“Ella, wake up.” Jarret nudged her again.
“What’s going on?” she mumbled as she opened her eyes, realizing she had fallen asleep. She sat up and wiped the sleep out of her eyes.
Jarret chuckled. “It’s almost time. I brought you some dinner.”
She took it from him, noticing that darkness had fallen. He wrapped a cloak around her shoulders as she took dug in. “Thanks,” she said between bites. He sat down next to her, staring off into the darkness. “Where is everyone?” she asked, noting the silence.
“Well.” Jarret leaned back against the rock. “Amaliea and Corlain went for a walk. Apparently, this is where Corlain proposed.”
Ella smiled. “That’s very romantic. I can’t quite picture it. They’re both so proper and formal.”
Jarret laughed. “I know. Anyway, they are off somewhere reliving a few memories and Madcap said something about the perfect show.” He shrugged.
“So it’s just me and you,” Ella hurried to finish her dinner.
“Mm hmm.” Jarret waited for her in silence, taking her plate and setting it aside when she was done. He grabbed her hand and pulled her up as he stood. “I thought I would take you to the perfect spot for watching the pixies.” He pulled her gently along the edge of the pool, around to the far side. He guided her carefully in the dark, pausing to help her over large rocks. He led her to a stone bench carved from a boulder. It was placed in an odd location, but when Ella sat she saw the edge of the moon peeking up above the trees. Gradually it rose over the treetops until it shone fully on the waterfall and pool beneath. Moonbows glistened in the spray, arcing out from the pool and up toward the top of the falls. Slowly little, colored lights appeared out over the water, twisting and turning in time to tinkling music that filled the air.
Ella smiled in wonder. Jarret stood and bowed, offering her a hand. She grinned, taking it, and he led her in a dance. His eyes twinkled as he stared down at her, moving her through the steps in time to the music. She felt a blush creep into her cheeks as he pulled her closer. Her breath hitched and large butterflies beat time to the music in her stomach.
“You are so beautiful,” Jarret murmured as they spun along the water’s edge.
She shook her head, smiling up at him. “You’re just being nice.”
His face grew serious as he held his arm out and spun her underneath. “No, Ella. You truly are beautiful.” He pulled her in close, slowing the dance until they stood swaying in place.
She hid her face in his chest, trying to conceal the sudden embarrassment his regard had caused her.
Jarret stopped dancing; he cupped her chin with his fingers and turned her face up to his. “Why are you hiding from me?” he asked.
Ella swallowed nervously, the blush on her cheeks deepening. She was suddenly grateful that it was dark outside. “I’m not hiding,” she whispered back, unable to make her voice work properly.
“Yes, you are,” he stated, moving closer to her, looking deeply into her eyes.
Ella swallowed again, turning her face away. “I’m not hiding from you,” she repeated.
He chuckled as he turned her face back toward his. He pulled her into a tight embrace, tracing the curves of cheek with one hand. Her breath hitched in her throat at the expression of longing in his eyes. She closed hers to try to calm her breathing as his hand caressed her face. He chuckled again, a deep rumbling sound. His lips brushed hers softly at first and then ardently. Her arms slowly slid around his neck as he kissed her.
“Don’t ever hide from me,” he whispered when he finished kissing her. “I just found you again. I couldn’t stand it if you hid from me.”
She slowly opened her eyes and stared at him in amazement. She could feel his heartbeat, and it matched her own. “Never,” she breathed as a smile spread across her face. The air filled with dancing pixies as the moon shone over the falls. She heard Madcap giggling in the distance as magic bloomed in the sky like fireworks, raining down in a shower of sparkles. Jarret returned her smile as he leaned in for another kiss.
“Ella,” he whispered as they pulled apart. “What is your happily ever after?”
She opened her eyes and looked deeply into his. “This is,” she breathed.
“Good.” He smiled. “I was hoping you would say that.”
