Princess Charming: Charmed Series, #1

By Sera Cassell

She had no idea that her knight in shining armor was a real prince. 
 

When Aurora Maguire waves a stranger over to her cupcake truck to help her move a wedding cake, she has no idea her knight in shining armor is a real prince.

Prince Hugh du Clair loves his life in the states and being spare to the heir of Asterlaine, especially since he has fallen in love with the funny, passionate baker.

But their plans of settling down in a Massachusetts suburb come to a screeching halt when his older brother marries without permission from the king, making Hugh the next in line to the throne.

Hugh returns home with Aurora by his side, but when she unintentionally defies royal tradition, it sparks a series of events that tests their love, the very foundation of the crown, and forces her to leave for home.

With the fate of Asterlaine in his hands, yet unable to navigate royal life without her, Hugh makes a bold move, proposing an unconventional plan to Rory for their happily ever after, even if it spells the end of the monarchy.

 

Modern day fairy tale. Spicy. No cliffhanger. 

​

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barrel Wave Books
• Release date: Aug 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201876760

Sera Cassell

Sera Cassell is addicted to writing fun, steamy romance with feisty heroines and the swoon-worthy heroes who fall for them. Her books always have a happy ending and more than likely, a nod to her Irish/Scottish heritage. Sera is living her own happily ever after in New England with her adrenaline junkie husband, three grown daughters, and two granddaughters. When she's not spending time with her girl tribe, she enjoys reading, eating New Haven pizza, sipping London Fog tea lattes, and binging on chocolate. Any kind. She's never met a piece of chocolate she doesn't like. Sign up for Sera's newsletter and never miss a new release! www.seracassell.com!

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

The late morning sun glinted off the giant pink cupcake atop the food truck, catching one of the glittery sprinkles. Like a laser, the beam shot directly into Aurora Maguire’s eyes.

Aw, come on, she slapped her hands over them. Her day had gotten off to a stellar start so far. First, her assistant was a no-show, now temporarily blinded by jumbo jimmies.

Once her vision returned, she cupped her hand over the screen to diffuse the light and checked her cell for the umpteenth time. No missed call or text notifications. Damn Aidan. She asked her brother and only employee to be at the venue to help her unload the five-layer cake. He also agreed to be her plus-one at the reception because there was nothing worse than attending a wedding alone.

She tapped Aidan’s number on the screen. The phone rang once, then went straight to voicemail.

Whatever. She would be okay moving the cakes by herself. Not that she any other choice.

The thought crossed her mind to call her mother to see if Aidan was at home but decided against it. The conversation would end with her mother’s famous line, ‘Rory, you’ve already had the worst thing in your life happen when we lost your father. Everything else is trivial compared to that.’

She swallowed down the emotion that lodged in her throat. She had every right to be upset with Aidan. Her mother was right about her father. He'd be gone six years this summer, and God, she missed him. He never would have put up with Aidan's behavior. Yes, they owned a pub and brewery, but neither Jamie Maguire nor any of his kids were drunks. 

Her hand ached from the vise grip she had on the phone, so she tossed it in through the open window onto the driver’s seat. She honestly thought today would be different. That for once in her life she could count on her youngest brother.

The disappointment left a bitter taste in her mouth. Or maybe it was the briny ocean breeze that kicked up. She pulled the loose strands of hair from her mouth that had come undone from the bun she wrestled with earlier. 

At least the weather cooperated. Early May in New England could be a mixed bag of anything from rain to snow, but not today. Maddie, the bride, lucked out with a beautiful spring day, and she couldn’t be happier for her. Not to mention, the event was taking place at The Sea Rose Inn, advertised as a premiere Massachusetts reception facility, which sat directly on the shoreline. Now if she could just get the cake inside, everything would be perfect.

Rory opened the back doors of her truck. She had placed each frosted and decorated layer in its own cardboard cake box, then set them on top of non-skid shelf liner to keep them from sliding around. Pieces of Styrofoam cushioned any extra spaces so there’d be no wiggle room at all, and from the looks of it, her plan worked. 

