by Alex H Singh
Then, inevitably, their faces began to move closer. He could hear his heart beating and hoped she couldn’t hear how nervous he was.
Esther Anna felt her face inching closer to his, longing for the feel of his lips on hers. They itched to taste him, have him hold her in a passionate embrace. Her eyes flickered to his lips too, and then back to his eyes. Her heartbeat raced to match his as it quickened in the heat of the moment. This kiss, the declaration of their undeniable attraction had been a long time coming and she wanted it…but she knew the timing was wrong.
Timing was everything, so her father had taught her.
Prince Phillip leaned in gradually, his nerves screamed with happiness at what was about to happen, but then, at what seemed like the very last second, her eyes flickered away, and she pulled back. He caught himself immediately and backed off, standing upright as he shook his head to clear it. What had just happened? He wondered. Was it something he did? He stole a glance at her, but she’d retracted and didn’t dare to look at him.
Shame suddenly claimed him; a blanket of uncertainty and regret covered his shoulders as they slumped down. He should have known better, and he usually did, but he was temporarily blinded by his strong feelings for her. He was very aware of the memories she had of her time with the late Pierre LaChance and he knew he had been a very good man and husband. He should have let her grieve rather than try to make a move on her while she was vulnerable. Phillip never considered himself the type to be so bold and take a leap like this. His mind struggled for an explanation, but it returned to the sheer fact that he was insanely attracted to her. He was scared to use the word love, but in the back of his mind, he knew that he had fallen deep. Phillip hoped that she didn’t think any less of him for his ill-timed advances.
Esther Anna was obviously conflicted, and she wondered if she’d done the right thing. It was strange that she would find love so soon after the death of her late husband, a man she had been married to for more than three years.
Love, was that what this was?
She couldn’t tell for sure, but it was strong and even as she’d resisted, she was starting to question that decision, wondering if she should have just given in to the kiss. Prince Phillip cared about her and he was every girl’s ideal man. Noble, handsome, and exceptionally charming. However, King Pierre’s death had to be mourned. She owed him that at least.
He had helped Dormality in their time of need. He had been a good king to his people, a good husband and an amazing father. What happened to him was unfair and what she was about to do was equally unfair to him.
She felt hot tears welling up in her eyes and she wiped them away angrily, tired of crying, plus she didn’t want the prince to see the tears and get the wrong ideas.
“Are you okay?” He asked, softly.
Esther Anna refused to look at him still, but she nodded.
He was quiet for a while, and then she felt the bed move as his weight shifted from it as he stood up. Phillip walked to the door to leave, and her guilt took over. She felt terrible for everything. Something her told her to get up and go to him, but she remained adhered to the bed, as if she’d were unable to move from where she sat. The prince opened the door, uttered something under his breath, and stepped out.
He was gone.
The room felt suddenly empty and she wished she had called him back. Esther Anna felt her heart break as she realized what he said before he left.
It sounded like: “I’m sorry.”
Esther Anna was in her room, running the plan through her mind, the plan to get the Lamp of Light. Some of the details weren’t finalized, but if they could obtain a boat, they would be halfway through the plan. The rest of the details would work themselves out, or so Phillip had said.
Phillip. Her mind briefly drifted to the prince, but she dragged her thoughts back on track and realized that she didn’t have anything to pack. She’d been given new clothes by the fairies, but as not to seem greedy, she didn’t take too much. Even though they assured her it was okay, she politely refused. The shoes the fairies made were quite comfortable and durable, too. She’d only been given one pair of shoes, but she maintained them well.
She wondered about Dormality and her father, and how she needed to get to him. It wouldn’t happen without help. She wished there was a way to reach out to him, at least to let him know she was okay, but the princess or her allies would surely be guarding communications and all pathways. Esther Anna knew that once they left the safety of the Fandrela’s barriers, they would be hunted. She longed for the day when her name would be cleared, and she could finally be free to walk amongst her people. Hopefully by then, Noelle’s plans would be overturned, and she wouldn’t be a threat to her or any other people in the kingdom.
Then there was the matter of the woodsman. Esther Anna remembered the way he had looked at her, in that eerie way that made her feel queasy. She never wanted to see him again.
A slight breeze picked up and her necklace began to glow, and almost instantly, Anah Carly appeared in front of her. This time, she’d expected her arrival, and wasn’t scared.
“My Queen. You seem troubled…” The specter inquired looking worried.
The queen managed a small smile in her direction, and she lightly shook her head to dismiss the observation. “I’m fine Anah, I’m fine. I’m just thinking.”
“What about, your highness?”
“The entire mission, Anah. All of it. We’re venturing out of Fandrela in search of the Lamp of Light. It’s going to be perilous and I’m just worried we might not succeed. Is that bad?”
Anah Carly shook her head, and then she looked slightly confused. “Lamp of Light, your highness?”
“Lamp of Light. It’s an artifact we’re looking for that may help us clear my name and expose Princess Noelle.” Esther Anna further explained its function, to which Anah nodded. Her glow, however, faded to a pale yellow. “Anah, is everything alright?”
Anah shook her head. There was a struggle there, with her body’s constant call and…perhaps something else. The constant struggle must have been taking its toll on her.
