Ever After (Unfinished Fairy Tales Book 3) Read online

  Ever After

  Aya Ling

  Contents

  Copyright

  Introduction

  1. Kat

  2. Edward

  3. Kat

  4. Edward

  5. Kat

  6. Edward

  7. Kat

  8. Edward

  9. Kat

  10. Edward

  11. Kat

  12. Kat

  13. Kat

  14. Kat

  15. Kat

  16. Kat

  17. Kat

  18. Edward

  19. Kat

  20. Edward

  21. Kat

  22. Kat

  23. Kat

  24. Kat

  25. Edward

  26. Kat

  27. Kat

  28. Kat

  29. Kat

  30. Kat

  31. Edward

  32. Kat

  33. Kat

  34. Edward

  35. Kat

  36. Kat

  37. Kat

  38. Kat

  39. Kat

  40. Kat

  41. Kat

  42. Kat

  43. Kat

  44. Kat

  45. Kat

  46. Kat

  47. Kat

  48. Kat

  49. Kat

  Afterword

  Books by Aya

  About the Author

  Copyright © 2017 by Aya Ling

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Introduction

  Kat has survived. She returns to Athelia as herself, Katherine Wilson. Edward, elated at learning she is alive, vows to bring her back to the palace. The obstacles, however, seem impossible to overcome. Marriage between a royal and a commoner is not recognized, not to mention that he is already legally bound to Katriona Bradshaw, who will do anything to keep her position as princess.

  And there’s even more to worry about. Due to an uncommonly harsh winter, the people of Athelia have been suffering from inflated food prices, and are getting irritated at supporting the small, elite group of aristocrats. An uprising in a neighboring country only adds fuel to the fire.

  Can Kat and Edward finally get a happily-ever-after?

  1

  Kat

  I don’t want to close my eyes.

  Every time I fall asleep, I dream of Edward. I see him with his steadfast gaze, his stride quick and firm as he heads in my direction. I hear him speaking in that deep, velvet-like tone, sometimes flirtatious, sending thrills through my mind; other times serious, reminding me of his many onerous duties. I feel his arms wrapped around me, the heat of his body surrounding me, and his lips on mine.

  And when I wake up and realize it was all a dream, it feels like someone has taken a shovel and dug a hole in my chest. No matter what I do, I can’t make the pain go away.

  “Edward,” I whisper. I never regretted meeting him, but I wish there was something I could take to ease the pain. There’s no painkiller for the ache in my heart. Only the short moments of unconsciousness when I’m asleep.

  Outside my window, snow is falling lightly, the delicate flakes swirling when a wind comes up. We’re staying at a ski resort near Halifax. Ryan, who’s going steady with Mom, had bought this place years ago and only used it a few times every year when he had his days off. We’re all grateful to him for letting us stay at the resort. When I turned up in Jason’s apartment, eight months since I disappeared, it was like hell broke loose. I was like Portland’s version of Gone Girl. No matter how I assured everyone I was fine and that Jason had nothing to do with my disappearance, the rumors didn’t go away. Mom called Ryan and he arranged that I move up here, until the storm passed.

  I throw off the blankets and sit up. It’s warm—too warm in fact—Mom or Paige must have turned the heater way up. And yet I would trade the convenience of the electric heater for a roaring fire, if only I could see Edward again.

  Like a zombie, I go through the necessities of cleaning myself up. I take a hot shower, change into sweater and pants, wash my face, and brush my teeth. True, it’s convenient that I can dress myself without the aid of two maids. It’s a relief to use the microwave and have Internet access. But if given the choice, I wouldn’t hesitate to give up these modern appliances, if only I could return to Athelia.

  I enter the living room. Paige is lounging on the sofa, watching a soap.

  “Hey Kat.” She stretches and yawns. “Did you sleep well?”

  “Like a baby.”

  She raises her eyebrows, like she doesn’t believe me. But if I say I was pining for the prince in a fairy tale world, there’s going to be a LOT of explaining to do.

  I change the subject. “Paige, it’s February already. Don’t you think you should start preparing for university?” In Australia, college usually starts anywhere from late February to early March.

  Paige plants her hands on her hips. “I’m deferring. And no, don’t you try to talk me out of it. Everyone says we barely have anything in common, but when it comes to stubbornness, I’m a match for you and Mom.”

  “What about the scholarship?”

  “Oh, don’t worry about that.” She waves a dismissive hand. “If it comes down to the question of money, I could ask Ryan for a loan. But I am not leaving you when you’re a mess.”

  “I’m not broken.” I spoon ground coffee into the machine, make sure there’s enough water, and press the start button. “Look, I can take care of myself. I’m not going to keel over and die if I’m left alone. There are a few weeks left till school starts. It’ll be a waste to give up those Australian dollars.”

  “We’ll discuss that later.” Paige gets off the sofa and approaches the dinner table. “But first, you’ve got to tell me who Edward is.”

  I nearly drop the coffee mug I’m carrying. “How did you know about Edward?”

