Once Upon A [Fallen] Time

by Samreen Ahsan

  “Did he ever say he was in love?” I asked, clearly catching her off-guard. She blinked twice but took some time to answer.

  “At first…” she looked down and then raised her gaze, “we were just good friends, exploring the castle together. I met you in the chapel the day Veronica—”

  “Yes, I know.” I didn’t want her to talk about Veronica.

  “So, I found out about your book of life. I met Haakon and, at that time, I didn’t know he was the royal sorcerer to the Hue family or in fact a time traveller. He warned me not to talk to anyone in the book, because he said there was no turning back.”

  I touched her hair. “There is no turning back because you’re not going anywhere,” I reminded her. She just stared… stunned. I chuckled. “What happened then?”

  She took a long breath and continued.

  “I knew you left the castle and disappeared, but I wanted to stop you. On your birthday, it was my engagement ceremony with Steve and apparently my birthday too.” Really! She and I were born on the same date? There was so much I wanted to learn from her, ask about her past life. I listened to her silently as she continued. “Steve understood my feelings—as a friend—even though he said he was in love with me. After the ceremony, he took me to Hue Castle so I could talk to you one last time, to convince you not to leave and disappear like this.”

  “Why? Why did you want to stop me?”

  “Because you were running away from your life, Edward. You had a promise to fulfil. You were supposed to take care of Emma.” She placed her palm gently on my shoulder. “Maybe my soul was destined to meet you this way, and maybe God has sent me here so I could help you fulfil the promise you made to your sister.”

  I looked up, avoiding her sympathetic gaze. I was still not ready to face Emma. How could I make this damn woman understand? The child enervated all my power with her hatred. I was never a strong man in front of her. Emma was my weakness, and I didn’t have the strength to see her without her mother and in fear again, in this castle.

  “I’m not ready yet,” I confessed. She should be able to see the fear in my eyes. “She hates me. Why don’t you understand? She is afraid of me… afraid of King Stefan. The castle reminds her of her deceased mother.”

  “I promise I’ll make her love you back, Edward,” she assured me. “I promise she won’t dread you.”

  “How?”

  “I can’t say I’ll love her like her mother, because I know I’m not her mother and no one can replace her, but I promise I will take care of her. She needs help and attention. It is not about her emotions and fears, Edward. The girl is sick. Emma needs care,” she insisted. “You have to understand this. She will overcome all the fears because I will help her, but right now… it’s about her health. If you want her to live with good health then she has to stay here, under proper care and attention. You have no idea what a peasant life would do to her.”

  I took a deep breath, trying to gauge her suggestion. She was right though. Emma hadn’t looked well to me either; she had no proper care at her aunt’s house, and it was too much to ask from Heather because she already had fatherless twins to take care of.

  “And what about you?” I toyed with her curls.

  “What about me what?”

  I was too afraid to ask her. “How long will you stay with her?” Or with me?

  She smiled and leaned forward to kiss me on the lips. She closed her eyes, nibbled my upper lip, and pulled back. When she looked back at me, I knew what she was about to say.

  “I know you have a dark side, Edward, and I’m willing to embrace this darkness,” she placed her hand on my jaw. “You don’t have to pass through any hell in order to meet your Beatrice,” she said, referring to Inferno. She was aware of it.

  “This is no less than Hell, Myra. At what cost are you willing to embrace this darkness?”

  “Trust me and love me back,” she pleaded.

  I took some time to grasp her words. Looking into her dreamy eyes, I asked. “You don’t know? You read my mind like an open book. You don’t know?”

  “That you love me?”

  Goddammit, you woman! You know how much I love you.

  I grabbed her nape and pushed her on the bed, covering her body with mine. I kissed her neck, shoulders… all over her face. Sometimes, words are not enough to express an emotion. Saying I love you was not enough at this moment. It was beyond the level of love. It was madness—it was obsession—it was heartbeat—it was my Holy Grail. She was my only way to reach Heaven without passing through the rings of Hell. I was the moon and she was my sky. Without her, I could never exist.

  “God knows how much I want to claim your body at this moment, but you must understand the curse, Myra,” I looked into her eyes. “You have no bloody idea how much I have desired to own you all my life, but even with all the wealth of the world—I cannot trade my curse for it.” She blinked at my words. “I want to keep you forever and for that, I’d have to hold onto my desires because my darkness can take your life. You can only enter, but you cannot leave my world.” I caressed her cheek, which was blushing at my words. “Your life is too precious to waste on my curse.” God… how could I ever explain how much I loved her? She should know my feelings. Why did she want me to say it?

  “Tell me the truth, Edward.” She ran her fingers through my hair. “What’s eating you?”

  I gulped. She could see right through me and hiding from her was pointless.

  “King Stefan…” I closed my eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. “Just beware of him. He thinks you’ll end the curse.”

  “But, how can I?”

  “How can you not, Myra?” I shook her. “What did you do today? Do you think he won’t find out about the rain? He already thinks you’re the one Haakon predicted. A woman will come in any of our lives and will end the curse, and he thinks you’re here for him. In his lust and greed, he is not seeing my presence.” I would never tell her she had been haunting his dream too. That was too much for her to endure. She’d run away immediately if she knew how King Stefan thought of her.