“Can it be like this forever?” Ella wrapped her arms around his waist, and laid her head against his shoulder. The moment was perfect, and she realized as she held on to Jarret that she had loved him for a very long time, since they were children together. Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized that he felt the same. There had been so many moments when they were younger and over the last few weeks that had demonstrated how he felt.
“What do you mean?” He kissed her forehead gently.
“Jarret, how long have you known that you love me?” she asked quietly.
He chuckled. “Since your father died and I wasn’t allowed to see you anymore. Why?”
“Well.” She paused. “I know usually the boy asks the girl, but I was thinking….” She smiled up at him. “Maybe you would marry me and be part of my happily ever after.”
He grinned at her. “I can’t think of a better ending.” He kissed her again as glittering magic fell around them and pixies spun and twirled over the moonlit falls.
23 – HAPPILY EVER AFTER
Prince Charmaine held a ball and invited everyone in Kingdom. The castle, bedecked in spring flowers, candles, and crystals caused the guests to gape in wonder. Lords and Ladies, dressed in a rainbow of silks, fluttered around the ballroom, awaiting the arrival of the Prince and his party. Lady Ravenna waved her fan, batting her eyes at a passing Duke and watching as her two daughters mingled with visiting royalty. At least her disgraceful stepdaughter wouldn’t be attending this ball.
A fanfare blew, announcing the arrival of the Prince, and the crowd parted to allow the royal party access to the throne at the far side of the spacious ballroom. Large gilt doors opened to reveal Prince Charmaine and a beautiful blonde woman.
“Prince Charmaine de Sauveterre and the Lady Evangeline Leclair,” the herald announced to the crowd.
The couple descended the stairs and waited as the herald announced the next couple in the party.
“Lord Jarret Leandres and Lady Ella Winslow,” he stated as the pair emerged from the dim hallway and into the brightly lit ballroom.
Lady Ravenna gasped, her eyes widening in horror as she watched her stepdaughter descending the stairs on the arm of the handsome Lord. She swallowed nervously as she watched the two couples walk slowly down the aisle, nodding as the Lords and Ladies curtsied and bowed. Ravenna shuddered knowing that Ella’s revenge would be uncomfortable.
As Ella passed, she caught her stepmother’s eye and smiled as Lady Ravenna bent her knee. Lady Ravenna felt like she was going to be sick. Ella had gained the favor of the Prince and one of the wealthiest families in the Kingdom. Once the royals had passed, Lady Ravenna grabbed her daughters and made a hasty exit, missing the announcement of a double wedding and the celebration that followed.
***
Ella watched as her stepmother and stepsisters hurriedly left. She sighed; her happily ever after did not include her step family. Jarret pulled her out on to the dance floor, smiling at her as he waited for the music to start.
“What’s wrong my sweet Ella?” he asked as the music began, then bowed in response to her curtsy.
“Did you see my stepmother?” she murmured sadly.
He cleared his throat in amusement, a small smile curling his lips. “Of course. She looked a little pale and slightly green.”
Ella rolled her eyes. “Jarret,” she chided. “She looked like she saw a ghost.”
“Good,” he stated emphatically. “Just wait until she hears about the estate.”
Ella furrowed her brow in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“My father is in possession of your father’s will. Once you are married, all of his land is yours.�
�� He grinned at her.
“How did Alastair get my father’s will?” she asked as he turned her under his arm.
“Your father did not trust your stepmother to carry out his wishes when it came to your inheritance. So he gave his will to my father for safe-keeping.” He pulled her back and lifted her in the air, then set her down on the other side.
“So that’s why she made me a servant,” Ella mused, taking his proffered hand. He led her down the ranks of dancers. “She didn’t want me to get married.”
He laughed. “I guess it didn’t work, did it?”
Ella giggled as they reached the end and took their places in the twin lines opposite each other, “No. Now I know why she was so angry when she saw me with the Prince at the ball. She was afraid I would get married and boot her out.”
Jarret smiled at her as he flourished a bow. “Will you?”
