My eyes widened. “It really goes with your outfit," I said.

  "It's my old wand," Robina said quietly. She seemed surprised to see it in Ben’s possession.

  “I thought your wand was taken away,” I said.

  "That’s the one I trained with as a girl,” she said. “I turned in my adult wand, but not that one. Every fairy gets a starter wand.”

  "How does no one notice a grown elf carrying around a sparkling pink fairy wand?" I asked.

  “That’s sexist,” Ben said. “Anyway, I used a cloaking spell on it.”

  That made sense. If my father was able to use a cloaking spell on me to hide my location, then Ben could certainly use one on an object as small as a wand.

  “Listen, you don't want to hurt me, Ben," I said. "It isn't worth it." As always, my first thought was of Marley. I couldn’t let anything happen to me. At least this time, if something bad happened, she wouldn’t be alone. She would have cousins to raise her. It was a small consolation.

  “Bippety boppity,” Ben began.

  He pointed the wand in my direction. Before he could finish uttering his fairy phrase, I focused my will on the wand and tried pulling it toward me. It was heavier than a feather, but lighter than an apple. Thank goodness for practicing magic at Linnea’s and Haverford House. The witches were right—it really was like exercising a muscle. The wand wiggled in his hand and the small movement gave me the confidence to continue. In my mind, I wrenched the wand free.

  "To me," I yelled, and the wand shot into my outstretched hand.

  Ben and I stared at the wand, equally shocked by the outcome.

  “You’re telekinetic," Robina whispered.

  Ben stared at me, dumbfounded. “But you don't know how to do magic yet. You came from the human world." He looked ready to cry. I wouldn’t have been the least bit surprised to see him stomp his foot next.

  "You seem to forget one thing, Ben," I said, and pointed the wand back at him. "I'm Ember Rose, first of her name. Daughter of Nathaniel and Lily. Descendant of the One True Witch. Plus, I’m from New Jersey. My badassery knows no bounds."

  Okay, maybe that declaration was overkill, but the power was coursing through my veins and there was no stopping it. I had no clue what to do with the obnoxious pink fairy wand, but I couldn’t let Ben see me hesitate. I opened my mouth for a phony incantation when I remembered the fairy spell Tanya had used on Alec in the office.

  “Super duper, Ben-in-stupor,” I said, waving the wand.

  Ben froze in place.

  “That’s excellent work for a beginner,” Robina said from the corner.

  I shot off a text to the sheriff and gave him the address.

  “How long will the spell last?” I asked Robina.

  “Long enough for the sheriff to arrive,” she replied.

  I eyed her carefully. “You’re not going to try and stop me?”

  She shook her head sadly. “No. A good mother knows when her child needs to learn a valuable lesson, especially a mother who’s served time.”

  I gave her a sympathetic look. “Tough love is tough on everyone.”

  Robina nodded and crossed the room to stand beside me. “I didn’t realize he’d become so jaded,” she said. “I should’ve noticed. Some mother figure I am.”

  “Robina, don’t beat yourself up. Ben probably hid it from you because he didn’t want you to be accountable. Deep down, he didn’t want you to get tangled up in this.”

  Robina heaved a sigh. “I suppose he cares for me in his own way.”

  I studied the frozen elf. “It’s a shame, really. He seemed to have everything going for him, but he let his own feelings of inadequacy get in the way.”

  “Drop the wand and put your hands up,” a familiar voice said.

  I held the wand over my head as Sheriff Nash bolted into the room. "Rose, for Nature’s sake. What are you doing with that fairy wand?”

  “This wand did the frog curses,” I said, wiggling it. “Ben’s the one you're after. I froze him for you.”

  “Froze him?” the sheriff queried.

  I inclined my head. “Like an elf popsicle. Check it out.” I flicked my fingers on Ben’s arm. “Ouch. That actually hurt me.”

  The sheriff mangled a laugh before focusing on Robina. "You’re sure Ben is the culprit? I assumed I was here to arrest Robina."

  I shook my head. "You don't want her. Ben is solely responsible for this. She didn’t know it was him.”

