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"Aurora!”
Aurora wasn’t listening to him. She seemed oblivious to everything around her. He might catch up to her, as she only a few strides away.
Aurora turned a corner, and that was when he lost her. There were no signs of her in the forest.
“Where did she go?” Devon wondered. “It’s like she disappeared.”
Devon was panting. Even this small sprint got him winded easily. Maybe he should have taken the healing potion?
He needed to sit down somewhere. Devon saw the giant stool- sized mushrooms nearby. They looked sturdy enough to sit on, so he took a risk and sat on one. Thankfully, he was right, and the mushroom didn’t crumble to pieces underneath his weight.
Devon scanned the area for any signs of the princess. He found none.
“Aurora grew up here. She would know all the hiding places in the forest,” Devon said to himself, sighing. “How will I find her now?”
Devon considered waiting for her. He didn’t want to get lost and not be able to find his way back to the cottage.
“I guess I will wait for her to return,” he said to himself. “She has to come back through this path, eventually.”
Devon wished he knew how to find Aurora, as waiting was torture for him. He wondered what her fairy godmothers told her that caused her to be so upset?
It was peaceful in the forest. He heard nothing else except birds singing or the leaves rustling with the wind. Should he call out for Aurora and hope she would answer? Devon wondered. He wanted to find her before it got too dark.
Devon was still waiting for Aurora when he heard some noise coming from the bushes nearby. He didn’t know if there were wild animals in the enchanted forest, so he readied his sword, but lowered it when he saw a curious rabbit peek out from underneath the bushes.
“Hey there, little fellow,” Devon said, smiling. “You gave me a fright.”
Devon reached out his hand to the cute creature, and the rabbit came right up to Devon. It nuzzled into his hands, and Devon laughed.
“Aren’t you friendly? I can see why Aurora trusted you guys so much,” Devon said to the rabbit. He added, sighing, “I just wish I knew where she was hiding.”
The rabbit was listening intently to Devon, with its ears twitching. The rabbit tugged his sleeve with its teeth, moved further away, and looked at Devon. The rabbit did the same thing again.
“Are you trying to show me something?” Devon asked. “Do you know where Aurora went?”
Devon thought he saw the rabbit nod its head. He thought he might be going crazy, but this was the enchanted forest and he had seen stranger things in his life... including a beautiful, moody princess that had been sleeping for a hundred years.
“It looks like you know where Aurora is,” Devon said. “Take me to the princess. Lead the way, little buddy.”
The rabbit did a little jump of joy. Devon laughed, following his cute guide to where Aurora had gone to.
———-
Aurora needed to calm the storm in her mind. Her heart was breaking, but she didn’t want to fall apart like that. The prince’s letter was weighing like a heavy weight in her pocket, dragging her down with every step she took. She would have to deal with it somehow.
Aurora considered burning the letter or ripping it to pieces without opening it. No one would blame her if she didn’t want to hear from him ever again, she thought to herself.
She didn’t think about where she was going. Her feet were moving mechanically. She kept walking until, somehow; she ended up in the last place she would have thought of going to.
Aurora was standing in the same spot where she first met the prince. The same spot where she first danced with him.
Aurora cursed her luck and her traitorous two feet.
Her mind kept drifting towards the Prince’s letter. It was probably the last time she would hear from him. He was long gone, anyway.
“Why is this happening to me?” Aurora asked the universe. “Wasn’t what I went through enough for you? Why is the witch still after me?”
Aurora felt a breeze and heard the rustling of leaves, but there wasn’t anyone to answer her question. She had to be the one to answer them.
She would have to be the one to read what the prince wrote and figure it all out.
Aurora took a deep breath and took out the letter from her pocket. She turned over the envelope and broke the seal with trembling hands.
She felt a sharp pain in her heart as she saw the prince’s elegant handwriting.
The letter was addressed to her and it read:
“Dear Aurora,
I know you will have many questions. I hope I can answer them, though I won’t hope for your forgiveness.
The witch had thoroughly deceived me. She took on your appearance...”
Aurora paused. So the witch pretended to be her... Perhaps the prince wasn’t to blame?
Aurora continued the letter:
“... I only knew who she was the night after we married.
I looked for you, Aurora. I tried but couldn’t find you.
I tried for years with no hope, so I did something cowardly. I stopped looking. I stopped hoping.
I just wish that when you wake up, you will find yourself in a better world than this one.”
Aurora couldn’t read the letter anymore. The prince’s words burned in her thoughts.
He stopped looking for her. He had promised to fight for her until the end, but he gave up.
There were a few more lines, but she didn’t care what the prince had left to say.
