by L M Wilson
◆◆◆
A quick trip to a second-hand car dealer and I’m on the road and heading back to the castle. The long drive gives me plenty of time to think about what I’m going to say and how I’m going to tell Lathum that I’ve fallen for him, because I’m almost positive that’s what I’ve been feeling these last few weeks.
◆◆◆
I’m just pulling up in his driveway when I see him standing outside the house, the sun just starting to set. My stomach drops as he takes another step out into the last rays of the sun. “Lathum!” I yell, jumping out of the car. He looks across the yard to where I’m standing but just smiles sadly.
“I never thought I’d be hallucinating before I even begin to die.”
“You’re not hallucinating Lath, I’m right here.” I call back as I start to run across the grass towards him. “Go back inside, please.”
“This is for the best. If you were real, I’d probably just screw up what I want to say anyway. Hell, I don’t understand why it’s so hard to just say that I’m in love with you.”
I skid to a stop, my mouth hanging open. He loves me? He loves me!
The world around us turns to shadows as the sun disappears over the horizon. Both Lath and I stare at the spot it vanished. I close my eyes and cover my ears, not wanting to hear the screams as he succumbs to the curse.
Only the screams don’t come.
Lathum’s arms wrap around me as he laughs. “Love!” He practically shouts. “It’s always love.” He spins me around, then seals his lips to mine. “I love you Briar Rose Belladonna.”
With tears in my eyes, I kiss him back. “I love you too Lathum.” I whisper when the kiss finally ends.
◆◆◆
Epilogue: Narrator
Lathum and Briar eventually got married, but not before they restored the castle to its former glory. They filled two of the rooms with babies, a boy named Eric and a little girl named Bella. The rest they rented out to tourists who came to view the famous castle from the book Beauty and the Curse. Written by the original Rose Belladonna.
Lathum and Briar’s love may have broken the curse, but it was their devotion to seeing things through to the end that gave them their happily ever after.
◆◆◆