by Anna Santos
The atmosphere suddenly changed, and the air grew chillier when the statues came into sight. If not for the sun’s reflecting light, she might have mistaken them for real people. They were all female and tilted in different poses with one commonality—their lips puckered for an unanswered kiss.
Claire’s heart raced, unsure of what to think about the statues and the strange angle of their heads.
Cold snaked around her arms and shoulders, and she hugged herself with the increasing drop of temperature.
“What are you doing in my garden?” the prince snapped.
Claire jumped on the spot. She slowly turned around, aware of her shameful act.
“I’m sorry for breaking the rules, William,” she apologized in a shaky voice.
The floor was covered with a mist, and the prince’s eyes were glowing blue. He looked displeased by her presence there.
With hands folded behind his back, he shouted, “You have no business being here. Can’t you respect my privacy?”
“I can but…the door was open and—”
“You couldn’t resist the curiosity and had to take a peek?” he asked. “Are you happy now?”
“Happy about what?”
He pointed at the statues behind her. “You found them.”
Blinking rapidly, Claire questioned, “Did you make all this? The trees, the flowers, the statues. They look like statues yet seem so lifelike. Did you sculpt them yourself? Why is everything made of crystal? Why aren’t there any real flowers in here or outside in the gardens?”
“Why do you want to know?” the prince deflected. “Do you believe I have to explain myself to you?”
“No.” She swallowed dry. “I’m just curious.”
“Yes. That’s your problem, Claire. You’re too curious.”
“What does that mean?”
“How did you open the door? Where did you find the key?”
Claire frowned and stepped back. “The door was open. I was bringing you something to eat and—”
He raised his hand to silence her. “That’s impossible. This door is always closed.”
“No, I swear.”
“Silence!” His voice thundered inside the room. He rubbed his forehead and closed his eyes. “What am I going to do with you now?”
“What do you mean?”
“You saw them, and your curiosity will only increase,” William claimed.
Claire looked back. “The statues of the girls in pretty dresses? Is that what you do in your spare time? You’re extremely talented.”
William narrowed his piercing eyes. “Do you truly believe that these were made by a sculptor? Are you so naïve?”
“Aren’t they? Like the plants outside in the gardens.”
William shook his head. Then, tilting his head to the right, he added, “I made them. You are right. But not the way you think I did.”
Claire nibbled on her lip and cast her gaze to her shoes. “Can I go to my bedroom? I didn’t mean to pry. I’m sorry if I made you mad.”
“Aren’t you going to ask me how I made them?”
“I don’t want to know.”
“You’ve seen my powers. You’ve seen how I can manipulate water and ice.”
Claire nodded as tears prickled her eyes.
“Can’t you guess how the vegetation and the women became like this?”
Swallowing hard, she whispered, “You touched them.”
“Yes. Do you fear me now?”
Claire didn’t dare to answer.
“Look at me!”
Her body trembled, but she faced him.
“You were right. I’m a monster that doesn’t deserve love.”
“No.” She stepped forward with her hand up.
William moved back. “Don’t touch me.”
“William, please.”
“Don’t move!” he ordered. “I’m not wearing my gloves.”
Claire froze in place. His hands were behind his back.
“Will I turn into one of them if you touch me?” Claire asked. “Is that what happens to the girls that don’t return home.” She turned around to observe at the statues as dread took over her limbs. Her breathing hitched. “There are more women here than the ones missing.”
“They used to send more in the first years. Four per year. From the other kingdoms, too.”
Claire inhaled sharply, her hand holding on to her chest. “Ten statues. Ten girls who lost their lives.”
“Are you afraid of me now?” the prince asked.
Claire didn’t dare to look at him.
“Do you still want to touch me? Be with me?” He touched her sleeve, and she jumped. “Do you want to kiss me like they did and become a statue?”
Claire’s limbs obeyed as she circled William and ran away from that cursed room. She kept running until she arrived in her bedroom and closed the door behind her.
“No.” Tears fell down her face. Her back slipped down the door, and she sat on the floor, crying.
Chapter 24
Claire had no idea for how long she cried. No one came to check on her. Not the prince. Not the fairies. She felt alone with her misery and fear until all that was left was a sore throat and red eyes.
In the morning, someone knocked on her door. She reluctantly got up and found a tray of food with a note. She read it with little enthusiasm. It was from the prince. He was thanking her for her services and telling her that she was no longer needed at the palace. She could return home to her parents.
Just like that, she was dismissed and thrown away as if she didn’t matter. Their days together didn’t mean anything to him. Her feelings for him were ignored. Why would he care about her? He was heartless and had a garden full of statues of women who tried to break his curse.
She should obey his order and run away to never turn back. Wasn’t that what she wanted to do when she found out the truth?
Instead of bowing and leaving, she washed her face, brushed her hair, and stormed into his library, where he was meditating.
William opened one eye. “What do you want?”
“What is this?” Claire showed him the note.
“My permission for you to leave.” He closed his eyes and returned to his meditation.