  “You were calling his name when you fell asleep on the sofa yesterday. And you were crying.” Paige stares into my eyes. “This guy, Edward, is responsible for you breaking up with Jason, isn’t he? Why didn’t you mention him before?”

  I get the sugar tin with a sigh. I knew we would have this conversation sooner or later. It had been frustrating trying to convince everyone that no, Jason did NOT keep me chained in a tiny room like those psychos in the news. It was hard enough trying to explain how I disappeared for eight months. I was even on international news and my picture was shown on numerous websites. I had used some lame excuse of hooking up with an ex who’s working in a remote area overseas with limited Internet connection, but no one buys my story. Most people think I’m covering up for Jason. Thankfully, my family and friends believe my boyfriend—ex-boyfriend now—did not kidnap me, but on the other hand, they are skeptical about my ex-lover explanation. I’ve never been abroad, and suddenly packing off on a trip without contacting anyone, is so unlike me.

  “And what’s with the ring on your finger?”

  I automatically hold up my right hand. My fourth finger is bare. “My wedding ring! Where did you put it away?”

  Busted. Paige jumps up and grabs my wrists. “Oh my god, so you did get married! Kat, what happened to you? When did you marry? Is Edward your husband? Where is he? If he left you…” A murderous gleam appears in my sister’s eyes. She looks like an angel, and her smile can disarm even our crusty old great-aunt in Mexico, but only those in her closest circle know that Paige can be a ter
ror if she wants to be.

  I take a deep breath. “Paige…do I look sane to you?”

  Paige stares at me like I’ve grown horns. “You’re mental if you’re asking that question. No, seriously, why do you even have to ask?”

  “Because I’m afraid you won’t believe me.” I look at her levelly, doing my best to convey that I’m not joking. “Do you remember the book I got in my senior year? The one called The Ugly Stepsister.”

  “Of course. You were obsessed with the hero in that book—what’s his name again—oh, it’s Edward.” Paige tilts her head, a suspicious look in her face. “Don’t tell me this has anything to do with the Edward you were calling in your sleep.”

  When I don’t say anything, she gasps. “Kat, are you telling me that Edward exists?”

  I pull out one of kitchen chairs. It’s easier to talk about serious things when you’re sitting down. “Do you remember how weird it was that I couldn’t remember buying the book? And when we went to the bookstore, the owner couldn’t find another copy of The Ugly Stepsister? There was no publisher information or ISBN. And nothing about it on the Internet.”

  “Yeah. But what has this to do with Edward?”

  “Because the truth is…I am the protagonist, the ugly stepsister in that book. I am married to the hero, Prince Edward, in the story. I disappeared for eight months because I was in Athelia, the world where the story is set in.”

  2

  Edward

  I don’t want to open my eyes.

  Every morning when I wake up, I reach out and my arms meet thin air, reminding me that my wife is no longer at my side. I stare at the empty space for a lengthy period of time, until the chilly air reminds me it’s time to get out of bed.

  I didn’t know how painful it would be to lose her. I had believed I could handle myself when she’s gone, but it turned out that my character is not as strong as I hoped. I have grown so used to having Kat around, that when she has truly disappeared, she has taken a piece of me away with her. And the only way I can feel whole again is to encounter her in my dreams. However, without Kat curled up by my side, I have considerable trouble falling asleep; therefore, I commence a daily dose of sleeping pills. There’s a bottle of tablets secreted in my drawer, as I would not want them exposed to the curiosity of the servants. Sometimes I wonder what it’s like if I consume triple the amount prescribed. I could dream of Kat… and never wake up.

  My elbow brushes against a pen on the desk and it falls on the floor. No. While an early demise would relieve me of my misery, I cannot neglect my duties and obligations. My privilege, as I’ve always been taught, should not be taken for granted. As long as I accept my role, I must do what is required of me, whether it may be drafting memorandums, sending letters to foreign royals and dignitaries, or reviewing current state of affairs in our nation. Kat would not want me dwell in depression; I must continue her work, such as the Act to establish compulsory education for Athelia’s children. There is also one advantage. A fully engaged schedule allows me to temporarily forget the agony of losing Kat.

  I stay in my office as long as possible. Katriona Bradshaw is less likely to follow me here, where I’d be interrupted by the Prime Minister, a member of Parliament, or a diplomat. State affairs do not interest her. Surrounded by numerous books and papers, I make for terrible company. Even Mother avoids visiting me at my office.

  Kat’s desk remains in its original state, placed next to mine. I call to memory how she barged into my office, with Bertram trailing behind her, carrying her desk and chair, and told me she was going to assist me with my work, since I wasn’t getting adequate sleep, due to our nightly conversations. She looked so charmingly indignant for my sake, that it was testament to my discipline that I did not make a move on her.

  My fingers tighten around my pen. I should remove her desk, but every time I consider calling for Bertram, I cannot bring myself to do it. Even if it brings me pain, I would rather see her empty chair and remember how she sat there, her nose wrinkled as she paused over some essay written in dry prose, and trying hard not to fall asleep. Or her standing up and going through the bookshelf behind us, looking for some information that could be of use. If it were not for the door that has to be left open, I could have wrapped my arms around her and savored the smoothness of her skin.

