I felt like I was falling. I’d really truly lost my mind, probably for good this time.
Just before I spiraled completely, a memory of my father suddenly popped up into my mind’s eye—wild dirty-blond sticking out of his head like he’d been electrocuted,grinning at me with his huge banana-split smile that split his freckled white face in half.Sweet baby girl, nothing is ever lost when you’ve still got a smile on your face. If you always look on the bright side, the darkness will never take hold.
Dad, the eternal optimist. He was crazier than a bag full of snakes—the complete opposite to my prim, responsible, uptight mother, but he knew how to have a good time. I knew exactly what he’d say to me right now.Roll with it, darl. Have some fun.
He was right. I might have lost my marbles, but someone was bringing me a cup of coffee. It smelled delicious, too.
Fuck it. If I was going nuts, I might as well have fun with it.
“Oh, yes, of course.” I nodded at the horse graciously. “Please forgive me. It’s lovely to meet you, Cecil.”
He put his hoof on his chest. “She speaks! And she has remembered her manners.” Cecil bowed his long face. “Enchante, Chosen.”
I took a sip of coffee; the smooth, delicious brew rolled over my tongue—rich, luscious, dark nutty with hints of cocoa and berry. I sighed with pleasure. “This is exquisite.”
“I should hope so! I told them that only a double boiler three-group professional with no less than two steam wands would do.” He wrinkled his nose. “And they kept coming back with those… those… pod machines.” He shuddered. “What do they think we are? Savages?”
“Indeed,” I murmured, taking another sip. Yesterday I would have given my right eyeball for one of those pod machines.
“Do you know how hard it was to get those two meatheads to follow instructions?” He huffed out a breath of exasperation. “I don’t know how Prince Donovan puts up with them.”
I peered at him. “You sent Eryk and Nate out to steal me a coffee machine?”
“Please,” he sniffed. “They left gold coins. And it was the only thing I wanted for your new home that Violet couldn’t manifest. On that note.” He waved his hoof grandly. “What do you think of your new bedroom?”
I turned away from the sassy little pony and looked around, trying to keep my heart from thumping right out of my chest.
The room wasenormous. The threadbare gray carpet was gone. Instead, beautiful old, bleached wood floorboards flowed seamlessly under a thick beige rug. The walls—that gorgeous cream and duck-egg blue paper—perfectly complemented the four black-framed arched windows that looked out on the flowing skyline of San Francisco, right down to the water. Delicate antique tables were placed by the windows, with tasteful vases filled with orchids.
The end of the room used to be less than four feet of space where my multi-storage closet sat; it was the place where I stacked my wardrobe, my cleaning products, and literally everything else I owned. The far wall was now twenty feet away, and the closet had disappeared. Now, there was an open door. Beyond the door, I could see a walk-in dressing room, with a French-style vanity, soft lighting, and a large gilt-framed mirror.
I glanced down, overwhelmed, and saw that my bed was different, too. It was almost a replica of my old bed, in my old house—a super-king, with crisp white sheets and a fluffy cream-colored goose down comforter.
A lump rose in my throat. “It’s beautiful,” I whispered.
“Of course it is!” Cecil clomped towards me. “This is my talent! My magic. I find space, and I make it beautiful, tailored perfectly to my client’s desires.” He pursed his lips. “I must admit, I was quite worried when that brawny idiotNate dragged me out of the castle. I wasn’t sure what monster the Queen would be sending me to serve. But you, my dear…” He nodded graciously. “You have very good taste.”
I swallowed, trying to get rid of the lump. “Thank you.”
“Come.” Cecil stomped his hoof, reached out, and plucked the empty china cup out of my hands. “Get up. You must see the absolutegloryof the rest of the House.”
“The house?”
“House. With a capital H, my dear. Violet House has established herself in place on top of this dwelling like a fruit tree grafted on a useless, ugly base. I have been working all night! I have spared no ounce of magic! I am simply exhausted!”
I had no idea what he was talking about. “Oh, you’ve done the rest of the house, too? Okay.” I rolled out of bed, savoring the warm oak floorboards under my feet. A strange zing pulsed through me, rising from where my toes wiggled on the floor. It felt odd, but pleasant, like a perky little kid patting me, sayinggood morning! Good morning!
I stretched, pushing my arms up over my head. A silk robe dropped down from nowhere, slipping over my hands, draping over my shoulders, the cool fabric brushing my bare skin. “That’s a nice touch.”
“You're welcome. It wasn’t for your benefit, though. Prince Donovan has urgently requested your presence, and there’s no way anyone will be able to concentrate on anything with those enormous boobs thrust in their face.”
Cecil clip-clopped on his hind legs, dumped the china cup unceremoniously on the delicate side table by the window, and stomped out in front of me. “I have arranged your space so that your sleeping quarters are at the furthest end of the west wing, for privacy and comfort. Your bedroom opens out to this morning room.” He waved hisarms as we passed a wide room filled with plush lilac chaise lounges. Another row of arched windows flowed along one wall. The space was breathtakingly beautiful. Outside, I could see early morning sunshine twinkling off the water.
I grimaced. No matter what kind of delusions I was having, I should probably get ready to go to work soon. “What time is it?”
“Just past dawn, my dear. Now here, through the morning room, we come to the portrait gallery, where I have taken the liberty of hanging some of the most admirable men and women from your childhood memories.”
I looked up and saw dignified portraits of Tom Selleck as Magnum PI, Cher in a plunging gown, MacGyver holding a matchstick and a length of number eight wire, and the guy from Quantum Leap in his silver jumpsuit, ringed in blue flames.
