‘We cannot just magic ourselves into Neverland. It’s out of our domain. We must sail there.’
Lori climbed down the rope ladder. She placed Ariel’s hair into a vial, which was filled with a black potion. Once it had turned red, she poured it into the sea.
Lori climbed back up the ladder, and both she and Stilt watched over the side of the wooden ship. The water bubbled, and from its black depths, skeletons of lost seamen climbed the ladder.
Seaweed covered their bones. Their eye sockets were empty; their teeth were black with no lips to cover them. They walked slowly and in silence to their stations.
Tied up below deck, Belle tried to get free but couldn’t.
As Lori had escaped from Snow and Red, she saw James and Belle outside of the palace. She reappeared by them and tried to grab James, but he had grown too powerful and avoided her. So she grabbed Belle instead then told him if he wanted his mother back, he must travel to Neverland, and all would make sense once he was there.
ANYTHING FOR LOVE
Ariel laid under her cloak, the skirt of her ball gown spread out around her. ‘Eric,’ she managed as she got to her feet. She looked around nervously. She was back at the entrance to the dungeons. It was nightfall; the pinpricked stars marked the rich blackness beautifully. The moon shone down on the silent kingdom. Everyone was searching for Ariel. Eric had sent out a hunt to find Ursula, convinced that she had taken her, just as Lori had predicted. Ariel got to her feet, brushing down her dress, and pulled the cloak’s strings tighter. It shielded her from the brisk cold that swept through the palace grounds.
She walked up to the entrance when a guard spotted her. He sunk to a bow then stood up quickly. ‘Your Majesty, we are relieved by your safe return.’
‘Where is Eric?’ Ariel asked, a lump rising in her throat.
‘He is hunting down Ursula, Majesty,’ the guard replied.
‘No,’ Ariel replied, panicked. Tears stung at her eyes. ‘He is chasing the wrong person. She will kill him. Where can I find him?’
The guard shook his head. ‘I will send out a message to the king’s guard to find and bring him back. We are under strict orders to keep you here should you return.’
Ariel walked up the steps and grabbed his sword, holding the blade against his throat. ‘I don’t want to hurt anyone, but I swear if you don’t tell me where to find my Eric, I will make sure that your head leaves your shoulders with one quick cut!’
The guard, shocked, stepped back. ‘Majesty,’ he started.
‘Where is he?’ Ariel interrupted, pushing the sword in further.
‘The lake,’ he said quickly. ‘He is at the lake!’
Ariel dropped the sword and ran down the palace steps, through the gates, and down the moonlit path to the shimmering lake.
Ariel leant down by the water’s edge. ‘Coral,’ she whispered to the water. Ten minutes later, Coral appeared, her tail hidden by the dark water. Her hair was darker than it used to be and her belly was swollen. ‘Are you … pregnant?’
Coral nodded enthusiastically. ‘Sixteen weeks. It is almost time. We think it’s three girls.’
‘I’m so happy for you,’ Ariel said but did not smile. ‘I wish I could spend more time with you, to talk to you about your pregnancy and your marriage. I miss you.’
‘But?’ Coral asked.
‘Eric is missing, and I need to find him. I was kidnapped by two sorcerers. I did what they asked and … well, it’s a long story. The main thing is Eric thinks Ursula took me when she didn’t. Ursula helped me, but if Eric tries to kill her …’
‘She will kill him,’ Coral finished.
‘Do you know where Ursula is?’ Ariel asked hopefully.
Coral nodded. ‘Ariel, she’s a mermaid again. She is in her cave.’
Ariel gasped. ‘Eric must have gone down there. Where is Mother, Father? Someone must have seen him!’
Coral disappeared under the water and returned a little while later with Neptune. ‘Daddy,’ Ariel cried, wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders. ‘Eric is gone. Have you seen him, spoken to him?’
‘We’re glad you’re back. Eric spoke to your mother. We figured that you had been kidnapped by Ursula. Your mother went to find Ursula with Eric. We allowed him to breathe underwater so he could go with her. He is in the lake.’
‘No!’ Ariel shouted. ‘I need to go in.’
‘You are no longer a mermaid, Ariel,’ Coral jumped in. ‘You could become one again, to save your king, but you could never go back to being a human once you have your tail back. You know this.’