  “I don’t know how it rained. I have no connection with Hue Castle or any of the family. I—”

  “What if you have? Maybe there is something we don’t know yet.”

  Her gaze wandered about the chamber for a while. “In your book, when you visited the library, I noticed, there were other books like yours on the shelf. Maybe, if I visit it—”

  “No!” I responded before she could finish her sentence.

  “Why not, Edward?” she asked. “Maybe, I could find—”

  “I said NO!” I shouted. She jerked in fear. God! How could I explain? I raked fingers through my hair in frustration. “He wants to take you to the library.”

  “Who? King Stefan?” she asked.

  I nodded and looked away. “Never ever agree to go there.”

  “But why?” Goddammit! She was an impossible woman.

  “He wants to test the water on you.” I looked back at her. She pulled away… fear welling up in her eyes. “And if something happens to you… I will never forgive myself.” I grabbed her face and kissed her again. She tasted heavenly and I swore upon my life I could never get over with this sensuous feeling. Every time I touched and kissed her, it felt new. Every kiss came with even stronger emotions than the past kiss, and I wished I could get a life free from every curse, where I could love her, kiss her, worship her… forever.

  In one day… I had opened all my wounds, showed all my scars to her. It was now up to her if she wanted to scratch them deeper or heal them with her love. I was totally at her mercy and I’d forever live in a state of awe that this woman… this beautiful goddess was here… only because I had desired her. She was here only for me, only to love me. I could live and die in this happiness that at least there was one person now who could see me beyond my curse… who did not hate me… who did not pity me… who did not try to undermine me as my father had always done. Who could understand my fears an
d yet wanted to stay with me. I was forever indebted to her.

  The sound of a bell at the door broke our seductive kiss once again. I’ll take off this goddamn bell soon. I ignored it and kissed her again. The bell rang again, this time sounding a bit more urgent.

  “Yes?” I yelled in frustration.

  “King Stefan has summoned Prince Edward in his chamber,” a servant announced. Myra looked at me in confusion.

  “Very well,” I shouted.

  We were back in silence.

  “Why is he calling you?” I could sense she was nervous. I didn’t want to admit it, but I was slightly concerned too. I was certain he was calling me to ask about the rain—things that I had no answer for.

  I caressed her hair. “I will return soon,” I kissed her forehead. “We will go down for dinner after I come back.” I pulled away and got off the bed to dress. My breeches were still wet, but the sheets had absorbed most of the moisture. I still couldn’t believe I had a rain shower… only because of her. She had made me a new man today. “Don’t leave the chamber till I return.”

  I changed my clothes quickly and assured her once more that I’d be back soon. It was painful to leave her alone, but she was much safer in my chamber than joining me in the haunted king’s chamber.

  Before leaving the chamber, I glanced at her one more time. She looked like a spring flower, wrapped in the sheets. The image etched in my mind forever.

  All the way to the king’s chamber, her touch, her sweet kiss, her flawless skin, our entwined bodies—each moment kept flashing in my mind. She was everything a man could ever desire. I didn’t know why her betrothed—whatever the hell his name was—had let her go. Now she was with me, I wouldn’t give her any chance to run away and disappear like he had done. But no matter how jealous I got of that man, I was still indebted to him because he was the reason, she and I were together. If I ever met him, I’d thank him for sure.

  I knocked at King Stefan’s door. Why doesn’t he have a bell to startle him? I had never hated the doorbells before.

  “Come in, Edward,” he responded.

  As always, I found him looking outside the window. The day had not retired yet and he was drinking before dinner—before the sunset. Usually, he waited until after dinner before he had sherry and a cigar.

  I walked inside the chamber and closed the door behind me. He didn’t ask me to take a seat. I stood there quietly, waiting for him to speak. He was engrossed looking at the sky outside, making his own clouds of smoke.

  “How was your day, Edward?” he asked without looking at me.

  “It was good,” I replied simply, making sure not to give anything away.

  “How was the children’s learning? I couldn’t attend all of it.”

  “Children liked the company of Lady Farrow,” I responded—but still aware of the danger around me.

  He chuckled. “Who wouldn’t?” I was still facing his dark brown cape.

  “The lady thinks that the children need a proper meal after the learning session,” I added. “So, she asked for my permission to feed the children in the kitchen.” It was better he heard it from my mouth before he heard it from another source. He turned around and looked at me with raised eyebrows. I added, “Lady Farrow thinks a good meal is a bribe for these children to visit the castle every day.”

  “And what do you think?” he asked.

  “The way the children were eating—it was obvious they were hungry. The food excited them and they promised Lady Farrow they’d come every day for learning.”

