by Amy Boyles
Em crossed to him. She threw me a scathing look and said, "I hope you don't regret this."
"I hope that isn't a threat," I tossed back.
Pearbottom took her by the arm, and a moment later they were gone. I collapsed onto a chair. "Good night."
"Glad that's finished," Sera said.
Milly crossed to Tim and toed his arm. He didn't stir. "It's not over. One of you has to go get Roman."
I jerked. "Where is he?"
She thumbed her finger toward Grandmother. "I don't know. Ask her. She's the one who vanished him."
Grandma stroked the unicorn's mane. "I'll only tell if you give the king the reverence he deserves."
After ten minutes of bows and hand-feeding apples, I turned to Grandma. Yes, it was cool that a unicorn was in my living and managing not to poop on the floor. Yes, it was even cooler that he could talk, but darn it, I wanted to know what happened to Roman.
"All right. Where is he?"
She smiled. "Why, he's in his hotel room, watching television. Where else would he be?"
***
I made it there in five minutes flat. It would have been three, but a black cat dashed in front of my car, forcing me to slam on the brakes. I filled my lungs with several heaving breaths and flattened my forehead to the steering wheel. Cool plastic pressed against my skin, making me feel better. I clutched my shaking hands until they calmed, and drove off.
I knocked firmly on the door. After waiting half a lifetime, it opened. Roman greeted me with a dark, contemptuous glare. "You could have been arrested for obstruction of justice, you know."
I gave him my innocent doe-eyed look. "What do you mean?"
"When you threw yourself at Pearbottom, blocking him from arresting me. Obstruction of justice."
"Well, if you want me to call him back, I will, because that's the rudest thank-you I've ever heard."
He raised his hands. The metal handcuffs were still shackled to him. "If I didn't have these, I might thank you, but seeing as I'm basically under arrest, it's hard to find any gratitude."
My lips curled into a smile. "Come on, grumpy. Let's go find Milly. I'm sure she'll be able to get these things off you."
He scratched the spot right above his eyebrow. "I don't know if she'll be able to help. These are magical."
I grabbed the ingrate by his arm. "I'm aware of that. That's why I'm not calling a blacksmith. We're going to a witch."
"Hey, I know what Milly is."
"Then why are you still standing here? Do you want to be handcuffed for the rest of your life?"
He paused, shifted his weight from one hip to the other. "I don't think I want you to help me."
It was a freakin' dagger to the heart. Pain serrated my chest. Of all the things I expected, I didn't think Roman would say that—to cast me off with such a blatant rebuke.
I dropped his arm and backed up. "I'm only trying to help. Besides, you can't very well protect me like that. What's your plan? To spend the rest of your life shackled?" I smirked. "Doesn't sound like a very fulfilling life if you ask me."
He glanced up at the dingy motel-room ceiling and swore. After shaking his head, he met my gaze. Turbulence filled his green eyes. "All right," he said, deflated. "Let's go find that witch grandmother of yours and see if she can fix this."
When we found Milly, she was saying her good-byes to the unicorn king. He was still here? And he hadn't pooped? Maybe we'd invite him back for tea sometime. I dragged Roman over to her.
"He needs these off."
She stared down her nose at the handcuffs and said, "And what do you expect me to do about it? I don't have the key."
Fright boiled in my throat. "What do you mean? Can't you get them off?"
Roman sighed. I flashed him a stern look that said, I know you're annoyed, but just zip it. Don't say anything.
"Me? What makes you think I'd be able to do such a thing?"
I nibbled what was left of the nail on my pinky. "Why wouldn't you? You're a powerful witch."
Milly snorted. "Powerful, yes, but even my power has limits. And breaking the witch police's magical cuffs is not on my list of abilities."
I hung my head. What would I do now? I couldn't press the button and ask them to release Roman without Pearbottom taking him into custody. I wanted to go bury myself in a deep, dark hole and not come out for at least five lifetimes.
"It's okay," Roman said. "I'll find a way out of them." He touched my shoulder. I glanced into his face. His green eyes shone brightly, as if he didn't want me to lose hope. What a turnaround from, like, ten minutes ago.
