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Aurora wasn’t sure the demon came to harm them or if the witch had even sent him. The demon told them his name in its chilling voice. Aurora’s hair stood at the back of her neck, but despite her fear, she spoke calmly.
“Hellgor,” Aurora repeated. “Tell me, Hellgor, why didn’t you attack us in the river?”
The demon tilted his head to one side and smiled, like her question amused him.
“You want to kill the witch. We want to kill the witch too,” Hellgor said. “The enemy of our enemy is our ally.”
“You want to kill the witch, but why?” Anya asked, surprised. “Isn’t she your master?
Hellgor growled. “She wears the horns of our old master, so we obey her. But we want to go back to our realm.”
“You want to go back to your realm?” Aurora asked.
“Yes, the witch stole us away from our home,” Hellgor answered. “Here, in this world, we are small and powerless.”
Anya snorted. “Small and powerless, indeed!” she said, looking at the eight feet demon with an incredulous expression.
“Why don’t you go back then?” Aurora asked.
“Because the witch cursed us and made fire our weakness.” Hellgor spat in anger. “Our home is made of fire. We cannot go back to our fiery realm.”
If they could steal the horns from Malorna, and perhaps break the spell she had on the demon army, they had a chance of defeating her, Aurora thought.
“We will help you get back home, Hellgor,” Aurora said. “Can you take us to the witch’s castle?”
“Yes,” Hellgor said. “But once we are in front of the witch, we cannot help you.”
“Understood,” Aurora replied.
“Are you sure about this, Aurora?” Anya asked. “Shouldn’t we wait for Castian and the others?”
“Devon gets closer to death with every minute we wait,” Aurora said grimly. “I won’t force you to come with me, Anya.”
“You should know by now, you can’t force me to do anything that I don’t want to do,” Anya said, grinning. Aurora smiled back at her. She would have gone alone, but it was nice to have a friend on her side.
“Are we ready?” Hellgor asked.
Aurora nodded and Hellgor gripped them both, one in each of his arms, and took to the skies. The demon’s skin was cold and felt hard, like stone. It didn’t take long before they saw Malorna’s fortress in the distance.
All around her castle, plants, and trees were dead or dying. The land was sparse and barren for miles, all except the lone tree in the castle’s courtyard. The apple tree seemed strikingly out of place, both for its lush green color amongst the bleak grey, and the branches laden with fruits. It was a mesmerizing sight, as one half of the tree were full of rich red apples, while the other half had luscious green apples.
“It must be magic,” Aurora thought. “Nothing else could grow in this barren wasteland.”
With a few swift flaps of his giant wings, Hellgor reached the bleak-looking castle, a vision of gothic spirals and macabre statues. They thought he would land near the front steps, but Hellgor kept flying. Aurora resist the urge to scream as the demon went hurtling towards the roof. There must be a magical opening, she realized, when they didn’t crash into the ceiling. They landed on a beam close to the roof, but thankfully were in such a position as to be hidden from any onlookers below. Anya and Aurora crept closer to the edge to peek at what was going on in the full court. Hellgor stood silent and still, like a gargoyle statue beside them on the wooden beam.
Aurora saw Malorna, a lone figure on her throne in the centre of the court. She wore the horns on the demon on her head and carried a black staff in her hand. The top of the staff had an orb that was pulsing with green light. Aurora felt a crackle of magical energy radiating from the staff, even at this distance. The witch was beautiful, with her long raven hair and ivory skin. Her eyes were the only sign she wasn’t human. They were glowing like the orb in her staff.
There were demons and humans all around her. There was a haggard-looking man on his knees in front of her, with chains on his neck and arms. Aurora saw chains on all the humans. Heat rose to her face, and she felt intense anger and pain. Malorna kept these people as her prisoners for all these years, against their wills and in horrible conditions. They all looked frail and malnourished, with only threads of clothing hanging off their thin bodies.
Malorna’s voice echoed in the chamber, and Aurora looked back again towards the witch.
“I kept you alive, but for what? You repay me by stealing,” Malorna said, her voice a deathly whisper.
“Please.. Please.. I was hungry..” the man in shackles sobbed. “It was only an apple... it wasn’t even edible. Please forgive me, empress.”
Malorna’s expression was unreadable, but she seemed to be pleased by the title.
“Empress... at least you know who you are in front of,” she said, giving an alluring smile. “I might forgive you for your lapse of judgement.”
“You are most gracious, my magnificence,” the man cried, bowing further in front of the witch.
“Indeed, I am,” Malorna said. “It was only an apple, after all. Here, why don’t you have another... all this ordeal must have made you hungry?”