With one foot on the ground and one on the back step of the truck, she reached for the box that held the 16" bottom layer. She inhaled to gather all her strength and slipped her arms underneath the box. If she backed out slowly…

Rory?

His voice knocked the breath from her lungs, and she steadied herself before carefully placing the box back on the floor of the truck. She peered up at her most recent heartbreak.

The last time she saw him had been the night he dumped her on the beach outside her family’s pub and brewery, about three months ago. On Valentine’s Day. She’d thought he brought her there to propose. Why else would he have insisted they take a walk on the beach while it snowed?

Rory composed herself, trying hard to keep her voice from wobbling at the sight of him wearing a tall, leggy blond on his arm. 

"Hi, Brad.

I forgot you were making Maddie’s cake.

He shook his dark hair from his eyes, feigning interest in what she was doing. While they dated, he couldn’t care less that she'd been trying to get her cupcake/wedding cake business off the ground.

A promise is a promise, she said, trying to sound matter of fact. She wanted to say that it wouldn’t have been fair to let down his cousin just because he turned out to be a lying sack of crap, but she wouldn’t. Brad hurt her badly, no denying that, but she got through it.What didn’t kill you made you stronger.

Another of her mother’s phrases.

This is Destiny, he motioned with his head toward the blond.

The woman, about Rory’s age, she guessed, had left Brad’s side to check herself in the glass of the truck windows, flipping her hair over her shoulder, not even glancing in their direction.

Rory caught Brad’s eye. She wanted to see if his brown eyes had even a hint of regret, but he looked away too quickly. Several agonizing seconds passed and then, silence.

After their breakup, she had thoughts of running into him and how she would tell him in no uncertain terms how devastated she was when he left her on the beach that night. But now, seeing him with a very vain Destiny, something inside her shifted as realization dawned on her.

Appearances.

That's all he cared about. She had no idea why, but when they were together, she’d never seen it, yet now it glared at her, so painfully obvious.

She had coppery red hair paired with freckles and a less than perfect body, none of which could compete with his new girlfriend’s blond hair and size zero frame. The animosity she had about their breakup evaporated. She had nothing left to say to him. They weren’t a good match after all. The awkward silence between them became too much.

Well, this cake won’t put itself together, she said.

Right. Do you need some help?

Frustration mixed with anger bloomed inside her. But it had nothing to do with Brad and everything to do with Aidan. The next time she saw him, she’d rip him a new one for standing her up. 

Destiny did her version of a model’s runway walk back over to Brad, put her hand in his, and flipped her perfectly perfect blond hair over her shoulder for the hundredth time.

Suddenly she regretted throwing herself a three-month long pity party instead of getting back in the dating game. God help her with what she was about to do.

His Royal Highness, Prince Hugh Sebastian Louis Henri du Clair of Asterlaine, very much loved the life he’d created for himself in the United States. Few people knew he was second in line to the throne of his small country, and he liked it that way. 

Hugh checked his watch as he walked from his car toward the doors of the restaurant. Being a groomsman in the wedding party of his good friend, they had just finished taking photographs at church. After a quick glance around the parking lot, it appeared the cars with the bridesmaids and the newlyweds hadn’t arrived yet.

However, a woman stood by a food truck with a giant cupcake on top, waving frantically at him. At least he thought she waved at him. He looked around. No one else in the vicinity. 

Over here, she called out, louder this time.

With no one else around, she wanted his attention, but why? Still, her wild gesturing piqued his curiosity. He hated the term damsel in distress with him being a prince. He abhorred the connotation, seriously doubting in this age of feminism that a woman still wanted to be rescued. 

Again, he surveyed this situation. The woman jumped up and down while a couple stood next to her. They hardly looked to be a threat, but his gut told him to investigate. He walked over and took off his aviators. Sunlight bounced off the giant cupcake, momentarily blinding him.

