The Princess Game: A Reimagining of Sleeping Beauty (The Four Kingdoms Book 4)

by Melanie Cellier

  “The Largoan captains who carry the crown’s trust are without equal in skill or loyalty,” he had said. “I would trust any of them as willingly with your life as with my own.” Two years hadn’t dulled his devotion to me.

  True to my uncle’s promise, the local sailor delivered us safely into Banishment Island’s largest harbour in the late afternoon. The island looked even smaller than Inverne.

  “I think they need to update that guide book,” William muttered at my side. I ruthlessly suppressed a smile. I didn’t need a reminder of how closely our thinking aligned. Not when I already had to fight so hard to resist him.

  Even though I knew what to expect, the sight of the island still shocked me. A deep sandy beach gave way to rough dirt and a spattering of ground cover. But right where the trees should have begun, a tall, thick hedge erupted from the earth.

  No one looking at it could possibly think it natural. Stretching away in a jagged line in both directions, I knew that it circled the entire island. My mother had requested a full report from the Largoan sailor, and we had all been present for her questioning. So I knew that the thick thorns prevented anyone from climbing over the hedge, and the wood possessed an unnatural resistance to axe or fire.

  A small stream slipped beneath the branches and down to meet the sea without leaving an opening big enough for a person to exploit. It would provide us with fresh water, however.

  A heated discussion between the captain and my uncle had resulted in a reluctant agreement. The crew and the soldiers would use the last few hours of daylight to unload the necessary supplies from the ship. The actual attempt on the hedge would wait until the next morning.

  My mother made no attempt to move the timeline forward, and I suspected she had reached the limit of her plan. She had no idea how to breach the magical barrier. The ship’s two longboats made countless trips back and forth while I watched from the deck. No one suggested I step onshore until the camp had been properly established.

  I didn’t mind, since the curse would have prevented me from exploring anyway. As long as I was in place by nightfall, nothing else mattered.

  A number of tents for the royals and officers soon appeared towards the back of the beach, well past the hide tide mark. But the crew worked inefficiently, many of them breaking off their work to glance at the unnatural greenery and mutter to themselves. The captain’s face reflected the uneasiness – but directed towards the sailors rather than the hedge. Once camp had been established, he ordered a bonfire and extra rations.

  Good humour quickly returned after that, and I only hoped they wouldn’t stay up telling tall tales of the sea until late into the night. I excused myself early, knowing I needed to get some sleep. As impossible as it seemed, I would have to force my body to rest. I had no idea what waited on the other side of the hedge, and I needed to be operating at full capacity.

  Sure enough, hours later, my eyes sprung open in the darkness. I didn’t need to see the time to know I had woken on cue. I had always possessed that skill. Nothing but the gentle sound of the waves greeted me, signalling a sleeping camp. Still, I would need to avoid the sentries.

  I slipped out of bed and dressed quickly, careful not to disturb my mother or sister. I donned my new pants and a slim fitting shirt and vest. Creeping out of the tent, the cool night breeze brushed against my face. I felt naked without my scarf. Almost as strange as wandering the streets as Aurora during the day.

  An unfortunately placed sentry forced me to detour through the camp, picking a painfully slow path amongst the tents and the many men who slept out in the open. I had almost reached an unguarded stretch of beach, when a sharp hiss made me freeze.

  A large tent blocked the moonlight from hitting me, and I shrank back against the canvas.

  “Aurora? Is that you?” I recognised the voice, but my surge of fear didn’t fade away. I couldn’t let Celine see my face.

  “Stay where you are,” I whispered back. She stood several steps away with the full moon shining directly on her face. I hoped the light would make it harder for her to see my features in the shadows.

  “Oh, thank goodness, it is you. I can’t see you properly though, I’ll just come…”

  “No!” I cut her off. “What are you doing out here?”

