this. You don’t need to do this,” Claire cried from the cage.
The prince narrowed his eyes at the sight of her tears. “I have to do this. It’s not your fault, Claire. My kind was never meant to mate with yours. I need to accept my fate.”
“Good boy. Spoken like a true dragon,” Edana purred. “Now, come to me and let me taste you. There’s no heart I can’t melt with my love and my powers.”
“William…” Claire begged as tears streamed down her face.
“Shut up, you annoying sack of skin,” Edana ordered, flicking her hand and casting the spell that muted Claire again. “I’m finally getting what I deserve, and I want no interference.”
Clenching his jaw, the prince stepped closer to the evil witch. His heart was beating fast, but not out of excitement. He feared the outcome. If this worked, he would probably die on the inside and become a living husk. A lifetime with Edana was unimaginable.
“I can’t wait for our life together, my love,” Edana whispered as she leaned closer and glued her mouth to his.
Chapter 29
Edana’s lips felt warm. Her arms snaked around his neck, and she abandoned her body against his. The contact made him grimace. He’d hated her for a long time. Decades of loathing and plotting his revenge. At that moment, all he wanted was to save Claire. If the kiss didn’t work, his human would be doomed. He wasn’t powerful enough to free her from Edana’s grip.
The witch stepped back, evidently upset. “Why aren’t you kissing me back? Do I disgust you? Would you rather kiss that pathetic child you’ve been courting for months?”
“The deal was a kiss, and you would free her. I’ve done my part.”
“No. The deal was that you would be mine,” she contested.
“If you broke my curse,” he added.
“Of course, your curse is— What? Why?” Edana put her hands around her throat as if it was painful to talk.
“What’s wrong?” The prince frowned.
“You…You cursed me. I need. No!” Her scream echoed throughout the palace.
Before the prince’s eyes, Edana, the mighty fire dragon, turned into a diamond statue.
“She turned into a statue,” Kara’s surprised voice reached the prince’s ears.
“Good riddance,” Tasha said.
“Can we keep her palace? It could use a new décor. I’ve always wanted a palace,” Ming said as she flew around.
“What are you talking about? I need you with me,” William protested.
“What will we do with her statue?” Kara asked, flying in front of the statue. She pulled out her tongue and blew a raspberry at the evil queen while giggling. Tasha joined her, and Ming hovered beside William with her arms crossed.
He asked his godmother, “Is she really enchanted?”
“Seems like it.”
“How?”
Ming explained, “Edana never knew what love was. She was self-absorbed and crazy.”
“Yes, but she always said that only her kiss could break my curse.”
Ming shrugged. “She must have misjudged her powers.”
“She always claimed she loved me.”
Ming shook her head. “It’s my understanding that a true love’s kiss must be shared by two beings that love each other. You didn’t love her, and she’s incapable of feeling love.”
“I’ve always hated her for what she did to my family and me. For what she did to my kingdom.”
“You love Claire,” Ming stated, diverting her attention to the cage.
Claire waved and pointed at her throat.
Ming flipped her hand and removed the muting spell.
Breathing deeply, Claire requested, “Could someone release me from here?”
“I love Claire,” William whispered, unsure if she could hear him from up above. His heart leaped in his chest as if agreeing with his confession.
Ming lowered her voice. “And she loves you. You were willing to sacrifice your lives to save each other. You were willing to be miserable for her to be happy. She faced a storm to get back to you.”
“I’m still cursed,” the prince reminded her. “And I’ll stay cursed. I know what you are trying to do. I’m not going to take that chance with Claire. I don’t want her to turn into a statue.”
Ming flew up and joined Claire in her cage. “Are you all right?”
“I want to come down and talk to William. What were you two whispering about?”
“Plans for the future.�
�� The cage opened with Ming’s magic.
Claire looked down. “Maybe a ladder would help.”
“We’ll fly you down,” Ming said. “Tasha and Kara, stop fooling around and help me save Claire.”
Tasha and Kara flew up, and together they spread fairy dust around Claire. Her body floated, and the fairies guided her downward. Within seconds, her feet touched the ground.
William rushed to Claire’s side. His gloved-hand touched her cheek as he gazed into her eyes. “Are you all right? Did she hurt you?”
“Tired, and I might have a few bruises,” Claire said, placing her hand over his. “I’m glad you are well and didn’t have to marry that deranged queen.” She swallowed hard. “How are you feeling?”
“I don’t know. I just turned the dragon that cursed me into a statue. I hoped her kiss was enough to break my curse, so I could have my powers back. But they aren’t back, and she’s dead. Not even her death ended the curse.”
Claire looked at his lips. “You still need a true love’s kiss.”
“Yes, apparently, I do. I guess, I’ll be cursed for all eternity.”
“Not if I can help it,” Claire said, grabbing his coat and pulling him closer.
Before he could evade her mouth, her lips were pressed against his. The harm was done. She had touched him. Skin to skin. Lips to lips. Against his better judgment, he closed his eyes and sighed in contentment. She felt warm and fragile against him. He wanted to melt into her and make her a part of him. Forever.
Tears rushed to his eyes, but he pressed his lips harder against hers. He didn’t want her to disappear. Not her.
“I love you so much,” Claire mumbled when their lips parted. Their breaths mingled as their eyes met. Her tears rolled down her cheeks, and she broke their embrace. “I can’t bear seeing you suffer so much.”
His throat contracted, his limbs tensed, and he forced the words out of his mouth. “Claire, you shouldn’t have done that.”
“If you don’t love me as much as I love you. If we aren’t meant to be, I won’t stand in your way of searching for true love.” Tears kept rolling down her cheeks. “I—” Her eyes closed when she swallowed.
