Page 69 of Kissed By Songs of Lilies

Then I believed my life was over. All I could see were the things out of my reach. I could never travel again. I would never have the strength to protect anyone. I couldn’t be a good king. I could never have love, intimacy, or marriage. I couldn’t even have true friendship.

Then she forced me to realize I was stronger than I believed. Over the course of our brief acquaintanceship, I had traveled to the human realm, called storms and lightning, saved a life, and fallen in love. None of that was supposed to be possible. One by one, Georgia had helped me tear down my walls.

Then, miracles of all miracles, she had accepted me for who I was–slimy, green skin and all. She showed me I didn’t need to be perfect to be enough. She showed me I was worthy of love.

Though things were still shaky between us, I could see a future I had never believed possible–one with love and happiness.

For the first time in a long time, I was desperate to live.

CHAPTER 34

The Stolen Bride

Despite the wild night before, I woke at dawn. As soon as the sun was above the horizon, I tiptoed out of my room and made my way to the courtyard. To my surprise, the garden and lawn were immaculately clean, not a blade of grass was out of place. The brownies had been hard at work.

There was only one thing they had missed–the entangled couples or passed out singles. I supposed stirring a drunk fae was ill-advised even for them. Luckily, they all appeared to be soundly asleep. So, I moved quietly and attracted no notice.

I had no trouble finding the now-closed-up night jasmine and my hidden susurrus underneath. I placed it gently inside the small picnic basket I carried. Then, stepping over a sleeping nymph, I went to investigate the white rose bushes. Clara had said there was more susurrus to be found. I kneeled down and found the floor blanketed with them.

"Hello, my little ones," I whispered.

They whispered back, and my mouth dropped open. Their words were impossible to discern, but I hadn’t expected to hear them at all. Not yet. They hadn’t been planted correctly. I believed it was the combination of plants from Momma’s song that made the magic work. There was no lion’s mane, rosemary, or countless other plants here. Perhaps, the susurrus was even more powerful than I had imagined.

I had no idea how many plants I would need. One, a dozen, one hundred. I settled for filling my picnic basket to the brim.

CHAPTER 35

The Stolen Bride

For the five long nights of the Full Moon Revel, I had been the perfect bride to be. I had imbibed enough cordial to sink a ship and danced so much my feet would be sore for weeks. Now, it was time for Forrest to uphold his end of our bargain.

Tonight was Magnolia’s sixteenth birthday, and I would be there to see her on her special day. Unfortunately, seeing was all I would be doing. I had been sloppy with the wording of our latest bargain. Forrest had promised to take me to see my sister, but he hadn’t promised she would see me. Damn fae.

"It’s too risky," he said. "You know what they would do if they saw either of us. It would jeopardize our union and the future of our kingdoms."

But I didn’t want to see everyone. I just wanted to see Magnolia.

Nonetheless, bargains were binding, and I had made a less than ideal one. So, we traveled to my kingdom in glamoured cloaks of invisibility. I would walk back into my old life as an observer only. Forest had attempted to soften the blow with a gift, a small golden shell.

"What’s this?" I asked with a frown. It reminded me of the one I wore around my neck. The last echo of Briar.

"Give this to Magnolia. I left a matching shell on your pillow. If you speak into it, she will be able to hear you. Now, you will be able to talk any time you wish."

My heart skipped a beat. His gift wasn’t expensive, but it was heartfelt and kind. Forrest was showing me that he was listening, that he understood me, or at least a part of me. He knew how much I missed my younger sister, and he wanted to help us stay close. To me, this little shell was priceless.

Forrest and I neared a row of opulent, colorful homes called the Seven Ladies of the Sea. Together, they formed a pastel rainbow.

"Pull your hood up, and step lightly," he instructed.

Grudgingly, I lifted the hood over my blonde hair.

Forrest chuckled to himself. "Then again, tread as loud as you wish, we walk among mortals. They’re as dull sensed as they are witted. You could trod on dresses and step on toes, and they’d be none the wiser."

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Present company excluded, of course," he added quickly.

Then, he slipped his hand through mine.

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