My phone dinged as the text arrived. “You won’t, Robina. You’ve taken your second chance to heart. That much is clear.” I tucked the pink wand under my arm. “I’ll see you around.”
“Where are you off to now?" she asked.
I waved the phone in the air. “It's time to turn a bunch of frogs back into small town princes."
Chapter 17
Less than an hour later, I stood in one of the drawing rooms of Thornhold in front of a row of hopping frogs. I’d retrieved Alec from my bedroom, and Sheriff Nash had brought the others so we could change them all back at once. I had my fingers crossed that Florian was among them.
"How do I tell which one is which?" I asked. "The only one I can identify is Alec because of those adorable fangs."
"It doesn't matter," Aunt Hyacinth snapped. "Just get started." She’d insisted on being present when Florian was brought back into existence. I had the sense that she wanted to kiss him and box his ears at the same time.
I took Robina’s wand and read her text message out loud, aiming at the first frog on the left. There was a sound that reminded me of a hissing firework and then an unfamiliar man appeared where the frog had just been. He looked around in a stupor, as though waking up from a long sleep.
“Cayden," Sheriff Nash said. "How do you feel, buddy?”
Cayden blinked. "Where am I? This place is super nice.” He wore what I assumed was the same outfit he’d been transformed in. Part of me had wondered whether they’d reappear naked, like a shifter would. To my relief (but maybe a little disappointment), that wasn’t the case.
“Of course it is, darling,” Aunt Hyacinth said. “It’s my home.”
"We’ll explain everything later," the sheriff said. "Right now, we need to restore the other men.”
Thom Rutledge was next, and then Alec. The vampire seemed less confused, as though he knew exactly what had happened. Unfortunately, the last frog didn’t budge.
“What’s the problem?” my aunt demanded. “What’s wrong with Florian?”
“Um, I’ll tell you in a minute,” I said, my stomach sinking. “Let’s get these other guys squared away first.”
“Welcome back, gentlemen," the sheriff said. "I've been told that you should drink plenty of water after a curse like this."
“Hydration is key,” I added.
“Curse?” Thom queried. "What kind of curse? Why do my legs feel like they've been turned backwards?" He bent his knees and then kicked out his legs.
"We were turned into frogs," Alec said. “Please tell me you’ve apprehended that wretched elf.”
“You knew it was him?” I asked.
“He came into my office with a few of my books to sign,” Alec said. “It was the way he asked me about you. I realized in that moment, but it was too late. I don’t think he even waited to leave the office before cursing me.”
I gave the others the full recap of Ben and his jealous tendencies.
“He’s in custody now," the sheriff said. “I arrested him earlier."
Alec studied me closely. “And whom do we have to thank for our restoration?"
"It was a group effort," I said. "It's a good thing we have experienced fairies like Robina on hand."
"Indeed," Alec said. He didn’t seem to be buying the manure I was selling. Or the minotaur shit, as people in Starry Hollow liked to say. "Well, my gratitude to everyone involved.” He bowed and my pulse accelerated. He really was the most elegant man I’d ever met.
“I started reading your book, by the way,” I told him.
“And what do you think?”
“Not sure yet. I’m only a quarter of the way through it. For some reason, I’ve been busy with outside activities.”
He straightened the ends of his sleeves. “You don’t say.”
The other men downed several glasses of water, and headed for their respective homes. Alec walked me with me to the front door.
"Would you like me to escort you to the cottage?" he asked.
"It's only right here, and I need to go with my aunt to the pond in the woods to find Florian before she has a heart attack.”
“An escapee?” He seemed mildly amused.
“I’d rather not elaborate.”
“Is that why you took me home with you?” he asked. “To keep me from escaping into the woods?”
I hesitated. “I…just wanted to keep you safe.”
Alec’s expression softened. “Thank you for your concern.” He inclined his head. “And you’re wrong about the prince. His motives have yet to be revealed.”
The prince? I suddenly realized he meant the prince in The Final Prophecy. “Wait, you could hear me?” Blazing glory. If he could hear me, that also meant he could see me. Heat crawled through my body.
A smile tugged at his lips. “And I do quite like the leopard undergarments you wore yesterday. Very flattering.”
My breath caught in my throat. “You saw me half naked?”
