Alexander reentered Corinna’s room but walked to the window instead of the bed. He threw open the curtains and let sunlight burst into the room. It landed on Corinna’s face and caused the young woman to groan in displeasure. It warmed her cheeks even more than they already were from internal heat. She didn’t like it.
Corinna opened her eyes and glared at Alexander. She coughed brokenly into her hand and then took a deep breath.
“You’re such a jerk. Close the window,” she said. Alexander smirked and pulled the blinds over until they blocked the sun that was hitting Corinna’s head. The rest stayed open.
“Yes. I am a royal arse,” Alexander agreed. He walked over to Corinna’s bedside and took the cloth from the other’s forehead. He rewet the rag as he spoke. “I’ve decided you’re impetuous, and that’s not necessarily a good thing for this household. Tomorrow, when you’re better, I think it would be best if you went home.”
Impetuous. Impulsive. Corinna smiled sadly. Alexander was such a horrible liar. He had no such thoughts of Corinna.
“Last night… I promised myself… that no one would keep me from leaving today…. Now, I feel like I’ll be dead by tomorrow morning,” Corinna admitted, breathing shallow. “But the option is uncharacteristically kind of you… Thank you, Alexander.”
Alexander frowned and set the rag back on Corinna’s forehead. He tapped his finger on Corinna’s nose and seemed upset, though Corinna couldn’t begin to imagine why. Then Alexander stood up and rubbed his hands down over his furry cheeks.
“Corinna, why did you not tell me you were a sorcerer?” he asked, voice gruff and sad. Corinna’s eyes snapped open wide. “And why on this green earth do you not heal yourself?”
“I…” Corinna was speechless. How had Alexander found out? Had he found the stash of apples under Corinna’s bed? Had Morgana told him? But more than that, why did Alexander seem so calm about it? He seemed more upset that Corinna was sick than that Corinna had magic. Was that really more significant? “I didn’t think it was important… and I can’t heal myself. I don’t know healing magic yet. I’m self taught, and it never came up.”
“Not important…? Corinna, of course it’s…. Never mind. You know… Just rest. Belle is bringing up some soup for you, and I promise that, if you eat it all, you will be better by morning.” Alexander paced slightly. He seemed to be shaking as much as Corinna was. Corinna opened her mouth to comment on it and gave in to a fit of coughs that left her throat aching and her head reeling.
“A-are you… alright?” she asked, holding her head and the rag that sat there. Alexander stopped pacing and returned to Corinna’s side. With the grace only a royal would have, he knelt by Corinna’s bedside and put his normally warm fingers to Corinna’s cheek. They felt a bit cold to Corinna now, and that scared her, but she didn’t show it.
“You’re something special, Corinna. You’re here, with a case of death, and yet you still ask me if I’m alright. You are truly a wonder.” The prince pulled his hand back from Corinna’s skin, a frown on his face. “I’ll be fine. No need to worry about me.”
The door opened then, just a crack, and then Belle nudged it open with her back as she shimmied in with a tray used to eat food in bed.
“Lunchtime,” she announced, trying to mask her worry with cheer. She let the door fall shut behind her and nodded to Alexander. The blonde moved to help Corinna sit up, something she still didn’t seem able to do on her own. Belle set lunch up over Corinna’s lap and smiled. “It’s a chicken broth, mostly, but it has bit of apple juice from the magical apples. I thought it might give you some energy.”
“Thank you,” Corinna said with a sigh. She seemed so tired even though she had just woken up from a nap. Alexander furrowed his brow, obviously withholding a comment.
“I need to go make lunch for the others, but I’ll be back to check on you later, alright?” Belle asked, as though she actually needed Corinna’s permission to leave.
“Alright. I have Alexander to watch over me,” Corinna said. Belle nodded and bowed out, giving one last anxious look to Alexander.
“I should probably leave you too, though,” Alexander said, rising to his feet. “You need your rest.”
“No!” Corinna exclaimed and grabbed Alexander’s wrist with as much force as she could muster, which wasn’t much, and she could see the disappointment she felt reflected in Alexander’s eyes. Corinna pushed that thought aside. “No. I… I don’t want to be alone.”
“Corinna,” Alexander sighed. He grabbed the nearest chair and sat as close to the bed as his large legs would allow. “Do you need help eating?”
“Probably,” Corinna said, and though the topic was sad, she was smiling with so much relief. Alexander almost turned away from her, but instead shifted his seat so he could better help Corinna with her lunch.
It was a slow process, with Corinna coughing or taking breaks to rest and simply breathe, but she eventually ate it all, every last drop of Isabelle’s soup. Alexander removed the tray from Corinna’s lap and set it on the ground beside the bed. He helped Corinna relax back into the sheets and then leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss to Corinna’s forehead. The peasant girl watched him with careful eyes after that. First Alexander nearly kissed her properly and now the beast kissed her forehead? Alexander had become so gentle lately. Was it possible that Alexander was feeling the same strange emotions as Corinna? Did Alexander’s heart skip during that small show of affection just now as well? And would it all be meaningless tomorrow?
