Maybe he was never even there.
Tears streamed down my face, blurring what little vision I had through the smoke. At least Abrams was dead. He couldn’t hurt anyone else now. Vivian would get my share of the reward money and she’d start her horse farm or some other nonsense just to spite me. I smiled, then felt my lips flatten. So much for not ending up in the papers again.
The wall shattered.
Strong arms scooped me up and carried me outside. The air cleared, but everything tasted like smoke, and I couldn’t drag in a clean breath. Voices shattered the silence, shouting for water. All around me, chaos seethed as people ran to extinguish the fire.
I was placed in the cool grass, where someone knelt over me, calling my name. Fingers gently probed the sore bruises on my neck, and I heard a fierce growl.
“Am I dead this time?” I croaked, rolling onto my side. Each cough made my ribcage throb.
“No,” Derrick’s voice broke low. He gathered me in his arms, and I felt him shudder. “But not for lack of trying.”
“At least I didn’t faint.”
His lips pressed to my temple. I wound my arms around his neck, trying to get as close as I could, not satisfied even when I felt his heart pounding against mine.
“I’m getting your coat dirty.”
He exhaled a shaky breath. “After today, I’m going to start charging you for them. I think that’s the only way to keep you from getting hurt.”
I laughed, and it scratched my throat. “You might be onto something. Anything to save a coin.”
“I didn’t think I’d find you in time.” He smoothed the hair out of my face, wiping at the soot on my cheeks.
“How did you find me?”
Derrick’s features hardened, and his mouth curled down. “Argus.”
“What? I didn’t hear you correctly, there’s smoke in my ears. Did you say, Argus?”
“Two of Argus’s men saw Abrams take you out of the house. They followed you and then reported back. Argus found me at the agency. He demanded I meet him on the street. Told me what happened.”
“Wow. I didn’t see that coming.”
“Neither did I, but he was right. I’d just found out about Abrams. The king confirmed everything, even his son’s middle name. I couldn’t believe it…all this time. He was right there. When I found out he took you—” Derrick pulled me against him, and I nuzzled my forehead into his neck.
“Abrams told me everything. I’m sorry, Derrick. I’m sorry about Sophie and the others. I’ll tell you everything he said. There’s evidence, too. Letters.”
“Later. Tell me later.” His fingers sifted through my hair.
I watched over his shoulder as the greenhouse burned. Officers attempted to douse the flames as smoke billowed into the dark sky. There would be nothing left, the final rose incinerated to ash.
A light appeared, glowing brighter and moving closer. It took form as the temperature plunged and my breath fogged in front of my face.
“Do you feel that?” I whispered. Untangling from Derrick’s embrace, I climbed to my feet. “It’s Ella. She’s here.”
Derrick stood and peered into the shady canopy. “I’ll have to take your word for it.” He rubbed my shoulders and wrapped an arm around my waist to keep me warm.
Ella floated to a stop in front of me, her pale features serene. Peace radiated from her body in waves of light
“Thank you, Tessa, for everything. You might not believe me, but I’m glad I visited your shop the night of the ball. You’re a good witch. You might fail a spell or two, but I’m lucky to consider you a friend.”
“You too, Ella. I’m sorry—”
“Don’t be! I got to wear a beautiful gown and a pair of glass slippers. I even danced with a man I thought was a prince. Not every girl gets to live a fairytale.”
My throat felt tight with unshed tears. “Fairytales don’t end like this.”