Claire threw the paper on the floor next to him. “Tell me this to my face. Don’t hide in here.”
The prince opened his eyes, unfolded his hands, and rose to his feet. “Okay. I want you to leave. Are you happy?”
“I’m not.”
“What more do you want from me?”
“Why are you sending me away?”
He sneered, turned his back to her, and walked to one of the couches where he sat.
“William, talk to me.”
“You can address me as ‘my prince’ or ‘Your Highness’ but not William. Not anymore, Claire.”
Claire walked to him and swallowed her anger. “Your Highness.” She bowed. “Why do you want me to leave?”
“I was under the impression that it was what you wanted after what you saw yesterday.”
“I don’t.”
He blinked as if surprised by her answer. “I don’t want you here.”
“Why not?”
His jaw tensed before he spoke. “I’m a monster. You deserve better than this fate. Go home and create a better future for yourself. That way, you will be spared from what happens to those who can’t love me back.”
“Why are you acting like this?” Claire’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry about the garden. I won’t enter there again.”
“You came here to help your mother and are in love with your best friend,” the prince accused. “While noble, it will not help to break the curse I am under.”
“What nonsense are you saying? I didn’t even want to be here in the first place.”
“Exactly,” the prince said. “You didn’t want to be here. Now you can leave and be happy with Myka.”
“I don’t love Myka,” Claire protested. She held out her hands to him. “
William…”
“Are you a fool? Have you forgotten what will happen if I touch you?” he shouted.
She shivered at his rage.
“Go!” He pointed at the door.
She stood her ground. “No. I want to stay with you.”
His voice was softer. “Even after find out that I’m a monster?”
“You’re not a monster. You’re cursed.” She took another step. “I had time to think about what I saw.”
William inhaled sharply. “Stop being stubborn.”
Claire focused on his lips. “If I kiss you—”
“You’ll die like the rest of the other maidens who tried before you. Do you think this is the first time someone asked me this? Do you think I forced them to kiss me?” He rose. “I didn’t.”
Claire looked up at his face.
He leaned closer. His eyes were cold, and menace tainted his voice. “I thought I loved each one of those girls. Now, they remind me of how foolish I was. I never meant to hurt them but only true love can break my curse. I realize that I can only be with my kind. Don’t sacrifice yourself for a monster, Claire. I’m not worth it.”
“William.” Her heart shattered at his speech. Tears slid down her cheeks. “Those girls didn’t become that because of you. It was the curse. If they are like that, it means they didn’t truly love you.” Her voice shook. “Not like I do.”
William moved back, his eyes widening at her words. “C-Claire.”
“Don’t you know by now? I love you.” She swallowed her tears. “Am I not important to you? Don’t you feel anything for me? Am I just someone who they sent to entertain you?”
“Claire, as much as I enjoy your company, you aren’t in love with me. This thing between us isn’t love.”
She balled her hands. “Why not? Am I not enough for you? Are you waiting for a princess or some noblewoman to break your curse instead? Should I call Deborah to take my place?”
He raised his hand but dropped it. “Just go home and forget about me. Live your life.”
“I won’t! I want to stay with you.”
“Don’t be stubborn. You have no life with me. I can’t touch you without turning you into diamond. That’s not crystal. That’s why you always cut yourself on the sharp edges when you brush your hands against the plants in the garden. Everything alive I touch turns into diamond. The plants, the trees. Only dead things escape my curse, or I’d starve to death. But you are alive. You have a beautiful life ahead of you. I don’t want you here anymore.” He turned away from her. “Leave.”
“You’ll be lonely again,” she wailed. “How can I leave you?”
He glanced back. “Are you worried about the winter returning?”
She wiped at her tears with her sleeve. “I don’t care about that. I care about you.”
He sneered as if what she said was funny. Claire didn’t think it was. She was baring her heart to him and showing him how much she cared.
“Claire, don’t be foolish. If I give in to temptation and kiss you or hold you with my bare hands, you will become a lifeless statue. Don’t you fear death?”
“William…” Claire touched her chest. “Can’t you understand what I’m saying?”
“All I understand is that I’m wasting my time with you. My heart can’t take another failure. Go home. You can’t help me. Don’t you understand?”
“Don’t you love me?”
His eyes narrowed, and he, eventually, said, “No.”
“What if I want to stay despite that? Can’t I?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
He clenched his jaw. “Are you that reluctant to leave the luxury of my home? Are you appalled by the thought of returning home and taking care of your sick mother?”
“Of course not.”
“Then why do you insist on staying.”
Claire swallowed hard. It seemed, no matter how many times she tried to explain her love for him, he believed that she had ulterior motives. Was he that distrusting of people?
William walked closer and loomed over her. “I’m tired of your presence here. You don’t make me happy anymore. Leave and never return.” His eyes flashed silver when he added, “You have one hour to pack your belongings before I throw you out.”
Claire’s heart crumbled as he stormed out, not once looking back. The threat didn’t hurt as much as his rejection. He wanted nothing to do with a peasant girl. She should never have fallen for him.