Corinna didn’t know, but she doubted Alexander would tell her even if she asked. Still, it comforted Corinna that Alexander sat with her until dinner. Most of the time they didn’t even speak to each other. It was simply Alexander rewetting her rag and mopping up her sweat, and it was Corinna coughing and resting her eyes, but the presence of another – the presence of Alexander – made all the difference. Corinna felt more comfortable and safe with Alexander there. She felt more hopeful, but she couldn’t begin to explain why.
Chapter 22 – Journey Back
The sun glared down through the gardener’s fingers and into her eyes, irritating a growing headache. She winced and turned her face away from its brightness. She felt her chest heave with remaining illness, but outwardly she made no notion of that. The chilled air did nothing to help that either. When she turned around, Corinna saw a group standing on the front steps. Isabelle held her chest tightly. Gavin seemed lax, a stance unusual for the knight wannabe. He was giving Corinna the deepest frown Corinna had ever seen on anyone other than Alexander. Veronica was just staring, the oddest look in her eyes. It was a sadness Corinna had never known in her. They all looked as though they were attending a funeral.
“I’ll come back and visit sometime,” Corinna assured them. “Once I make sure my mother is okay, and I don’t get sick again, I’ll come back.”
“It isn’t nice to make promises you can’t keep,” Morgana said. They all turned to see her walking up from the garden side of the house. She smiled sweetly and put her hand on Corinna’s shoulder. Corinna pulled away instantly and gave her a determined stare.
“I will come back,” Corinna said.
Morgana and Corinna shared a long look in the early morning light. Morgana's eyes were a dim green unlike their usual electric color. She seemed mellow and not like a witch at all. It was odd to experience her this way. Her gaze flickered around Corinna’s face and then she smiled.
“You are a mysterious one. If you return, it will be a magical day indeed. I look forward to it,” she said. “I think we shall all miss you.”
“Yes.” Veronica speaking up was a shock, but no one voiced it. The young girl stepped up to Corinna, right beside Morgana, and she did not look afraid. Instead, she looked sad with longing. “I already miss you. Come back soon, please.”
Then the small girl stood up tall and wrapped her arms around Corinna’s neck. There, where only she and Corinna could hear it, she breathed across the older girl’s ear.
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“We still need you. Don’t be afraid,” she said. She placed a friendly kiss on Corinna’s cheek and pulled back.
Corinna knit her eyebrows together and gave the sixteen year old an inquiring look, but she just smiled shyly, as though all of those words had been in Corinna’s mind, and not from her. It occurred to Corinna that perhaps they had been in her mind. Veronica had never sounded so wise and keen before. Perhaps she had imagined it.
“Good bye, Corinna,” Belle said as she came up and hugged her. She pressed her face into Corinna’s shoulder and squeezed her tight. It temporarily made the ache in her lungs dissipate. It was a long hug, one meant to offer all the comforts of a friend and speak all the sorrows of parting. Corinna held her close and took a deep breath. Then Isabelle pulled away and wiped at her eyes, which had not yet begun to drip. “You’re a great guest. Come back anytime.”
“Tell your mother I said hello, and I hope she feels better,” Gavin spoke before Corinna could. He was still standing on the steps. Corinna smiled sadly and walked over to him.
“Thank you very everything, Gavin,” Corinna said. “I’ll miss you.”
She opened her arms for a hug, which Gavin seemed to debate about for a moment. Then he slowly hugged Corinna, a gentle hug as though he was nervous about breaking her. He pat Corinna on the back and then pulled away.
“You are the greatest friend I have ever had,” he spoke quietly. “Do not let the world change you.”
“Never,” Corinna replied just as softly. She smiled encouragingly. “And don’t worry. Alexander’s curse will break soon, and you can go make lots of friends.” And she held her hand out to shake.
“I look forward to then, and shall visit you on that day,” Gavin promised. He slapped his hand into Corinna’s and gripped it forcefully. His shake was much more confident than his hug, and it made Corinna smile more.
The farm girl stepped down the stairs again and over to where Archimedes waited to leave. The horse nickered and shook his head, but didn’t seem to be in too much of a rush. Corinna glanced up at Alexander’s bedroom window, but the blinds were closed.
“Alexander won’t be coming to say goodbye,” Morgana said, drawing her attention. “He said he didn’t need to see you off.”
“Oh?” Corinna asked. Her chest hurt again, but this time she did not think it was due to her sickness. She glanced back at the windows and then to the front gate. “Well he’s right. He doesn’t need to see me leave. He’ll see me come in soon enough.”
Morgana’s expression was hard to read. She did not look pleased at the idea, but she didn’t look particularly upset with it either. Corinna expected annoyance of some sort, but Morgana just nodded and pulled her hood up.
Corinna stepped into her stirrup and hefted herself up onto Archimedes’ back. The reins felt firm in her grip, and the horse felt heavy beneath her, especially with the added weight of Corinna’s satchel. She coughed once into her hand, but it seemed to be an ordinary one. No blood or debilitating pain accompanied it. Corinna looked over them all one last time, including Alexander’s window, and then nodded to Morgana.
For a moment, time seemed uneasy, almost fluctuating. Morgana’s eyes simmered in Corinna’s gaze, and she could hear a murmur in her mind that sounded just like the older witch.