He paused. “Not just half…”
My face drained of color. I’d changed in front of the frog. Several times. It hadn’t occurred to me that he’d remember anything once the curse was broken. I really needed a primer on the basics of magic.
“Not to worry, Miss Rose,” he said. “Trust me. You have nothing to be embarrassed about.”
With those words, he moved at lightning speed and disappeared into the evening air.
Sheriff Nash and Aunt Hyacinth accompanied me to the pond. My aunt was less than thrilled to hear my confession about Florian.
“Marley only wanted him to feel more comfortable,” I explained. “Then he hopped away and refused to come back.”
“Sounds like my son,” Aunt Hyacinth said bitterly. “Even in frog form, he’s a thorn in his family’s side.”
Phew. At least she wasn’t angry with me.
“What if he isn’t here?” my aunt asked. “What if he’s been eaten by a predator?”
“His survival instincts will be firmly intact,” I said. “If any owls made a beeline for him, he’d duck underwater.”
“He’s Florian Rose-Muldoon,” the sheriff added. “He always lands on his feet.”
“True,” my aunt said. She’d never argue with the distinguished luck of the Rose family.
When we arrived, three frogs occupied lily pads.
“Any inklings as to which one is Florian?” I asked, assuming one of them was.
They shook their heads.
“Then I’ll just go ahead.” I repeated the same spell that restored the other frogs to their true selves. The frog on the middle lily pad transformed into a man and promptly plunged into the water. I recognized Florian’s white-blond head as it crested.
Aunt Hyacinth’s laugh was deep and throaty. “Serves him right. Perhaps now he’ll learn a hard lesson about his questionable dating habits.”
“He didn’t get cursed by one of his dates, though,” I said. I doubted Florian would learn anything from this experience, except that maybe he enjoyed the taste of flies more than he expected to.
Florian dragged himself from the pond, his clothes dripping. He looked thoroughly confused.
“Did I stay out all night drinking again?” he asked, rubbing his head.
“No, darling.” Aunt Hyacinth quickly gave him her version of a motherly embrace. It consisted of a hand on the arm and an air kiss next to the cheek. “You’ve been a frog.”
His brow furrowed. “A frog? Well, that explains the constant buzzing in my ears.” He whacked his right ear with his palm.
“We have the offender in custody,” Sheriff Nash said. “Thanks in no small part to your cousin here.”
Florian clapped me on the shoulder. “And here you thought you were lucky that we found you. I’m starting to think it’s the other way around.”
This week’s paper dropped onto my desk and the first thing I noticed was my name in print. The Curious Case of the Bachelor Frogs by Ember Rose.
I glanced up to see Alec. “Congratulations on a well-
deserved byline, Miss Rose.”
“Thanks,” I replied. I traced my name with my finger. “It seems weird to have my name on something other than an outstanding bill.”
“It isn’t fair,” Bentley complained. “You had the sheriff helping you.”
“I can’t help it if he’s always tagging along,” I said dismissively. “The guy really needs a hobby.”
Bentley stifled a laugh and I groaned.
“He’s here, isn’t he?” I asked, as Alec stepped aside to reveal the sheriff.
“He is,” Sheriff Nash said.
“Hey there,” I said weakly. “What brings you to our fine establishment?”
“Just checking on each of the victims for any lingering side effects.” The sheriff cocked his head. “How about it, Alec? Craving any mosquitoes?”
“Mosquitoes do have a taste for blood, so I can see the attraction,” Alec said, not taking the bait.
“The only one I haven’t caught up with is Florian,” the sheriff said.
At that moment, the office door opened and Florian sauntered in. The sheriff’s mouth opened and closed.
“The sheriff wants to know if you’re suffering from any side effects, Florian,” I said.
“No. I’m good as new,” Florian said. “Even have a second date scheduled with Dakota Musgrove.”
My hand shot up to high-five him. “Good move, cousin. She’s a keeper.”
“What brings you here, Florian?” Alec asked.
“I came to see my superstar cousin,” Florian replied.
Bentley leaned toward me. “He’s speaking ironically, right?”
I ignored the grumpy elf’s remark. “As you can see, I’m right here, Florian.”
“Excellent. Come with me for a moment, if you will.” Florian wiggled his fingers.
I followed Florian outside, where he leaned against a silver sports car. The keys dangled from his fingertips.
“You came all the way here to show me your new car?” I asked. That was…nice.