“Be strong, Anah. Prince Phillip and I will help you. Noelle will not succeed in taking over your body, I promise you that.” Esther Anna offered her words of faith in the girl’s strength, in hopes to boost her spirits. “Have you seen Adam? What has she done to him?”
“Adam is fine. She’s trapped him inside of something…a mirror… but from what I can tell, he’s unharmed.” Anah explained.
Esther nodded in relief; taking meager consolation that at least the princess was not harming him. However, she was certain the princess held him hostage as some sort of lure or leverage against her. She knew Noelle would use that to her advantage. The obvious trap didn’t bother the queen however. By the time they stormed the palace, they would have the Lamp of Light and the loyalty of the people behind them. If all went well, Noelle will have lost everything. The road to that goal was paved with a myriad of uncertainties, but it would all be well worth it in the end.
“If you plan on leaving Fandrela, I must warn you, your highness. The woodsman, Damien. He spoke of a tracking spell and boasted about its potency. It would seem the princess gave him access to your room and he was able to make a spell using some of your personal effects. If you come out of hiding, he will find you.”
Esther Anna needed to keep up with what she was learning about magic: Blood spells, tracking spells, soul transferring rituals… The obstacle of the woodsman awaited them, and she would have to inform the prince of him and the magical tracker.
As if on cue, she heard a knock and the prince’s voice came through the door to announce himself as her visitor. Esther Anna opened the door, thinking that Anah Carly would disappear as she did, but she remained in the room.
“Esther, I was just passing, and I heard voices, is everyth…” Prince Phillip trailed off. His eyes opened wide as he stared at the glowing necklace around her neck. “She’s here?”
&n
bsp; He can’t see her? Esther wondered. She watched as he entered the room and searched it, but he looked right past the apparition.
“Is she here? Right now?” The prince asked again.
Esther Anna nodded and pointed in Anah Carly’s direction. “Yes, she’s right there.”
“He can’t see me, your highness. Only you can, because of the necklace.”
“What did she have to say?” Prince Phillip asked, still a little skeptical of it all.
“The woodsman cast a tracking spell on me. The minute we step out of here, he will be able to find us…find me.” Her eyes were cast to the floor, a bit of defeat in her voice. Their chances of getting away were low.
The prince sighed. It was a strange twist, but he knew there was a way to work around it. “There’s still a chance. We can shield you from the spell, but it may not be as strong once we left the kingdom. It also depends on how strong his tracking spell is, but it would buy us enough time to escape.”
“She says it’s strong, that he boasted of its potency.”
Phillip nodded. “I see. Well, we can still try. Anything will help us get through this spell and avoid the woodsman.”
Her eyes lit up with a bit of hope. A little time was all they needed. It was risky, but the alternative options of hiding out here and wasting time or not shielding her at all would be foolish.
“I must take my leave now.” Anah Carly vanished from the room.
Esther Anna caught sight of Prince Phillip and she nodded at his questioning glance, confirming that Anah Carly had left the room. The specter was proving to be rather valuable and Esther Anna realized that she was so grateful to have obtained this necklace.
Fate seemed to be on her side for now, and she knew she needed all the help she could get.
Chapter 8
Present time. Kingdom of Tibethia.
Noelle listened to the report and her eyes blazed with anger. How dare they! She’d known they’d make a move, she just hadn’t thought it would happen this soon.
One of the leading families in the kingdom had solicited the help of the others and was gunning for the throne. Are they really trying to take over so soon after my father’s funeral? She fumed. He even approached her at the service to express his condolences.
She remembered the funeral, an elaborate service that was fit for a king. Many of its people, her subjects, including the leading families, came forth to send off the king. They were dressed in traditional black garments and showed their respect and sorrow for their late king. Noelle stifled her laughter at them. While they all mourned the loss, Noelle was stuck pondering the inevitable. In a patriarchal kingdom, once a king died without leaving behind a worthy male heir, there was usually a mad dash for the throne by the leading families and this time was no exception.
The man in question, the one who was out to challenge the throne, was Sir Tobias Eaton. He was a very powerful merchant who singlehandedly controlled more than half of the kingdom’s imported merchandise. He was a proud and successful businessman who did well to avoid conflict. His family was one of the oldest in the kingdom and he held a very prestigious position in the late King’s Council, one that she intended to disband as soon as possible. The princess was sure that she didn’t need those old bureaucrats telling her how to run the kingdom or trying to influence her decisions.
Noelle sighed as the man finished his report. The entire plot was devious, and while she could admire that, it was a plot made against her, and they were going to pay for that treachery. They underestimated her…and she longed to prove them wrong. She licked her lips, anticipating the meeting.
“Sir Tobias Eaton, your majesty.” The guard at the door announced his arrival.
Tobias flounced into the room. He gave off a pompous air, just as his name suggested. He looked around the great room with a thin smile on his face, as if he was already making imaginary changes to the throne room upon his success in ascending to the throne. He felt that his victory was nigh. Tobias grinned as he respectfully bowed to the princess. “Your majesty.”
