Free Love Spell: Book 2 of The Grimm Laws by Jennifer Youngblood, Sandra Poole Page B

every action conveyed her distaste for Cinderella. To Edward’s credit, he’d insisted on personally showing Cinderella her room, despite Queen Loreena’s protest that it was “improper” for him to be in the bedchamber of his betrothed. “You finally have a room that is fit for you, my princess,” Edward said, a touch of pride lighting his handsome features. He smiled, and she had the impression that his smile radiated the light of the sun. She had to keep reminding herself that of all the maidens in the kingdom, Edward had chosen her. She was the lucky one. She hugged her arms, remembering how on that first day in the castle, Edward had come up behind her and whispered in her ear, his breath sending tiny shivers trickling down her spine. “You complete this room, my darling.”
    She turned to him, wondering how a prince, someone as perfect as Edward had chosen her. “Oh, Edward. There is so much about me that you do not know. I am but a simple—”
    Before she could finish, he went to the window and pulled back the heavy drapes. “The best part, mi’ lady. The view.” He bowed slightly.
    “Oh, Edward,” she breathed, “’tis beautiful.”
    “I knew you would like it.”
    She took in the majestic snow-capped peaks in the distance, framed by a crystal blue sky and a smattering of wispy clouds. “’Tis magnificent,” she said. “Truly magnificent.”
    “I ordered it just for thee,” he said, a twinkle in his eye. “After all, I am the crown prince.”
    She gave him a playful nudge. “It would seem that even the mountains obey thy command, sire.” She batted her eyelashes and put on her best maiden face.
    “Your eyes burn brighter than the stars in the heavens, and your lips are the color of rubies.” He touched her hair. “Flaxen gold,” he uttered. “I love you, Cinderella.” He searched her face, his eyes earnest. “I would have gone to the end of the earth to find you. We will be happy here.”
    There was a sense of pleading in his statement, and she knew he was waiting for her to validate it. “Aye,” she said, taking his hands in hers. “We will be happy here.”
    But they wouldn’t be happy—because no matter how hard she tried to forget about him, Rushton was always there. She retrieved the letter from the bodice of her dress and read it again. The words burned their way into her heart, and a single tear trickled down her cheek. For a long moment, she stared unseeingly into the flames. It would be so easy to toss the infernal letter into the fire, to pretend that she’d never gotten it. Yes, she loved Rushton, but what was done was done. She had an obligation to fulfill. Whether she liked it or not, her future was here, in this palace, with Edward. She would forget about Rushton, and he would eventually find someone else.
    Her eyes lifted to the painting, hanging over the mantel. It was a portrait of a young Queen Loreena, painted around the time of her arrival at the castle, shortly before her marriage to King Aalexander de Moncier. There was a mocking smile on her face that seemed to suggest that Cinderella would never measure up. Her picture had hung over the mantel all of these years, waiting for the time when the portrait of Edward’s fiancée would take its place. She jutted out her chin, leveling a glare at the cold eyes staring back at her. “Whether I like it or not, I am engaged to your son, and you will accept me into your world,” she said, the words giving her courage.
    Cinderella read the letter again. The words swirled around her, beckoning her into Rushton’s world as surely as the moon pulls the tides.
    My dearest Cinderella,
    I thought I could leave and never return, but alas, my broken heart needs closure—to look upon your face one final time before I resign myself to a lifetime without you. Meet me this night, behind the Chapel of Westwood, after the last evening bell has sounded. You must come, Cinderella. You owe me that much.
    Forever