by Diana Flame
“Be quiet. They shalt be punished f’r interrupting the proceedings,” a rumbling voice replied.
“I am all they has't, prithee, spare those folk and doeth to me what thee shall.”
“Very well.”
A firm hand gripped her shoulder and pushed. Another set of hands pulled the hood from her face. It took a minute or two for her to focus and when she did, she was surprised to see the multitude before her. The terror on the faces broke her heart and she wanted to tell them that all would be well.
Her staff stood to her left, tears staining their faces. One of the soldiers pushed her head into a crutch between the base and blade of the guillotine. Her fear had long since disappeared and now she awaited her doom.
Closing her eyes, she prayed that it would be swift and painless. In her prayer, she begged God for many things including taking care of her servants. While in the midst of prayer, flashes of muscles and an erected manhood flashed before her.
Cinderella’s eye flew open as she asked God to forgive her. But Galien settled in her heart and refused to let go. This was her last moment on earth and she welcomed the thought of him. She closed her eyes once more as the soldier placed his hand on the lever. Her one regret was not allowing Galien to kiss her. She wondered what would a full kiss feel like, having never been kissed before.
His lips had brushed hers ever so slightly, bringing with it an igniting fire. If he’d kissed her, would that current be multiplied ten times? His body, the entirety of it presented in her mind’s eye and she had to fight to push it aside. Heat stained her cheeks and her heart fluttered.
Shouts and screams broke through her fantasy of Galien and she opened her eyes. She was unable to see what the fuss was about, as her head was in the crutch and her eyes casted to the ground. She could only see the feet of the soldiers as they jumped from the platform. The soldier that was at the lever moved away as well. Any movement from her may upset the blade, therefore she stood still.
She knew they drew their swords by the sound of the blades scraping the sheathes. The shrill cry of the people running away told Cinderella that something was happening that even the soldiers were not prepared for. A few of the soldiers came back to the platform.
“Back hence!” (back away) the leader commanded. She knew his voice from hearing him speak earlier.
Before she could get a sense of what was happening she heard a growl, and she closed her eyes once more while praying that this wasn’t what she thought it was. Then she was being lifted into strong arms and pulled against soft fur. Her eyes shot open and she was cradled in the arms of the humongous beast.
The bear jumped from the dais and started running away with her. While he ran through the marketplace, his paws snatched a few pieces of garments from the sellers’ stalls. Shouts from the vendors were plenty and people ran back and forth, trying to save their items and themselves.
The animal continued towards the north where Black Thorn was. In her shock, she hadn’t moved until now. A blood curdling scream ripped from deep within her as she tried to break free.
“Nay!” she screamed. “Putteth me down, thee ghastly beast.”
The bear continued on the path she knew to be where the forest opened. Thrashing and kicking she tried to set herself free. The bear held her in such a tight embrace that she felt she could hardly breathe but Cinderella would not give in easily. Grabbing a fistful of fur, she yanked and he yelled, but did not let her go.
Running through the trees quickly, they soon left the crowd behind. The speed of the animal was like none she’d ever seen. The soldiers followed but they could not catch them.
“Putteth me down this instant,” she demanded. “What doth thee wanteth with me?”
Anger quickly replaced her dread that she found the courage to start hitting his face and chest. The animal seemed unfazed by her assault and continued to move rapidly through the dense green.
The further they got the more the scene became familiar. They were nearing the portal to the Enchanted Kingdom where she had exited the day prior. It was close by that this very bear had frightened her. Perhaps his habitat was near.
Making another attempt at freedom, she pummeled its chest and tried to wriggle from its grasp. In her struggle to free herself from the bear, something sharp grazed her hand.
“Ouch!” she shrieked, then her eyes caught a familiar object.
She stopped kicking long enough to take a look at the offending article. It was the cobalt pendant which she’d seen hanging around Galien’s neck. This didn’t make sense. That pendant belonged to Galien.
“What has't thee done with him?” She screamed, bashing whatever her fists met.
The thought he might have hurt Galien was unbearable to her. She wanted to strangle him. She let loose her fury on the large beast, punching and scratching, whatever would yield fruit.
The bear took the beating and continued to move deeper into the forest. He cradled her close while she tried to set herself free. When they were far away that she could no longer hear the approaching soldiers, he set her down gently. Her knees gave out and she slumped to the ground, keeping her eyes on him.
She was about to bolt when she noticed the color of his eyes transformed from yellow to blue… cobalt like Galien’s eyes. Something in those eyes made her intake her breath, as they held her mesmerized. This couldn’t be, but the thought would not leave her.
“Galien?” she gasped, scrambling back.
Her foot brushed a dry branch on the ground which she quickly snatched up and stood to her feet. If this was indeed Galien, he was still a beast. The bear made a step towards her. She held out her ersatz weapon, wagging it menacingly close to his face.
“Keep at bay!”
Even while she shouted at him, the look in his eyes made her heart melt. A sadness was there that provoked her emotions. Was it really Galien before her? Was this why he would not answer her questions about the bear? She started backing away, wanting to flee, but the sound of hoof beats approached and she was caught between two enemies. But was Galien really an enemy?