  “Clever woman, isn’t she?” There was a devilish smile on his face, which I had always hated. I didn’t comment. He walked to the armchair, took a seat, and gestured me to sit. “I met the McQueens during my hunting.” I looked at him, confused about the sudden change of subject. “Their son, who was wounded on your birthday, is in a better state. I have invited them for dinner.” He shifted in his chair. “They are in the castle right now—staying in our guest chambers.” He rubbed his temple and made another drink for himself. He didn’t offer me anything. With a cigar sticking between his fingers, he stood up and walked back to the window. My gaze followed him. “I’m not feeling well today so I command you to entertain your guests at dinner.” He turned around to look at me. “Just remember, Edward. They are your in-laws. Lady Farrow will not attend today’s dinner.” His eyes were full of warning. “This is about the Hue’s reputation. We don’t want to tell them you have a captive in your chamber.”

  “Very well.” I stood up. As if the people of England didn’t know the Hue men kept female slaves for their pleasure?

  “They should be at the table by now,” he said. “Go down and attend to your guests. Ask a servant to take dinner to Lady Farrow in your chamber.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” I replied quietly.

  “Good. You may leave now,” he commanded.

  I turned around and walked towards the door. As I reached the door latch, I heard his voice again. “I heard it rained, Edward.” My heart halted at his words. I turned to look at him but he was gazing outside again. I couldn’t respond. “How did it feel?” He rubbed his cigar on the crystal ashtray on the windowsill.

  I felt like the walls were closing in on me again. He had always made me tongue-tied.

  “I’m asking you, Edward,” he urged.

  I took some time to respond but he waited patiently. “It felt different.” It was wonderful, heavenly, decadent, divine… and with her kiss… it was the most breathtakingly beautiful moment of my life. King Stefan, you’ll never understand this feeling. My heart chuckled at his misery. But if he got to know about the rain then his servants must have told him about the kiss also.

  “Elaborate, Edward,” he pressed again.

  I gulped, gathering strength to articulate my feelings. “It was unexpected.”

  “I’m surprised you think so.” He took a sip of sherry, his gaze still locked outside. “With her… you can expect anything unexpected.” His words set my instincts on high alert, searching for danger. He turned around with yet another devilish grin on his face. “I’m surprised you don’t see what I see, Edward.” I wanted to kill him right at this moment… tell him what I saw in her… this bastard would never see it because he didn’t have that heart to see. There was no point in arguing.

  “You should rest,” I took a few steps back. “I will see you at the mass tomorrow.” Without listening to any more of his acrid words, I left his chamber.

  As I walked past the Great Hall, I spotted Haakon walking into the direction of the tower.

  “Haakon?” I called out loudly.

  He stopped, turned around, and bowed lightly. “Your Grace.”

  I walked to him, wondering where he was going and why had he been hiding his powers from all of us.

  “Can we talk for a while?” I gestured him towards the passage that led to the chapel, which was the perfect place to speak to him right now.

  He walked silently with me, and I waited patiently for him to say something. When he didn’t, I asked: “Myra told me she has met you earlier, outside of Hue Castle?”

  He didn’t look up. He kept his pace slow, eyes cast down. “Then she must have told you how we met.”

  “Yes,” I agreed. “As she says… my book of life that you have secretly stolen from the library.”

  He looked up, surprised. “No, Your Grace. I didn’t steal it. Yours was the only one that didn’t have any ending. It was an incomplete book. I just took it after you left the chapel, after King Stefan died.” He paused. “I was worried about your wellbeing. I wanted to know what happened to you, and the book was the only way to keep track of you but it never added a new chapter.”

  I looked at him for a moment. I didn’t know what to say, so I changed the topic. There was no point in accusing him of stealing my book. That was not even a crime. In fact, I should be thankful to him, had he not stolen my book, Myra wouldn’t have read it.

  “And you have seen the future of everyone, have
n’t you? You come from the future?” I questioned as we headed towards the chapel.

  “The future always keeps changing, Your Grace. Your future was blank… I didn’t know anything about it after you left the castle.”

  “And now? Now, what do you see?” I was too curious.

  “I still don’t know, Your Grace,” he shook his head. “There are new chapters in your life, courtesy of Lady Farrow. And as the chapters are added, your fate will be written down in the book.” He paused, thinking about something. “But I must warn you, Your Grace. It’s not only your future that has changed,” he averted his gaze and looked at the entrance of the chapel. “It’s also King Stefan’s fate.”

  I felt the walls of the chapel immediately closing in on me as soon as I entered with Haakon. He noticed my wrought expression.

  “Do you trust the woman completely, Your Grace?” he asked as we seated on the rear pew, facing the mirror.

  “Do I have any other option, Haakon? Is there anyone else to trust in this castle?” I was not sure if I was supposed to trust this man or not.

  “So, if you trust her, and believe in her then you must trust her acts. You may not agree with her at some point, but always remember, Your Grace, she is your only hope.” He regarded the mirror with his gaze. “Don’t let anyone take your hope away.”

  His statement held a certain warning. I knew he was referring to my father.

  “Who writes those books?” I paused. “Myra told me there are other books in the library—similar to mine. Does King Stefan know about these books?”

  He looked at me and smiled—more shadows of old age covering his face. “No one knows, Your Grace. The castle itself is a mystery on its own. It records all the events of the past, present, and future. Yours was the only one that didn’t hold any future.” He took a moment to continue. “Because the castle locks the events that occur within the boundaries, yours ended when you left. Outside the boundary, it doesn’t track any event.” That was too much information.