Merde, he muttered the expletive in his native language, halting his steps to slip his sunglasses back on. 

Honey, remember I said I might need your help?

The woman called to him in an urgent tone.

As Hugh got closer to the truck, her hair was more of a reddish gold. He snared her gaze with his, and she silently pleaded for his help with her bright green eyes. The tension in the air became more palatable as he moved nearer to the trio, too. 

Darling, Hugh said as if he knew her.

I was just going inside to look for you. He leaned in and kissed her continentally on both cheeks. Adrenaline kicked his heart into high gear, hoping he did the right thing. 

 Thank you, darling. Just as I suspected, Aidan is nowhere to be found, and I’m afraid I’ll need your help to move the wedding cake inside after all, she said, rolling her eyes. 

Hugh quickly stuck his hand out to the man, so ‘Red’ could know his name. 

Hugh, he said, shaking their hands.

I’m Brad and this is Destiny.

I didn’t know you were seeing anyone, Brad said, searching the red-haired woman’s eyes as if he knew something was up.

Hugh quickly read the situation.

It appeared to be the dreaded-ex-lovers-running-into-each-other scene, starring Brad, A.K.A. the douche canoe, and his new infatuation, Destiny, the stereotypical brainless blond with the killer body.

He was all too familiar with the ‘great in bed but empty in the head’ type. He used to love that type of woman himself. Lately, not so much. Past-life Hugh had a penchant for being shallow, not something present-day Hugh was proud of.

Oh, Red gave a dismissive wave. It hasn’t been that long. What, about a month, Hugh?

Yes, about that, Hugh nodded, then put his arm around her and kissed her temple. She stiffened at his boldness, but he hoped she appreciated him trying to make their little charade believable. 

 When she relaxed a bit, he took it to mean she did. 

Well, I’ve got to get these cakes inside. Nice meeting you, Destiny.

Yeah, take care, Rory, Brad said, grasping Destiny’s hand as she flipped her long blond hair. 

Hugh leaned up against the cupcake truck, and they both watched Brad and Destiny walk off.

Thanks for playing along, Rory said.

My pleasure. Not a lie. He enjoyed their little role-playing escapade. Weddings were usually long, drawn out affairs. He understood the formality of them and why it was such a rite of passage, but if it wasn’t for the alcohol, they would be dreadfully boring.

Thank you for making what could be a dull event more entertaining, he added.

Rory tried unsuccessfully to tuck the curls that had come undone from her bun, pulling a small clip from the pocket of her blue tee shirt with the cartoon cupcake on it.

I thought I was over him. She clipped the loose strands to the side.

I had a feeling he was an ex.

Oh God, please don’t tell me I still had love in my eyes.

He chuckled. No, it was more the thick tension that nearly choked me.

Ah. He broke up with me a few months back. I mean, we weren’t meant to be, but it still stings. My apologies for dragging you, a total stranger, into it.

No worries. Glad I could be of help. What made you realize you weren’t meant to be together?

Because Brad is into how everything looks. Look at her. She is perfection, from her hair to her clothes to her shape. I’m so not.

Hugh glanced again at Destiny. Too thin, too pale. Basically, two dimensional for his liking.

Perfection is in the beholder's eye, he said.

When he dumped me, he said he needed his space. Apparently, his space’s name was Destiny.

 Hugh snickered.

I’m glad you find it funny, she said, also smiling.

Not the breakup, but I appreciate your sense of humor about it.

You have to have one if you’re in the dating game, especially when you’re not very good at playing. She kept her gaze on Brad and Destiny, who chatted with another couple at the door of the venue. 

There is nothing good about a break-up, that’s for sure, Hugh said, joining Rory in watching them.

Doesn’t appear to be bothering him any, she said.

Give him time. He’ll tire of her.

He’d seen that movie before. Hell, he’d had a starring role. Guys, himself included, thinking that just because a woman looks like a supermodel, she is a great catch. He learned the hard way that women like that are only interested in one thing… themselves. 