  She looked hurt. “Making sure you and William don’t sneak off without me, of course. I’m a part of this, too, whatever it turns out to be. And there’s something I need to tell you about my aunt.”

  “I already know.”

  Her obvious surprise and confusion alerted me to my mistake. I would need to come up with some sort of cover story to explain my knowledge. But I didn’t have time now. I had told William to go on without me, so I couldn’t be late.

  “That’s why I’m doing this,” I said. “William and I are going to try to break through now, to find the princess before Prince Horace and the guards arrive. He seems intent on dealing out justice, and I want the chance to talk to her first.”

  “Without me?”

  I hated the hurt on her face. “I don’t know what we’ll find in there, Your Highness.”

  “I’m not a child!”

  “I know you’re not. And that’s why I need you to stay.”

  My answer surprised her enough that she didn’t immediately argue. I pressed my advantage. “Something mysterious is going on here. Something magical. If we succeed in breaking through the hedge, the prince and I are going straight for the princess. But we don’t know what’s waiting for us on the other side. We don’t know what we might unleash. We need someone here who knows where we’ve gone. Someone who’s ready to rouse and defend the camp.”

  I took a deep breath and hoped she recognised the sincerity in my voice. “I underestimated you for far too long, Your Highness. I’m not asking you to stay here for your safety. I’m asking you to stay for everyone else’s.”

  As I said the words, I knew they were true. And I realised I was getting sloppy. I should have thought of the danger to the others before now. I had nearly left the entire camp sleeping and helpless, as well as going to face an unknown adversary without backup. I needed to get my head back into shape. I needed to be the spymaster for a little longer. I couldn’t afford mistakes.

  Celine straightened. “You can count on me, Aurora. And if you’re not back by dawn, I’m sending every single one of the guards after you.”

  I smiled although she couldn’t see it. “You do that.” I was pretty sure they’d be coming after us at dawn no matter what. “Now go, quickly. I don’t want to risk attracting anyone’s attention to this side of the camp.”

  Celine saluted and melted away, disappearing amongst the tents. I lingered for a moment, pride and relief distracting me. Then I took a deep breath and stepped out onto the sand.

  Chapter 25

  My first sight of the hedge had clearly shown my mistake. It was one thing for Uncle Horace to tell us to meet him at the hedge. A large group of guards would be hard to miss, and we wouldn’t have needed to avoid the sentries since they would have been with us.

  One man, on the other hand, was a completely different story. I had been forced to leave a note in William’s tent. I hoped it hadn’t been too cryptic, but I couldn’t risk being more explicit. Of course, even if he was waiting in the right spot, I still had to convince him to allow Princess Celeste to tag along on his adventure.

  The full moon cast strong light across the beach, but it also threw the hedge into strange shadow. The branches shifted and rustled disproportionally to the light breeze. The sand sank beneath my feet, and I lengthened my stride, trying to cover the ground more quickly.

  The beach curved slightly, and I clambered over an outcropping of rock, my boots slipping on the wet surface.

  “Who’s there?” William’s whisper carried easily through the still night.

  “Oh!” The curse turned my startled exclamation into a soft gasp. I lifted my head, my stomach fluttering with either nerves or the beginnings of a curse cramp.

>   “Princess?” He moved as if to sheath the naked sword in his hand before remembering he didn’t have a scabbard for it. “What in the kingdoms are you doing here?”

  I pressed my hand to my chest and took several audible breaths. “I thought you were a bear.”

  “A bear? Really?” He turned his head first one way and then the other to observe the short span of coastline.

  I bit my lip. Was his expression scathing or contemptuous? A bear had been a bit much, even for Celeste. I shivered. “Everyone is saying that hedge is magic. That anything could be here. And I’ve heard that bears are scary.”

  He relaxed slightly. “They’re fairly terrifying, yes. But I think I can safely assure you that whatever else we meet on this island, we’re not going to meet a bear.” He shifted his weight, trying to glance surreptitiously over my shoulder.

