Page 47 of Kiss and Spell

Excuse me, sir. Her brow lifted in surprise. “Kneel for what?”

“I’m knighting you,” Xavier said in a regal tone.

“Can you do that?” Ursula asked. She didn’t want him to get into trouble for doing anything unofficial. “Is it allowed?”

“They can’t enchant me again. I’m doing this.” Xavier gave an impish grin. Her stomach fluttered. She blinked rapidly and a feeling of amazement began building in her chest.

Ursula gave a slow, disbelieving head shake. This was really happening.

“Good evening.” Xavier addressed the plants and Ursula. She pulled back her shoulders and straightened in her chair as if she were at a glamourous awards ceremony.

“To all here currently, know that Ursula…” He waited for her to supply her middle name.

“Rebecca,” she said.

His face lit up. “Know that Ursula Rebecca Caraway, having been recognized for the following achievements, her tireless service to the community of Freya Grove and for acts in the name of love and for a courageous heart. She is hereby being admitted as a Distinguished Knight in the Esteemed House of Alder. I, Prince Xavier Henrie George Alder, confer this knighthood upon Madame Caraway in the name and in honor of Queen Hazel Alder.”

For a moment she forgot everything else, and all she could see was Xavier with a charming gleam in his eye. He gave her a half-grin that made her feel as if this night would always belong to them and no one else.

“Please, kneel and receive your knighthood.”

Ursula bowed her head, emotion constricting her throat. Xavier gently touched the butter knife to each shoulder as he spoke in a hushed voice. “Ursula Rebecca Caraway, I hereby knight thee into the Esteemed House of Alder. Arise, Knight, and be recognized.”

She heard the knife fall on the table. He briefly stroked her cheek, moved to cradle her chin. His touch was careful and measured. Her skin hummed under his hand. He lifted her face so that she could meet his stare. Her heart filled to the top with bliss.

“Arise, my lady-knight,” he whispered.

Ursula stood and met his stare. This so-called ceremony was silly, and a little foolish, but he’d acted a fool just for her.

She had given up on the fairy tale, but it hadn’t given up on her. It was here in front of her in full flesh and magic. Maybe she didn’t have to give it up, but rather reimagine what it meant to live happily ever after. Ursula bit her lip and willed herself not to cry, again. Tears remained at bay and instead, she felt her heart burst. The fairy tale wasn’t going to leave her alone, no matter how far she ran away or tried to give it up. For a heartbeat, she believed again.

Fate delivered a prince who brought her potted flowers and bestowed upon her lovely words and respect. He studied her, but it was different now. There was clear affection in his eyes. You’re his knight. Stars above. If he kept watching her like this, she might do something stupid like ask him to stay and talk with her all night. If he stayed, she might get used to having him here with her. If he stayed, she might offer him the one thing that would break her all over again. Her love. She took a mental step back. Like that, the moment was broken between them.

A wave of tiredness swept through her. What time is it? She glanced at the oven clock and groaned. It was almost midnight. “I didn’t know it was this late.”

He moved away. “I’ve taken up enough of your time. I’ll text you in the morning.”

Ursula walked Xavier out of the apartment and downstairs to the landing. She remained on the stairs while he put on his coat in the vestibule. He peered up at Ursula, concern on his face.

“How sleepy do I look?” she asked.

One corner of his mouth lifted. “Madame, you should be counting sheep.”

Ursula stifled a yawn against her hand and shook off the second wave of sleepiness. She swayed a bit, and Xavier stepped up to steady her. He placed his hands on her shoulders, their bodies less than a foot apart.

She felt his strong touch through the robe’s fabric. “I think I can sleep now.”

Xavier playfully rolled his eyes while trying to hide a grin. “You’re saying that I’ve bored you to sleep.”

“No,” Ursula said through another big yawn.

He looked up at her. Right then, the atmosphere shimmered, and it felt like she was looking at the world through frosted glass. Midnight brought with it the magic of possibility. All Caraways knew that midnight was the time for mischief.

A brief shiver rippled through Ursula as a fuzzy vision took shape before her eyes. His steady gaze bore into her with silent, potent anticipation. She drank in his nearness and his alluring scent of earthy wildflowers and musk, which threatened to dull her sanity and reason. He beckoned her forth like mountains on the horizon, inviting her to explore him. To learn his peaks and valleys, and the hidden glory of him underneath those clothes.

She pulled him roughly, desperately against her. He opened his mouth to ask something, but his last words were smothered against her lips. This was a kiss that she could sink herself into and not come to the surface for hours. Delight spun inside her like falling flowers as she kissed him. His soft beard tickled her face; his mouth was inviting on hers. She parted her lips and licked him, taking in the taste of him—a mixture of coffee and natural sweetness.

All she wanted right then was to have him in her hands and inside of her.

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