by Laura Kenyon
* * *
“Well if it isn’t our favorite daughter-in-law!” Aaron’s mother exclaimed, bestowing upon Cindy her usual double-cheek air kiss and clogging the air with the smell of liquefied potpourri. “Looking at you in that dress, I feel like I’ve gone ten years back in time,” she said, ogling the layers of gold and silver chiffon that had started it all. “You really haven’t changed a bit. The castle looks absolutely stunning as well. Honestly, I hardly recognize the place. Why, when we pulled up I thought our driver had taken a wrong turn or—”
“Always the exaggerator,” Aaron’s father chimed in with a condescending grin. “The landscapers have done a wonderful job with the grounds,” he said, “but I can’t imagine not recognizing the place in which we lived for fifty years.”
“I was being colorful, Patrick,” his wife snapped. “You know, there are at least sixteen bars in here. I suggest you hit one.”
Patrick laughed. “You hear that? ‘Hit.’ Nine years in retirement and the former matriarch of Carpale tells me to ‘hit’ a bar.”
Aaron remained dutifully stoic, but Cindy couldn’t suppress her smirk. After drinking mojitos in paradise for nearly a decade, Aaron’s father still spoke, acted, and dressed like a king. While his wife looked loose and sprightly for Cindy’s celebration, he was entirely buttoned up in a ceremonial uniform complete with shoulder braiding, regalia, and posture that would shame a flagpole.
“We’re both so happy to see you,” Aaron said, sliding his arm around Cindy’s waist and drawing her close. She stiffened like a dead cat—not because she didn’t want him to touch her, but because Grace had just barely managed to close the zipper that had already ripped once. She didn’t want any surprises before her big surprise. “I’m sure it’s hard leaving the luxury of a normal life to come back here.”
“Please,” his mother answered. “Thank you for taking the weight from us. Thank goodness Marestam isn’t one of those awful realms that make their monarchs rule until they die. We’ve met so many poor folks from overseas and—”
“All right, dear,” Patrick interrupted, pinching her shoulders and stage-whispering to his son. “If she gets started on this, you’ll never get on with the evening. And it looks like the receiving line is getting rather long.” Behind them, a glittery road of couples snaked down the carpet and out the ballroom door. “Now, I’d like a glass of wine. After all, we’ll have three days to catch up before we head back.”
More like three hours, Cindy thought as her in-laws strolled away, barely making it ten feet before a star-struck couple intercepted them. So much for that “normal” life—and the wine.
As the receiving line writhed forward and each guest blended in with the next, Cindy imagined how wonderful an ordinary life would be. She pictured herself throwing parties in her modest house, greeting people clumsily and gleefully at the door with a hot-from-the-oven crab dip—not waiting for guests to pay her homage before having any fun.
“Aaron,” she heard the Prime Minister say. “So good to see you enjoying yourself for a change. A hard worker, this one.” Cindy nodded and smiled at Angus Kane and his pinched, beady-eyed wife. He was a tall man, not particularly attractive, who tried to hide his boniness with long frock coats in bold colors like amethyst and emerald green. He must have thought this gave him the illusion of girth. Cindy thought it made him look like an overpaid jester.
“I mean it,” he was saying, going on about her husband’s tremendous—but entirely unnecessary—work ethic. “The way the other crowns flout about in front of the cameras, completely oblivious to what’s going on with Parliament or even their own councils, it’s a real tribute to you that the people still believe in the monarchies. Without you two, we’d be a republic for sure.”
Aaron tipped his chin back and laughed. “I’ll bet you’d like that.”
“Not at all, my boy. Not at all. I rather enjoy being in the shadows.” Angus patted Aaron’s shoulder. “Now Cinderella, my dear. A little background for when you open our gift. I’m sure you have so many digital whoosits nowadays that there’s little need for a genuine watch anymore, but this one is inlaid with a special stone unearthed from the ancient ruins in Ellada.” He flashed a wink at Aaron.
Ellada? Cindy fell deeper into her reverie at the mention of the number one destination on her list. With its ancient temples, turquoise waters, and sculptures older than she could possibly imagine, it was the one place her father promised to take her someday.
