Page 18 of Kiss and Spell

“I guess you were really enjoying yourself.”

He held Ursula’s eyes for a long second. Sincerity entered his voice. “Yes, I was.”

His words made her feel seen after feeling invisible for so long. This fae man was too charming. Ursula rose from her seat. Xavier followed her lead, and they cleaned up after themselves before conceding their table. They dropped their cups and plates in the plastic dish bin left at the server’s station, then strolled down the sidewalk away from the bistro.

“May I escort you to your next stop?” he asked.

“I’m only walking back to where I work.”

“I’d love to see where the magic happens.” He extended his bent arm to her.

Ursula took it and tucked herself into his side. Xavier slowed his pace and matched his stride with hers. With their arms intertwined, she felt a little giddy about being escorted by a prince to her day job. The little Sula inside of her heart, the one who would always believe in charming princes, cheered with glee. Tall trees with their bare limbs lined the sidewalk. Joyful birdsong played overhead. Streets were slick from what must have been a late-night rainstorm.

Xavier glanced down at the lingering wet patches.

“If we come across any large puddles, I regretfully left my cape in the Realm,” he mused.

Ursula chuckled at his comment. “Don’t worry, Your Highness. Despite what you’ve heard, witches aren’t scared of water. We find swimming to be great cardio.”

He leaned back in amusement. “Is that so?”

“Yes, it is. I thought that fair folk were fond of the water,” she said.

“Only if the element calls to us,” he said. “I find myself earthbound. I draw my power from crystals. Rocks. Being around plants revives me.”

“Same here,” Ursula admitted. “After a bad day at school or work, I’d spend an hour in my nana’s garden and feel recharged. She planted daisies and zinnias to invite the fae to dance. I thought it was my own secret corner of the Grove.”

“Tell me more,” he insisted.

“I… adored it.” Her voice broke as a vision flashed in her mind. She could see the wild honeysuckle-green vines climbing up the back trellis and thriving flowers in their beds. Butterflies fluttered around finding nectar and insects buzzed in the space. Weathered statues of gnomes and elves were dotted in random spots. The seashells and stones Ursula collected from the beach lined the narrow stone path to the house. Nana stood on the path wearing her blue house dress and a wide gardening hat covered with fake cherries, clearing out the old growth to make room for new life. The garden had been Ursula’s playground, where she searched for leaping fae and learned the language of flowers. She missed that feeling of taking joy in magic. A swift wave of sorrow went through Ursula, forcing her to stop walking. She let out a shuddering exhale as the vision faded. Tears gathered in her eyes, and she shook her head, unable to speak about it anymore. Xavier, seeming to sense her change, took her hand and squeezed.

“I’m sorry,” she said. She hadn’t cried like this in months, but now she was leaking like a broken garden hose that couldn’t be fixed. Lincoln had hated seeing her cry and often left the room to let her deal with her emotions. Ursula stepped back from Xavier and tried to wipe the tears before they fell. It was too late, and she felt them run down her cheeks. Lock it up, Sula. He’s probably looking for an escape plan. The tears came steadily and didn’t stop.

Xavier didn’t flinch. He reached into his pocket and offered her his handkerchief.

Ursula took it and pressed it to her cheek.

“I usually hold back the tears until I know someone better,” she joked.

He graced her with a kind smile that lifted her heart. “You don’t have to hold back with me. I can handle it.”

Ursula dabbed her face and returned the handkerchief to Xavier. They continued walking down the sidewalk, but she didn’t take his arm again. She’d leaned on him enough for the day. Soon they reached the lavender storefront of Light as a Feather. Ursula peered through the main window to see the store was empty. The lights remained off and Mama’s handwritten CLOSED DUE TO NO POWER sign was taped to the front door.

Ursula gestured to the sign. “We can’t have customers inside the store now.”

Xavier studied the shop with wide eyes. “I’d be happy to come back another day for a reading,” he said. “I’d like to know what the future holds.”

Surprise skittered through her at his words. She assumed that a prince like Xavier wouldn’t have to worry about his future. Woo a princess. Find a castle. Live happily ever after. His story was already lined up for him; all he needed to do was follow the plan.

If only I had that problem. Her path was unwritten. Blank. Empty. That emptiness scared the Hades out of her, but at least she had the list to guide her. She’d start working on it tonight.

Ursula fished her keys out of her purse. “Please visit. We’d be happy to have you.”

She’d probably go upstairs and do a little light cleaning. For an instant, she thought about inviting Xavier up to the apartment for tea. But he’d already seen her cry; she wasn’t ready for him to see her crystal collection just yet.

“Thank you for walking me back,” she said.

“My godmother’s having a party tonight,” Xavier blurted out in a quick rush. There was a faint tremor in his words, as if he was nervous about telling her. No, she didn’t believe that he’d be anxious about anything. Who wouldn’t want to party with a prince? He probably had a dozen people waiting to hang out with him. Ursula waited for Xavier to speak again.

---