“Sir Eaton.” Noelle responded, coolly. She was irked by the way he looked at her and consoled herself by thinking of ways in which she would wipe that smug look from his face.
“I’m certain you know why I am here, your highness.”
Noelle smirked. “No, Sir Eaton, I’m afraid I am unaware of your purpose here today.” The princess reined in her anger. She walked over to the throne and without a break in their locked gaze; she took her seat upon it. “You would do well to enlighten me.”
Tobias’ nostrils flared as he shifted where he stood, clearly upset at her actions. He pushed back the fit of anger that was rising within him and composed himself. He gestured towards a guard who hurried over, and in a flourish, he retrieved a letter from his cuff. The guard fetched the parchment and quickly ran to deliver it to the princess.
Noelle grimaced at the Eaton family seal on the letter, but after a beat, she broke through the wax and read through. She should have expected these words…she was being asked to vacate the palace. The letter mentioned that she had been deemed too young and inexperienced along with her fiancé who, as they put it, was not even fit enough to rule his own Kingdom. They also mentioned that she would remain among the leading families, but she would not be the ruler of Tibethia as there were more qualified people. She noted the four signatures of the leading families along the bottom.
Tobias felt a smirk tug at his lips. He took her shock and silence for acceptance of defeat and that smirk became a proud and victorious smile. “As you will see, all the families have decided. It’s unanimous. Do not consider this losing the throne young princess, see it more like you’re handing over the reins of leadership to someone more qualified to rule. It’s for the good of your people, of the kingdom. It’s what your father would have wanted.”
The princess didn’t respond, she just read it over again, scoffing at the mention of people more qualified. She brought her eyes up to Tobias, who was still smiling at her. She’d had enough. It was too late now for him to ask for forgiveness, and too late to escape with their lives. “You dare attempt to seize the throne, only a week after my father’s death? Where’s the respect? Where is the honor?” Guilt was her play now.
“You are too young to understand, but this is how it has always been. Your father did not have a worthy heir in his lifetime, so it must go to the next in line of the leading families.”
She felt anger rise slowly at the mention of their tradition. Noelle responded, calmly, “I am to marry Prince Hardy of Solestia. He will be king, and I, his queen. I will be by his side. That was how my father intended it to be.”
He scoffed and threw up his hands in a gesture of dismissal. “Prince Hardy is but a mere boy, an obedient puppy dog more interested in following you around than ruling, even his own kingdom. Despite being of age, he hasn’t even challenged his uncle for the right to rule. With all due respect, I’d rather have a pile of trash on the throne than that weak-willed boy.”
She smiled slightly at his anger; it was just what she wanted. Noelle wasn’t troubled by his insults about Prince Hardy. It was true; he was weak-willed, even before she put the spell on him. He was no leader, which was why their marriage was only going to be that, in name only. She would be the real ruler of Tibethia, and in time, the other kingdoms as well.
“You have our orders your highness. Failure to comply, and two days hence, you will be removed by force.” He took a few steps closer, though careful as not to alert the guard. “Please, don’t let it get to that point. I respected your father, our king, and I assure you I will make sure the fugitive queen pays dearly for the loss she has made us suffer. But I implore you not to sully his good name by forcing me to remove you. The families are at my back and you do not stand a chance.” His smile of confidence had returned.
Noelle glared at the arrogant Sir Tobias as he kept making mention of her father. King Pierre understood how things were done and he would not appr
ove of the methods Tobias was looking to implement. Princess Noelle had not moved since he spoke. Her mind was still hinged on something he said. Her orders? She sat up straight, a little more comfortable in the throne. “Here’s what I think of your orders, Sir Tobias Eaton.” Noelle brought the letter up and tore it into pieces.
He gasped and gave a disapproving glower at her action and watched as the pieces of parchment fell to the floor. “Listen to me, you presumptuous twit! This is how things have been done for generations! The families have spoken, and you dare disrespect us and our way of doing things? You have two days. Oh, I beg of you. Please, fail to leave and give me the pleasure of removing you myself. I will make sure you regret what you have just done!”
Noelle LaChance stared at the furious man in undisguised anger, now. He was insulting her, and there was no need to put up a front. “No, Sir Tobias. You listen to me. Leave. Go to your leading families and tell them that I, Princess Noelle LaChance, will not be vacating these walls. If you intend to come and remove me by force, well… by all means. You’re more than welcome to try. I assure you, that you will be too busy suffering to be able to regret your decision to step into this hall and demand your orders of me. You have my answer.”
Sir Tobias Eaton stared at her in slight shock, as he didn’t expect such an outburst from the usually mild-mannered princess.
“Guards!” Noelle summoned her men, “Please escort the good man out of the castle. Now.”
Tobias left the throne room angrily, the guard walking behind him at a safe distance.
In time, the error of their ways would be revealed. But by then, it would be too late, for them, and for their families.
Present time. Fairy Kingdom of Fandrela.
Esther Anna and Phillip made their way to the outer regions of the kingdom and each seemed slightly hesitant to be leaving, but it was only slightly. They were both propelled forward by a sense of purpose and belief in a course that far outweighed them completely. They were accompanied by another, who flew quietly behind them, an escort to the outskirts to ensure their safety.