“Well, I assure you I’ll wear it—”
“Sorta poetic, don’t you think?” Rapunzel’s voice—and her hair, streaked with every color of the rainbow—commandeered everyone’s attention.
Angus’s wife gasped and tugged him away from the promiscuous socialite. Angus gave an irritated nod and followed.
“Something I said?” Rapunzel asked while Aaron stared, astounded, at her hair.
“Couldn’t decide on one color, huh?” he asked.
Rapunzel returned his sparkling smile with an unusually unkind sneer.
“Well, we think our Cindy should have the whole rainbow!” Belle cooed, saving the moment and bubbling over with energy. “On Rapunzel’s head, anyway.”
“Very thoughtful,” murmured Aaron, unsure what he’d done to anger his wife’s most entertaining friend.
“What did you say was poetic, Pun?” Cindy asked. “The rainbow thing?”
Rapunzel bit her lip in thought. “I meant your dress, but that works too. Anyway, we won’t keep you. This line is long as hell and I spy a crowd of handsome bachelors over by the sushi.”
“How do you know they’re bachelors?” Belle whispered.
Cindy smiled and gave them each a hug. “We’ll talk later.”
“Oh yes we will,” Rapunzel rasped into her ear. “You let me know if you need any help.”
“Yeah,” Belle added, blissfully unaware of what Rapunzel meant. “And I have to tell you about the inn I’m going to buy.” Cindy smiled and nodded. By the time she processed this last statement, however, Belle was out of earshot.
“I hope I didn’t offend anyone,” Aaron whispered. “I love how Rapunzel changes her look all the time.”
“It’s fine,” Cindy replied, giving him a stiff pat and immediately turning back to their guests. She immediately wanted to apologize—for being cold just then, for never fully appreciating what they had, for dwelling on everything she hadn’t done with her life rather than on all the wonderful things she had, and possibly for pushing the world’s most loyal and wonderful and honorable man into the arms of another woman. But instead, she smiled at the next set of pilgrims.
“Oh, now what?” Aaron groaned under his breath as a commotion broke out towards the back of the line and began snaking closer, then closer, then—
“Hello my lovelies!” Ruby Welles popped out from between a man and woman patiently waiting their turn. “What? You don’t think these good people want their favorite fairy to dawdle in line, do you?” She grabbed Cindy’s hands and extended both their arms so she could get a good look. “Simply gorgeous. Isn’t she gorgeous?”
Aaron nodded. “She was gorgeous even in rags.”
“Aww.” Ruby cupped the King’s jaw in her pudgy fingers and squeezed. “Is he not the sweetest thing ever?”
Cindy ignored Aaron’s mortified look as Ruby released his face and sneezed into her elbow.
“Still working on that cold, huh?”
“It’ll pass,” Ruby said before inhaling a bucket of air and smoothing her chest. “But Cinderella! Where are your glass slippers?”
Cindy’s stomach churned. The glass slippers Ruby concocted on the night of Aaron’s ball were the most uncomfortable, impractical, terrifying things she’d ever worn in her life—even worse than four-inch spike heels, fishnet stockings, and strapless bras. In fact, they were one of many things about her “fairy tale” night that were absolutely awful—though she’d never dared say this to Ruby. Sure, it had worked out fine. But Ruby’s powers sure w
ere rusty back then. Seriously. A pumpkin coach? Mice horses? Lizard footmen? Cindy had been ecstatic when she saw that the valet line was so long, it made more sense for her to get out in the back and walk to the grand staircase (even though it did hurt like hell). If anyone had seen her whiskered horses and scaly footmen, she feared she’d be banned from going within a hundred yards of the castle walls—or even exiled from Carpale completely. And to top it off, she reeked of pumpkin; thank goodness it was Aaron’s favorite flavor.
“I would have loved to wear the glass slippers,” Cindy stammered as Ruby pulled her wand from her tiny purse and began to extend it to full size. “But … well, they’re so entrenched in Marestam history that I couldn’t bear the thought of possibly wrecking them tonight, and—”
Ruby’s palm shot up and hovered an inch from Cindy’s chin. “Say no more. Once again, your fairy godmother to the rescue.”