  The sheriff studied Ben. “Can you unfreeze him? It will make it easier to arrest him.”

  I bit my lip. “Um, I don’t know how.”

  Robina raised her hand. “I can help her, Sheriff, if you want me to.”

  He stood with his hands on his hips, deciding. “Tell her what spell to do, but don’t do it yourself.”

  Robina whispered the magic words and I channeled them through the wand. Ben’s body jerked as he became unstuck. The sheriff wasted no time slapping a pair of glittering handcuffs on the elf.

  "Why are your handcuffs bedazzled?" I asked.

  "I have special handcuffs for certain paranormals,” he explained. "These are my fairy handcuffs. It stops them from using their hands to do magic."

  "But Ben is an elf,” I said.

  "An elf who knows fairy magic, apparently," Sheriff Nash said. "I'm not taking any chances."

  I stared at the wand in my hand. “So can I reverse the curse with this wand?”

  "I can help you with that, and the protection spell as well,” Robina said. “Now that I know he used my old wand, I’m pretty sure I know the spell he performed. It's one that I learned as a young girl. He must’ve found my old school primer.”

  “In your closet,” Ben admitted. “I found them both when I came to repair the shelf, remember?”

  Robina pressed her lips together, her disappointment evident. “So you stole them?”

  “I borrowed them,” Ben said. “I always planned to return them.”

  “When? After I’d gone back to prison?” Robina asked. “Benjamin, your behavior has disappointed me greatly.”

  Ben hung his head in shame. “I’m sorry, Robina. I never intended for you to get caught up in any of this.”

  “Let’s go, Ben,” the sheriff said. “You’ll have plenty of time to offer apologies from your prison cell.”

  “Won’t you need the fairy wand as evidence?“ I asked.

  “Use it to reverse the curse first,” he replied. “Then I’ll log it in as evidence.”

  Once they left the apartment, Robina placed a grateful hand on my shoulder. "I don't know how to thank you. You could easily have thrown me under the broomstick. Why didn't you?"

  “Because you’re innocent. The only one who deserves the blame here is Ben,” I said. "You put your trust in the wrong person. That isn’t a crime.”

  Robina moved toward the kitchen. “Let me get my phone and I’ll text you the spells you need to restore your cousin and the other gentlemen.”

  “Thanks, Robina,” I said. “I guess your life just got a heck of a lot busier, now that you've got a barbershop to run single-handedly."

  Robina’s eyes widened. "I hadn’t even thought of that." She clamped her hand over her mouth. “Goodness gracious. There will be a million things to do before tomorrow."

  “And you’ll manage them all without magic,” I said. “I’m happy to persuade your customers not to leave once they hear the news about Ben. If I can convince Florian to stay, I bet a lot of others will, too.”

  “I’d appreciate that,” she said, her thumbs moving on her phone at a rapid pace. “Despite what happened, I’m proud of what Ben and I built together. I don’t want to be the one to destroy it.”

  My phone dinged as the text arrived. “You won’t, Robina. You’ve taken your second chance to heart. That much is clear.” I tucked the pink wand under my arm. “I’ll see you around.”

  “Where are you off to now?" she asked.

  I waved the phone in the air. “It's time to turn a bunch of frogs back into small town princes."

  Chapter Seventeen

  Less than an hour later, I stood in one of the drawing rooms of Thornhold in front of a row of hopping frogs. I’d retrieved Alec from my bedroom, and Sheriff Nash had brought the others so we could change them all back at once. I had my fingers crossed that Florian was among them.

  "How do I tell which one is which?" I asked. "The only one I can identify is Alec because of those adorable fangs."

  "It doesn't matter," Aunt Hyacinth snapped. "Just get started." She’d insisted on being present when Florian was brought back into existence. I had the sense that she wanted to kiss him and box his ears at the same time.

  I took Robina’s wand and read her text message out loud, aiming at the first frog on the left. There was a sound that reminded me of a hissing firework and then an unfamiliar man appeared where the frog had just been. He looked around in a stupor, as though waking up from a long sleep.

  “Cayden," Sheriff Nash said. "How do you feel, buddy?”