Up in her bedroom, she ignored the expensive dresses and valuables as she gathered her meager belongings. Seeing those things brought back memories of broken promises and heartache. Best to leave them in the palace. The prince thought she was interested in his money. She wanted to keep her head on straight while going back home with her decency and honor intact.
Changing into the clothes she wore upon arrival, Claire waited in silence until the fairies came to lead her outside. The carriage waited for her there. She entered it after glancing back a few times. She hoped the prince would, at least, show up to say goodbye. But his absence was of no surprise despite it adding to that day’s disappointment and woe.
Chapter 25
Claire returned home to a little fanfare. All hope of William finally being saved and the kingdom restored vanished. Another failure meant more bad weather and waiting for the next celebration to take another stab at breaking the prince’s curse.
It wasn’t Claire’s concern anymore. She went back to help her mother with embroidery and her father with the daily chores. Her parents avoided discussing her early return. Either way, she had lasted longer than the last five maidens who were sent the previous years. Five months of sun were an unexpected gift.
As time passed, her life returned to its routine as if she had never left. One silver lining was Myka’s road to recovery from nearly turning into an alcoholic. He had improved when she came home. He genuinely cared about her and was glad she came back from the palace safe and sound. The pair started talking and hanging out like they did before she left to make up for the lost time she had spent up in the Diamond Palace. They even traveled together to the fair to sell their wares. Time apart only ended up strengthening their friendship.
The ice storms returned and grew more relentless each day. The progress made by Claire had vanished. The kingdom was back to facing terrible forces of nature with no relief in sight. The bad weather forced the closure of many businesses, including the mines. The Regent had to suspend the fair, as well, until the weather improved. It was too risky to spend long periods of time outdoors, and visitors would not travel there. Worst of all, Claire began to notice people turning antagonistic towards her as if the entire curse was somehow her fault.
She had cared for the prince and tried her hardest to melt his heart. Love didn’t happen instantly or with the other person returning the affection. William had sent her away despite knowing her feelings for him. She had begged to stay. What else was she supposed to do to change his mind?
She missed him and the fairies. Her heart ached, and it hurt more with the notion that William was sad. The weather was controlled by him. How sad one must be to create such havoc?
It was late in the day when she decided to check on her mother. She was having trouble with the adverse changes in the weather. While still healthier than before, Claire worried about her mother getting severely ill again.
“Daughter, I can tell you are troubled,” Mother said. “Sit and talk about what’s on your mind.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’ve not been fine since you’ve returned. You don’t like to talk about it, but you need to if you want to let go of the pain.”
“I’m not the only one feeling pain. The kingdom is covered in snow because I’m back.”
“The kingdom is used to this,” her mother reminded her.
“Not like this.”
Mother patted her hand. “Do you miss him?”
Claire nodded. It was hopeless to try and deceive her mother. “More and
more each day.”
“Why did you come back? Weren’t you happy there? Was it because of your father and me? We can take care of ourselves. Do you know that?”
“I begged him to stay, Mom,” Claire said with tears in her eyes. “I did. I was ready to crawl on my hands and knees. That is how pitiful I am.”
“Not pitiful, child. Love isn’t pitiful.”
“It is when it’s not reciprocated.”
Mother’s fingers brushed her tears away.
“It hurts so much, Mom. My heart hurts so much. I miss him terribly.”
Tears kept falling. Her body shook with emotion. She fell into her mother’s arms and cried like she hadn’t allowed herself to do she got back.
When there weren’t any more tears or strength in her body, her mother asked, “What do you want to do about this love you have for him?”
“What can I do?”
“Go to him. Try again.”
“He doesn’t want me there.”
Mom stretched her lips into a smile. “Silly child, winter has never returned so fast like it did this time. He’s miserable. Why do you think he’s miserable?”
“He’s alone.”
“He misses you,” Mother countered. “He wasn’t this happy for ages. He sent you away. Maybe he had his reasons. Did you do something to anger him?”
Claire nodded. “I didn’t do it on purpose.”
Her mother placed a strand of golden hair behind her daughter’s ear. “Did you apologize?”
“Of course.”
“If you love him, try again. He had time to miss you, too. Maybe, he’s willing to forgive you.”
“He doesn’t love me. He said so. He doesn’t want me to kiss him, either.”
Mom arched an eyebrow. “He doesn’t want you to give him a true love’s kiss? Why not?”
“He says that I’ll turn into diamond like the other girls.” Claire covered her mouth when she realized she had revealed William’s secret.
Mom’s voice was soft. “Do you think that the elders don’t know what happens to the girls that never return?”
“Do you know?”
“Of course. But they will be back to normal once his curse is broken. It’s terrible, but it’s not his fault. The witch cursed him. He’s our prince. He fought for us. His family protected us. We need to save him. You need to save him. Even if you don’t kiss him, Claire. If you love him, you should be with him. Let love grow between you two until he’s convinced that he won’t fail if he takes you as his bride.”