  “Oh, good.” I focussed on his sword. “And you’ll be here to protect me anyway. I don’t feel afraid now that I’ve found you.”

  “Were you looking for me?”

  “Of course! What else would I be doing out here?”

  He closed the short distance between us and took one of my hands in his. “Why were you looking for me, Princess?”

  “Apparently you’re on your way to meet my aunt.”

  That caught his attention. He dropped my hand, and his eyes narrowed as he examined my face in the dull light. “And how did you know that?”

  “Celine told me.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “And where is Celine?”

  I shook my head and rubbed my arms. “I don’t know. She told me she’d been commanded to stay in camp–to protect it.” I wrinkled my nose. “But she wouldn’t tell me by who.”

  “And this mysterious personage wanted her to send you in her place?”

  I hesitated. “I don’t know that I’d say in her place, exactly…” I frowned. “I’m not even sure why Celine would be here, to be honest. She’s a child.” I looked up at him accusingly. “I hope you haven’t been leading her into danger–she doesn’t know any better.” Thank goodness Celine couldn’t hear my words.

  “She’s a bright girl, none of you give her enough credit.”

  On second thoughts, Celine would love being here right now.

  “Well, she said if anyone was going to speak to our aunt, it should be me.” I straightened. “And I agree with her. I’m not entirely oblivious, you know. I know I’m under a curse, and I think I have the right to look my aunt in the eye and ask her why.”

  I held his gaze steadily while a sharp pain began to blossom behind my right eye. If he didn’t capitulate soon, I would be incapacitated. Surely he recognised my claim, whatever he thought of my intellect.

  He sighed and broke eye contact. The pain began to fade away.

  “Perhaps this is what she meant by talking to the princess first.” He spoke quietly to himself, and I pretended not to understand. “I don’t like this.”

  “I’m not worried, I know you’ll protect me.”

  He chuckled without humour. “That’s what concerns me.”

  Instead of responding, I turned my gaze back on his sword. We needed to get moving. Our head start on Uncle Horace was disappearing by the minute. “Is that for the bears?”

  “There aren’t any...” He ran his hand through his hair. “It’s for the hedge.”

  I laughed softly. “A sword? For a hedge? What a silly idea.”

  “It’s from the godmothers.”

  “Oh!” I let my eyes widen. Silence descended. “Are you going to use it?”

  “I don’t actually know if it will work. It needs the right wielder.” He looked over my shoulder again.

  “Well, there’s only one way to find out. Why don’t you try it. I’ll be right here, hiding behind you.”

  “Thanks.” I hid a smile at his dry tone. “That’s reassuring.”

  He stepped forward, however, the hilt gripped strongly in his hand. At the last moment, he paused and threw me a charming smile. “How about a mark of favour from the princess before I attempt this mighty deed? A kiss would work.”

  I giggled. “That was a good try.”

  He shrugged. “I had nothing to lose.” He hesitated again. “Do you think there’s some special method I need to use?”

  “Well...I’ve never used a godmother item before. But I heard you’re supposed to swing a sword. You know, in general.”

  He snorted. “That is the general way, yes.”

  “Maybe try that then.”

  He looked at me for a moment, trying to work out if I was joking. Then he shrugged and, clasping the sword in both arms, swung it wide.

  The blade hit the closest branches and kept going, cutting through a broad swath of hedge. He fell back a step and stared down at the blade.

  “That was…easy.” He looked over at me.

  Was it foolish to be disappointed? I’d been expecting something more spectacular. Like maybe the whole hedge crumbling into dust. Or some shooting stars, at the very least. Of course, this way was a lot less likely to attract attention.

  I peered at the dent his swipe had made on the greenery in front of us. The sword had cut a clear arc, everything it touched cleanly severed in two. Even the leaves. The hedge was thick, though, and there was still no sign of the other side. Several of the thorns measured as long as my forearm. “I guess you’re the right wielder.”

