At Any Cost by Kate Sparkes Page A

It wasn’t a relationship. It was an attraction. I don’t care about him.
    She almost convinced herself. Even when he invaded her dreams with his regret-filled eyes or his knee-weakening kiss, she told herself it didn’t matter. She forced herself to forget Max, the man beneath the king’s mask. When she wondered whether he still thought of her, she found something else to occupy her mind.
    Maggie didn’t have to study mathematics to know that two conversations plus one bad case of physical attraction plus one kiss that never should have happened could never equal love. It didn’t matter what she thought she’d seen in him, or whether she believed he regretted the choices he’d made and the life he’d led. He could never be Max, any more than she could be Gloria. Even if he cared for her as though she were the only woman in his life, it would always be a lie.
    As the months went on she learned to let go, convincing herself he wasn’t as charming or as interesting as she remembered, that she’d only be disappointed if they met again. It had been a silly, if intense, infatuation that would only have led to trouble if she’d indulged it. She made an effort to meet more people, to let them get to know her away from her home, and found a few young men who turned out to be quite pleasant.
    Not intense. Not mind-meltingly attractive and dangerous. But pleasant.
    When Rashel accepted her beau’s proposal early in the autumn, Maggie threw herself into preparations, using every spare moment to assist with planning. Exhausting herself and collapsing into bed left little room for wandering nighttime thoughts.
    As the date of the wedding approached, a chill came into the air on the island. Rainy days and fog did nothing, however, to mute Rashel’s enthusiasm or Maggie’s willingness to be dragged on every errand in town.
    “You’re sure about the timing?” Maggie asked. “An autumn wedding?”
    Rashel looked down from the chair the dressmaker had her standing on. “Oh, definitely. Van and I are too excited to wait, and the leaves will be so beautiful in a month.” She glanced over her shoulder at the window, where light drizzle dampened the air. “I do hope this lifts so we can have the ceremony outdoors like Emalda suggested. But yes. Autumn. Soon. No matter the weather.”
    The dressmaker ignored their chatter, but motioned for Maggie to come closer and hold up a swath of shimmering golden cloth while she pinned the folds of the skirt.
    “People are going to talk about the timing, Shel.” Maggie winked at her friend. “You sure you don’t want to leave some room in that bodice?”
    Rashel giggled. “I know. Not that it would be the worst thing that could happen. I’m just impatient, I guess. He makes me happy. Why would I want to put off being with the man I love?”
    Maggie forced a smile. “I’m so happy for you.”
    Rashel beamed. “It will happen for you too, Mags. You’re going to find a man who sees in you everything that I do, who loves you for all the right reasons. Maybe he won’t be the Sorcerer some people expected, but you know your father will be pleased and proud as long as you’re happy. Love will find a way. You’ll see.”
    Maggie wrinkled her nose. “True love at any cost, right?”
    “Exactly. So what if your kids turn out to be mediocre little imps who can’t use magic to save their lives. You and I both know that won’t make them any less wonderful. What do you think?”
    Maggie released the fabric as the dressmaker stepped back. Rashel held her arms out to the sides as though about to break into a dance. The golden fabric brought out the warmth in her rich sepia skin, and Rashel shone with joy.
    “You’re going to reduce that poor man to tears when he sees you,” Maggie said.
    Rashel clapped her hands together. “Exactly what I was hoping for. Now, how do I get out of this thing?”
    Maggie stepped outside the shop and took shelter under a window awning as she waited for