She needed to make a decision. It was either the bear or getting her neck snapped. It took less than a few seconds to make up her mind. Swallowing her fear, she dropped the stick and straightened her back. There was a chance that it may not to be the wise choice, but what was there to lose?
“Is’t thee Galien?” she breathed. “Can thee understandeth me?”
Bravely, Cinderella made a wobbly step forward. Her heartbeat was loud enough that she knew he could hear it. She made another step and he stood still, watching her. It seemed he wanted to say something, she could see by the way he tilted his head to the side. When she was just an arm away, she stopped, searching his eyes. If he were going to harm her, he would have done so already, she thought.
“What is't? What art thee trying to bid me?”
The hoof beats got closer and Cinderella became impatient to know whether this animal was the man in her thoughts. Moving even closer, she raised a hand and touched his face. He leaned his head into her palm and gave a whimpering sound.
“Galien t’is thee, is't not?”
A low growl emitted from him and he moved his head up and down. That meant he saved her from getting her head chopped off. Realizing this, she stepped close and circled her arms around him, hugging him close. Her fear dissipated, being replaced by her joy.
“Thank thee f’r saving me,” she cried. “Wherefore didst thee not tell thee wast like this?”
Tears welled in her eyes at the thought that he had to live his life being half beast. She wished there was something she could do to make him human. Deep inside as she hugged him, she prayed that he would change into the man she’d met so she could thank him properly.
“Cometh out Galien, I needeth thee,” she whispered.
“I needeth thee too Cinderella,” the familiar voice whispered back.
Startled she stepped back and looked up familiar eyes and the smiling face of her frien
d.
“Galien!” she cried.
Without thinking, she flung her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. An electric charge rippled through her, driving heat throughout her body. Galien’s arms tightened around her as his lips moved over hers. The kiss would have deepened hadn’t the sound of voices broken them apart. Both their breathing were shallow as they looked into each other’s eyes. However, there was no time to savor the moment as the soldiers were upon them.
Shouts from the soldiers resonated through the woods. Quickly pulling on some of the clothing he’d snatched from the stall, he dressed himself. She watched red faced as she realized she’d been in the arms of a naked man... one she even kissed. Grabbing her hand, Galien pulled her along and started moving away. The magnetic charge which sprinted up her arm left her as breathless as the kiss had. Her heart rate increased as she followed his lead. She wasn’t sure if it was from running or his touch. Either way she didn’t mind.
There was no time to organize her thoughts on what was happening. Things were happening much too quickly for her to make sense of them. However, one thing stuck to the back of her mind. How did he know to save her?
Chapter 11
“How wast it possible?” King Hughoc thundered.
The commander of the guard cringed. “I beg of thee forgiveness, Thy Highness. The bear tooketh that lady.”
The commander was on his knees, telling the king of the incident with the bear taking their prisoner. Nothing like this ever happened before. Never had a prisoner escaped from the guillotine until now.
“A bear?”
“Aye, Sire.”
Hughoc slumped into his chair. “I bethought the knave (young boy) wast dead. Anon, he hast hath returned?” the king mumbled in an undertone.
“Couldst thee repeat, Thy Highness?’
“Nothing. Just station the highest rank'd guards at the gate. Not a one shouldst enter who is't doth not belongeth in the palace. Capture the beast immediately.”
“Aye, Thy Highness.”
As soon as the soldier left the palace hall, Hughoc started pacing. His heart threatened to rip from his chest with the terror he was feeling. All his hard work would go to naught if that beast should appear and open the door to the secret room. Only the beast had the key, which would ruin everything.
He’d been able to fool the people for the past few years, but if the true prince should return and open that door. All would be revealed. He must find Marge and have her complete their mission. The witch had disappeared when Reginald and Grizelda died. He had been unable to locate her since.
At all cost, he must prevent the prince from returning. If that worthless Tobyn would just try harder, they would have opened the door a long time ago. After all, he’d taught him well by providing the best tutors. There was no way he would fail some silly test.
Even with his outward confidence, Hughoc wondered what lay behind the door. A small twinge of doubt troubled him. Would Tobyn be able to pass this test to be accepted as the heir apparent?
If Hughoc was to remain in power he must have the prince settled into the throne without opposition. The prince would be thirty years old this year, which meant he had to get him married first and then make sure everything was in place for the high priests. Still, he had not figured out how to break the seal to the room before they arrived.
This was not good. Neither he nor Tobyn had any idea what was expected of him and so he just had to pray that he’d prepared the lad enough. If not, then everything he’d done would be for naught. Not only would it displace Tobyn as prince, but his sins would be revealed. Treason was a serious crime in Taucia and he would be executed if found out. Fortunately he had located the secret room, only he was unable to venture in.
“I cannot alloweth that prince to return. I wilt open the door and see what is inside.”
Hughoc raised his head as someone entered the hall. His eyes settled upon his queen. She glided towards him with worry lines on his face.
“Wherefore is a commotion outside the palace walls, my king?”
“Nothing f'r thee to worry about, my queen. Thee must prepare the marriage straightaway.”