She reached for the tray of apples beside her and tossed the man a red one.
“Thank you, you are most generous,” the man said, holding the apple for dear life.
“Aren’t you going to take a bite?” Malorna said. “Don’t be rude now.”
The man looked at her piteously. Aurora felt she was watching a mouse walking into a trap. The man took a bite of the red apple and swallowed it slowly. He waited with a fearful expression in his eyes, but nothing happened.
“What do you think?” Malorna asked, a strange glint in her eyes. “Does this one taste better than the one you stole?”
“Yes. It is delicious,” the man replied, with slight relief.
“It is, isn’t it?” Malorna asked, smiling. “Would you say that the taste is to die for?”
The man smiled too, but it was short-lived. His smile soon turned to a scream as he grabbed his throat, choking, and then fell over dead.
“One thing you should never forget about me,” Malorna said as she took a green apple from the same tray. “I don’t forgive. And I always get my revenge on those who deceive me. Get rid of him!”
A demon answered her command and dragged the man’s dead body away from the throne room. Malorna examined the green apple critically and then took a bite. She quickly spit out the contents of her mouth.
“This land curses me,” Malorna said with bitterness. “First, it was those meddling kings of Lionshelm, interfering with my grand ambitions. Now that is finally taken care of, the land still curses me.”
She looked at the tray of apples beside her. “Either the fruits are too bitter to eat, or delicious but deadly. Useless either way.”
Malorna furiously swiped her hand over the tray. It fell with a clatter on the ground, spilling the apples everywhere. Her human slaves moved quickly to clear the mess.
“What a horrible person,” Anya whispered. “Are you ready for this, Aurora?”
“Yes. We must stop her,” Aurora said.
“What will we do?”
“I don’t know. We still don’t know what her weakness is,” Aurora said. “We need to get rid of her crown first and then break the spell she has on the demons. But I don’t know how we can do that.”
“Get her to talk and we can figure it out,” Anya said.
“Should we have waited for the others?” Aurora asked, doubting herself now.
“No, you were right,” Anya said. “Devon doesn’t have much time.”
After hearing Devon’s name, Aurora felt a strength she hadn't felt before.
“Take us down to her, Hellgor,” Aurora said.
The grey demon nodded and grabbed the girls again. He roared before descending in the court in front of Malorna’s throne.
“We found you some guests, Master,” Hellgor said, his voice filled with barely contained hatred. “It is the princess that you seek.”
“How fortuitous,” Malorna said with a cat-like smile. “Welcome to my humble fortress, sweet Princess Aurora. I had been waiting anxiously for your arrival. Is there anything you need? Food or drinks? You will find my subjects most compliant and eager to serve.”
Anya swore, but Aurora didn’t respond.
“I was worrying you might never wake up,” Malorna said again. “I hope the sleep was restful?”
Aurora didn’t have time for the witch’s games.
“Why were you looking for me, Malorna?”
“Malorna? No, your grace or highness?” Malorna said with a slight smile. “Since it is your first time in my castle, princess, I will forgive your little indiscretion. I was expecting a more deferential attitude from you, but you seem a little hostile at seeing me.”
“I wonder why that might be, witch,” Anya said angrily.
“I wasn’t speaking to you, human. Only speak when you are spoken to,” Malorna said dismissively. “Princess Aurora, I was watching you in the enchanted forest. You had an interesting journey getting here and an interesting partner. How is he doing now, I wonder?”
Aurora felt her heart sink. Malorna knew about Devon. She must have been the one to send Gorge, Aurora thought with anger. She wondered how Devon was, or if he was even alive.
Malorna was looking at Aurora with a curious expression.
“I never thought a sixteen-year-old would become someone I had to look out for,” the witch said. “This must flatter you?”
“If I am such a threat, why don’t you curse me for another hundred years, Malorna?” Aurora asked furiously.
“Silly girl. I rather not wait another hundred years for you to change your mind,” Malorna replied. “And besides, the curse won’t work this time.”
“What do you mean it won’t work?”
“Because you have already received your true love’s kiss,” Malorna replied. “Or I should say, a kiss from someone whose heart is true to you.”
Devon.
Devon had kissed her, Aurora thought. Did that mean he cared for her that way? The kiss happened back at the tower. How long had Malorna been watching her? Did she know about their plan and why they came here?
“Trying to figure out the truth? Don’t worry your pretty head, princess,” Malorna said with a malicious smile. “I will give you a choice. All the pain and suffering can be over for you in only a moment.”
“What choice?”