Aurora crumpled the letter and threw it on the ground. She had tears in her eyes, and her heart was numb.
She trusted the prince, and this is what came of that trust.
He had abandoned her completely.
His cowardice affected so many lives. Her parents’. The lives of the people in the kingdom.
Aurora’s tears were flowing freely now.
Celestia had said her parents’ graves were here in the enchanted forest, but Aurora hadn’t asked where. She wanted to see them.
“Is there anyone who can take me to my parents’ graves?” Aurora asked the forest. She waited quietly until a deer appeared from behind the trees. “Are you here to show me the way?” she asked the majestic creature.
The deer gave a bow, and Aurora understood that to mean yes. Aurora followed the path the creature took her. They kept walking until Aurora reached a meadow, where there was a single magnolia tree in the middle. She could see two headstones underneath it. The petals from the magnolia tree falling onto the ground below.
Aurora stifled a sob. That was where her parents were buried.
She walked to the headstones in a daze and fell down on her knees, sobbing.
“Mother! Father! I am here,” Aurora said. “I wish none of this had happened to us. I wish I could have woken sooner to see you both alive.”
Their silence was deafening to her. Aurora sat by their gravestones, crying.
She hadn’t brought anything for their graves, so Aurora picked two magnolias from the tree above and placed them on their headstones.
“You are gone. It is my fault. It is my fault,” Aurora said, her voice a whisper. “It is all my fault.”
“It is not your fault, Aurora,” she heard Devon’s voice.
Aurora looked up. How did he find her here?
Devon paid his respect to the king and queen by bowing his head in front of their graves. He also picked two flowers from the magnolia tree and placed them gently on their headstones. He looked at Aurora with a solemn expression on his face. Aurora couldn’t bear his kindness when she felt so broken.
Aurora didn’t want to talk to anyone right now, she needed to get far away from Devon as she could. She rose from the ground and started running.
She heard Devon’s voice call for her, but she kept running. She was disillusioned with everyone and everything in her life. Devon got the most of that anger.
Aurora looked back over her shoulder as she ran. Devon reached out an arm to stop her, and Aurora saw him wince in pain. His arm must not have healed properly, Aurora thought, concerned. Her feet stopped moving. Devon seemed relieved that she stopped running.
She waited as he caught up to her.
“Why are you here, Devon? Why didn’t you take that healing potion?” she asked angrily. “You should be resting.”
“You shouldn’t be out alone,” Devon said with equal annoyance. “Why didn’t you stay in the cottage?”
“Because I didn’t want to!” Aurora said.
“Neither did I!” Devon replied.
“Then you don’t know what is good for you!” Aurora said.
“I would trust myself with that decision,” Devon said, frowning.
“Did my fairy godmothers send you here?” Aurora asked.
“What if they did? Did your godmothers tell you something? What is bothering you so much?” he asked. “You seem to be mad at them.”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Aurora said.
“Neither do I, but I am here to listen if you feel like talking,” Devon said. “A payback for all the times you listened to me.”
“I was asleep when you did that,” Aurora said.
“Thank goodness for that,” Devon said, smiling. “I was stupid enough to tell you everything.”
“I will remember it all someday,” she said.
“I live in fear of that day,” Devon said.
Aurora finally smiled.
“Look Aurora... I don’t know what your fairy godmothers told you, but they love you,” Devon said. “I am sure they meant to protect you.”
“That’s it, isn’t it? I am done being protected,” Aurora said. “I want to live a normal life or what is left of it.”
“There won’t be such a thing as a normal life for either of us,” Devon said. “The sooner you understand this, the less you will resist it.”
Devon’s life was in upheaval, too, Aurora thought. Devon seemed to be running away from something too.
His life was just as messed up as hers.
“I am sorry about your parents,” Devon said, looking at the two headstones in the distance. “Is there anything I can do for you, Aurora?”
Devon was looking at her with concern again. Aurora sighed.
It wasn’t his fault what happened to her.
Since the first day Devon met her, he had been trying to help her. In the forest of no return. In the lake of fears. With the mirror of truth. He even got badly injured coming here to the enchanted forest.
He did it all without complaint. Devon did it all with no expectations or asking for anything in return. Perhaps it was time she helped him rather than continue to wallow on about her own miserable existence?
“I asked them about your father,” Aurora said. “I asked Luna and Celestia about him.”
Devon paused and then asked, “What did they say?”
“They said perhaps magic was involved. They might be able to help him, but they would need their wands,” Aurora said.
“Where are the wands?” Devon asked, but he already suspected where they might be.