“Will I what?” she asked as she curtsied in response, signaling the end of the dance.
“Boot her out?” He laughed as he led her away from the dance floor.
Ella shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I need to speak with her and see if she is willing to make amends for how she treated me.”
“Even if she apologizes, she won’t be invited to the wedding,” Jarret grumbled.
Ella tapped his shoulder lightly with her fan, suppressing a laugh. “Jarret Germond Alastair Leandres.” She grinned at him. “I will invite whomever I want to our wedding.”
He flinched as she used his full name. “Yes dearest. Whatever you say.” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it, his eyes dancing in amusement. “Here’s to our happily ever after.”
Ella laughed, savoring the moment as she teased her fiancé.
EPILOGUE
Ella did not have to remove Lady Ravenna from her land. As soon as word of Ella’s upcoming nuptials reached her stepmother, she and her daughters left taking only their clothes and the few items they had bought over the years. The servants told Ella they thought Lady Ravenna was afraid that Ella would accuse her of theft and with Ella’s connections to the crown those accusations might stick. Alastair presented her with the deed to her father’s property as well as a large dowry and significant inheritance. His wise investing of her father’s portion of the profits from their business meant that Ella was quite wealthy and able to repair the estate, bringing it back from the woeful state in which her stepmother had left it.
They held the wedding at the castle; every noble in the Kingdom and a few from out of town attended. Jarret and Evangeline could not agree on who would get married first, so Prince Charmaine declared their bet forfeit. Jarret gave up his southern vineyard, and Evangeline handed over her prized racehorse. Ella was resplendent in her silk gown – Jarret couldn’t stop staring at her with a goofy grin that mirrored the one on Prince Charmaine’s face when he looked at Evangeline. The Kingdom celebrated for a full week after their Prince was married and the happy couple attendedgalas and celebrations across the land. Ella and Jarret snuck off for a quiet honeymoon, fulfilling Jarret’s promise to show her the world as they traveled the Kingdoms in search of new adventures.
Violet retired her wand, swearing never to grant another wish for as long as she lived. As part of her punishment for disobeying, Rose made her work with Alastair to repair the damages from other wishes gone awry. It took a few years, but eventually she came to understand the importance of being careful when granting a wish.
Alastair agreed to Rose’s proposal and turned over the family business to Jarret and Ella when they returned from their many explorations. He retired to teach with Rose at the Fairy Godmother Training & Prep Academy.
Madcap did find other ogres in his travels and successfully introduced them to Grunda. It was a match made in heaven.
And.... They all lived happily ever after, which is how all fairy tales should end.
The End
sneak peak
The Snow White Files
Brendan Hunter is a private investigator, stuck on dead end cases until seven dwarves show up in his office and offer him a king’s ransom to track down a missing girl. Their description of Lily Whitaker sparks his imagination leading him into the dark world of twisted fairytales…
Seven dwarves dressed in dusty work clothes dodging traffic. They ignore the blare of car horns as they cross the street against the light. One offers a rude hand gesture to a taxi driver, who hangs his head out of his window to yell. They’re probably headed to the claims office two doors down from mine.
The sight of the dwarves outside my grimy window is more interesting than the pile of unsolved cases sitting in a heap on my desk. Garbage, nothing noteworthy. Just the same boring cases--locate a cheating spouse, dig up dirt on a rival, or track down a long lost lover. The staple of my career. They pay the bills. Barely.
The newspaper on the edge of the desk catches my attention.
“Marcus Hunter supports Magnus Albright in his re-election bid!”
Underneath the headline, the picture shows my father with his perfect smile shaking hands with the most powerful dwarf in the city. I crumple the paper and toss it into the waste bin.
Angry voices and heavy footsteps from the reception area draw my attention.
“You can’t just go in there. Mr. Hunter is a very busy man,” Stasia says. Her silhouette presses against the frosted glass of my door.
