Once Upon A Rose - Chapter 17
Happy Saturday! We’re a day late, but we’ve been waiting for our new covers to load on Amazon. Very excited to share them with you today. You can see ALL our new covers at our Lavender Cottage Books website!
Two cousins inherit a mansion in the San Juan Islands and discover it’s filled with family history, secrets…and maybe magic. This is the first part of a serialized story, so there will be cliffhangers!
Maggie McCrae knew her granddaughters were not ready for the legacy she must leave them. The house, the grounds and everything that went with it would now be theirs. She vowed she would do all she could to protect them and hopefully, give them the time they needed to fulfill their destiny. Gabriella and Moira must learn to trust themselves and each other as they discover the true magic of Burrows Bay.
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And now, here is the next part of our story.
Chapter 17
As they reached the castle, Celsiana realized the drainage pipe would be too small for the others to use. “We’ll have to go to the main gate,” she said to Nicholas.
“I’m guessing that’s not your usual entrance after these visits?” Nicholas asked.
“I do have an alternate route, but I think this will be more effective.” Celsiana replied.
They walked up to the gate and a guard came out to see them. “Do you have business with the king?” he asked.
“Actually, I do,” Celsiana replied. “Hello, Jasper.”
“Your Majesty, how did you get out here?” he asked, then looked at the other men. “Are you all right?”
“I need to speak to my father immediately,” Celsiana replied, “and I would like some guards to accompany us.”
The guard nodded and opened the gate. “Stand down, it’s the princess. And you four” he said over his shoulder, “go with them.”
“Keep a careful watch tonight,” Celsiana added. Jasper nodded and returned to the gate.
It was late enough that Celsiana knew her parents would be in the dining room. As she walked in, her father stood up. “What are you doing in that ridiculous outfit? And why are these men with you?”
“Father, I have news,” Celsiana replied, “but first, where is Arabella?”
“She’s writing a letter to her father,” the queen said, “and should be joining us any minute. Celsiana, why are you dressed like that?”
“I need to tell you what’s happened,” Celsiana replied, walking up to them. “Arabella has…”
“Broken our engagement,” Bryce said, walking into the room. “She just told me she can’t marry me, then left with the man her father sent to accompany her home.” He glanced around. “What’s going on?”
“Arabella is planning to attack the castle,” Celsiana said. “No time to explain, but we have to stop her.”
“You will absolutely explain,” the king demanded. “You will tell me everything, beginning with why you’re dressed in that ridiculous costume.”
“Your Majesty,” Nicholas said, stepping forward. “Your daughter and I were held captive by this woman and her guard. She was going to send you a ransom note for the princess, then attack the castle.”
The king seemed at a loss for words. “I…I can’t believe it. We have an agreement. Her father and I…”
“Who else is involved?” Trevor asked, looking at his fiancée.
“Seraline is not,” Celsiana said, smiling at the princess, “but we need to stop Arabella.”
Nicholas’ father stepped forward. “We are here to help you in any way that we can, Sire.”
The king nodded. “I appreciate that, but you have brought my daughter safely home and I will always remember that.” He looked at Celsiana. “We will discuss this once we find Arabella.”
Celsiana nodded and looked over at Nicholas, who was already leaving with his father and the other men. “Wait,” she said. As Nicholas turned around, she smiled. “She thinks the oil will work.”
“You’re right,” Nicholas said, smiling back.
“She and our traitor will be very disappointed,” Celsiana replied.
“What traitor?” the king demanded.
“Orris,” Celsiana replied. “He’s working with Arabella in exchange for control of the guild and a lot of money. Father, she’s planning to attack the castle and she thinks she can win.”
“They must be meeting the others nearby,” Nicholas whispered. Looking at the king, he bowed. “If you please, I think I have an idea that might help us catch a traitor and stop the princess…but we’ll need to act quickly.”
Read another chapter on Friday!