Cindy opened her mouth in protest, but before she could even utter a squeak, Ruby’s wand was sparkling and her lips were moving. She reached for Aaron in an attempt to escape, but it was too late. With one tap, she sprung up three inches and suddenly felt like her feet were balancing on razor blades.
“Don’t worry,” Ruby said. “They’re just replicas, but no one will be able to tell the difference. Now I’ll let you get on with the night but …” Ruby’s face hardened as she clutched Cindy’s arm and pulled her out of Aaron’s earshot. “It is imperative that you do not do anything to endanger your marriage tonight. The damage done by Belle and Donner is enough, and I’m still trying to contain it. You may think that because I have a personal interest in this I’m making it up, but the consequences—”
Not eager to hear any more about the world exploding if any “happily ever after” went wrong, Cindy gave Ruby an exaggerated hug and promised to catch up later in the evening. Then she hurried her out of the way.
Finally, when the receiving line came to an end, Cindy hobbled into the hallway to apply bandages to her aching feet and switch shoes. She then ordered the wait staff to make sure Ruby had a constant flow of drinks so she wouldn’t notice the change. When she returned to the ballroom, a plate of broiled salmon and pumpkin tortellini was sitting on her placemat.
“I would have told them to wait,” said Aaron, grabbing his fork in ravenous fashion, “but I thought you were just going to the bathroom.”
“I had to take off those horrible shoes. There’s a reason I left the real ones upstairs,” she moaned, shaving the broccoli and scooping up a portion of fish that would barely satisfy an ant.
Aaron’s eyebrows narrowed. “Please tell me this crazy diet of yours ends after tonight. In all honesty, I’d be a failure as a husband if you looked the same now as you did when you were sleeping in a crawlspace.” Cindy stopped chewing. Aaron stared into her eyes. “You look absolutely beautiful, by the way. You always do.”
The butterflies in her stomach betrayed her. Why couldn’t he have been like Donner? Why couldn’t he have been an arrogant, blatant asshole whose infidelity would surprise no one but the wife who’d ignored it? Aaron waited more than a minute for her to acknowledge the compliment. Then he focused on his meal. When it was fully inhaled, he moved his napkin to the table and shrugged.
“Well, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a date with the men’s room.” He slid back his chair and leaned over to kiss her cheek. Driven by some animal urge and the knowledge that the next time they met they wouldn’t even be friends, Cindy turned her head abruptly and caught his lips with hers. Her hands flew up, pressing over his ears and calming his initial shock. It would be her last kiss with her one true love. If only she could somehow let him know that he should savor it.
“What was that for?” he asked upon release. His lips were puffy and red, but she hadn’t seen him look so excited in months.
Cindy shrugged and looked him square in the eyes. “I just … I love you.”
“I know that,” he laughed, snatching one more peck and hopping up toward the hallway.
* * *
Cindy didn’t follow right away (lest the Mirror report something about a sex-starved queen following her husband into the men’s room for a quickie). Instead, she waited for Rapunzel to drag Aaron’s parents into a post-dinner conga line.
As she crept down the hallway and out into the courtyard, the boisterous music faded into muffled, cacophonous swells. The unusually cool night air gave her goose bumps. She crept down the far side of a hedge that ran up to the fountain. The clouds were too dense to let in much moonlight, but as Cindy got closer, she heard two voices.
“So what do you think?”
She stopped dead in her tracks. The voice was female, and directly on the other side of the hedge. It had to be Kimberly Epson.
“Truly amazing,” Aaron said. “You were absolutely the right choice.”
Cindy’s teeth ground together as she struggled to see through the dense leaves. She wanted to gag. Or scream. Then she heard a whoosh of breath. A sigh of relief, almost.
“Ah, you have no idea how happy I am to hear that,” Kim said. “I’ve hardly slept a wink, I’ve been so obsessed with getting this party right. It could be huge for me.”
“I have no doubt it will be,” said Aaron. “Your life is going to change drastically after tonight. Yours and Jasper’s. Now come on. I can’t wait a moment longer.”
The whole garden was spinning. Kim’s life was going to change tonight? And Jasper’s? A surge of panic careened through her. Maybe she wasn’t the only one planning to take the first swing. Maybe Aaron was planning on trading wives tonight—in public. Maybe he had a statue of his own.
