by Alice Gaines
Casey burst out laughing, while Miss Carter simply looked relieved. Friedrich went to Dixie, took her hand, and kissed the back. “Masterful, my dear.”
“Just let me know whenever a fox gets in the henhouse,” Dixie said. “I know how to run them off.”
“I wish Kurt had been here to see that,” Casey said.
“Say, where are our husbands?” Felice asked.
A horn fanfare blared from the end of the dance floor, and everyone turned. Several musicians with trumpets had joined the orchestra, and the three young princes of Danislova stood among them.
“Champagne, everyone, quickly,” Dev said. “It’s time for a toast.”
Waiters passed through the crowd, providing glasses for people who didn’t have them. Friedrich’s and Marta’s were heavy crystal that seemed very old.
When Dev scanned the crowd to see that the gathering was ready, he lifted his own glass. “To my father, Prince Royal, the finest man I know.”
Kurt next lifted his champagne in a toast. “And to Marta VonRamsberg, his bride and second self.”
Finally, Ulrich grinned as he hoisted his glass. “And to their union, created in love.”
Everyone drank, though Marta had to work to get past the lump in her throat. While the orchestra began the Danislovan national anthem, she stood under the shelter of her husband’s arm as he nestled her against him. And she finally understood the fairy tale’s ending. For surely she would live happily ever after.
About the Author
Alice Gaines is the award-winning author of over seven books and thirty shorter works for publishers such as Avon Impulse, Harlequin Spice Briefs, Red Sage Publishing, and Changeling Press. You can find her at Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest as AliceGaines. Alice has a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and lives in Oakland with her pet corn snake, Casper. Besides writing, her passions include her church and soul band, Tower of Power.
Alice loves to hear from readers. E-mail her at [email protected]. Visit her website at http://www.alicegaines.blogspot.com. If you sign up for her newsletter, you’ll be entered to win her hand-knitted and crocheted items.