  Focus, my mind issues the command. I have work to do. Leave the indulgence for tonight. If I am fortunate, I might dream of Kat again.

  The proposal that Kat drafted for compulsory education lies on her desk. I flip through the pages, trying not to think about the author behind it, and attempt to the best of my abilities to focus on the ideas instead. Last time Kat’s interview of child workers had caused a national sensation. Perhaps, if I could adapt her proposal and write an article about the importance of education, it will draw more attention.

  When I am halfway through a draft, someone raps on the door. Unlike the suite, my office door remains open to visitors. However, should anyone require a private conversation, I have a receiving chamber that adjoins the office.

  “Edward.”

  “Your Highness!”

  To my astonishment, three of my friends have arrived at my office. My cousin Henry has come with his fiancée, Elle. To the right is Poppy, who is Kat’s dearest friend, as well as Elle’s cousin.

  “We had an urgent reason to see you, and George told us you were here,” Henry says, as though reading my mind.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Poppy shakes an envelope in front of me in a rare display of boldness. Normally, she behaves like a timid mouse when Kat tries to have her talk to me, but this time, perhaps out of concern for her friend, she has forgotten her shyness.

  “She said she contracted an incurable disease and had to leave,” Henry says in a disbelieving tone. “If that is true, why didn’t you let her see the doctors? Of so many professionals at the Royal Institute, there has to be someone who can cure Katriona’s disease.”

  “Kat. Not Katriona.” I interrupt. Katriona is the name I reserve for Bianca Bradshaw’s sister.

  Henry is startled, but before he can continue, Elle speaks. “We would like to know where Kat is,” she says, her voice quiet but firm. Like Poppy, she does not manifest any nervousness, though she used to be mild and meek when she worked with Galen. “I would like to see her.”

  Poppy’s expression is both indignant and incredulous. “How could you let that other woman take her place? I thought you loved her.”

  “Of course I do,” I snap. She looks taken aback; I doubt I have showed an angry side of me towards Kat’s best friend. “Do you think I would have let her go if there was any hope for it?”

  “So she really has this disease?” Henry says. “Is she alive?”

  It might be easier to say she is dead. But I find I cannot bring myself to say those words.

  “She is,” I say. “But it makes no difference. She cannot survive in our world.”

  Elle looks at Poppy. “When you showed me Kat’s letter, you mentioned to me that she is not from Athelia. Is that why she cannot stay?”

  A few maids pass by the door, carrying baskets of laundry. One of them gives me a quizzical look before hurrying along.

  “Come inside,” I say, opening the door to the adjoining chamber. “This is a matter I do not wish to be overheard.”

  In the next half hour, I relate the story of Kat’s origin. Henry and Elle are naturally shocked, but as I am usually disinclined to be flippant, especially where Kat is concerned, and when Poppy chimed in and confirmed my story, they accepted the idea with a tad reservation.

  “To tell the truth, I’ve always thought there was something strange to her after she fell down the stairs,” Elle says, twisting her fingers together. “Lady Katriona was never so kind to me before. But I thought it had something to do with her getting hit on the head and losing her memory, and it wasn’t my place to question anything…”

  “So that is the reason why she knew iodine.” Henry exchanges a know
ing look with me. He is referring to that day when we met at Dr. Jensen’s house. Henry hasn’t failed to recall the shock he received when Kat recognized iodine.

  Poppy glares at me. “If you love her, you have to get her back. You shouldn’t let that other girl come here and take her place. What’ll you do when Kat returns?”

  I look away, unable to meet their eyes. “She isn’t coming back,” I say, trying to conceal the stab of pain whenever I think about Kat. “Her body is not equipped to survive in our world.”

  “What is the matter with her?” Henry asks, frowning. “She seemed healthy enough when I last saw her.”

  I tell them what the goblins had related about Kat unable to consume the air in Athelia. Poppy’s eyes grow larger and larger, Elle has a hand over her mouth, while Henry looks as though I am out of my mind.

  “Poor Kat.” Elle bites her lip and looks at her hands. “To think that she was transported to our world, all alone, and ended up marrying you, but had to leave...how much she must have suffered.”

  “What about that other woman that is posing as princess?” Poppy says indignantly. She will not relent until I provide an explanation.

  “We met her on our way here,” Elle says. “Is she Lady Katriona?”

  I shut my eyes for a second. “Yes. It was not my idea, but a temporary measure I reluctantly agreed to. Consider how the public would react if Kat suddenly disappeared. However, once the trial is no longer fresh on their minds, I plan to divorce her. I would rather stay unattached, even if there was no woman in Athelia but her.”

  Poppy sucks in a quick breath. Henry regards me with anxiety. “But you have only been married for a year. Everyone has been expecting you would produce an heir, and…”

  “That is why I will need your help.” I level him a firm, unyielding look. “I plan to abdicate. I want you to take my place.”

  Henry looks as though I have given him a blow in the stomach. “Edward, don’t talk nonsense. We both know you would inherit the crown since we were children.”