“They are in Malorna’s fortress,” Aurora said. “She has a demon army guarding it. Without their wands, my fairy godmothers don’t have any magic to help you.”
“That doesn’t matter.. we can go get the wands,” Devon said.
“How will you do that? Not only does Malorna have an army, but she is powerful herself,” Aurora said. “Her demon army will fall only if we defeat Malorna first.”
“We can fight. I will bring all the Circle members,” Devon said.
“Everyone will risk their lives, Devon,” Aurora said.
“Some things are worth the risk, Aurora,” Devon said. “If there is even a shred of hope, I know the Circle will stand with me and fight.”
Aurora stayed quiet after Devon’s speech.
“Is that what upset you?” Devon asked.
“Yes.”
“But that wasn’t all of it?” Devon asked, perceptively.
“No,” Aurora said. “There was something else.”
“What else?” Devon asked.
Aurora stayed silent.
“Please tell me, Aurora,” Devon said. “I know what is it like to keep it all bottled inside.”
“They told me that the prince left me a letter,” Aurora said.
“Do you mean this letter?” Devon asked.
Devon showed her the letter she had thrown away.
“I thought I tossed this out,” Aurora said. “Where did you find it?”
“I saw it on the ground. I started reading it, not knowing what it was,” Devon said apologetically.
“I should have ripped it to pieces,” Aurora said, furious.
“Why would you do that?” he asked.
“I don’t need apologies or excuses from the prince who left me to rot for a hundred years!” Aurora exclaimed. “His cowardly excuses are meaningless.”
“What he did was inexcusable, Aurora. I won’t defend him or his actions. But there was something else in the letter too.... what are your thoughts on that? What will you do now?” Devon asked.
“What do you mean, Devon?”
“Did you read the letter completely?” Devon said, carefully. “It was more than an apology.”
“No.. I didn’t read until the end,” Aurora said. “What did the prince say?”
“I think you should read it yourself,” Devon said.
Aurora looked at the letter. She had crumpled it, but Devon had smoothed it out again. She read the few lines she had missed last time.
“I know you will be furious with me. I know that I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but let me do one thing right.
Your parents entrusted Rivendale to me until you returned, but I am also bequeathing you my kingdom, Aurora. The King of Lionshelm promised me that he and his descendants will keep the witch away from my kingdom, which lies east to their borders. I am not sure how much longer Kingshelm can protect their own borders, as the witch is trying to infiltrate and corrupt their court.
You are the rightful queen. Both kingdoms will be yours, when you come back to claim them. I may have married the witch because of her deception, but you will be my heir.
If you refuse to claim your kingdoms after you read my letter, Aurora, it will go to the witch. Malorna cannot take the kingdoms by force or magic. Malorna will not harm you because she will need you.
If Malorna becomes ruler by right, her magic will become even more powerful.
I know you will do the right thing, Aurora.
This will be my last and final will.
Yours truly,
Prince.”
There was the prince’s official seal at the end of the letter.
Devon was looking at Aurora. He waited until she reached the end of the letter.
“This letter makes you the legitimate ruler, Aurora,” Devon said.
“So? Why should I care anymore?” Aurora asked.
“It was your kingdom by birthright. It is your kingdom by the prince’s will,” Devon said. “It is yours by law.”
“Does it matter, Devon?”
“You have an obligation to free your people from the witch’s tyranny, Aurora. You cannot let your hurt from the prince's betrayal stop you from doing what is right.”
Aurora paused at Devon’s words.
“Are you sure you are a thief?” Aurora asked in a low voice.
“Why do you ask that?” Devon asked.
“Because no matter what, your moral compass keeps pointing in the right direction,” Aurora said. “You are right, Devon. This is more than just being about me, my decision will affect others too. My decision will affect not just one, but two entire kingdoms.”
Aurora saw Devon smiling.
“Aurora, there is something I wanted to tell you,” Devon said.
“Tell me at the cottage, Devon. It is getting dark,” Aurora said, looking at the dark streaks in the sky. The enchanted forest had become quiet suddenly.
It was too quiet, Aurora thought. She felt a strange chill in the air.
Something was wrong.
“Aurora...” Devon started, but a harsh voice interrupted him.
“Are you leaving so soon? What’s the hurry, princess?” a harsh voice asked. “We only just arrived.”
Devon and Aurora turned around in alarm and came face to face with a demon.
It had a menacing smile waiting for them.
———-
Castian heard a knock on his door. It was too soon; he thought.
He wasn’t ready.
It was one thing to meet Anya when the others were there too, but to meet her here, alone...
He was sure his heart would falter this time.
He heard another knock and then Anya’s sweet voice, “Open the door, Castian.”
