Charming, Volume 2 by Jack Heckel

Author:Jack Heckel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2014-10-31T16:00:00+00:00

ON REACHING HER sanctuary, Princess Gwendolyn snatched up the fairy orb, ignoring the clawing shadow hands as they also encircled the globe. “Tell me what is happening. Why am I having these visions? How was Will able to resist my control? I only need a few more days. I can’t chance anything.” She shook the globe holding the fairy violently enough that pixie dust filled it with a small blizzard. “The wedding is coming! The wedding!”

In the swirling tempest within the globe, she saw another reflection of Rosslyn. This time Rosslyn pointed at her, shouting silent accusations. Gwendolyn couldn’t hear the words, but she desperately tried to read her dead sister’s lips. The Princess pressed her face nearer the orb. “I didn’t mean for you to die, Rosslyn. It was just a foolish girl’s wish for . . .”

The confession caught in her throat, and in the next moment the dust cleared. Through the glass she saw the hated fairy. “You,” Gwendolyn hissed. “You think you can manipulate me with these visions?”

The infuriating slow drawl of the fairy whispered out of the air around her. “I assurest thee, Mistress, whatever thou saw in thy globe was a vision of thy own creation. I can do nothing now without thy command.”

Gwendolyn grunted derisively. “It doesn’t matter. My control over your powers is increasing. When I possessed the Captain of the Guard, it was almost as though it were my arm swinging his sword. I . . .” Her voice faltered as she recalled the sickening feeling of the blade as it entered Charming’s body.

The Princess sank into her chair, letting the orb drop to her lap. She felt tears on her cheeks and wiped them away with a shaking hand. “I don’t understand. I never meant for things to get so out of hand. I never meant for anyone to die. It was unreal, like a dream.” She sat up, scattering the shadows to dark corners under the furniture. She took up the orb and shook it again until it clouded over, and the little light inside bounced from wall to wall. “If you are trying to control me, to control my actions . . .”

“ ’Tis not me, Mistress,” said the fairy with a mocking laugh. “I have never been able to control thee. Thou didst release my magick, and now it has brought out thy true self. Thou art the one responsible. Thou art responsible for everything. Thou art guilty, just as thou were guilty when thou killed thy own sister. Ever has it been thy will giving form to my magick.”

Gwendolyn opened her mouth to speak, but her head was so muddled with plans and stratagems and flower arrangements that it was hard to focus. The fairy was playing with her, or at least the fairy magic was. It was those wishes, wishes of years past, wishes of a jealous scared girl, wishes that had been twisted and mangled and tortured beyond her wildest imagination. A sudden violent wellspring of rage rose up in her and she shook the ball again.

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