Is Rory your nickname?

She nodded. It’s short for Aurora, but no one calls me that.

It’s a beautiful name. Aurora was the princess in Sleeping Beauty, correct?

Yeah. Love the accent, by the way. Is it French?

It is my native tongue but sounds very much French.

 Well, whatever it is, it’s very nice. Thanks again for rescuing me from looking like a total loser in front of Brad.

  She took the few steps to the back doors of her truck, sizing up her next move. Quite the task, from what he could see.

Would you like some help? He offered. He had nothing else to do to pass the time.

Rory hesitated for a few seconds.

If you wouldn’t mind. My brother should’ve been here to help me, but I don’t know where he is.

It’s the least your fake boyfriend could do. 

She laughed. Fake boyfriend. I like it.

She stepped aside and Hugh lifted out the first box.

 Lead the way, he said.

CHAPTER 2

Together, Rory and Hugh walked the short distance from the truck to the venue and her fake boyfriend hadn’t even grunted or groaned.

She smiled at the name he gave himself as she held the door open for him, while she juggled the smallest box holding the top layer.

At once, the sweet smell coming from the coral tuberoses in the centerpieces gracing the tables lingered in the air.

The room itself had a rustic vibe with high ceilings, wooden beams, and hardwood flooring, but the color scheme of coral and white with splashes of pale yellow and sea foam green thrown in brought everything together, making it look oh-so romantic.

From the chair coverings to the elaborate floral centerpieces, to the simple touches of hand-written place cards, not one detail overlooked.

And while everything looked beautiful, none of it was Rory’s style. A simple wedding on the beach with family and friends was what she’d always thought about. And what she’d most likely be able to afford.

Over there, to your left, she said, pointing to the medium-sized square table near the sweetheart table.

Hugh carefully placed the box down. She lifted off the top and slid out the cake by the round wooden board.

It’s beautiful, he said, sounding genuinely impressed. What type of flowers are those?

Dogwood blossoms.

She’d spent a great deal of time crafting the pink and white flowers from icing and gum paste and was happy with the result. On the bottom layer, anyway.

He aimed his pointer finger as if he were going to touch one blossom. In a knee-jerk reaction, she slapped his hand away.

"Yikes, I’m sorry. It’s just… they’re so delicate and it took me—ˮ.

Hugh put his hand over hers.

Don’t apologize. They look so real, I had to see for myself.

The hotness from his hand sent a small current of electricity humming through her. She immediately pulled her hand back.

Come on, we’re not done yet.

Once all the layers were inside, Rory went to work, placing one on top of the other. The entire time, she felt Hugh’s eyes on her. According to her brothers, guys only stared at her for two reasons—her crazy colored hair or her disgusting freckles. She was about to ask Hugh which it was, but he spoke before she had a chance.

You are very talented, he said.

Oh. Thanks. She didn’t know how to take his compliment.

I think the cake has to taste as good as it looks, though.

And does it?

She shrugged. It’s a damn good cherry nut cake with buttercream frosting. If I say so myself.

I can’t wait to try it.

She finished the top layer by placing the smallest dogwood blossoms around the customized modern calligraphy, ‘Mr. and Mrs. Murray,’ cake topper.

It’s a work of art, Hugh said, beaming as if he’d made it himself.

She laughed and decided she liked his attention.

I should bring you on all my cake and cupcake runs. You’re great for my ego.

I’m sure we can arrange something.

A slow smile took over his mouth. Yes, she definitely enjoyed his easy-going manner.

I still can’t believe you came over when I waved. You must’ve thought I was crazy.

Not at all. I always help women standing in front of food trucks with garish cupcakes on top.

Humor flashed in his expression, and she busted out with a laugh.

But you helped because you saw the look of desperation on my face?

If I am to be completely honest, I have just gone through a break-up myself. Once I assessed the situation, I understood what you needed, and I wanted to help.