Castian took a deep breath. He decided to get through their meeting unaffected by her presence. Anya wanted to meet him to discuss something important. He knew her well enough to know she would not open the topic that was on both of their minds.
He put on an image of indifference on his face, despite the ache in his heart. He would have to do this.
Castian opened the door and saw Anya covered in a hooded cloak. He couldn’t help but noticed how much thinner she was and how dark the circles were underneath her eyes.
He wished he could caress her lovely face and take her in his arms. Instead, he cleared his voice and said, “You are early?”
“I don’t like to dawdle,” Anya replied.
He was slightly relieved that her voice sounded as cold as his. It would make their conversation go a little easier.
Anya entered his cabin, and Castian locked the door behind her. He stepped inside and stood with his arms folded in the far corner of the room.
“What did you want to talk about, Anya?” Castian asked. He tried not to wince at the harshness of his voice.
It is a necessary mask; he reminded himself.
“I wanted to talk about Devon,” she said coolly. "I am concerned about him, aren’t you?"
It relieved Castian that she wanted to talk about Devon. Oddly enough, he also felt disappointed.
“What about him?” Castian asked.
“He has been acting different. Now he has gone with Aurora again,” Anya said. “I am concerned. He is putting his life in danger yet again.”
“I think he will be alright,” Castian replied.
Anya raised her eyebrows.
“I am surprised that you are saying this, Castian. Usually you are the one guarding him like a mother hen,” Anya said.
“I know... but something changed with Devon when he went missing,” Castian said. “He is not the same as before.”
“What do you mean? What do you think happened?” Anya asked.
“I think he has accepted his fate,” Castian said. “Or that he is close to accepting it.”
“You think he will go back now? Do you think he will stand trial against his brother?” Anya asked.
“Yes. I think he will,” Castian said.
“There is only a little time left until he turns eighteen and then claims his right to a trial,” Anya said. “That is what I came to talk about, Castian. Devon shouldn’t go on dangerous quests right now. I have a feeling something bad will happen to him.”
Castian listened carefully. Anya’s premonitions have never been wrong.
“We can’t stop him, Anya,” Castian said. “He feels his destiny is linked to Aurora’s.”
“I hope he is right. Emily’s betrayal crushed him... how do we know this isn’t the same thing all over again?” Anya said.
“With Emily, he wasn’t himself. But with Aurora, he hasn’t changed himself,” Castian said. “Rather, I think he is more confident now.”
Anya still looked skeptical.
“We would have to trust him,” Castian said. “He will have to decide on his own one day.”
Anya gave him a slight nod. “You know him better than anyone, Castian.”
Now that Anya had spoken about what she came to talk about, there was an awkward silence between them. She was much too close in the small room, Castian thought. Her perfume was intoxicating. He was feeling light-headed.
Anya was trying not to look towards Castian. She was scanning the room for something to do besides stare at him. She picked up an apple that was on the table.
“Have you heard anything from Devon and Aurora?” she asked, placing the apple back on the table after taking a bite from it.
“No, but they should be back in a few days from her fairy godmothers’ cottage,” Castian said. “I will let you know as soon as I hear something.”
It was Anya’s cue that the conversation was over and that it was her time to go. She took one last look at Castian, and he gulped at her gaze.
She saw him falter, and Anya couldn’t stay there any longer without crumbling to pieces.
“Take care, Castian,” Anya said, as she left in a hurry. Anya left Castian open mouthed as she went towards the front door.
“Anya?”
Anya hesitated at Castian’s voice. Her hand had reached for the door’s knob and was trembling slightly.
“Yes?” she asked.
“You... take care, too,” Castian said.
Anya gave a small smile before she left, leaving Castian with a hollow feeling inside. He looked at the closed door, hoping she would come back again, but knew it was pointless. She didn’t return.
If she had come back, Castian wasn’t sure he would have let her go.
Castian picked up the apple Anya had bitten. With his fingertips, he traced the spot where her lips had met the apple.
He remembered fondly Anya’s habit of taking half bites into his food. Castian found it annoying once, but now he missed it. He missed everything about her.
The room felt so empty without her. There was no trace of her left except the lingering smell of her sweet perfume and the bite mark on the apple. Castian took another bite from where she had left off.
This was the closest his lips had come to Anya's in months; he thought, sighing.
When Devon went missing, Castian blamed himself. He wasn't there when Devon needed him.
Devon still needs him.
Anya is strong. She knows why I am doing this.
Some day, I will have Anya in my arms again, Castian vowed. Once Devon is on the throne, I will never let Anya get away from me again.