Ariel nodded. ‘I know, but Eric needs me. I can’t lose him. I’d rather die.’
‘Then it is time for me to bring you back to who you once were,’ Neptune said, holding out his trident. Ariel’s legs shot together, skin grew over both of them, tying them together. Then they turned into a shimmering gold and black. Her feet turned into a large fin. Ariel screeched in pain as she laid on the pebbles. ‘We need to get her in the water!’ Neptune said. He and Coral pulled her into the lake, and Ariel was once again home.
Ariel swam into the depths, past the shipwreck and to the cave. Neptune tried to stop her, but she swam straight into the cave. Neptune was the only one who could never enter the cave. Ursula had made sure of that a long time ago. As Ariel entered the large stoned room, her gaze locked onto Eric’s. He was floating, seemingly lifeless. Ursula looked different. She was beautiful. Her tail was more golden than the rest, the shells covering her face were no more, and her hair was long and black, waving in the water in an entrancing dance.
‘Ariel,’ Ursula addressed her. Josephine, Ariel’s mother, was gagged and inside one of the low dungeons of Ursula’s cave.
‘Please let them go. They thought you had kidnapped me, but it was not you! It will never happen again. Please let them go. Is he- he still alive?’ Ariel dared to ask, closing her eyes as the dreaded answer came her way.
‘Yes,’ Ursula said. ‘You have a tail again. You gave up being human? You hated it here before. What have you done?’
‘Love,’ Ariel admitted. ‘I’ve done this for Eric and Mother.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Ursula said, sincerely. Coral stayed behind Ariel after deciding to follow her in.
‘What do you want from us?’ Coral asked.
Ursula shook her head. ‘From you? Nothing,’ she spat. ‘Ariel has been the only one to show me any kindness. She helped me. I will let Eric and Josephine go at no cost. But Ariel,’ Ursula said, now looking directly at her, ‘if you wish to stay here with me, you will not have any responsibilities as a princess. I can give you legs for one week every year, and that is it. You can still see your kingdom once a year and your king. I can teach you to use your magic. You can explore.’
‘You’d really do that for me?’ she asked.
Ursula smiled. ‘We are friends, Ariel.’
Ariel smiled back, and Ursula let Eric and Josephine go. Eric woke up, unable to breathe. Ariel grabbed him and swam out of the cave with him.
She reached the shore and placed him down. ‘You’re alive,’ Eric spluttered. ‘I’m so glad you’re okay!’
‘Eric,’ Ariel started, pushing him away. ‘I have a tail again. I cannot become human again.’
His eyes widened. ‘No, why would you do that?’
‘To save you,’ she admitted. ‘Ursula did not kidnap me. It was two other sorcerers. Ursula let you go. She is going to help me. I can become human for one week every year to see you. I do understand if you’d rather find another queen, though.’
He shook his head vigorously. ‘I love you! You are the Queen of Milborn and always will be. One week a year is not great, but I can come down here to see you.’
‘I love you, Eric,’ Ariel cried.
He laughed. ‘You saved my life twice. Am I the damsel in our love story?’ He laughed.
A small smile etched onto her face. ‘I’ll always save you.’
JOURNEY TO NEVERLAND
Gall
isa looked at a breathless Snow. ‘I cannot come with you,’ Gallisa said.
‘Please,’ Snow begged. ‘I have just found out that Lori is sailing for Neverland.’
‘Who told you that?’ Gallisa asked.
‘Me,’ Rapunzel stepped forward. ‘I’ve been practicing witchcraft. I’m not really any good, just beginner stuff. But I used runes to see what was happening.’
Red grinned. ‘You managed to break a barrier spell. That’s amazing.’ Red wrapped her arm around Rapunzel.
‘You’re magical,’ Gallisa said, making her way to Rapunzel. She stroked Rapunzel’s golden hair. ‘Your hair is magical. That’s why witchcraft comes so easily to you.’
Rapunzel played with her hair. ‘Oh.’
Red shot her lopsided smile. ‘I’m so proud of you.’
‘For what?’ she replied.
Red grinned. ‘You, my little badass. You broke the spell to the tower. You cut your hair, fighting Jackie. You’ve been amazing at learning the art of witchcraft.’