  Cayden blinked. "Where am I? This place is super nice.” He wore what I assumed was the same outfit he’d been transformed in. Part of me had wondered whether they’d reappear naked, like a shifter would. To my relief (but maybe a little disappointment), that wasn’t the case.

  “Of course it is, darling,” Aunt Hyacinth said. “It’s my home.”

  "We’ll explain everything later," the sheriff said. "Right now, we need to restore the other men.”

  Thom Rutledge was next, and then Alec. The vampire seemed less confused, as though he knew exactly what had happened. Unfortunately, the last frog didn’t budge.

  “What’s the problem?” my aunt demanded. “What’s wrong with Florian?”

  “Um, I’ll tell you in a minute,” I said, my stomach sinking. “Let’s get these other guys squared away first.”

  “Welcome back, gentlemen," the sheriff said. "I've been told that you should drink plenty of water after a curse like this."

  “Hydration is key,” I added.

  “Curse?” Thom queried. "What kind of curse? Why do my legs feel like they've been turned backwards?" He bent his knees and then kicked out his legs.

  "We were turned into frogs," Alec said. “Please tell me you’ve apprehended that wretched elf.”

  “You knew it was him?” I asked.

  “He came into my office with a few of my books to sign,” Alec said. “It was the way he asked me about you. I realized in that moment, but it was too late. I don’t think he even waited to leave the office before cursing me.”

  I gave the others the full recap of Ben and his jealous tendencies.

  “He’s in custody now," the sheriff said. “I arrested him earlier."

  Alec studied me closely. “And whom do we have to thank for our restoration?"

  "It was a group effort," I said. "It's a good thing we have experienced fairies like Robina on hand."

  "Indeed," Alec said. He didn’t seem to be buying the manure I was selling. Or the minotaur shit, as people in Starry Hollow liked to say. "Well, my gratitude to everyone involved.” He bowed and my pulse accelerated. He really was the most elegant man I’d ever met.

  “I started reading your book, by the way,” I told him.

  “And what do you think?”

  “Not sure yet. I’m only a quarter of the way through it. For some reason, I’ve been busy with outside activities.”

  He straightened the ends of his sleeves. “You don’t say.”

  The other men downed several glasses of water, and headed for their respective homes. Alec walked with me to the front door.

  "Would you like me to escort you to the cottage?" he asked.

  "It's only right here, and I need to go with my aunt to the pond in the woods to find Florian before she has a heart attack.”

  “An escapee?” He seemed mildly amused.

  “I’d rather not elaborate.”

  “Is that why you took me home with you?” he asked. “To keep me from escaping into the woods?”

  I hesitated. “I…just wanted to keep you safe.”

  Alec’s expression softened. “Thank you for your concern.” He inclined his head. “And you’re wrong about the prince. His motives have yet to be revealed.”

  The prince? I suddenly realized he meant the prince in The Final Prophecy. “Wait, you could hear me?” Blazing glory. If he could hear me, that also meant he could see me. Heat crawled through my body.

  A smile tugged at his lips. “And I do quite like the leopard undergarments you wore yesterday. Very flattering.”

  My breath caught in my throat. “You saw me half naked?”

  He paused. “Not just half…”

  My face drained of color. I’d changed in front of the frog. Several times. It hadn’t occurred to me that he’d remember anything once the curse was broken. I really needed a primer on the basics of magic.

  “Not to worry, Miss Rose,” he said. “Trust me. You have nothing to be embarrassed about.”

  With those words, he moved at lightning speed and disappeared into the evening air.

  Sheriff Nash and Aunt Hyacinth accompanied me to the pond. My aunt was less than thrilled to hear my confession about Florian.

  “Marley only wanted him to feel more comfortable,” I explained. “Then he hopped away and refused to come back.”

  “Sounds like my son,” Aunt Hyacinth said bitterly. “Even in frog form, he’s a thorn in his family’s side.”

  Phew. At least she wasn’t angry with me.

  “What if he isn’t here?” my aunt asked. “What if he’s been eaten by a predator?”

  “His survival instincts will be firmly intact,” I said. “If any owls made a beeline for him, he’d duck underwater.”