“Do you think she knows about any of it?”
Aaron’s laugh dug into Cindy’s gut and scooped out her heart. He always did have a wonderful laugh. “I certainly hope not. If she did, she’d be acting a heck of a lot nicer to me.”
Nicer to him?
“Oh, she will.” Next came the sound of rustling, a zipper, and the pop of a lid. “I’m sorry it’s so last minute, but I wanted it polished to a sparkle. As much as I love planning parties, I want these to be the primary focus of Always and Forever. But just to see my work hanging around Cinderella’s neck is a dream come true. Thank you again for giving me the opportunity.”
Aaron made a popping sound with his mouth. He did this when he was being humble. “She’s going to adore it. But I should be thanking you for letting me get in on the ground floor. I trust you got my first investment?”
There was silence, and then a quiet murmur. Somehow Kimberly had “misplaced the check.” She swore it had been in her kitchen a week ago. Cindy felt the fire that had been raging inside her chest freeze and shatter, sending debris ricocheting down into her gut.
“I’ll call the bank and send another,” Aaron said. “Double this time. Now that I’ve seen you in action, I can’t imagine Always and Forever not becoming the toast of Marestam. Oh, and tell your nephew to check the mail for those broomball tickets I promised. He can tell me all about the game when we return from Ellada.”
Cindy’s heart skipped a beat. No. Two beats. She clutched her chest. He was taking her to Ellada? Were they finishing their honeymoon? She shook her head. Let’s not get carried away, Cindy. But Ellada!
Within seconds, she was sprinting back down the hallway, bouncing off her toes to get back to the ballroom before Aaron. She’d have to pretend to be completely surprised. She practiced a few looks as she scurried. Raised eyebrows. Dropped jaw. Humble yet elated smile. She was going to Ellada! With her husband! Her husband who wasn’t a lying, cheating bastard after all!
Slamming through the ballroom door with her entire body, Cindy immediately slowed to a crawl and straightened the crown she only wore on very official occasions. Rapunzel appeared the moment she plopped down.
“What happened? Are you okay? Did you already tell him off or are you going through with the plan?”
Delirious as a woman in love for the first time, Cindy lifted a pair of glassy eyes t
o her friend and smiled. “We were wrong,” she sang.
Rapunzel’s jaw fell. “What do you mean we—”
“That woman was making a necklace. For me! I think she helped Aaron plan this whole party. And that check was for her business! And Aaron’s taking me to Ellada! And that boy is her nephew, not her son!”
Rapunzel gripped her friend’s shoulder hard, as if trying to stay upright. It was a bit of information overload. “Are you sure?” Their noses practically touched as she searched Cindy’s eyes for signs of madness. “Are you absolutely sure the woman you just heard was Kimberly Epson? Because don’t forget, she still had Donner’s ring. I told you what that means. She’s obviously not a saint.”
“I know.” Cindy’s voice was barely audible. “I thought about that and I think we should keep that between us. The way Donner left the other night, I highly doubt Belle is going to need those details to get a fair settlement. And if she does, she can just ask Eth—”
Rapunzel threw her hand up to protest the name.
“Sorry. If she needs to know where it came from, she knows who she can ask. But there’s no point in upsetting her more. Plus, now that we know Aaron’s innocent …”
“Yeah.” Rapunzel sighed. “So all that worry was for nothing, like I predicted in the beginning. At least you got your adventure.”
“What do you mean?”
“Breaking and entering, jumping out a window, spying, wearing an illegal magical disguise. I think your teenage ghost would call that an adventure.”
“Huh,” she said. Rapunzel actually had a point. As horrible as the past few weeks had been, Cindy couldn’t complain about being bored. Do something dangerous? Check. Travel the world? In fulfillment. Create a masterpiece? Shit.
The tapping of a microphone brought all the chatter and glass clinking to a halt. The dance floor in front of them cleared of any stragglers as Aaron strolled to the center. He held a velvet jewelry box and a massive grin. He was going to present the sculpture … the nude sculpture of him looking like a haughty philanderer with a huge—well, technically tiny—defect.