Cursed: A Merged Fairy Tale of Beauty and the Beast & Sleeping Beauty (The Enchanted Rose Trilogy: Book 1) by R.M. ArceJaeger

Author:R.M. ArceJaeger [ArceJaeger, R.M.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Platypus Press
Published: 2015-07-01T04:00:00+00:00

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The servants were ecstatic to finally be leaving. They hastened to unload the supply wagons that had arrived (bearing enough goods, Ari thought, to keep the lodge stocked forever) and were now reloading them with the few belongings they had brought with them to the lodge. Ari watched the servants work, his ears picking out the notes of joy in their voices and his eyes observing the exultation in their steps as they walked.

At last, Captain Arden gathered the household together. “Remember,” he commanded, “you must never speak a word of your time here to anyone or make any mention of the prince. It is death for you and your families if you do.”

“We know,” the cook said darkly, shooting a glance at where Ari was watching from the doorway, and the others grumbled their assent.

Ari stared back without emotion; he felt old, much older than his ten years. They were leaving him. He understood the reasons—agreed with them even. His mother’s letter had explained it all. Still, he wished that she were here.

When Captain Arden walked over to him, Ari did not look at him—merely gazed into the distance at the thin dirt road that would bear his only companions out of sight.

“I am sorry,” Ari said, “that my father’s edict binds you all so firmly. I apologize for all you have sacrificed these last few years by being here with me.”

“You are our prince. Serving you has been an honor.”

“But one you are glad to do without,” Ari noted shrewdly. “I have heard what the servants call me when they think I cannot hear. It was no honor for them. As for you, Arden, I know how much you miss your family. I am pleased for you that you are going home.”

Arden reached out and gripped Ari’s shoulder with one hand. In spite of himself, the prince shuddered. No one besides his mother had touched him in a long time.

“One day, you, too, will be going home,” the Captain told him firmly. “Never stop believing that. You were born to be our king.”

Ari did not answer, merely observed in silence as the last of the horses were hitched to their wagons and the procession began to move away. One by one, the carts disappeared into the dark wall of trees; Arden on his mare was the last to vanish.

Ari stood still for several minutes, his whole body quivering as he fought an internal battle for composure. Then something inside of him broke, “Wait!” he called, running down the road; his words emerged in a savage snarl of grief and desperation. “Come back! Do not leave me alone!” But there was no one left to hear.

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