Just One Golden Kiss by M. A. Thomas Page B

protect you. How could I defend you as a frog? I needed to redeem myself.”
    “You and I are no more,” she said, hoping the earth would open below her and swallow her.
    “I can’t breathe without you,” he said.
    “Then you will die,” she said.
    “Enough!” a woman’s voice said.
    “You’re here to ask my forgiveness. I will not stand here for a second more listening to a spoiled princess and a pathetic, guilty vampire arguing about things I care not about. Now, both of you kneel in front of me.”
    “Are you Stiltz,” Lela asked.
    “If you say my name again, you’ll never see your father again!”
    The witch was not at all how Lela imagined her. She was beautiful with long black hair, soft facial features and a curvy body.
    “Forgive us, “Eldrich said, kneeling.
    “Seeing you like this makes me wonder why I ever wanted to lie with you. A vampire kneeling in front of a witch. Sad, so very sad. Yet here you’re,” the witch said to Eldrich.
    “Forgive us, please forgive us for hurting you,” Lela said.
    “Do you have a problem following orders? You’re not a princess here. The mountains belong to witches.”
    “I’m sorry, it won’t happen again,” Lela said, getting on her knees.
    “That’s better. Now then, let’s get started,” she said.
    “You’re here to beg me to return your father and the rest of your people. It’s all rather easy. I despise you both. I used to think I hated Eldrich more for rejecting me. But then, I decided that indeed, I hate you both equally. You see, although witches are secretive creatures we cannot stand rejection. It drives us mad. And when we don’t get what we want, well, someone has to suffer for it.”
    “Tell us what you want from us,” Lela said, interlocking her fingers.
    “Grovel. Plead with me,” she said.
    “Will you then return my people?” Lela asked.
    “ Your people? Of whom do you speak?” she asked.
    “My people...the people from the castle,” Lela said.
    “And also—”
    “Quiet!” She interrupted Eldrich. “You have my word,” she said to Lela.
    “I beg you. Please forgive me for hurting you. You’re a merciful and beautiful witch who deserves to be treated with respect. You deserve love. Eldrich and I deserve nothing. We were wrong to have fallen in love,” Lela said.
    “It was wrong of me to reject you,” Eldrich said. “Someone as beautiful as you should never have to know rejection. I beg you. Forgive me. Forgive us.”
    The witch twirled around and began to dance. “Your words have made me happy. When I’m happy I dance.”
    “Seeing you happy is all that matters to us,” Eldrich said.
    “Dance, oh, beautiful witch,” Lela said.
    The witch twirled and twirled and then bowed.
    Lela and Eldrich clapped.
    “Bravo,” Lela said.
    “Well done,” Eldrich said.
    “You may both stand,” she said.
    “Are we forgiven?” Lela asked.
    The witch put Lela’s hand in Eldrich’s. “I forgive you. The spell is lifted.”
    “Thank you,” Lela said, kissing the witch’s hand.
    “When you return to the castle, you will find your people there. I promise you,” she said.
    “With the greatest respect,” Eldrich said, “may I ask you one question?”
    “Yes, of course, Prince of the Barmoth Vampires. Ask me anything and I will answer with the truth.”
    “Will Lela also find her father at the castle?” Eldrich asked.
    The witch started to laugh. “Of course not!”
    “But you said we were forgiven. You gave me your word!” Lela said.
    “You’re a stupid princess. Has Eldrich taught you nothing about how things work? You wanted your people returned to the castle. Your father is the King. If you wanted the King of Barmoth returned, you should have said so.”
    “You ugly, wretched witch. You tricked me.”
    “I’m a witch. Did you expect anything less from a witch?”
    “Give me back my father! Return the King of Barmoth, I beg you,” Lela said.
    “Begging won’t work. It’s too late,” the witch