"How?" I asked.
From the other side of the room, Grandma cleared her throat. I was not in the mood to hear how flying monkeys could solve all our flipping problems. I'm sorry, but there are some things even a flying monkey can't do.
Against every bone of better judgment in my body, I cocked my head toward her. "Yes, Grandma? Do you know a way out of this?"
She pointed a jazz hand at her chest. "Moi? Don't be a sillypants. How could I know magic that powerful? I'm not nearly old enough…but perhaps there's someone else in the room who is."
I kneaded my temples with the tips of my fingers. "Who, Grandma? Who could possibly do it?"
She jerked her head toward the unicorn. Figured. The four-footed creature was the only one who could perform the magic required. At least he was housebroken.
I pressed the heels of my hands to my eyes. "King Unicorn?" Was that even right?
"You can call me Your Highness."
Of course I could. I removed my hands and opened my eyes. "Your Highness, would you be so kind as to please remove the handcuffs from my friend?"
The majestic creature pumped his head up and down. "I will on one condition."
Great. Why couldn't anyone do anything without conditions? I mean, how hard was it to do something out of the kindness of your heart? I did all the time. Even for people I didn't like. After all, I’d created Reagan's wedding dress, and I didn't like her. Certainly, she had paid me to do it, but I didn't have to. I could have said no.
"Okay. What's the condition?"
He bowed his head and said, "Come visit me in my world."
That didn't sound too bad. "Sure. I'll be glad to. It's a small price to pay for you to help my friend."
The unicorn looked at Roman. "Extend your hands." Roman reached forward. The unicorn touched the metal with his horn. Light sparked. I shielded my eyes, afraid my retinas would burn out. Y'all, the last thing I needed was to go blind from all this nonsense. When the piercing light finally receded, the cuffs lay on the ground.
Roman had been freed.
After a thousand thank-yous to the unicorn king, he vanished to his home. Everyone hugged and we all sat down for a snack of petit fours and coffee, which Nan was kind enough to serve, and Sera was nice enough to allow us to eat.
I bit into one that consisted of strawberry cake surrounded by vanilla icing. Amazeballs. I moaned with pleasure. "Sera, this is beyond great. The banquet committee is going to be over the moon with these."
She gave me a knowing look. "You mean Jenny Butts."
"But of course," I said. "These may be the best thing that happened all night." I raised the tiny cake to Roman, who of course had declined the sugar but sat back drinking a cup of black java. "That is, except for the unicorn king's invitation to visit his homeland. That was pretty cool."
Milly chuckled.
Grandma joined her.
Something about that made me very nervous. "What am I missing?"
Milly wiped a tear from her eye. "You might not think that such a welcome invitation."
A line of sweat beaded my brow. I was definitely nervous. "Why not? What's wrong with going there?"
"Well," Grandma said, "his people aren't always the nicest to witches."
"Okaaaay. Can you elaborate?"
Milly scraped the last bit of icing off her plate with the edge of her fork. "They don't like our kind in their territor
y."
"So?" I shrugged. "I still don't get it. What's the big deal?"
"The big deal," Roman interjected, "is that they kill witches."
I slapped my forehead. Oh no. What had I gotten myself into now?
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
By the time Saturday morning hit, I felt pretty good. The witch police had been in contact via some sort of old-school magic mirror, and I knew with confidence that Em wouldn't be released until after the solstice, which meant I wouldn't die.
"I need those petit fours in the hall by two o'clock," Sera said. She laid the small cakes in a plastic tub with great care, making sure each was individually wrapped and protected for transport.
"Aye, aye, captain. I'll have them there by two," I said.
"That gives us three hours to pamper ourselves before the banquet," Sera said.
I rolled my eyes. "Yes, because we both have hot dates for the night. Listen, I'm only going for an hour, tops. A bunch of town elite dancing and looking merry, talking about snobby things, is not my idea of a good time. And you know if Jenny Butts is there, that generally means I'm out anyway. Tonight is an—"
"Exception, I know," Sera said, sighing. "Just get the cakes there, and the rest will take care of itself.”
