by R. L. Weeks
Lori smiled broadly. ‘You’re a smart girl, Belle. First things first, I must marry the king.’
Belle’s eyed widened. ‘King of where? And why?’
Lori smiled seductively. ‘The King of Northmanni. He is looking for a wife. He is a very powerful man, for a mortal. Northmanni is one of the biggest in all the lands. He will help us achieve our goals, but, I need to find a way to get more beauty for myself,’ Lori informed Belle.
‘Beauty is only skin deep,’ Belle pointed out. ‘You don’t need to obtain more beauty.’ She pulled her dark pink velvet cloak tighter. Her hair was tied up into a loose ponytail. Her dress was a dusty pink, it pinched in at her waist and flowed out at the bottom. All of it was courtesy of Lori who insisted that Belle needed new clothes. Now Lori was insisting that they needed new looks, including James. He was up for the challenge, no questions asked, which shocked Belle.
‘Again…I need beauty,’ Lori said, interrupting Belle’s train of thought. ‘There is only one in this kingdom who is beautiful enough that I would not need to take anyone’s beauty for years.’
‘You can’t steal someone’s beauty?’ Belle asked sternly.
‘You want to protect your son? Then you must trust in me,’ Lori said before disappearing into her room. ‘We start tomorrow,’ she shouted before shutting the door.
Henry yawned and stretched out his leg by the fire. James walked down from his room and sat next to Henry.
Belle bit her cheek. She knew the apples were cursed, but to take someone’s beauty and youth? It was… different. Belle looked at her son and sighed. ‘James.’ He turned and looked at her blankly. She took a deep breath and continued. ‘You know how I told you earlier that Lori thinks you have powers?’ He nodded. ‘Well,’ she continued. ‘I have agreed to help Lori hunt Edward. She’s going to help you control your powers.’
Henry grumbled but didn’t say anything. James turned. His light brown hair had turned a couple of shades darker. His voice had broken, and he was at least a foot taller. He was growing up so fast. ‘I’m up for the challenge. Henry’s been trying to help me bring my powers to the surface.’
‘Nothing yet,’ Henry said.
Belle smiled warmly at Henry. ‘You have a good heart, Henry. How is Snow?’
‘I went to see her today. She’s growing up so fast. Sixteen now,’ he said. ‘She’s opinionated, kind, funny, just like her mother was.’
‘Someone else James’s age?’ Belle asked.
‘Yes,’ Henry replied. ‘Her birthday was last week. I attended the party thrown by the King. He adores her.’
Belle smiled in response and made them all cocoa.
‘You can come and meet her if you want?’ Henry suggested.
Belle grinned. ‘How sweet. We would love too. When are you thinking?’
Henry smiled. ‘I’m seeing her tomorrow?’
Belle grinned and looked over at James. ‘Tomorrow it is.’ She hoped that being around more friends would cheer him up. ‘I’m sure they will get along,’ Belle added.
APPLES
Lori watched Snow from a distance. She heard the horse and cart pull off in the distance and smiled. Finally, Caleb had gone. She only wanted Belle and James there, and now they trusted her. That’s why she had taken Caleb and Thomas back. She could see that Belle would never willingly leave them. Slipping a love potion into Caleb’s drink had been all too easy. He had fallen in love with the first person he lusted. It was even easier to use her mirror to spell Griselda into stealing and drinking liquor. Then made sure that a letter made its way to Thomas.
Now, all she need was James to be powerful and on her side. Belle to help her kill Edward and Stilt. Then, to become Queen. But first, she would need beauty. Lori gazed at her beautiful prey. Snow hid behind a tree, camouflaged by her white cloak. She was throwing snowballs at the guards then ducking before they could see who threw them. It snowed for most of the year in Northmanni and Colomorgh. Lori shivered and grasped at the apple in her pocket and took a deep breath. Snow’s midnight black hair ran straight down her back. Her skin was as white as the snow she threw, which made her blood red plump lips even more striking. Her dark eyes shone brightly behind thick black lashes. She wore a black dress underneath her cloak.
Snow sat on a rock and Lori seized the moment. Lori pulled down her hood and approached her. ‘Snow,’ she called.
‘Lori,’ Snow addressed and scrunched her nose. ‘What do you want?’
Lori faked shock at Snow’s disgusted tone. ‘What have I done to offend you, child?’