  “He’s Florian Rose-Muldoon,” the sheriff added. “He always lands on his feet.”

  “True,” my aunt said. She’d never argue with the distinguished luck of the Rose family.

  When we arrived, three frogs occupied lily pads.

  “Any inklings as to which one is Florian?” I asked, assuming one of them was.

  They shook their heads.

  “Then I’ll just go ahead.” I repeated the same spell that restored the other frogs to their true selves. The frog on the middle lily pad transformed into a man and promptly plunged into the water. I recognized Florian’s white-blond head as it crested.

  Aunt Hyacinth’s laugh was deep and throaty. “Serves him right. Perhaps now he’ll learn a hard lesson about his questionable dating habits.”

  “He didn’t get cursed by one of his dates, though,” I said. I doubted Florian would learn anything from this experience, except that maybe he enjoyed the taste of flies more than he expected to.

  Florian dragged himself from the pond, his clothes dripping. He looked thoroughly confused.

  “Did I stay out all night drinking again?” he asked, rubbing his head.

  “No, darling.” Aunt Hyacinth quickly gave him her version of a motherly embrace. It consisted of a hand on the arm and an air kiss next to the cheek. “You’ve been a frog.”

  His brow furrowed. “A frog? Well, that explains the constant buzzing in my ears.” He whacked his right ear with his palm.

  “We have the offender in custody,” Sheriff Nash said. “Thanks in no small part to your cousin here.”

  Florian clapped me on the shoulder. “And here you thought you were lucky that we found you. I’m starting to think it’s the other way around.”

  This week’s paper dropped onto my desk and the first thing I noticed was my name in print. The Curious Case of the Bachelor Frogs by Ember Rose.

  I glanced up to see Alec. “Congratulations on a well-deserved byline, Miss Rose.”

  “Thanks,” I replied. I traced my name with my finger. “It seems weird to have my name on something other than an outstanding bill.”

  “It isn’t fair,” Bentley complained. “You had the sheriff helping you.”

  “I can’t help it if he’s always tagging along,” I said dismissively. “The guy really needs a hobby.”

  Bentley stifled a laugh and I groaned.

  “He’s here, isn’t he?” I asked, as Alec stepped aside to reveal the sheriff.

  “He is,” Sheriff Nash said.

  “Hey there,” I said weakly. “What brings you to our fine establishment?”

  “Just checking on each of the victims for any lingering side effects.” The sheriff cocked his head. “How about it, Alec? Craving any mosquitoes?”

  “Mosquitoes do have a taste for blood, so I can see the attraction,” Alec said, not taking the bait.

  “The only one I haven’t caught up with is Florian,” the sheriff said.

  At that moment, the office door opened and Florian sauntered in. The sheriff’s mouth opened and closed.

  “The sheriff wants to know if you’re suffering from any side effects, Florian,” I said.

  “No. I’m good as new,” Florian said. “Even have a second date scheduled with Dakota Musgrove.”

  My hand shot up to high-five him. “Good move, cousin. She’s a keeper.”

  “What brings you here, Florian?” Alec asked.

  “I came to see my superstar cousin,” Florian replied.

  Bentley leaned toward me. “He’s speaking ironically, right?”

  I ignored the grumpy elf’s remark. “As you can see, I’m right here, Florian.”

  “Excellent. Come with me for a moment, if you will.” Florian wiggled his fingers.

  I followed Florian outside, where he leaned against a silver sports car. The keys dangled from his fingertips.

  “You came all the way here to show me your new car?” I asked. That was…nice.

  “Not my new car,” he said, and handed me the keys. “Your new car.”

  I stared at the gleaming sports car in disbelief. It was the kind of car I used to repossess from entitled suburbanites locked in an arms-style race with their wealthier neighbor.

  “My new car?” I repeated. “Florian, I can’t afford this.”

  He shrugged. “I know, but I can. It’s paid in full. Consider it a thank you.”

  I choked on my response. “Does your mother know?”

  “She approved the budget. In fact, I expected to spend less.” He opened the driver’s door. “Want to take it for a spin?”