“Not my new car,” he said, and handed me the keys. “Your new car.”
I stared at the gleaming sports car in disbelief. It was the kind of car I used to repossess from entitled suburbanites locked in an arms-style race with their wealthier neighbor.
“My new car?” I repeated. “Florian, I can’t afford this.”
He shrugged. “I know, but I can. It’s paid in full. Consider it a thank you.”
I choked on my response. “Does your mother know?”
“She approved the budget. In fact, I expected to spend less.” He opened the driver’s door. “Want to take it for a spin?”
My feet were fixed to the ground. I couldn’t believe this was my life now. A new family. Magic powers. A beautiful cottage and now a fancy car. The only thing missing was a…
“Nice ride,” Sheriff Nash said, stepping beside me to admire the roadster.
Alec appeared on the other side of me. “Vintage, too. You do have exquisite taste, Florian. Not that I’m at all surprised.”
“I’m going to call her Sylvia,” I announced.
The men exchanged confused glances.
“What? Every car needs a name,” I said. “People name boats. Why not cars?”
“You make a good point,” Sheriff Nash said. “Go on. Give it a whirl. Watch your speed, though. Deputy Bolan is patrolling as we speak.”
I definitely didn’t want the feisty leprechaun to pull me over. For one thing, he’d enjoy it far too much.
I slid behind the wheel and sank into the soft leather. “I could fall asleep in this seat, it’s so comfortable.”
“I don’t recommend falling asleep behind the wheel,” Sheriff Nash said. “That’s a guaranteed accident.”
Florian hopped into the passenger seat. “Let’s roll.”
I closed the door and rolled down the window. “Be back in a few minutes, boss.”
Alec gave me a crisp nod.
I hit the gas, giving Florian the shock of his life. Thankfully, Coastline Drive wasn’t too busy, so I raced along the coast, admiring the ocean view as we went. A broomstick tour flew overhead and I waved out the window. We passed the spot for boat and kayak rentals, Balefire Beach, Mariner’s Landing, Fairy Cove, the Lighthouse, and the Whitethorn—so many places that made Starry Hollow special.
“Where’s the radio?” I asked. I panicked when I didn’t see any controls.
“That’s one of the magical parts,” Florian said proudly. “Just say the song you want—any song—and it will play.”
“Any song at all?” I queried.
“That’s right.”
Amazing. “Is there a Bluetooth button?” I asked, squinting at the screen.
“We use the Bluetooth Fairy here,” he said, and pointed to a button of a sparkling blue tooth on the screen. “It’s an old car, but completely restored.”
“Can you pair it with my phone?” I asked.
Florian grinned and snapped his fingers. “I’m not opposed to technology, but magic is much more efficient.”
“I need to make a quick call to Aster,” I said. “I just had a couple of ideas for the town slogan.”
“Great. What are they?” Florian asked.
“Come to Starry Hollow for all your magic moments,” I said. “Or, come to Starry Hollow and fall under its spell.”
He nodded. “I like both of those.”
Me, too. In fact, I could think of a dozen more. “I’ve even got one that might appeal to you.”
“Let’s hear it,” he said.
I smiled. “Come to Starry Hollow—where spells were made to be broken.”
Florian laughed. “You just might be onto something, Ember.” He pointed to the street sign. “Turn here. You can drive back into town and show off your wheels a little more.”
I glanced at the clock. “You know what? I’ll turn on Thistle Street. There’s somewhere I’d like to go.”
The truth was, there was only person I wanted to share my good fortune with, and she was due to leave school in ten minutes.
“Marley will love it,” he said, understanding.
She would. I turned on Thistle Street, and headed toward the middle school.
“Drive by The Cars,” I said loudly and clearly, and the soothing ballad began. I flashed Florian a bright smile.
Who’s going to drive me home tonight, the singer wanted to know. That was easy. I was.
Thank you for reading Magic & Mystery, the second book in the Starry Hollow Witches series. Reviews are helpful to an author, so please help spread the word on Amazon and Facebook, and keep an eye out for Magic & Mischief, the third book in the series.
Sign up for my newsletter here http://eepurl.com/ctYNzf and like me on Facebook so you can find out about new releases.
If you haven’t already read my Spellbound series, give Curse the Day a try!
Magic & Mystery (Starry Hollow Witches Book 2) Page 17