Snow looked at her with heavy eyes. ‘I know that you grow apples to take people’s beauty for your own. You’re a wicked woman with bad fashion sense.’ The last part hurt Lori more than the wicked comment.
Lori placed her hand on her chest and felt her heart hammer underneath. ‘My apples do not take people’s beauty. They are magical. People say those stories because they want the apples for their own and don’t want anyone else to have them. In fact, as a gift, I was going to offer you one.’
‘Oh,’ Snow looked down, disappointed. ‘I’m sorry.’
Lori waved her hand dismissively. ‘We all make mistakes.’
Snow’s eyes sparkled with wonder as she gazed at the apple. ‘If I eat that apple, I will have magical powers?’
‘Yes,’ Lori answered and secretly congratulated herself on her acting.
‘Oh my gosh!’ Snow said, delighted. ‘What a truly wonderful gift. Thank you. Can I have it?’ Snow begged, practically jumping with joy.
‘Here you are,’ Lori said and handed her the red apple. Snow took it and brought it up to her lips. Lori’s heart thudded with anticipation.
Snow’s smile turned to a smirk. ‘You’re truly naïve if you bought that.’ Snow threw the apple underarm, so it landed in the middle of the frost covered grass. ‘I am not an idiot! Go back to your shack, witch!’ Snow spat and walked off.
‘I am not a witch. I am a queen,’ Lori called after her and stormed back to the shack, furious. ‘I bet Henry told her,’ she muttered under her breath.
***
‘Sweetpea,’ Henry said, addressing Snow. She was sat with her feet propped up on the banqueting table, showing off her black laced boots.
‘Henry,’ she squealed as she saw him. She jumped up and hugged him. ‘You’ve brought Belle with you, and, um-.'
‘I’m James,’ he said and kissed her hand. She blushed slightly. He had a wide-jaw, athletic build, brown eyes, and tousled medium-brown hair which fell to his ears.
‘I’m Snow, Snow White.’ Their gazes locked and Belle and Henry smiled at each other.
‘Happy Birthday for last week,’ Belle said kindly. Snow continued looking at James. He half-smiled at her.
‘Thank you,’ she said dismissively. Belle laughed and went to meet the King with Henry. ‘Be back soon.’ She eyed James. ‘Behave.’
They both nodded and James looked down at her bracelets. ‘Not the usual attire for a princess,’ he said, grinning.
She fiddled with the black strings, covered with coloured beads. ‘I don’t like to conform,’ she admitted.
‘I like that,’ he replied. ‘Would you like to go for a walk? I’ve never seen the palace.’
Snow smiled widely. ‘Of course. I like to throw snowballs at the guards when they’re not looking. It’s so fun to see them hold up their spears, looking around. Some dance around when I manage to hit their necks. The snow goes down their back.’
James laughed. ‘God it’s good to be around someone my age. I’m stuck in with Mum and Lori most of the time.’
‘Lori? That evil cow!’ Snow gritted her teeth as they walked into the garden.
‘She’s helping us. My mother fell for man who was a liar and broke her heart! I’d love to get my hands on him and make him feel the same pain that she felt!’
Snow scoffed. ‘Lori steals people’s beauty and kills for fun, apparently. It’s not nice to hear about what happened to your mother, but Lori
is worse.’
He shrugged. ‘I don’t know what she’s like to be honest.’
‘What happened to the man who hurt Belle?’
James put his hands casually in his pockets and shrugged. ‘No idea. Hopefully he’s dead. I think we may actually hunt him down.’
Snow hid a grin. ‘Dark.’
James pulled an apple out of his pocket and a small knife. He cut a bit and offered a piece to Snow. She pulled a silver dagger from her boot and pointed it at him. ‘You’re working with Lori, aren’t you? Trust her to send some handsome guy to come and woo me, thinking it would work.’
He smirked. ‘You think I’m handsome?’
She growled and pushed the dagger closer to his stomach. ‘Answer me!’
He looked at the dagger cautiously and took a couple of steps back until he hit a tree. ‘Whoa, calm down. I’m not working with her in the way you think. It has nothing to do with you.’
She glanced at the apple. ‘That will take my beauty! Did she send you?’ Snow shoved the dagger forward until it was pressing into his stomach, almost breaking the skin through this shirt. They were face to face. Her nose was almost touching his. ‘Answer me honestly or I promise, I will gut you!’
