He took a deep breath before continuing. “I know that I went about this all wrong, and I should have told you from the beginning what was happening. I wish that I could have and that we could have started our marriage on a better footing, but I will never regret the fact that you are my wife and that you chose me, even if it may have seemed like you had no other choice.”
Beatrice opened her mouth, but he shook his head. “Let me finish, please. I know we don't know each other very well, but I would love to spend the rest of my life getting to know you more and spending the rest of my life with you, because I love you.”
Beatrice’s eyes widened. Had she heard him correctly? “You love me?” she squeaked, the words barely coming out.
“I love you,” he said again, reaching up to cup her cheek with his hand. “And I hope someday, you will love me, too.”
“But I already do,” Beatrice said, the words tumbling out so fast she wasn't sure he could understand them. “I love you, Alexander. I love the way you smile when you think I'm not looking, and the way you put up with Dietrich because I love him, and the way you care for Rose, and the way you care about your mother's books, and the way you love me. And I'll stop talking now,” she said, taking in the way he was leaning closer.
His thumb stroked her cheek, and she leaned into the palm of his hand, feeling, for the first time in her life, completely safe and loved. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, just taking in the moment and all its wonderfulness.
“I never imagined I would find someone like you,” Alexander said, and her eyes fluttered open as her husband kept talking. “But you have made me a better person. You helped me break my curse, and you stood firm even when there was danger. I’m so thankful that you did.”
He reached up and brushed an errant curl out of her face, tucking it behind her ear.
The movement brought him closer…or perhaps she was leaning closer…or maybe it was both of them. Either way, they were moving closer and closer to each other, as if drawn by magic, like two sparks of light that were meant to dance with each other forever and ever.
She reached for his shirt and pulled him closer as his hand tangled in her hair, and she tilted her face just right as he closed the distance between them.
It wasn’t unusual for Beatrice Dunham to think about what it would be like to be kissed, but it was unusual for her to have her whole world reduced to a single moment as her husband tenderly kissed her.
All time and space ceased to have meaning, and all that mattered was Alexander.
He pulled away, and she chased after him, resting her head against his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer until her whole side was pressed up against his, and she could feel his warmth and solid dependability. She knew without a doubt that her world would never be the same. Because he was hers and she was his. And nothing, not even magic, could come between them.
Epilogue
Dietrich
Dietrich stood in thedoorway and watched as Beatrice and her husband joined their guests in the library for a wedding reception, despite having defeated a sorcerer only the day before.
It was not a large wedding party, but everyone important was there. Jenkins and Mrs. Jenkins were there. Beatrice had insisted that they come, not in their official positions, but as Alexander's family. Guinevere was there, too, the maid staying out of the way with Rose.
Dietrich had already said hello to Sophia and her husband, Caspian. They had been on the verge of heading back to the capital city when the snowstorm hit. Beatrice had been so excited that her friend was able to come to the wedding, along with the rest of the Rendon family.
Thea had closed the Cozy Cat Café to be there, and Dietrich wasn’t sure if she would ever do so willingly again. She looked almost pained as she walked around the room, paying attention to the food more than the people.
Dietrich preferred to stay on the fringe and watch rather than be a part of the chaos unfolding in the library. But Beatrice found him and hurried up to him—at least, as much as her huge dress allowed.
“What are you doing?” she scolded. “Your mother is over there talking to Lord Rendon on her own. The least you can do is be with her, so she is less nervous.”
Dietrich allowed Beatrice to pull him toward his mother, who gave him a reproachful look. He joined her and Lord Rendon.
“Ah, Dietrich,” Lord Rendon said. “Have you heard yet if Duke Vaughn is coming back anytime soon?”
“I believe they are planning to come in a few months, my lord,” Dietrich said, bowing to Lord Rendon. He liked the lord, if only because he had taken in Sophia and seemed genuinely to love his daughter-in-law, despite the fact that she had started as their goat girl.
“I hope we will see them soon,” Lord Rendon said. “It’s been too long since they’ve visited for more than a brief stay.”
“Not since their daughter went missing,” his mother said sadly.
Dietrich tried not to think about it. “I’m sure the Duke and Duchess will be pleased to hear you are asking after them,” he said to Lord Rendon.
A girl he didn’t recognize stood on the edge of the room with a tray of food in her hand. “If you’ll excuse me,” Dietrich said, bowing and excusing himself to the edge of the room to join her.
“You look as if you need someone to keep you busy,” Dietrich said with a grin as he helped himself to a piece of freshly toasted bread with something on top of it. He wasn’t sure what it was, but he was willing to give it a try.
“I don’t know what I’m doing,” the girl confessed. “They hired me for the party, but I’ve never done this before.”
