by Valia Lind
But the prince had a secret, like most people do. The secret, however, wasn't like that of most people. In the depths of his being lived a beast, which could not be tamed. So every night, after the curtains were drawn and the doors were locked, he let the beast free.
I glance up from the page, my mind mulling over the words. If what I'm reading is what I think I'm reading, the prince would be a shifter. Maybe this could be helpful after all. Getting a little more comfortable, I continue.
No one knew of this predicament. Only his parents. They guarded the secret as closely as they could. They wanted their son to have all the advantages in the world and were afraid of how the kingdom would see him, were he not the perfect man that stood before them during the day. It is a fear as old as time and therefore, it was a secret that had to be kept.
Even though the prince's life was a grand one, he longed for a connection like no other. He has watched the love between his parents and he wanted one for himself. He was ready to love someone, but how could someone love him back if they could never know him for who he truly is?
Not long after his twentieth birthday, the prince was out in the village, visiting the market. The bazars were always his favorite pastime, as it gave him a chance to not only get to know his people, but to help them by buying up trinkets for the palace. His people were of a talented sort and made tapestries and painting that belonged in the grandest halls.
That particular day the prince was walking through the stalls, with his captain of the guard beside him, when a stand caught his eye. The most beautiful cloth he has ever seen danced in the breeze, pulling him toward it. The designs woven in and out created an explosion of color like no other. The prince instantly knew he had to buy a few pieces for the palace. When he walked around the stall, eager to purchase the tapestries, he came face to face with a fair maiden.
The maiden was the most beautiful creature he has ever laid eyes upon. The tapestries around her failed in comparison, but so did the moon and the sun. The maiden smiled, bowing deeply, and it was as if something clicked within the prince's heart. It was like a melody has started playing all around them, but only he and the maiden could hear it well enough to dance. They spoke only briefly, as the prince paid for a few tapestries and money was exchanged. She was friendly, just like they all are friendly to him, but there was a pull about her that the prince did not understand. He has met beautiful maidens before and none of them have ever fascinated in the way that she did.
Before walking away, the prince invited the fair maiden to a ball at the palace. When she promised she will try to come, the prince walked away with a happy heart.
But that night, just like all the other nights, the prince locked the doors and became a beast.
No one could understand why this happened to him, no one had a way to stop it. He had no control. Just the knowledge that once the moon was out, so was the beast.
Days later, the ball was to be held and days later, the prince was still thinking about the fair maiden. Would she come? He did not know. But he knew that he would wait for her nevertheless.
When it was time for the ball, in the early afternoon as usual, the palace has never looked better. There were candles everywhere and the place looked like it was filled with the night stars themselves. The ball was always early, as the prince had to excuse himself once the sun was down.
The people came and the ball began, but there was no sight of the fair maiden anywhere. The prince greeted the guests, and talked to the musicians. He made sure there was enough food brought in from the kitchens and enough seats set up for rest. Still, the fair maiden was nowhere in sight.
The sun started to go down, and the king and queen begged the prince to retire to his chambers. But he insisted on waiting, just a few minutes longer. He waited and waited and when he could wait no longer, he excuse himself and rushed to his chambers. But before he could make it to that wing of the palace, the fair maiden was there in his path. She was wearing a sparkling green dress, her long brown hair falling down past her waist. Her cheeks were flushed from running, but she looked like she was glowing.
Apologizing profusely, she told the prince that her mother was sick and she had to take care of her before she could slip away for the ball. The prince smiled, enchanted by her even more. But there was no time and he had to get to his rooms before the shift came. He excused himself, even though it pained him to do so, and raced toward his rooms. The maiden, worried something was wrong with the prince, followed. After all, she has been taking care of a sick mother. She could be of some help.
The prince rushed through the doors, but before he could close them, he was on his knees. The time has come and there was nothing he could do about it. His skin began to ripple, his spine began to fold. A soft gasp sounded from behind him and he turned only to see the fair maiden looking at him from the doorway. Terrified of what she would think of him, he tried to retreat, but she surprised him.
"I am not scared," she whispered, holding her hands out in front of her. Those four words, the words the prince has wanted to hear all his life, burrowed right into his heart. The fair maiden took a tentative step forward, then another, until she was right in front of the prince. With shaking hands, not because of fear, but of emotion, the fair maiden reached for the prince. His own hand reached out and the moment their skin touched, it was like the brightness of the sun has entered the room.
Everything seemed to stop. Not only time itself, but his shift. Glancing down, he watched as his body became his own again. When he looked up, there was pure happiness shining in the maiden's eyes, which was mirrored in his own. She raised her other hand, and a spark of magic danced at her fingertips.
"You are a witch," the prince said, his voice full of awe.
"You are a shifter," the maiden answered in kind.
The two were complete opposites, yet two pieces of a puzzle fitting together perfectly. She was his anchor and he was her sever. Her magic unleashed when they came together and his was tamed. From that day on, he could control his shift and learned to call upon it whenever he wanted. The two became one, and it would not have been possible without his true mate.
