MILA When I arrived in the royal kitchens, I was surprised to see my ingredients all laid out for me already–I simply needed to assemble the pies and zest the prickly pears. I decided the best thing I could do was focus on my work, and not try to freak out about why Felix could possibly be summoni
MILA The castle doctor bandaged up my hand just fine. The ointment he applied was soothing, and I felt better already. Even though there was still a stinging sensation, the doctor assured me I would be cleared to cook the next day. There was a knock on the infirmary door, and Felix and Isabella
MILA Isabella leaned against a pillar. Even her nightclothes were elegant and expensive. It was a shame her face was always so pinched and angry. “Sneaking into the Prince’s room?” she asked while raising an eyebrow. My face flushed, but I said nothing. “He’s not even in there,” Isabella conti
FELIX After the incident in the dining hall this morning, I sent Joseph to Samara’s Place to do some investigating. Was Samara aware that her latest hire was using a different name than what was on her passport? It turns out, all of my suspicions were correct. Miya was Mila, from America. The ve
MILA I barely slept that night. I tossed and turned in that little bed, hyper-aware of Fiona sleeping soundly a few feet away. I knew she didn’t buy my story about going for a walk, but I knew better than to pick a fight with her. I already had enough enemies as it was with Lady Isabella. And
“I don’t know if I can do this,” I whispered. “You can,” she promised, giving my shoulder a squeeze before sending me out. I made my way into the formal dining hall, acutely aware of all the eyes on me. “Miya!” Felix smiled warmly as I entered the room. “Miya is here to introduce the dessert,
MILA Nerves flooded my body. I had come so far, only for my cover to be blown by this supreme jerk. It felt like I was back in the restaurant all those years ago, his grip on me never loosening. “It’s Miya,” I said quickly. “I wear a mask due to a facial injury. I don’t believe we’ve met, sir. B
MILA The necklace was now out of my possession. It was all up to Felix now to find it and call off the search. I was just grateful no one had seen me–there would have been a lot of explaining to do if I was caught messing around with the Prince’s belongings. I felt as though a weight had been li
MILAOur baby boy, Samuel, was born in April, a few days after Felix’s 31st birthday. He was named for the first King of Fresonia and to commemorate the love that had brought his parents together. As the future King of Fresonia, he had an official naming ceremony in front of the entire kingdom, and
CHARLESLife in exile was surprisingly calm.Despite our conversation before being sent to this remote island, I’d had a harder time adjusting to a relationship with Isabella than I once thought. Perhaps it was the sadness I felt at being away from my home kingdom, or maybe I did not like the vulner
FELIXWhen I was growing up, I never imagined that I would enjoy being King.The whole thing looked dreadfully boring to a young boy. Although I knew I was the heir to the throne and would someday take over for my father, I always had far more interest in hanging out with Ignatius and running around
MILAThe last few weeks had been a blur. Meetings, ribbon cuttings, speeches. I spent countless hours in the countryside of Fresonia helping to relocate people who had been displaced by either the war or the dissolution with Abernathy. I cooked meals for homeless shelters and taught magic to young c
FELIXThe King of Abernathy had been placed in a highly-protected magical prison deep in the Dragon’s Teeth mountains, locked away with no hope of escape. His advisors and various family members were locked away with him, all facing sentences for their crimes against magic.The leaders from the othe
FELIXThe King was clearly shocked by my challenge. He slowly put down his wine glass, his eyes darting between me and Mila. I could tell that the idea intrigued him, as much as he wanted to seem disgusted by the offer.The curse might have been broken, but I could still feel the panic and tension s
FELIXIt was time for me and Mila to travel to Aberenathy. We could delay it no longer–although the magic across the kingdoms was safe and protected, time was still of the essence when it came to the civilians in Abernathy.We were concerned about what the King was doing to his citizens. Based on Is
At the nearest chance I would ask Mila to take me to that famed Library of Magic so that I could learn about the powers that now flowed through my veins. Although I was thrilled, I was also terrified. I had gone twenty-six years of my life without magic.What would change now?I was exhausted, ready
ISLAI had been waiting in the war council room with Joseph when the magic came surging back into the kingdom. In case anything went wrong, we were instructed to stay in the below-ground chambers and monitor any potential problems with the magic.I had no idea what to expect when the magic returned,