That sucks about your break-up.

As you said about Brent, it was inevitable.

You mean Brad, she corrected him.

Right, Brad.

A commotion caused them both to turn their attention to the door. The wedding party had arrived. Bridesmaids in coral chiffon tea length dresses with groomsmen dressed like Hugh, in grey suits and matching coral bow ties.

Two of the girls hurried in their direction, and Hugh let out an audible sigh.

Looks like word is out on the street that you’re single, Rory said.

There’s a little more to it, but yes.

He reached over, grasped her hand, and kissed the back of it.

Save me a dance, will you?

I can’t dance. She had two left feet whenever she tried.

Lucky for you, I can. I’ll see you later.

Hugh left her standing there with goosebumps on her arm from his knightly kiss.

Rory!

She followed the voice. Emily waved from a table near the corner of the room.

You’re sitting here with us.

Another friend she met through Brad, supposedly Emily, and her boyfriend, recently became engaged.

She’d hated that it meant she’d probably be the only one at that table without a significant other, but what could she do about it now?

Rory waved back. I’ll be there in a few.

After one last check of the cake, she put some boxes under the table and covered them with the white tablecloth, then grabbed the larger ones. She went back outside, tossed them in the truck, and drove it to the back of the lot.

Inside the Sea Rose Inn again, she found the bathroom to change out of her work clothes and into proper wedding attire.

And if she’d known the tulle layers of her skirt would roll up inside her panty hose, she would’ve thought twice before her purchase. That’s what she got for just buying it off the rack without trying it on first.

When she finally looked presentable, she made her way to her table, where Aidan stood there holding two drinks in his hand.

Nice of you to make it, she said, setting down her tote bag and pulling out the chair next to her brother.

I had to have a stranger help me bring in the cake.

Rough night, sorry, he handed her a glass of white wine.

Seriously, I’m going to have to think about firing you and hiring someone more dependable, she said, leaning in so only he could hear her.

I said I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.

Aidan gave her a sheepish glance, then stared into his drink.

A server walked by with a tray of appetizers, and Rory grabbed one. No teeny weenies wrapped in canned biscuits. The Sea Rose boasted about being around since the 18 th century and took pride in being a superb inn and banquet facility.

Her taste buds sang as she feasted on sinfully rich spinach quiche bites. The horseradish in the mini shrimp cocktails packed a hell of a pungent zing, making her eyes water.

The tiny pizzas topped with creamy cheese, grilled shallots, and pancetta offered a saltier taste which calmed the hotness from the horseradish.

Another server walked by, and she nabbed a scallop wrapped in bacon on a toothpick and popped it in her mouth, tucking it into her cheek just as Hugh walked by her and smiled.

She gave a little wave, then stared at him as he walked away. His perfect physique, from his shoulders down to his very nice ass, warranted more than a passing glance.

Who’s that? Aidan asked.

His name is Hugh.

Looks like he has a flirting problem.

Hey, the peanut gallery doesn’t get to make comments like that, especially because he’s the one that helped me with the cake while you were God knows where sleeping off your latest hangover.

Yeah, well, he looks like trouble and I, for one, don’t want to watch you go through another breakup.

Rory lived at home with Aidan, their mother, and their Aunt Pam. She was close with all three of them, and they had helped her pick up the pieces of her broken heart after Brad. It hadn’t been pretty.

The soft dinner music stopped, and the DJ switched to Pink’s ‘Get This Party Started’ to announce the wedding party. The driving bass line thumped throughout the room as he called out their names: Mrs. Lauren Smith, sister of the bride, escorted by Mr. Jeff Murray, brother of the groom.

Rory grabbed her glass of white wine and took a sip as the DJ shouted out a few more names.

Maid of Honor, Miss Chelsey Giordano, escorted by His Royal Highness, Prince Hugh du Clair of Asterlaine, friend of the groom.

She spewed out her wine.

Aidan handed her a napkin.

I did not see that coming.