“If you’ll have a seat, I’ll see if he’s available—”
A gruff voice rides over her. “I don’t have time for this. I must to speak to your boss. Get out of the way so I don’t hurt you.”
Like that would ever happen. Stasia is quite capable of defending herself, but I don’t need the trouble caused by her attacking a potential client. She might be an office fashionista, but she’s also a kick-butt martial artist. It wouldn’t be the first time she’s tossed someone out.
Pulling the door open causes Stasia to stumble into me, and I grab her to keep her from falling. She throws me a dirty look before straightening up and brushing a hand over her skirt.
Seven dwarves fill the tiny reception area, their beards bristling and their arms folded.
“The claims office is two doors down,” I say.
“We aren’t here for the claims office. We’re here for you,” the oldest of the dwarves says.
A sneaking suspicion I’m about to step into a whole pile of trouble settles in my gut as recognition hits. The dwarf is Magnus Albright, head of the Dragon Conclave.
“Please have a seat, Mr. Albright.” I ignore Stasia’s sharp inhalation. “I’ll be with you in a minute. I need to have a quick word with my assistant.”
He nods and motions to his companions. They take seats as I pull Stasia into my office and close the door. Leaning against the wall, I inhale deeply and cast a spell against eavesdropping. Can’t have the most powerful earth mage in the Kingdom listening in on my conversation.
“What’s the scoop?” I ask.
She sits on the edge of my desk, crossing her feet at the ankles.
“Not sure. They barged in and started making demands.” Sunlight streams through the window, catching the caramel highlights in her brown, wavy hair. It’s tucked up into a messy bun, held in place by chopstick, which serve as both a fashion accessory and weapon.
“What is my father getting me into?” I ask.
“What are you talking about?” She arches a perfect eyebrow.
Crossing to the waste basket, I pull out the paper and toss it to her. “I assume you read the headlines when you bought the paper.”
“Of course.” She opens the paper up and stares at the picture on the front. “Oh.”
“Here’s what we’re gonna do. You’re going to send Magnus in. While I’m talking to him, I want you to chat up the other six. Something hinky is going on.”
“Hinky? Seriously, Brendan?” She gives me a serene smile. “I’ll see what I can dig up. Be careful. It’s bad business to piss off the Dragon Conclave and don’t even get me started on dwarv
es.”
“I know. The last guy that messed with them ended up at the bottom of a mine shaft.” Sitting back at my desk, I wave her off. “Let’s get this over with.”
She winks at me before pulling the door open. “Mr. Albright? He’s ready for you.”
A moment later, Magnus Albright enters my office. Power radiates from him, along with the steady thrum of magic. The scent of fresh tilled dirt and summer rain tickles my nose. He’s an earth mage and a strong one. This dwarf could tear down a mountain and put it back together without breaking a sweat.
I extend my hand across the desk to shake his. “Mr. Albright, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Ah, Mr. Hunter, I hear good things about you. And please, call me Magnus.”
“Brendan,” I reply.
He sits in the chair across from me; his feet dangle a foot from the floor. He’s polite for a dwarf, which surprises me.
“What brings the most powerful dwarf in the city to my office?” I ask, leaning back in my chair and steepling my fingers in front of my face.
He smiles which pulls at the scar running from the corner of his eye and disappears under the full salt and pepper beard covering his face.
“I hear you’re the best private investigator money can buy.”
“Let me guess, my father told you that.” My foot taps underneath my desk. I force myself to be still. No need to show him how much my father’s interference bothers me.
“Yes. He said you could be discreet.”
“What do you need a P.I. for?”
He strokes a hand over his beard, eyes narrowed as he watches me. “We need you to find a girl.”
A long silence fills the room. The sound of chatter from Stasia drifts in through the door followed by rumbling responses from the other dwarves. I wait. Magnus watches and continues stroking his beard.
“You have to give me more than that. I can find whole rooms full of girls. But to find a particular girl, I need specific details,” I prompt.
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