Page 99 of This Is Not True Love’s Kiss

“Not entirely,” Ronan said. “Many fled into hiding, no doubt to regroup. But we were able to capture many of them, take the magic they’d stolen back.”

Leena nodded in confirmation. “Many of my rebel members are returning the magic to the cities it was stolen from.”

I blinked back tears, and Aoife squeezed my arm.

“Does this mean we’re safe?” someone behind me asked. “The brotherhood isn’t after us anymore?”

The man with black hair shook his head. “I don’t think anyone can guarantee that. What it does mean is that we realized the power we have when we come together as a continent. We might all have different languages, cultures, beliefs, but we also have power in numbers, power to bring those down who would destroy us with their greed.”

The woman with the black crown smiled. “We came in the hope that Fairwitch Isle will join a new organization, one where every part of Aubergn is represented. We hoped to have our first meeting here. There is clearly much to discuss.” She eyed the Fair Folk meaningfully.

“I’m sorry you thought I betrayed you,” Ronan said. “Truthfully, I didn’t think you’d ever let me go if I told you my plan. I know how protective you are of Fairwitch Isle, but I also know how much damage and pain the brotherhood has caused everyone. If there was one thing that could band this entire continent together, it would be them. There just needed to be someone to do it.”

I clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Thank you,” I said, mind still spinning with all of this information. I addressed the figures on horseback, all these leaders who had come so far to show us we weren’t alone. “Thank you to everyone for coming to our aid, for showing us the meaning of community.” I looked at Aoife, and she smiled at me. “That we aren’t alone. We do have much to discuss, and we will, but first we shall celebrate.”

CHAPTER 54

Castle

Castle knew it had made the right choice. It had doubted for a short amount of time, but in the end, it had been right. Aoife and Lorcan were the perfect match. It had been true love’s kiss after all.

And it was about time.

They’d had a rough start. The first two years of their marriage had been nothing but strife and tension. Then they’d finally fallen for each other and they had to contend with a possible war, potential enslavement, and probable death for many of their people.

All of that had been avoided, in the end. Castle was usually good at predicting things, but even it hadn’t predicted that. Castle no longer had to use its magic to protect Fairwitch Isle. No more barriers or invisibility. They were free. And they had allies. Castle was particularly excited about that part. It couldn’t wait to meet other rulers, to see merchants and visitors from all over.

“I want to surprise her.” Lorcan’s voice interrupted Castle’s thoughts. He paced back and forth in front of his brothers at their weekly card game in the parlor, all of them seated at the round table. “But I don’t know what I can surprise her with.”

“Jewelry?” Cillian suggested.

Lor waved away the youngest Wolfgang brother’s words. “She doesn’t wear jewelry.”

“Maybe a picnic?” Nevan suggested.

“Too simple.”

Wolfe laid down his cards and crossed his arms, clearly giving up on the card game in front of them. “You’re already making plans to completely shift Castle around from top to bottom.”

Castle was excited about this. It liked the idea of a fresh start after so long feeling like something that would always be Fairwitch’s creation and nothing else. Now Castle could become something new, something on its own. It wasn’t sure why it had never thought about this before, but it was a good idea, and it was currently working on a new layout.

“Are we getting back to the card game anytime soon?” Wolfe asked. All the brothers looked at him, and he held up his hands. “Just a question,” he murmured.

“I want to show her that this is a new beginning for us,” Lor said, stroking his stubbled jaw. “There has to be something I can do. A grand romantic gesture.”

“You’ve been married for over two years.” Nevan leaned back in his chair. “I don’t think she’s expecting anything like that.”

“Wow, Enid is a lucky woman,” Cillian mumbled, and Nevan kicked him under the table.

“I still make many grand gestures for my wife,” Nevan said. “But you’re right. I’m the lucky one. Not her.”

Nevan was being modest. Enid and him were both lucky and still very much in love. All the Wolfgang brothers were. And Nevan was right. Lorcan didn’t have to make any grand gestures for his wife.

Aoife had fallen in love with her husband so deeply, even Castle had been surprised. It knew they were perfect for each other, but it hadn’t known how drastically Aoife’s feelings would change. She loved Lor to the very depths of his soul. He didn’t need to do anything for her. She already had everything she could want from her husband.

But as much as Aoife loved Lor, Lor loved her more, and in the end, that was why he wanted to do this. To do something special for her.

“I’m out of ideas,” Cillian said.