Chapter 28

W hen the door closed behind them, both guards gave them a sideways look. His mother dipped a quick curtsy and gave them her best congenial smile.

“I’m taking my son to the gardens for a late afternoon walk. I hope that’s all right?”

The guard on the left nodded. “Very well. But only the gardens.”

“Of course!”

She gripped his hand tight in one hand and in the other her skirt as she hurried down the hallway out of sight from the guards. She headed for the staircase.

“How do you know where her chamber is?” he asked, a bit out of breath.

“That’s where I met Queen Eleanor.” Though she walked at a brisk pace, she did not sound out of breath.

His mother amazed him. He had no idea how she managed to get an audience with the queen while in the princess’s bedchamber, but he was grateful. She released his hand and picked up her skirts, holding them with both hands as she practically sprinted down the stone steps. He followed closely behind her and came to a jarring halt when he realized she’d stopped at the foot of the staircase.

“Wait here one moment,” she said on a breathy whisper.

She hurried around a corner, her footsteps so light she made not a sound. Then she returned a moment later and grasped him by the hand again, tugging him along behind her without a word. He said nothing as he followed her through the corridors, the great hall, and then to another set of stairs. She released his hand, picked up her skirts, and ascended quickly.

“The royal family’s chambers are here in the north tower,” she said as she climbed the stairs. “I’ll take you straight to Rosamund’s chamber.”

“Thank you, Mother,” he said, panting.

His legs burned hot with his quick ascension, his heart beating so fast he thought it might pound right out of his chest. Not to mention the explosion of sudden nerves that skittered through him at the thought kissing her and trying to break the curse.

True Love’s Kiss!

Her words rang in his head as they paused at a door. His mother gave a swift knock and then stepped behind him. There was such a long bit of silence, he thought for sure no one was coming to the door. He lifted his hand about to knock again when the door opened and he came face to face with Queen Eleanor. Surprise flickered over her features as their gazes met.

He bowed low. “Your majesty.”

“What are you doing here? If Stephan finds you here—”

“I brought him,” his mother said from behind him. “He knows how to break the curse.”

The queen’s eyes went wide and round as she stepped aside and ushered him into the chamber.

“This way,” she said.

She didn’t even wait to close the door behind him. A quick glance over his shoulder to see his mother stepping inside to do just that. Then she stood in front of the door as though a sentry.

Phillip followed the queen through the palatial suite, not taking time to really look at his surroundings. He had one thing on his mind—get to the princess. At the bedchamber, the queen halted and made a motion for him to go inside.

The door was open. Inside the suite, he saw the oversized four-poster bed draped in gossamer curtains as if to hide the sleeping figure on the feather mattress. He hesitated, his heart throbbing. The queen placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

“Prince Phillip?”

He turned to look at her and saw the question and concern etched on her face. “How will you break the curse?”

His mouth had gone dry and yet he swallowed hard. “With a kiss.”

She said nothing, merely gave a nod and stepped back away from the door. Looking at the princess, he steeled his nerves. His hands were clenched into tight fists as he approached the bed. Rosamund laid on her back, her hands folded on her chest. Her face was in repose, making her look calm and serene.

He pushed aside the curtain and perched on the side of the bed beside her. She looked so beautiful there he couldn’t resist brushing her cheek with the back of his hand. Her silken skin was cool to the touch. And it still shimmered.

Kissed by Fae magic.

He leaned down and closed his eyes. His lips met hers in a gentle, sweet kiss that held all his hope, his faith, his love that she would wake. Despite her sleeping form, her lips were warm and soft. He straightened and waited, holding his breath. Nothing happened for a long, silent moment.

And then her eyes opened. Her gaze met his. His heart tripped in his chest as a small smile pulled up the corners of her mouth.

Phillip blew out the breath he was holding.

He reached for her, cupping her face in one of his hands. “Rose. My springtime Rose.”

“You did it,” she said, her voice tinged with wonder and admiration. “You heard me?”

“I heard you in my dream. True love’s kiss.”

Color rose high in her cheeks as she flushed. He was certain he saw the pounding of her pulse in the long column of her neck. Rosamund came to a sitting position and, in one forward motion, wrapped her arms around his neck. It caught him so off guard, he didn’t immediately react. She buried her face against his throat, her warm cheek pressed against his skin. He wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace and held her.

Rosamund pulled away a bit, tipped her head back and gazed up at him with such adoration in her big emerald eyes, his heart thudded hard against his ribcage. In that instant, something intense flared between them. He understood everything he felt for her was real. The magic spell may have brought them together, but it was not an enchantment that made him fall in love with her. It was her that made him fall in love with her. Everything about her.

Her gaze traveled over his face and searched his eyes and then she did the most unexpected thing of all. She pulled him to her, pressing her lips against his in a caress that left him breathless and lightheaded. A kiss that was as tender and light as the springtime breeze.

In the bliss of that moment, he thought he heard the quiet gasp of the queen.

It was enough to snap her back to her senses. She pulled away, her lips damp and pink in the aftermath of their kiss. A breath shuddered out between her lips.

She pressed her forehead against his and dropped her voice so low only he heard. “I love you, Phillip.”

Though the curse broke with his kiss, it was still nice to hear her say the words. To confirm her feelings for him. His heart squeezed as he realized the impossibility that his own feelings for her were real.

“I love you, Rose.”

She turned her head to see her mother hovering in the doorway of her bedchamber, tears in her eyes and her cheeks pink with color. Confusion creased her face.

“I’m home?”

“Yes,” he said, still holding her. He was reluctant to release her. She was warm and soft against him and he found he quite liked having her near him.

“How?”

“Jeffrey found a cart. The three of us brought you home. Rose, I should tell you…your father was rather distressed when he saw you had succumbed to the sleeping curse.”

She sucked in a sharp breath. “My father. I must tell him.”

Rosamund pushed out of his arms and scrambled off the bed. She wobbled on her feet and placed a hand on the side of her head as if the quick movement was too much for her. He leapt up to catch her and steadied her. She flashed a grateful smile.

“Must tell him what?” he asked.

“That the Fae are not interested in Stonebridge,” she said.

“How do you know that?”

She started to reply, but her mother bustled into the bedchamber, her arms outstretched. When Rosamund saw her, she released Phillip and went to her. They hugged, her mother sniffing with her tears of joy. Then she pulled back, holding the princess at arm’s length.

“I’m so relieved the curse is broken. And so will your father,” the queen said.

“Mother, I need to speak with Papa at once,” she said.

“Oh…” She sucked in a breath as she glanced from the princess to Phillip. He saw the apprehension in her eyes. “He’s resting now, dear. I’ll ring for tea and we can discuss—”

“Now, Mother,” Rosamund said, her tone firm.

She blinked surprise. “But—”

“It’s important. It’s about the Fae.”

Her mother drew her lower lip through her teeth and then nodded. “If it’s that important.”

“It is.”

The queen cut him a glance. “Under the circumstances, Prince Phillip, I think you should return to your chambers with your mother.”

He nodded. “Yes, of course.”

“Why? What’s happened?” Rosamund demanded.

“I will explain.” Queen Eleanor took her by the hand and led her away.

As they exited the chamber, he had a terrible feeling he wouldn’t see her again. He hoped he was wrong.