‘You’re a psycho!’ he exclaimed. ‘I bet Henry doesn’t know you carry a dagger around with you. What else do you have on you?’
‘That’s none of your business,’ she spat. ‘Now, answer me!’
He placed his hand on her arm. ‘It’s a normal apple. I’m not stupid.’
Snow raised her eyebrows. ‘Debatable.’
He frowned. ‘Ouch. You don’t even know me… yet.’
He winked. ‘Erghh,’ she groaned. ‘If it’s a normal apple, then take a bite.’
He took a deep breath and brought the apple to his lips, then took a bite. Snow waited but he stayed as handsome as ever. ‘See Princess? I was just hungry.’
‘Oh,’ she said, yet didn’t move the dagger.
‘I like you,’ he admitted. Grinning, he showed off his pearly white teeth. He was taller than her, by half a foot. Yet, she had a presence that scared even him.
She gulped and steadied herself. ‘I don’t care. I know she sent you!’
‘She did not,’ he said with exasperation.
She raised a perfectly arched eyebrow. ‘Then why say you like me? You don’t know me!’
‘I’m attracted to psychopaths?’
‘Urghh,’ she complained. She pushed the dagger down the side of her boot and let him go. ‘You’re not as charming as I first thought.’
‘I don’t usually disappoint,’ he moaned. ‘Anyway, I was joking. I like your personality. You're kooky, a little badass. From what I have seen so far.’ He half smiled. ‘And you look cute when you’re angry,’ he added.
‘I am not cute when I am angry,’ she said, grabbing the front of his shirt until she was face to face with him. ‘I could easily cut your heart from your chest without a second thought,’ she spat.
He looked at her doe-eyed. ‘Adorable.’
Her face flushed red. ‘I wish I never met you.’
He grinned. ‘Don’t lie.’
‘I’ll hurt you,’ she warned you.
He laughed. ‘You couldn’t hurt a fly, Princess.’
‘Want to bet?’ she pulled her dagger out and listened for a buzz against the quietness of the snowfall. A fly buzzed past her and landed on the wall that stood near to them. She edged her way over and with lightning speed brought the dagger down. James looked at her wide-eyed. On the end of her dagger was a twitching fly.
‘Fair enough,’ he said.
Belle and Henry waved as they walked out of the palace doors. ‘How are you both getting along?’
She smiled sweetly. ‘We’re getting along great. He’s such wonderful company,’ she lied.
James side-glanced at her. ‘You really are a psycho,’ he whispered.
SHELLS
They arrived at the lakeside. Stilt smiled reassuringly at Edward. Edward had been here before, when he used to come and visit Prince Eric when they were children. He looked down at the misty water. ‘How will a lake get me powers?’
Stilt cackled and dance into the water until it reached up to his knees. ‘It’s what’s in the lake.’ Without warning, Stilt submerged into the depths. He used his newfound power to cast a spell that rippled through the water. Then, he swam back up and looked over at Edward. Stilt was almost glowing.
Edward looked behind Stilt with astnoshment. Stilt looked backward and saw Ursula smiling unnervvingly at them both. ‘What do you want?’ Shells crept around her stomach to her belly button in the same paatern that they did on her face. Her tail splached into the water, spraying them all. She pointed a long, sharp nail toward Edward. ‘That one’s handsome. Perhaps we can make a deal?’
Edward bowed his head, begrusdingly. ‘I am Edward, Prince of Dolorom.’
‘Oh, a prince.’ She giggled and swam closer to the waters edge. ‘Perhaps we can make a deal then. I’ll grant you what you need if you make a mermaid fall in love with you.’
‘You?’ Edward asked.
‘No,’ she laughed. ‘That wouldn’t be hard. No, a certain red-head that I have plans for.’
Edward sighed. ‘I wish I could agree for what I need, I need bad. However, my heart is taken by another.’
Ursula rolled her eyes. ‘You loyal types,’ she said slimily. ‘Fine, as a prince you have access to other royals?’ He nodded. ‘Good,’ she said. ‘Then bring me a prince for my mermaid to fall for, but don’t make it obvious.’
He nodded. ‘Prince Eric of Milborn.’
‘Great,’ she said. ‘Now, what do you need?’
‘Powers.’
