Red Wolfe (19 page)

“I see you
have succeeded.”
Madame
Danielle had appeared, petting Ami who was contently nestled in her arms.

“
Mère! Where have you been?” John rushed to hug her, all the while never letting go of Ellena’s hand.

“I’
ve been close by attending to some important business,” she grinned with delight, winking at Ellena as she embraced her son.

“
Madame
Catherine?” Ellena suddenly cried as the innkeeper walked into the room and just like Danielle, her body began to softly twinkle. When the silver flakes dissolved, Danielle’s sister had taken her place.

“You?” Ellena choked.
“You were the innkeeper?”

“Oh yes,” the woman replied. “I’ve been tending that old inn for many, many years. We were beginning to lose hope that you would ever come.” She moved closer and the scent of lilac filled Ellena’s nose.

“You were in my room, weren’t you?” Ellena asked.

Catherine’s grin grew wider as she bellowed, “I’m glad to see that my plan worked!”

“Your plan?” Danielle
cried. “This was my idea!”

The sisters began for the door, but not before
Madame
Danielle stopped to say, “Dinner will be ready soon. You should change for the celebration feast!” And then she gracefully swept from the room just the way a royal would and called after her sister.

Ellena looked down to see that her gashing cuts were gone, completely healed as was her head.
Had they even been real to begin with or had it been an illusion as well? She didn’t dwell on it for too long since it didn’t matter anymore. The spell had been broken and all was as it should be. The glowing light from just beyond the door enveloped them as they stood together.

“See, I told you,” Ellena softly whispered.

John pulled her close. “Told me what?”

“
That I would rewrite your story.”