  “Step back.” He gestured behind him. “And follow me.”

  I moved into line, and he swung again, quickly establishing a rhythm. As we moved slowly forward, he took the time to clear out the hedge to our left and right, as well, forming a wide tunnel through the green. I didn’t try to hurry him. I didn’t like the look of those thorns one bit.

  At one point I looked over my shoulder at the now distant beach. I imagined the hedge closing up behind us, the thorns reaching for us like hungry teeth. I shivered and moved a half step closer to William.

  “I think it’s thinning out up ahead.” The hedge deadened the sound, so he had no need to whisper. He did anyway, and I replied in kind.

  “Oh, thank goodness. I think I just saw one of the thorns move.”

  “I really hope you’re joking.”

  I giggled. “Of course I was. Oh! Wait! Did you see that?”

  “Princess!” The warning had clearly been delivered through gritted teeth.

  Distracted, he stumbled as his next swing cut through into open air. I crashed against him, and we both tumbled out the other side of the hedge. He twisted at the last moment and tossed the sword clear of us.

  “Oof.” I landed on top of him.

  He grunted and gripped me against him, preventing me from bouncing off and onto the ground. When we had both steadied, he slowly let go. I told my body to move. Nothing happened.

  I spoke more sternly to myself and managed to push myself up off his chest. I glanced down into his eyes while I did it and then quickly looked away. That had been a bad idea. I reminded myself who waited for us inside this hedge, and my mind instantly detached from William’s handsome face and muscular chest.

  I straightened. Something landed against the side of my head, hard. Something else whacked my face. I threw up my hands, but the deluge kept coming, buffeting and scratching me as I tried to fight my way free.

  A scream ripped through the air. It hadn’t come from me.

  Part III

  Island of Thorns

  Chapter 26

  The piercing screech hadn’t sounded like William, but a new level of panic set in, anyway. I put both arms up to protect my face and took off running. After ten steps, the attack lightened. I could see the small, individual black bodies and wings slapping against me now. I altered my route, curving back towards where I had left William.

  He had also clambered to his feet and rushed forward to meet me. By the time we connected, the last of the bats had disappeared. I ran straight into his arms without thinking.

  He held me tightly. “Are you all right?”

  I
drew a shuddering breath, putting every last feeling of terror on display, despite the fact that my mind had returned to a state of calm. I didn’t need a new headache right now, so I needed to look overset.

  William clasped me tightly, and his warmth seeped through me, quelling the last of my shaking. I told myself I only let him hold me because of the curse.

  “What in the kingdoms was that?”

  A second screech rang out, as grating as the first had been. My pulse spiked, and we both spun to face the jungle before us. “And that!”

  “There!” William pointed into the canopy.

  I tried to follow his finger but must have been too slow. “What? I didn’t see anything.”

  “A monkey.” He let me go and stooped to retrieve his sword. “Just a monkey.”

  I peered back into the trees, but couldn’t see anything in the dark. “Are they dangerous?” I looked down at a long scratch on my arm and grimaced.

  William followed my eyes. “You’re hurt!”

  “I can’t feel it at all,” I hurried to reassure him. It was already going to take us long enough to make any progress due to my Celeste act. I didn’t want him coddling me more than necessary. “I just hope those bats don’t attack again. Or the monkeys.”

  William frowned. “The monkey looked like a small one from what I could see. I would have said we were safe enough from them…but then I would have said we were entirely safe from bats. I’ve never heard of them swooping someone like that.” He lifted his sword and faced into the jungle. “We knew this place wasn’t entirely natural, I guess we just got a reminder.”

  He didn’t move, so I prompted him. “Do you know where we’re going?”

  “Not exactly.” He looked back towards the tunnel through the hedge.

  Since I knew that waiting for Aurora wouldn’t do us any good, I edged around him and wandered over to the start of the trees. “Maybe we should follow the path.”