I'd been avoiding bringing this up, but I needed answers. "Sis," I said.
Sera tossed me a curious glance. I never called her Sis, so she must have been suspicious of me. "Yes?"
"That day when you were in Roman's car talking to him," I said, "do you mind if I ask what you were talking about?"
She stared at the confections in front of her. "It's kind of embarrassing. I was asking him for man advice."
"Man advice?"
"Yeah, stupid old me was asking him about Tim, that idiot."
My heart somersaulted. "So you don't like him?"
"Who, Roman? No, of course not. I mean, he's good-looking and all that, but it's obvious he's interested in someone else."
"Who?"
She rolled her eyes. "You, dummy. He likes you. And after I had to haul Tim home last night and drop him off on his doorstep, I've pretty much decided I'm done with that guy. He needs to grow up."
Yay! She didn't like Tim anymore. That was the best news I'd heard in, like, forever. I still wasn't convinced Roman had feelings for me, but I had other things to think about—like a banquet.
***
By three o'clock I was soaking in a tub, waiting for that heifer Calgon to take my troubles away. Unfortunately it didn't work. Even though Em was in custody and I felt safe, my heart sank every time I thought of Roman. For one thing, he'd be leaving; for another, I sensed he was angry at me for getting him involved in a plot that almost got him captured. I could have been wrong, but the idea nagged at me. So I soaked in the tub for an extra-long period of time, hoping the milky water would dissolve all my problems. But in reality all it did was let me sit in my own sloughed-off dried skin and dirt. Ew and double ew.
At five o'clock the five of us ladies—myself, Sera, Reid, Grandma, and Nan—left for the banquet. The fine arts building, an ode to ancient Roman architecture with its columns and triangular arch, was lit up like Christmas in July. White lights twinkled from the magnolia trees that lined the walkway, and the yellow bellies of lightning bugs glowed in time, adding to the ambiance.
Inside was a mass of crepe paper and even more white lights. It was romantic and, if I say so myself, quite lovely. Jenny Butts and the banquet committee had outdone themselves. Sera's petit fours lined a table that sat off to the side. People strolled by it, commenting on how delicious they looked and how tempted they were to go ahead and dive into dessert, skipping dinner altogether.
Jenny Butts waved from across the room. "Oh no," I whispered to Sera.
"Well? We're the honored guests. You knew we'd have to deal with her," she said.
"I know. Hey! Maybe we can get Reid to be the single honored guest?" I asked hopefully.
Sera shook her head. "Good try."
Jenny did that arm-pumping thing she does with every word she says. "Y'all. Y'all. Y’all. I've got a table in the front all ready for you. Dylan, you look beautiful, of course." Her gaze swept from my head to my feet and back up. I wore a simple camel-colored dress with an Empire waist and chiffon sleeves that split at the top.
"Thank you," I said. She hooked her arm around mine and led us off to the front. We sat at the head of the room, and I watched as the guests, the who's who of Silver Springs, spilled into the hall.
I tried not to bite my nails as all eyes fell on us. I squirmed, sensing a bit of gossipmongering as people looked our way and then whispered in one another's ears. It was obvious what they were saying—Reagan Eckhart died in her shop. That's bad luck. I didn't care. As far as I was concerned, the whole thing was over.
"Holy smoke," Sera whispered.
"What?" I asked.
She nodded toward the entrance. My eyes rested on the double doors, and for a moment I didn't get what she was looking at. My breath flew from my chest as I did, indeed, realize what Sera had seen.
Roman leaned on the lip of the doorway. He gazed into the sea of gowns and suits. His blond hair hung loose, those darn glasses were, for once, off his face and he wore—dear Lord, the man wore a tuxedo. I melted into a puddle in my chair.
Sera elbowed me. "You all right?"
Okay, so I didn't technically melt, but it sure did feel like it for half a second. "Of course. I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Because Tall, Dark, and Incredibly Sexy is on his way over here."
"He is?"
A voice as smooth as velvet and as husky as…well, as husky as husky gets, said, "Hello, ladies."
