Page 78 of Once Upon a Curse for True Love
Sarah Michelle threw the bouquet high into the air, where it hung, suspended as if considering its options.Then, in a move that defied both physics and probability, the bouquet took a sharp left turn midair, bypassing the cluster of eager witches and sailing straight into Andromeda’s unsuspecting hands as she stood on the outskirts of the gathering.
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the women.Someone from the Black side muttered about “improper enchantment,” while the Callidoras erupted in cheers and whistles.
Andromeda stared at the bouquet in her hands, then scanned the crowd until she found Donatello.He stood partially concealed by the shadow of a massive oak tree, his expression a study of feigned innocence that didn’t mask the self-satisfied smirk pulling at the corners of his mouth.
Clutching the bouquet, Andromeda weaved through the guests until she reached the shadow of the tree where Donatello waited, his smirk widening as she approached.
“Do you know why this thing swerved like a heat-seeking missile in midair?”She held the floral arrangement up between them.
Donatello studied the flowers with exaggerated concentration.“Bizarre atmospheric conditions?A strong cross-breeze?The natural magnetism of beautiful witches?”
“No outside interference?”She stepped closer.
“That’s a grave accusation, Swan.”His hand found her waist, pulling her to him.“Got any evidence to back it up?”
“Just circumstantial,” she admitted, tilting her face up to his.
“No proof, no crime.”
“Guess it means I’ll be moving in?”
His smile turned less cocky as his eyes searched hers.“Are you sure you’re ready for all the dirty socks abandoned on the floor?”
He wasn’t asking about laundry, and they both knew it.But she kept her answer playful.“I’ll turn your hair purple every time you do something annoying.You’ll be house-trained before you know it.”
Then, without warning, she reached for him—like she’d been waiting for one last excuse to stop running, stop deflecting, stop pretending she didn’t already know he was it for her.Their lips met in a kiss that felt both familiar and brand new, a beginning and a continuation.
When he leaned into her, hands in her hair, Andromeda couldn’t ignore how many times she’d lied to herself about not needing anyone.And how wrong she’d been, and how stupidly lucky she was that he’d seen straight through her tough facade.
As the fairy lights twinkled overhead and the sounds of celebration continued around them, Andromeda was sure.She wanted this—him, them—forever, until death do them part, and beyond in the otherworld.
She’d spent most of her life making her own rules.Now she was ready to give forever a shot with someone who made commitment feel like freedom, who never asked her to change, only to stay, who saw every one of her sharp edges and still held out his hand for more.
And who’d turned her story intotheirs.