Urusula looked back at Stilt. ‘Ah, so this is the one you stole the powers from?’
Edward growled. ‘You helped him?’
She pouted. ‘Aww, if I knew how handsome you were, I wouldn’t have,’ she lied. ‘Well, I can give you powers. However, I would be giving you some of my own power. Make sure you use it well.’ She ripped one the shells from her face and screeched. It left a red patch where her skin used to be.
She handed it to Edward who examined it suspiciously. ‘What do I do with it?’
‘Harness its energy,’ she stated. ‘Keep it on you at all times. I recommend attaching it to you. Or, just keep it in your pocket.’
Stilt, who was back on dry land, coughed. ‘Great, ready?’ he asked Edward.
Edward looked back to Ursula. ‘When do you need Prince Eric?’
‘You’ll know.’ And with that, she swam off.
SECRETS
‘Lori is an evil witch,’ Snow said, angrily.
‘She is helping us. I trust her,’ Belle admitted.
Snow turned to Henry. ‘And you… Do you trust her?’
Henry bit his lip and looked at Snow sadly. ‘She can be reckless, sometimes bad. But, I do trust her. Sometimes the villains in our stories are just hurt. She’s just had a bad life. She wouldn’t hurt those around her.’
Snow frowned. ‘Yet it was you who told me to be weary of her!’
Henry sighed. ‘Well, yes. I may trust her with me, but probably not with you. Right, Belle and I have some dealings with your grandfather on behalf of Lori. I admit. Remember, she isn’t a bad person, Snow. Just misunderstood. What have I said about judging people?’
Snow looked at James quickly then looked back at Henry. ‘That we should give everyone a chance until they prove us wrong.’
‘Yes,’ Henry agreed. ‘See you both in an hour for dinner. We will be feasting with the King in the ballroom,’ Belle said and walked off with Henry, who tried to keep up with her long strides, but fell behind regardless. Henry glanced back at Snow before walking into he palace. She used to be so sweet. So, royal. So, good. Since Mary died, she had turned darker. More revengeful. He hoped, strangely, that perhaps James could help her. He walked back inside and went with Belle to find the King again.
Once they were alone,
James turned to Snow. ‘Yes, prejudging people is a terrible thing to do.’ He grinned and arched an eyebrow.
‘I follow my intuition,’ she said, moodily.
‘What does your intuition say about me?’ He asked and took her hand.
She pulled her hand away from his and took a deep breath. ‘It says I should probably not get involved with you.’
‘I’m one of the good guys, sweetheart,’ he said.
She laughed. ‘I am not your sweetheart!’
***
The guard looked down dreamily. ‘That’s the most delicious looking apple I have ever seen,’ he said as he picked it up off the blanket of snow. The other guard tried to snatch it.
‘Apples are my favourite fruit!’ the other guard said.
The guard held the apple close to his chest. ‘Tough, it’s mine,’ he said and took a bite. The other man walked off, grumpily. Lori appeared not far from him, smiling.
‘Guess you’ll do,’ she said, waiting for apple to take effect. She was glad now that she had taken a walk around the palace grounds. Rarely did she get to actually see someone eat an apple. He shot down to below half his size and his face warped and wrinkled. ‘What have you done to me, witch?’ He asked.
She laughed and vanished, leaving the guard alone. His wife would surely leave him now; he was almost unrecognisable. Angrily he stormed to the castle and ran into Snow. ‘Sorry, Princess.’
‘What happened to you?’ she asked. He was wearing the royal guards jacket which dragged across the grass.
‘I’m Michael,’ he squeaked. ‘A witch stole my looks. I shrunk to a dwarf’s size and lost all my looks.’
‘Lori,’ she said angrily. He was not the first to appear in their kingdom spewing the same story.
‘I ate an apple-.'
‘Yes,’ Snow interrupted. ‘Heard it before. Probably my fault. I threw it after she tried getting me to eat it.’
‘Where does she live?’ Michael asked, grinding his teeth.
‘Dead forest,’ Snow informed. ‘I have been secretly gathering a group of people to fight her. You will get revenge and potentially get your beauty back. We can take her out, and in doing so, I will hopefully find the person who murdered my mother. She just disappeared,’ Snow said and looked back. James was approaching. ‘Meet me in the dungeons later; we will be having a meeting there,’ she whispered.
