around the dance floor. Just like our fairy tale, he had eyes only for me. I’d lived in the Avian Mountains for two months now, and I’d honestly never been happier. I knew Saxon felt the same. He smiled and laughed all the time. Plus, he never went to bed without telling me so. I always preened afterward.
Our dragons had moved in with us, of course. This particular palace was perfect for them, offering wide-open spaces for wings, with landing pads on every floor, inside and out. Right now, my babies perched next to our thrones, keeping a sharp eye on everyone who watched us dance.
For the bargain price of getting to live another day, Ophelia and Noel had vowed to never work against us, for any reason. Roth and Everly had moved back into their palace in Sevón, with Everly using her mirrors to go back and forth between the palace and the Enchantian Forest. As a wedding present and housewarming gift, Dior had turned parts of our palace into gold before returning to Fleur. In thanks, my family of four had flown her there. I had ridden Pagan, Dior had ridden Pyre, and Saxon had kept pace between us.
Life without Leonora was incredible. My mind was my own. I didn’t have to worry about a takeover attempt in the middle of the night, or losing precious moments with Saxon.
I’d met my real stepmother, a woman just as uptight as advertised, but she had a good heart. I’d really liked her. She’d been relieved to learn her husband resided in the palace dungeon in Sevón, with Raven and Tempest in cells of their own here in the mountains, and she’d begun to relax.
I’d met my second stepsister Marabella, as well. A firecracker with enough spirit to rival Ophelia, Noel, and Everly put together. She liked to talk as much as Dior, but she did it at a much faster pace and just...never...stopped. I loved her. And I was glad the three women would take over Fleur. The kingdom had never been my home. The people didn’t know or respect me, but they knew and respected my stepsister. They would thrive with her.
Could I have won their respect? Yes. Never again would I doubt my abilities to do anything. Look at everything I’d accomplished so far. And really, I felt as if fate had always wanted me in the Avian Mountains. I belonged here. I adored the height and width of everything. Such grandeur. So much larger than life. I was coming to learn the avian were social creatures who loved color, tradition, and light. Things I hadn’t even known I needed.
Some of the avian—most—were still leery of me. Word had spread about who I used to be. But that was all right. In time, I would win everyone over.
“Have I told you today how much I love you?” Saxon nuzzled his cheek against mine.
“Many times, but I’ll never tire of hearing it.” Each morning he’d presented me with a new gift. A sheet of precious metal. My own personal forge. An entire collection of jewelry. A wardrobe filled with beautiful clothes, both for battle and balls. A unicorn of my own. Books on the subjects he knew I enjoyed. Feathers, all blue. I swear, I thought he’d plucked himself bald for a week, just so I could make another dress.
In turn, I’d given him an arsenal of weapons and a full suit of armor, all designed and crafted by the one and only Queen Ashleigh Skylair. As I’d savored our time together, I’d realized every life had the potential to be a fairy tale. As for me? I didn’t need a happily-ever-after anymore. When I found the joy in every step of my journey, I always had a happily-right-now.
“I love you more than this kingdom. I love you more than anything,” he told me.
“Then you almost love me as much as I love you,” I teased him, and the corners of his lips twitched.
Our beginning might have been violent and awful, but our right now was amazing. Together, we would only get better.
But now I couldn’t help but wonder...whose fairy-tale prophecy would come true next?
* * *
This twisted tale of Cinderella has reached its end.
But even now, a brand-new story is being penned.
One with adventure, romance, betrayal, and more,
For all of Enchantia will soon erupt in war.
Keep reading for an excerpt from Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter.
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