Rapunzel giggled. ‘That’s not all.’ She blushed. ‘I was wondering, well …’
Red poked her side. ‘Out with it.’
Rapunzel took a deep breath and pressed her lips together. ‘Okay. So I was hoping you would rule my kingdom with me. I’m going to fight to get it back. I am the princess. I heard that my father died, and my cousin took the throne. I am the heir, and I will get it back. You could be my queen; if you wanted, that is.’
Red grinned. ‘I would love to be your queen more than anything.’
Snow smiled at the pair and turned back to Gallisa. ‘See that? That’s true love. We have so much banking on this trip to Neverland. Apparently, something there can help Red. Although, she won’t say what her problem is …’ Snow eyed Red suspiciously. ‘But still, I trust her. Lori will never allow me to live, and I think they are planning something terrible. Stilt has gone with Lori, and he is just as evil as she is. I must take my kingdom back too; she’s a terrible queen, and my people are scared. Be brave Gallisa, please. We need your help getting to Neverland.’
Gallisa looked around and sighed. ‘I have been to Neverland before.’
Snow gasped. ‘Perfect. Even more of a reason for you to come with us.’
‘Peter was the one who gave me this charm,’ Gallisa admitted, playing with the charm that hung from her belly button. ‘The truth is that I left Neverland. He didn’t want me to. I don’t think he would be happy to see me.’
‘Ah,’ Snow said. ‘Peter is the one who you said is incapable of love.’
Gallisa nodded. ‘I’m afraid so.’
Snow gritted her teeth. ‘We’re going with or without your help. I appreciate everything you have done for me. If you decide not to come, I will understand. If you do change your mind, I will do anything.’
Gallisa arched an eyebrow. ‘I want nothing in return.’ Gallisa sighed and pulled off her charm. ‘I will go with you. If you’re right and they are planning something, things could get bad. Neverland holds some of the world’s most powerful objects. If they manage to use anything there and get out with it, our world could be in great danger.’
‘So’—Red stepped forward—‘how do we get there?’
Galissa smiled, making fairy dust appear all around them. ‘With fairy dust, of course.’
The mirror on Gallisa’s mantelpiece, which was the size of the small wall, rippled as if it were made from water. The swirled frame spun mesmerizingly. Gallisa pushed her hand through the glass, feeling the warmth. ‘This is how we get through. However, only ones with good hearts can cross this barrier.’
Gallisa walked up the steps she had made from fairy dust and stepped through the mirror, falling out onto the far side of the island. It would take a two-day trek to reach the beach near where Peter lived.
Red helped Rapunzel up onto the cloudy, sparkling steps. She walked through the mirror too and fell out onto the muddy ground. Red looked at Snow; they both bit their lips. ‘Thinking what I’m thinking?’ Red asked.
Snow nodded. ‘That we might not be able to go through the portal.’
Red lowered her head. ‘I’m no angel.’
‘Me either,’ Snow admitted. ‘Together?’ Red nodded, and they walked up the steps together. They both jumped through the mirror, prepared for the worst. Surprised, they were greeted by Gallisa and Rapunzel. Snow looked back at the shrinking mirror. ‘It worked?’
Gallisa smiled kindly. ‘Of course, it did. You’re a good person.’
Rapunzel and Red both sat on the ground and looked up at the wondrous beauty surrounding them with awe. ‘Welcome to Neverland,’ Gallisa said. ‘Now, we have a two-day trek to get to the beach. We should leave now.’
SHIPWRECKED
The waves licked the ship hungrily, waiting to drag the souls on board into the watery depths.
Lori’s hair stuck to her face. Water sprayed her and Stilt. Belle rocked from side to side underneath, desperately trying to get free.
‘Where are the crew?’ Stilt shouted across the howling wind, holding a sail.
Lori looked around. ‘We must be in Neverland. They can’t come into Neverland. We are close.’
‘We won’t make it!’ Stilt screamed. He held onto a pole as a wave pushed over his head. Lori was knocked to the floor. The sea carried the broken ship to shore. Water lapped below deck. Belle screamed out for help as the water rose dangerously high. Submerged underwater, she looked for something sharp and saw a sharp corner. She had managed to pull her feet out of the rope binding her ankles with a lot of pain and rope burns. But her hands were bound too tightly. She took a deep breath, swam over to the corner, and ferociously sawed the rope against the corner until it snapped.