For that is what the fair maiden was. A soulmate, his true mate, the one which was made for him and he for her. Their friendship grew, and then their love, and in seasons time, they had their happily ever after.
When I finish reading, I sit frozen for a while. It may have been hours for all I know. But I can't get the image of the prince and the maiden out of my mind, or the story itself. I see myself in her, even though there is barely any description or words spoken on the page. It's as if the story has seeped into my skin, and I see images instead of words. The library has tried to show me something, something I don't think I'm ready to know.
Jumping off the seat, I leave the book behind and head toward the door. Liam and I have training and right now seems like the right time to go. But before I leave, I turn to the library and I whisper a quick thanks. Somehow, I know I learned important details here today. I just have to come to terms with them now.
When I get back to my room, it's much later than I thought. Changing into my workout gear, I'm braiding my hair on the run. I feel that constant tug toward the side of the school with the quarantined, but I race past it. Now is not the time to suddenly change my stance on seeing my friends.
Once I finally make it to the workout room, I see Liam is already there. He doesn't look upset, just a little worried. Which goes away the moment he sees me. I guess me not showing up could mean a bunch of things right now.
"Sorry, I lost track of time." I say, and Liam just nods, letting me decide if I want to share more than that. As I walk towards him, I know I'll tell him about the library, just not the story I found. That, I still need to digest on my own.
"I was able to get through," I begin, before the magic of the place stops me from going any farther. It gets really difficult to keep talking in circles, but I guess that's how the library stays hidden all this time
. Even though Liam has been down there with me, he wouldn't be able to find it on his own. Only I can do that. But he knows exactly what I'm taking about, if the excitement on his face is any indication. I had to remind him I had a place I can look for answers at, and he seemed to have retained that information.
"And?"
"All wet," he crinkles his forehead at me and I smile, before translating. "No good. No specifics, no instructions. I could read for days, and I doubt I'd be able to find what we need."
"It was worth a shot."
"I'll keep trying. If I can."
I realize I don't know if the library will let me back in. But it's not like I can share that with Liam either. He would not be happy with me if he knew I had to story spell cast. Instead of worrying about everything I can't control, I focus on the here and now. Liam has been teaching me how to wield a sword. He hands me the weapon and the moment my skin closes around the steel I think back to our first few lessons. When Aiden was still here.
There I go again, dwelling on aspects of my life that are extra painful. So smart of me, I should pat myself on the back.
"You with me?" Liam's voice breaks through my self loathing and I nod, shifting my feet into the start position. We've been doing this at least once a day, and even though my body is already exhausted from barely sleeping, I welcome this particular exertion. This is the kind of weariness that leads to something good. And I can use a little more good in my life right now.
"Let's start with drills."
We go through a series of exercises, stretching and prepping our bodies. Not that Liam needs much of that. He's in excellent shape, like every fae I've ever met. But since he did grow up mostly in the human world, he actually does exercise like us mere mortals. I snicker at that and he gives me a questioning look, but I'm not about to share my thoughts with him. I'm having a very difficult time keeping my brain from overheating as it is. It seems to be jumping from subject to subject without any coherent thought. Maybe I should be taking a nap instead of sparring. Not that I could actually sleep.
"Maddie, if you're not up for it?" Liam once again has to bring my attention back to him and I shake my head.
"I'm here. No worries. Let's do this."
He gives me one long look and then he attacks.
I expect him to do so, but somehow he still takes me by surprise. It just shows how exhausted I really am. I've taken a few steps back before I manage to bring my sword up to block his swing. The impact jars me, like it always does, because I told Liam not to hold back. I know he still does, but he doesn't baby me and for that I am thankful. It's my turn to jab, and when I do, he blocks me easily. The familiar exhilaration starts boiling in my veins and it's the kind of a fuel I need. Stepping forward, I swing low, slamming my sword against his. We continue our dance, middle to high to low, before I twist around. Close left, close right, then side. We've trained with different swords, but long sword is what he prefers. There are plenty of guards, but knowing the basics is what I asked for. I don't need to be the best. I just need to know how to sneak up on someone enough to cause damage.
Aiden is just as good with the sword as he is at personal hand to hand combat. The image of his face flashes before my eyes, the memory of us in this very room, sweat dripping off our bodies after we sparred. With the image comes the pain in my heart and it's enough of a distraction for Liam to almost get a hit in. I block him just in time, but the impact still sends my body a few feet back.
I plant my feet before I can fall, and then I'm swinging again. My body has learned how to move, but my mind is too full of Aiden to be of much help right now. The next time Liam swings, I don't catch it. He pulls back at the last second, and only grazes my shoulder. Still, it's enough to send me flying, my own sword clanking against the floor. The only thing that saves me from bleeding is the training spell we've put in place when we first started practicing. Even so, Liam is beside me in a flash.
"Are you okay?"
"Just embarrassed." I reply, getting to my feet slowly.
"What you are is exhausted. When was the last time you actually slept?"