Neither had she, and she’d spent over an hour with the guy. He seemed too down-to-earth to be a royal. She never would have guessed it.

The DJ announced the maid of honor and the best man, then asked everyone to stand as he introduced Maddie and Dan. Applause erupted as the bridal couple made their way to the center of the dance floor. Rory’s heart melted as strains of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’ started, and Dan moved Maddie across the floor.

Her eyes wandered from the bridal couple to the side of the dance floor where Prince Hugh stood amid a crowd of women. An equal opportunity flirter and a prince, it was no wonder those women made a beeline for him earlier.

Rory always had a knack for dating guys who cared more about their cars, or sports, or jobs… and forget being chivalrous. Had anyone ever even opened a door for her? No. Never.

But Hugh had kissed the back of her hand. She got goosebumps just thinking about it.

Her gaze rested on her ex seated at the table next to the prince. Brad always wore his dark hair with the sides cut short but longer on the top. She couldn’t deny he was a great-looking guy. Then he leaned over and kissed Destiny’s perfect, pouty lips.

Rory inhaled a deep breath and leaned over to Aidan. I’ll be right back.

She had to get through the rest of the afternoon and needed something stronger than wine to numb her reality.

A shot of whiskey, please.

The bartender filled up a shot glass and pushed it toward her. Rory lifted it up in a toast.

Bottoms up.

With the glass to her lips, she tipped it back and closed her eyes, enjoying the vanilla-sherry taste.

She lowered the empty glass on the counter.

One more, please.

Make it two.

It had to be the whiskey that warmed her because it couldn’t have been Prince Hugh’s deep voice.

The bartender poured two more. Hugh handed her one shot and held up his.

Well over six feet tall, he stood erect as a soldier, looking every bit a Prince Charming.

His cologne smelled expensive. A little musky with spice mixed in, but not overpowering and nothing like the cheap drug store stuff the guys she usually dated wore.

What shall we drink to? he asked.

To Maddie and Dan and their happily ever after.

To Maddie and Dan.

They clinked glasses, and she enjoyed the smooth heat down her esophagus for the second time.

You like whiskey? he asked.

I’m usually a beer drinker, but sometimes you need the kick that only Irish whiskey can give you.

Does that have something to do with? What’s his name again? Brian?

Brad.

They laughed, then he cocked his head to the side and his eyes tempered from that cobalt blue to a softer shade.

She looked away. She’d been doing a great job of feeling sorry for herself, no help needed from Sir Hotness of—wherever he came from.

There you are, Hugh. The food is being served. Another girl from the wedding party placed her hand on Hugh’s forearm and glanced up at him, smiling.

I’ll be right there.

She went on her way back to her table, chiffon swishing as she went.

I’ll come looking for you when it’s time for that dance, he said.

Rory lifted an eyebrow. I never agreed to dance with you.

How would it look to Braden if you never danced with your new boyfriend?

She laughed at his joke, but he had a point.

The only reason it looked believable that she and Prince Hugh sat apart was because Hugh sat at a table with other members of the wedding party. And she had noticed Brad glancing over at them.

Okay, one dance. And I’ll say a prayer that I don’t make a fool of myself or you.

A grin spanned his handsome face.

It’s a date.

She liked the fact that the prince shared a shot with her, knowing he had many other choices in the room.

It might be nice to be held in his arms, which were probably very muscular since he carried the heavy cake box with no problem. And showing Brad that she’d moved on would feel pretty good, too, even if Hugh wasn’t an actual date.

Aidan appeared next to her. Don’t even, Ro.

Don’t what?

I see that look in your eye.

You’re crazy.

Her brother moved around to look into her eyes.

Your dilated pupils and schmaltzy stare are telling me you like Prince Douche-A-Lot.

My pupils are dilated because I drank two shots of whiskey. Hey, looks like the salad is out.

Rory brushed by Aidan and hurried back to the table.

CHAPTER 3

Hugh danced the Cha-Cha