Gestasia chuckled and nodded. “Even a witch needs money to survive. The first spell ripped you away from me. In anger, I placed another curse on young Sharden. The cost of that spell was my youth,” she explained with a sigh.
“Why are you young again?” Lisa asked, puzzled.
“You broke the spell,” Gestasia said. “You are from this world, so you could return through the doorway. But, it would take your love for Sharden, no matter what he looked like, to break the spell. With the curse broken, I was also freed.”
Lisa looked skeptically at Gestasia. “So, are you expecting some ‘Thank you, all’s well in the world’ hug or acceptance from me or something? I have to tell you, I’m a little upset about the things you’ve done,” Lisa retorted dryly. “Not to mention why didn’t you mention any of this before, instead of waiting until my wedding day; which, by the way, I’m late for!”
Gestasia shook her head. “No, I don’t expect you to forgive me,” she replied with a sad smile. “I just wanted you to know that I’m sorry and that – I love you. I always have.”
Lisa shifted uneasily from one foot to the other. Her lips twisted in sardonic amusement. She had to admit, if she looked at the positive side of things, she might not have met Sharden if not for all the misadventures. Glancing at Gestasia under her eyelashes, she finally released an exasperated sigh. She had never been good at holding a grudge.
“How would you like to go to a wedding today? I know this witch’s daughter who met this really cool prince,” Lisa finally said with a crooked grin. “He might like to meet his mother-in-law. After all, she is the one that turned him into this really gorgeous beast.”
“He was rather cute, wasn’t he?” Gestasia responded with a hopeful smile.
“Yeah, he was,” Lisa said. “I think it might be best if you unfroze the queen if we are going to make it in time.”
Gestasia nodded. “I have one more gift for you,” she said.
“What?” Lisa asked, looking suspiciously at her newly discovered mother.
Gestasia snapped her fingers and a large mirror appeared on the other side with Lisa’s adopted family. They were staring at the mirror in awe. All of them erupted into one loud, boisterous group when they saw her.
“Lisa!” Her adopted mom shouted above all the others.
“Mom!” Lisa cried in delight, stepping closer to the mirror. “Mom, I’m getting married!” She twirled around, holding out her arms. “To a prince!”
“We know,” her mom laughed, wiping at her tears.
“I couldn’t bring them here in the flesh, but I knew you would want them to know that you are happy and safe,” Gestasia said, quietly reaching out and touching Lisa’s arm in compassion.
Lisa nodded, wiping at the tears threatening to escape. “Do they know? About Sharden? About this world?” She asked, turning to look at her mom and dad. “I love you, guys.”
“We know. We love you, too, honey,” her dad said. “I’m proud to be called your dad.”
“We’ll be there watching, luv,” her mom promised. “Go knock them out.”
“You rock, sis!” Her youngest brother called out from the back. “Send me a sword or something.”
“I will if I can,” Lisa laughed.
“Time to go,” Gestasia replied. “I’ll send the mirror to the wedding hall.”
Lisa nodded, waving at her adopted family before they disappeared. “By the way, who is my real father?” She asked with a sniff.
Gestasia grinned. “The Breadmaker,” she chuckled. “I absolutely love his bread with sweet cream butter.”
“Oh!” Lisa whispered in shock.
With a snap of her fingers, the queen resumed moving toward the door as if nothing had happened. The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur for Lisa. She knew her adoptive family was there from the hoots and hollers coming from both sides of the mirror. The Breadmaker walked her down the aisle and gave her hand to Sharden. A huge smile of pride lit his face when he wasn’t searching for Gestasia.
She barely remembered exchanging vows with Sharden, but she did remember his kiss and those that followed. It was late evening by the time they were able to sneak away. The sounds of laughter echoed behind them as Sharden lifted her up onto his mount.
“Where are we going?” She asked breathlessly as he settled behind her.
“I know this amazing little valley with a secluded hut that I wanted to take you to,” Sharden whispered in her ear before brushing a kiss to her neck.
“What about your parents?” She asked as he tapped his heels to his mount.
“I believe they were going to have a long talk with your mother and father,” he said as they rode out the gate.