‘Things are at an end, Corinna. Soon, all will be rectified, and none will have the power to change the ending. None, that is, save for you. Even I am powerless now,’ she whispered.
‘What are you expecting me to do?’ Corinna asked into the echoes of her thoughts. Morgana’s lips quirked up in a smirk.
‘Be your normal, meddlesome self, and I assure you things will happen.’
“Run along home, now,” the rose witch spoke aloud and broke the magical moment. She stood tall, trying to appear more formidable, or perhaps more regal. In some ways, weren’t they the same?
Corinna smiled sweetly at her, and Morgana knit her eyebrows together curiously.
“Do me a favor,” Corinna said, looking at them all. “If you happen on a witch named Niviene, tell her I’m sorry, will you?”
“Niviene?” Veronica asked, tilting her head curiously.
“Should she ever show her face to me,” Morgana said, interrupting, “I would sooner have her tried for treason than to apologize to her.” Corinna wrinkled her forehead, confused, and turned Archie more to face Morgana. “You act like you know her. I assumed you would know who she is.”
“Briefly met her once. What did she do to you?” Corinna asked. Morgana threw her head back and laughed.
“To me?” she asked. “She abandoned her post as court sorcerer and sent the king into his current obsession with killing our kind. She did nothing to me. She did something to an entire kingdom.”
“Niviene was the court sorcerer ten years ago?” Corinna asked. Archimedes shifted his weight around and snorted.
“Yes. So do not count on me fulfilling your favor. Now hurry on. Your family is waiting for you,” Morgana said.
She snapped her fingers and the front gate swung open with a loud and mournful creak. Archimedes grunted and flipped his starlight hair, then he began to walk down the path.
“Whoa. I’ll come back soon! I promise!” Corinna called out behind her. Then, as she passed through the gate, she leaned down and pat Archie on the neck. “She really does have some kind of spell on you, doesn’t she?”
The clang of the iced gate locking shut behind her rang cold within her, but she tried to ignore it. She would come back to visit sometime. This place was no longer a nightmare in the back of her mind. It was just a temporary home… for all of them.
The trip was a slow one, with Corinna reacquainting herself with the pitch darkness of the forest floor. Archimedes stepped tenderly but never faltered. It was quiet in the underbrush, with only a skitter every twenty minutes or so. Corinna was surprised, however, when she heard birds calling out to eat other across the black expanse she couldn’t see. The leaves shivered in the stillness as she passed, as though the slow pace was enough to cause a breeze in the stagnant space. There was no snow down here, not even a small melting patch. The ground was made of solid, frigid earth, but no snow. Corinna took a deep breath of the air, which was clear and clean but stuffy. It was nothing like the air of the manor.
The forest grew in Corinna’s mind as an image of change despite its sameness. It was an everlasting portal to another place and time, a place where time slowed and blurred together, a place where emotion was both amplified by infinite room and stifled by compressing silence. She would miss it all greatly. She missed it even now. She would miss everyone’s daily passings; Belle’s cooking, Gavin’s training, and Veronica’s shy banter. The forest protected all of that from the outside world, but it also caged it. When Alexander’s curse broke, they would all go home… but then that house would be empty, even more still. It may even be taken over by the forest without Morgana.
Corinna was free already, before the end of the curse she’d put so much effort toward ending. A frown engraved itself on her face regardless. She had wanted this for so long. She had begged for this just the other day, so why did she feel so dejected? Why was she so disappointed? Corinna looked over her shoulder and back down the dark pathway toward Paesaggia and the Rose Chateau. It was blank and empty, too dark to see far. She could see no hint of her temporary home. Corinna took a slow breath and turned forward again.
That was the cause. Alexander hadn’t even shown his face. Just the night before, Corinna had almost thought Alexander might like her in almost the same way as she had felt growing in her heart for him. But he had ordered her to leave and disappeared. This felt more like an exile than a release.
Why hadn’t he come to say goodbye? Why?
Corinna shook her head. She had to focus on where she was going. Her village would be visible soon. Her mother needed her attention. Alexander didn’t matter, at least not right now. Still she couldn’t shake the detached and empty feeling that hung around her
as the trees started to thin out and the sky again.
As the trees pulled back, Corinna saw the sun for the first time in a little over three hours. In its glare, Corinna realized she missed that too. She missed the color of sunshine and the sound of thunder. She raised her arm up and rubbed at her dry eyes.
She missed it, but she knew what her heart was truly aching for. As the sight of dotted, empty fields met her gaze, she let out a gutted sound. It was like a dream, beautiful even in its dying brown, beautiful in its stomped through snow.
There was a boy, no older than seven, hiding behind the farthest house out. In his hand, he held a flaking snowball, and he kept peeking around the corner of the house in search of victims. It was just as Corinna remembered it. And then the boy relaxed against his shield and looked out toward the forest. Corinna couldn’t see his expression, but he dropped his snowball and took off into the village rather fast. Corinna frowned. If she didn’t get there soon, that boy would probably have the whole village convinced that Corinna was the beast of the forest.
The Rose Chateau Page 29
