Page 78 of Kissed By Songs of Lilies

Before I reached the gates of my childhood home, I knew something was wrong. There were soldiers patrolling our perimeter. It wasn’t uncommon to have a guard or two posted at our gate, but these were soldiers, not guards.

I ducked behind a magnolia tree and watched. The soldiers were moving in a rotation. Among our own uniforms were unfamiliar ones the color of steel and ivory. I had to assume they were from Frost Haven, the kingdom beyond the mountains.

But why were they here?

And how could I get past them undetected?

I heard the distinctive tink, tink of an object tapping glass. I looked around and realized this was the same tree I passed on my way to the isle—the one with a glass bottle fae trap. Something was inside. I grinned.

I wasn’t as tall as Forrest, so I pushed my way through the thick magnolia limbs until I reached the tree trunk. I hoisted my skirts up and started climbing.

Moments later, I was back on the ground and peering into the jar. "Hello there," I said sweetly.

"Nasty human," two tiny wisps buzzed back angrily.

"You are wisps, are you not?" I asked, ignoring their unwelcome reception. "I would gladly free you for a favor."

"Free us first," said the first wisp. "Then we’ll hear your favor."

"No, I’ll need your word."

"She seeks a bargain," said the other with a sharp grin.

I wasn’t about to let them set the terms. So, I said, "I will free you from this trap, and in exchange, you will immediately distract those soldiers along the perimeter. You will lead them off for no less than ten minutes. You will not seek to draw any attention to me. Do we have a bargain?"

"Free us!" The wisps buzzed and hit the sides of the jar like angry wasps.

I waited.

Finally, they said, "Yes, we agree."

I felt the bind of the bargain grip me, and I cracked the glass bottle against a large field stone. The wisps shot forward, buzzing and circling like dancing flames. Not one minute later, I saw the soldiers following them away from the gate.

I felt a twinge of guilt. It was disorienting and uncomfortable to be beguiled by wisps. Still, I grabbed my skirts and bolted out from the tree and through the gates. The grounds were relatively quiet, and I was used to sneaking in and out of our home.

So, staying behind tree and shrub cover, I made my way to Magnolia’s window and climbed up the trellis. I tapped twice on the glass then waited. There was a very good chance Magnolia wouldn’t be in her room, that she wouldn’t hear me at all.

Miraculously, her face appeared in the window. My heart swelled. It was so good to see her.

"Georgia, is that really you?" she asked.

"Yes, of course."

"Tell me something only you know."

"The night of the season opener, we snuck champagne and went for a swim in the pond. You came back first and told father I was reading in my room."

She opened the window, and I crawled through.

I had barely straightened when she launched herself at me. "Oh, Georgia. I thought I’d never see you again. I was almost certain it was you through the shell, but I just didn’t really know. How did you get here? Are you okay? Is he with you?"

I laughed and stroked her hair. "Silly goose. Of course, I came back. I will always come back."

She pulled back. "I’m not a child. I’m sixteen now. I want to know what’s going on."

I nodded. "I’m sorry. I know. The Fae King ended our bargain. He allowed me to leave."

She cocked her head to the side. "Why would he do that?"

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