“What about clothes?” She added when she realized that she was still wearing her wedding dress.
Sharden’s husky chuckle echoed through the cool night air. “You won’t be needing any if I have anything to do with it,” he promised.
Lisa tilted her head back against his shoulder and laughed. The light of the full moon lit their way as they passed through the village and down along the narrow path. It even streamed into the dark recesses of the cave, lighting their way all the way down to the hut. Inside, a nice fire burned in the fireplace and a large selection of fruits, breads, cheeses, and sweet cream butter sat on the table with a large note that said ‘In case of emergency’.
“I think I might like having two additional parents,” she whispered as Sharden carried her into their bedroom.
“I know I will love their daughter,” Sharden replied, laying her down on the bed before covering her lips with his in a long, passion-filled kiss. “Forever.”
The End
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Additional Books by S.E. Smith
YA Books
Voyage of the Defiance: Breaking Free series
Dust: Before and After
Paranormal and Science Fiction short stories and novellas
For the Love of Tia (Dragon Lords of Valdier Book 4.1)
A Dragonlings’ Easter (Dragonlings of Valdier Book 1.1)
A Dragonlings’ Haunted Halloween (Dragonlings of Valdier Book 1.2)
A Dragonlings’ Magical Christmas (Dragonlings of Valdier Book 1.3)
A Warrior’s Heart (Marastin Dow Warriors Book 1.1)
Rescuing Mattie (Lords of Kassis: Book 3.1)
Science Fiction/Paranormal Novels
Cosmos’ Gateway Series
Tink’s Neverland (Cosmo’s Gateway: Book 1)
Hannah’s Warrior (Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 2)
Tansy’s Titan (Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 3)
Cosmos’ Promise (Cosmos’ Gateway: Book 4)
Merrick’s Maiden (Cosmos’ Gateway Book 5)
Curizan Warrior
Ha’ven’s Song (Curizan Warrior: Book 1)
Dragon Lords of Valdier
Abducting Abby (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 1)
Capturing Cara (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 2)
Tracking Trisha (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 3)
Ambushing Ariel (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 4)
Cornering Carmen (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 5)
Paul’s Pursuit (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 6)
Twin Dragons (Dragon Lords of Valdier: Book 7)
Lords of Kassis Series
River’s Run (Lords of Kassis: Book 1)
Star’s Storm (Lor
ds of Kassis: Book 2)
Jo’s Journey (Lords of Kassis: Book 3)
Ristéard’s Unwilling Empress (Lords of Kassis: Book 4)
Magic, New Mexico Series
Touch of Frost (Magic, New Mexico Book 1)
Taking on Tory (Magic, New Mexico Book 2)
Sarafin Warriors
Choosing Riley (Sarafin Warriors: Book 1)
Viper’s Defiant Mate (Sarafin Warriors Book 2)
The Alliance Series
Hunter’s Claim (The Alliance: Book 1)
Razor’s Traitorous Heart (The Alliance: Book 2)
Dagger’s Hope (The Alliance: Book 3)
Zion Warriors Series
Gracie’s Touch (Zion Warriors: Book 1)
Krac’s Firebrand (Zion Warriors: Book 2)
Paranormal and Time Travel Novels
Spirit Pass Series
Indiana Wild (Spirit Pass: Book 1)
Spirit Warrior (Spirit Pass Book 2)
Second Chance Series
Lily’s Cowboys (Second Chance: Book 1)
Touching Rune (Second Chance: Book 2)
Excerpts of S. E. Smith Books
If you would like to read more S. E. Smith stories, she recommends Abducting Abby, the first in her Dragon Lords of Valdier Series. Or if you prefer a Paranormal or Time Travel with a twist, you can check out Lily’s Cowboys or Indiana Wild…
About the Author
S.E. Smith is a New York Times, USA TODAY, International, and Award-Winning Bestselling author of science fiction, romance, fantasy, paranormal, and contemporary works for adults, young adults, and children. She enjoys writing a wide variety of genres that pull her readers into worlds that take them away.
S.E. Smith, The Beast Prince (The Fairy Tale Series Book 1)
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