Hughoc knew that the people were gathering at the palace gates because word got out that Tobyn might not be Reginald’s son. For decades, people believed the rumors that the true prince had been cursed. He’d tried to convince them that was not so and some thought the curse had been broken. Now that a bear made an appearance and took off with the girl, many wanted answers.
Queen Lisbeth took his hand. Her deep brown eyes sparkled and her lips curled in beautiful smile. “My king, couldst thee not changeth thy mind about the lady? Tobyn is in love with Cinderella.”
“T’is but too late,” he replied, pulling away his hand and settling in his throne.
Lisbeth’s face betrayed her dismay. “Didst thee have the lady beheaded as thou didst promise? How couldst thee hast done it knowing Tobyn may hast been the one at fault?”
“The law is the law. That wench assaulted the prince….”
“T’is an egregious law and thou knowest it!”
“This law wast the only way I couldst keepeth Izadel under subjection. Conclude, be it, that maiden is still alive and hast escape the gallows.”
“Ah, splendid, the lady is saved.”
“Saved? The lady is a wanted criminal. How dos thou defendest her crime?”
“Crime? Thy foolish laws keepeth Izadel in fear,” she stated. “Thou art afraid they shall see through thy deceit, thus thy unfair edicts.”
The king waved, dismissing her admonishment. “Pft.”
“Doth thou knowest who this maiden be?” Libeth continued.
“Of what dost thou speakest?”
“That lady’s mother wast the illegitimate daughter of the Padian king. Cinderella is the only bloodline hath left to the Padian throne.”
Hughoc’s shoulders slumped. “How didst thee cometh to know of this?”
“Unlike thee, I am kept informed.”
Blood drained from the king’s face as he realized the error of his actions and their consequences. He knew the girl was of Padian descent from her coloring, but he never thought that she was royalty.
“The king is dying and he is bethinking of making his granddaughter the heir apparent. Thither art no other options f’r the Padian throne,” the queen stated.
“Art thee certain of this?”
“Mine own source in the palace at Padian hast toldeth me. The king shall sendeth thee word. If 't be true he findeth out thee hath tried to behead his granddaughter, thee knoweth the peace treaty shall be annull'd.”
“Wherefore didst thee not inform me of this?”
“I only just hath found this out while thee wast busy having the maiden unjustly punished.”
Hughoc stood and made a few steps forward, then strolled back to the throne. “Dost thou knowest how glorious this couldst be f'r Izadel?”
“Bid me.”
“If 't be true this maiden is confirm'd as the coronet princess of Padian, then it would not matter about Tobyn passing the test. They couldst marry and not a one would question Tobyn’s birthright.”
Rolling her eyes, she bemoaned, “Eyiyiyi! Thou art at each moment plotting something dubious. At which hour shall thee decide not to pursue thy evil ways?”
Chapter 12
Galien sprinted ahead of her. Cinderella was surprised that she could keep up with him. After some distance, he came to a halt in front of a bulky shrub, one in which she had appeared when she’d stepped through the portal. Once there, he made a move close to the plant, then stepped back.
Cinderella watched with curiosity as he did this several times. She wanted to ask what he was doing, but he seemed in deep concentration.
“Is’t broken?” she heard him mumble. “No t’is not.”
Still panting from her run, she queried, “What is broken?”
“I am in human form. This nev'r hath happened on this side of the portal.�
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Though Galien was in his human state, he knew the bear lurked inside of him. The spell was not broken, but when Cinderella hugged him, it reversed the state he was in. He was now the way he usually was when in the Enchanted Kingdom.
“What did cause it?”
“Thee,” he replied, looking deeply into her eyes.
She blinked and frowned. “How so?”
Closing the gap between them, he brushed the back of his hand against her cheek, his touch like fire to her skin.
“Because thy heart hast connecteth with mine own,” he replied, his tone sultry.
With a snicker, she brushed his hand away, though her heart cantered like a spooked horse. “T’is ridiculous.”
“T’is true, Cinderella. T’is the reason the portal is gone,” he insisted.
“Of what dost thou speakest when thou sayest the portal is gone?”
“Once I am inhuman form, I shall not enter the Enchanted Kingdom.T’is the rule. At which hour thee did hug me, I hath felt thy heartbeat did join with mine.”
“And it hath broken the spell?”
“I bethinks it reversed my appearance. How else would I be like this? It hast nev'r hath happened until now.”
Although glad that he was at least human again, Cinderella was fearful. Where would they go now that the king’s soldiers were after them? She’d thought that Galien would take her back to his domain and there they would hide until they could figure things out.
“Whither shall we hide ourselves?” she asked.
“One moment,” he said. “Rufus!”
“Who is't art thee calling? We needeth to be on our way lest they catcheth up with us.”
“An elf,” he answered before yelling again. “Rufus, I knowest thee can hear me.”
“Canst not a sprite receiveth some rest 'round hither?” a voice came from a nearby tree.
Cinderella casted her eyes upward, seeing a small elf no taller than her waist, lounging on a branch. He was dressed in a bright red suit, his arms folded across his chest with his eyes closed.
“Cometh down hither, Rufus,” Galien commanded.