"Hello," Reid and Sera said. I forced myself to look up. Roman gave me a warm smile. Heat spread over my cheeks as I smiled back. His eyes sparkled, and I looked away, unsure of what to say or do.
"Dylan, do you have a minute?"
Who, me? "Sure."
Roman extended his hand. I slipped my palm over his. He guided me through the throng of people milling about. A cluster of nerves jumbled in my gut. People stared at us as we walked past. Tomorrow the whole town would buzz about the stranger on my arm. The gorgeous, amazing stranger.
"I thought you'd still be mad," I said.
We stepped outside. The scent of honeysuckles clouded the humid night. We walked along a quiet path toward a vacant gazebo. More white lights had been strewn around it, making the intimate space appear magical, as if it belonged in a world of fairies.
Jeez. Now I sounded like my grandmother. Someone stop me.
"Why would I be mad?" he said, holding my hand as I entered the structure.
I shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe because you almost got arrested, you barely got the cuffs off and you don't like witches."
He rolled his eyes. "Enough of that already. I wish I'd never said that."
"It's hard to take back words," I said. "Words hurt. I mean, that whole sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me thing just isn't true. Not at all."
He frowned. "I never called you any names."
"Not that I heard," I pointed out. "But you might have in your head."
He raised his hands to stop me from speaking any farther. "Okay. Wait. Let's go back. You look beautiful."
My brows sewed together in thought. "Are you talking about me?"
"Who else would I be talking to?"
"Oh. Well, that's very nice of you to say. You, um…" I swallowed. "You look very nice as well." My gaze drifted to the rise and fall of his chest, and I realized exactly how close we were. I retreated a step and felt his hand squeeze mine. "I didn't expect to see you here tonight."
"You think I'd leave without saying good-bye?"
My heart sank. Good-bye. Of course. He was leaving. I mean, I knew it was coming, but I hadn't wanted to focus on it. "No. I didn't think you'd leave like that."
He edged closer. His skin glowed from the tiny electric lights surrounding us. White refl
ected in his eyes, and I found myself drowning in his gaze. I couldn't move. It was as if concrete encased my legs, keeping me from inching in any direction.
Roman brushed a stray hair off my cheek. "I also didn't want to leave without doing this."
From the depths of my clutch purse, a cell phone buzzed. I sighed, annoyed that someone had the nerve to interrupt me. "Hold on." I fished it out and saw the name CARRIE flashing. "Let me see what she needs."
He stepped back. "Take your time."
I hit the Answer button. "Hello?"
"Oh, Dylan. I'm so glad I caught you," she said, breathless.
"What's up?" Please hurry, you're killing my chances with this guy who's about to leave town, and who I'll never see again. Sounded depressing when put that way.
"I forgot my dress! It's still at the shop. Can you meet me there in five so I can get it?"
Part of me wanted to say no, but Carrie had worked for me a long time. Plus she put in long hours and always said yes when I asked her to do something. "Sure. I'll see you in a sec." I hung up and dropped the phone back in my bag. "Sorry about that. I've got to meet Carrie at the shop. She forgot her dress."
"Do you want me to come with you?"
I shook my head. "No. I don't need a bodyguard anymore, remember?"
He nodded faintly and stepped toward me. My heart drummed. Roman took my hand. "Dylan, I hope you know that I've changed my mind about not liking witches."
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
One side of his mouth curled into a smile. Dear Lord, if there were awards for sexiest smile, Roman would have won right then and there. I nearly collapsed on the ground. I slowed my breath, trying to force my heart to calm down.
"It turns out I like witches." He drew me to him until my body pressed against the boulder that made up his chest. I stared at his bow tie, not wanting to look up and not wanting to glance away. He hooked his finger under my chin and tilted my face toward his. "In fact," he whispered, "it turns out I like witches very much."
His lips found mine, and Roman, I swear to all things that are true and good in the world, kissed me. Fireworks exploded in my body as his mouth gently caressed mine. I closed my eyes and leaned into the kiss, feeling a world of emotion swirling in me. The past couple of weeks of long talks had all led up to this one glorious moment.