"When was the ball? A day before that."
I'm not about to lie to Liam. He can sniff that out like a hound dog. But the moment I tell him the truth, I regret it. Because I know what comes next.
"Mads," he begins, before stoping and looking for the right words. "We're done for the day. We're not practicing again until you've slept."
He means well, of that I am sure. But I know myself. Every time I close my eyes, I just see my friends on the floor in front of me, vomiting blood and guts, and I can do nothing but stare. Even when I try, I can't shut those images off long enough to truly fall asleep.
"I know you don't want to hear it," he continues, "but maybe you need to go see..."
"No!" I cut him off, before he says the one thing I don't want to hear. "I'll go lay down."
He studies me for a moment, as if deciding how much truth is in that statement, but finally he lets me go. I give him half a smile, before handing over the sword and walking out of the room. If only this whole mess could be solved with a nap.
5
The sleeping doesn't go well, as I thought. After I left Liam in the training room, I head to take a shower, thinking it might help me relax. But it doesn't. However, I don't break down crying this time, so I call that a win.
After a nap doesn't work, I get up and start reading the same books on magic I've been reading over for days. When the dinner bell rings, I almost don't bother going downstairs. So few of the students and faculty remain healthy it's more depressing than not, going downstairs. But then I realized Vera will be waiting for me and I need to see her. For selfish reasons as much as for her. It's her friends who are sick as well.
"Hey, Maddie," Vera calls out as I step through the doorway to the dining room. As predicted, there are barely any people in here. I think most just grab some food and leave to go back to their rooms. It's safer that way. Groups I never thought I'd see have formed, staying together in each other's rooms and walking in packs. Those who never shared two words with each other are not confidants. It's a truly upside down world we're living in.
"How are you doing?" I ask, reaching over to give her a quick hug. She looks pale, mirroring the same bags under the eyes that I'm wearing.
"I'm okay. They're not getting any better." She's the one who keeps me up to date with our friend's predicament. I'm not sure if she understands why I can't go see them, I'm not sure I fully understand besides the part where I'm trying to keep myself together. I guess that's a good enough reason, but it's not like I'm proud of the fact that I think I'm too weak to see them. That may brand me a coward, but I don't pretend to be who I'm not.
"What about worse?" I ask, almost afraid of the answer.
"Same," she shakes her head and I breathe a little easier. That means I have more time. I can figure this out. Or maybe headmaster will. He's been working with the Elders and the teachers, doing what he can from his side of things. I truly expected him to just take over and fix everything. But he trusts me to learn about my power and to see if I can help. It's scary to think they're not powerful enough to make this go away. I don't want to fail him any more than I want to fail my friends.
"Let's get some food," Vera says, leading me to the buffet. The magical supply of food still seems to be holding, which makes me thankful for small favors. I fully expected Queen Amaryllis to have blocked that magic by now. But I guess the banishing spell I cast really does keep her out of this school and its dealings. We grab a few things, bagel and some fruit. Neither one of us seems to be hungry, but we know we have to eat.
"How are you holding up, really?" I decide to ask, because I want Vera to know I'm here for her. Her roommate ended up being a spy for the Ancients, and then her friends end up sick. I can't imagine what's going through her mind. She's a powerful shifter, but even powerful beings need friends.
"I don't know, Maddie. It's all so scary. Every time I go to v
isit, I'm afraid they'll be gone. Most of my kind...they're not handling the sickness well." She sighs, looking down at her food. I'm not sure if it's because they shift into birds and those are smaller creatures, but I've heard most of the avian shifters are pretty bad off.
"I'm sorry, Vera," I say, reaching over and giving her hand a quick squeeze. She's typically not big on physical touch, but I think we both need to know the other is present, because she covers my hand with her other and returns the gesture.
"I'm sorry too. I wish there was something I could do to help."
"Mrs. Lee hasn't been able to find anything?"
Just like I am doing research for the headmaster, the remaining students are working with various teachers to help find some answers. Vera shakes her head in response.
"Her and Miss Housely have been trying to find something from the witches point of view, but no amount of potions seem to do anything. The virus is a whole different breed of magic they can't seem to get a grip on."
"We'll figure it out," I say, sounding a lot more confident than I feel. Vera usually has no problem with confidence, but I'm the first to admit this ordeal has changed us all.
"We will," she agrees, but I think, only because she has to.
There isn't much to be said after that. I don't want to give her more empty promises and she doesn't seem to want to share any false hope. We nibble on our food, just content in the presence of the other. My mind once again drifts to how crazy our lives have become. A year ago, I couldn't even imagine us in the midst of Faery, battling a disease from what seems like another life.
But that's who the Ancients are. They are the first creatures, the beginning to all of this. Their magic is older and stronger than anything we've ever seen and this is just one example of it. Who knows what else they have up their sleeve? Their greatest strength is that even though they've been asleep for centuries, they are still adaptable. They know magic better than we do and they know how to make it work for them, even in this new world they've woken up to.
