Page 12 of Not Another Happily Ever After

It’s been so long. I’d like to see that one more time.

He nods, then turns to wait outside as I shut the door and slip into the dress made of dreams.

Peony steps back to give me one final look when her expression morphs into one of awe.

“My heavens, your highness. You look absolutely radiant.”

Heat creeps into my cheeks at the compliment. Probably because I’ve never been on the receiving end of one before. A shy smile dances on my lips, and grateful tears pool in my eyes.

“Oh, don’t cry princess.” My handmaiden rushes over to catch them with a handkerchief before they fall. “We wouldn’t want to ruin all my hard work,” she teases, gently dabbing the soft cloth beneath my eyes.

Without thinking, I pull her in for a hug. She doesn’t hesitate, throwing her arms around my shoulders. Neither of us says anything, but I can feel her silent sobs, can hear her muffled cries. Her reluctance to let go only solidifies the last threads of my suspicions. This is goodbye.

“Thank you.” I choke back my own tears, careful not to smudge her handiwork as I stroke my hand over her graying hair.

The corners of my mouth lift as I recall the days when her wild curls used to glow like the sun.

I truly believed she was a star, sent by the heavens to guide me. To be with me always. And she was.

I watched her grow old. She watched me grow up.

Maybe that’s what love is? Presence.

The thought makes me hold on for just a little longer. “Thank you for everything, Peony.”

“It’s been my honor, Sunday.” She offers me one last sad smile before pulling away to fetch the door.

I take the opportunity to look around the tower’s chamber, affectionately referred to as my room. There isn’t much to it. A single window high above my modest bed. A few agedbookshelves, which now sit empty. And the vanity, where I can see exactly what made Peony’s eyes glisten with wonder.

I suck in a shaky breath as I stare into the small mirror. I hardly recognize myself. I look like a princess from the fairytales. I look like a curse breaker.

Chapter

4

She smiled at them.

She smiles at everyone.

I know this.

Yet I remain offended.

Xander’s smile is even better than I had hoped, stretching from one ear to the other as I all but skip to where he waits in the moonlit hall.

“You look beautiful.”

I take his offered hand and let him twirl me around.

“I like the…” He pauses, pinching the thin fabric of my sleeves. “Puffy arm pieces?”

Men.“They’re not puffy. They’re bell-shaped,” I correct but, truthfully? He could call them potato sacks for all I care.

It’s just nice to laugh with someone again.

I needed this. I think he did too.

Of course, the reprieve doesn’t last long. Too soon, we’re joined by the echo of boots stomping down the hall.