She swam back up to the door and pushed it up. She saw that Lori and Stilt were unconscious. The boat crashed into the rocks, throwing her backward. She jumped off the ship and into the shallow waters. She ran onto the beach and desperately looked around for help.
Belle ran into the forest, panicking. As she delved further into the forest, the happier she felt. She walked in a daze, watching the beautiful lights fly around her.
Shortly after Lori and Stilt woke up, the ship rocked them side to side, making them both feel a little nauseous. Lori rubbed her head and got to her feet. They both felt weak. Lori lifted her dress above her ankles and walked down the few steps to the door. It was already open. She looked inside and saw the cut rope. She climbed back up the steps and ground her teeth. ‘She’s gone.’
Stilt wrung out his jacket. ‘No matter. The most important thing is we get to the beach.’
They waded through the shallow waters and stumbled onto the sand. Lori sat down, taking off her boots, emptying them of water. ‘Belle may be gone, but the important thing is she’s trapped here with no way back. James will still come,’ Lori said, trying to catch her breath.
Both of them turned at the same time, gasping at the sheer beauty surrounding them. Silver fairy dust lined the clouds. Waves scattered the blue hue from the moonlight, and the leaves danced in the breeze. The shimmering pool reflected the rich brown branches that hung above it. Suspended from each branch were little lanterns, shining light on the wooded area. The sea, a rich blue, stretched out as far as the eye could see. Stilt smiled as the cool sea breeze blew over his sweaty neck and arms. He took a deep breath, smelling the fruity smells, salty sea, and moss.
The beach was made up of the richest golden sand that Lori and Stilt had ever seen. Even the rocks seemed to glow in the moonlight. Everything about Neverland was magical; more magical than either of them could have imagined.
However, as breathtaking as it was, Lori and Stilt could feel the surge of magic pulsating through every grain of sand, every tree, and every wave. Neverland was alive with magic, and it was more powerful than they were or anyone they had encountered.
‘We’re going to have our work cut out,’ Stilt said under his breath. Lori leaned in, not daring to move from their spot on the beach.
‘He is powerful. He has managed to make an entire land outside of Cantata’s magical domain. I’ve never seen anything like this,’ Lori admitted. Stilt noticed the hesitation in her words. If Lori was nervous, then they truly were out of their depths.
An orb of light flew past them at lightning speed then another, and then another, leaving a trail of sparkling dust behind them. The faintest giggling could be heard around them. Stilt turned, watching an orb grow bigger and bigger until it was the size of him. Mouth open, he smacked Lori’s arm. She turned and gasped.
The orb turned into a five-foot blond girl. ‘Hello.’ Her voice was soft, lulling, and it had the slightest sound of bells ringing to it.
‘Uh, hi,’ Stilt started. ‘Who- what are you?’
The blonde giggled. ‘I name is Bell, and I am one of Peter’s fairies.’
‘Peter,’ Lori perked up at the sound of his name. ‘We are here to see him, to talk to him. We need his help.’
Bell smiled sweetly and turned. ‘Of course, you are. I will go and find him. Stay here.’ She turned back into a small orb and flew over to Stilt’s ear, and in the faintest whisper said, ‘Oh, beware of the pirates. If you see them, shout for Peter. Liars, they are.’
After she had flown away, Stilt sat on a nearby rock and got out a hipflask. ‘Ah, something to take the edge off.’
‘Can I?’ Lori asked, holding out a gloved hand.
He laughed. ‘Get your own,’ he said and drank the last of the whiskey. ‘Hopefully, she won’t be long. It’s getting cold.’
Lori nodded and tried to summon magic. A faint green mist danced above her hand. ‘I can use magic here. That’s a relief. Although, it is weaker than usual.’
Stilt rolled his eyes. ‘Of course, you can. You don’t use a moral compass. Only those who do have their magic tied to Cantata. We are tied to no domain, but of course, as we get our magic from Cantata, we are more powerful when in our own lands. That’s one thing I want to know,’ he said, moving nearer to Lori. ‘Where did you get your unlimited power?’
Journey to Neverland (Haunting Fairytales Series Book 2) Page 6