“I will give you the same offer that I gave your prince. Become Queen, Aurora, and let me rule by your side,” Malorna said. “I shall remain as your mistress of evil.”
Make a deal with Malorna? Just like the prince did. Aurora felt the pain of his betrayal once again, and it broke her heart. A few tears escaped from her eyes onto the ground.
Malorna's expression softened at Aurora's tears.
“You might see me as your enemy, but it doesn’t have to be this way. You will always have a powerful ally,” Malorna offered. “They ostracized me for my powers. Those humans wanted to lock me up and weaken me. They wanted to banish me forever, never to be heard from again... so I did the only thing I could, I grew so powerful that they now all cower before me!”
“Why will I join you? You have killed, tortured, and enslaved my people for a hundred years.”
“And I will do it for another hundred years,” Malorna replied. “They all deserve nothing else.”
“Do you even have a heart, Malorna?” Aurora asked. “Have you forsaken humanity completely?”
“What is the use of a heart?” Malorna asked.
“A person can’t live without a heart,” Aurora said.
“Sure, one can,” Malorna said wickedly. “I swallowed mine a long time ago. You can learn to live without one, too.”
“Aurora will never accept you or your offer!” Anya cried.
“Why not?” Malorna asked in a bored voice. “She will if she knows what is best for her.”
“You took everything away from Aurora, yet you still feel you are doing her a favor?” Anya said. Her hands turned to fists in anger.
“I took nothing from her. She was the one who touched the spindle,” Malorna said. “She took the poison. Now I offer her the cure. Don’t dismiss my generosity, princess. I am showing you a way out.”
“A way out of what?”
“Attachments, relationships, that nagging voice in your head that stops you from doing anything remotely fun,” Malorna replied. “I will show you a way to forget all of that. I can alter your memory so you remember nothing of pain. I can alter your heart so no weakness can ever touch it again.”
Malorna extended her hand towards Aurora and gave another alluring smile. “You can start your new life with me, Aurora.”
Forget everything and start anew? The witch offered these words like a balm to Aurora’s pain and suffering. Could Aurora really do that?
“Why would you offer me such a thing?” Aurora asked. “You could have just asked me to give you the kingdoms.”
“I have been observing you, Aurora. Once you were a helpless princess, allured by my simplest spells. But now you have risen from the ashes of your past to become someone else entirely,” Malorna said. “Someone who is worthy of being my queen. Let me be the shadow to your light, Aurora... “
Malorna was still talking, but Aurora wasn't listening. She could only hear Devon’s voice in her head.
You brought light into my dark world, Aurora.
Her heart sank as she remembered him on the bed, in pain, as the demon’s poison was coursing through his body. The thought of Devon on his deathbed broke Aurora out of her trance.
She heard Anya talking to Malorna: “You are pathetic. You had everything yet you wound up with nothing.”
“I have power and might. I have an army of demons and humans who I can trample underneath my feet,” Malorna said. “Even my name strikes fear in those who hear it. What more could I want?”
“Do you have friendship, family, love?”
“Friendship? Family? Love?” Malorna said, laughing. “Tell me, oh wise one, what has any of that done for you?”
“My family and friends are my strength,” Anya replied. “My love gives me hope. He makes me a better person.”
“I am curious,” Malorna said, laughing. “Can your delusions save you today?”
“You have nothing in your heart, but envy and hate,” Anya said, shaking her head.
“And all you have are delusions, mortal,” Malorna said, smiling. “Where is your lover? The one who makes you a better person. Think he will even show up to save you?”
“I know he will,” Anya said, her eyes blazing. “But he knows I am not a damsel that needs rescuing. He will come anyway because he loves me.”
Malorna laughed. “Big words for someone who has nothing.”
“I have more than you will ever have, Malorna,” Anya said angrily. “I have love.”
“I have had enough of your ravings, peasant,” Malorna said. The witch waved her hand on her staff, and a large pit appeared in the middle of the room, just below her dais. Aurora saw lava flowing deep down in the open abyss.
Malorna turned her attention to Aurora. “Princess, agree to rule by my side or watch as I burn everyone you know and love in front of you. Hellgor, throw the girl in the pit!”
Hellgor moved forward, compelled by the witch’s command, and grabbed Anya’s arm.
“Get your claws off me!” Anya said. Hellgor dragged her towards the pit.
“Wait!” Aurora said. “Don’t hurt her!”
“Have you decided, princess?” Malorna said. “Are you going to wear the crown?”
“Yes,” Aurora said.
Malorna waved at her staff, and another throne appeared beside her own. Aurora could see the crown waiting for her on the throne’s seat.
“No, Aurora. Don’t listen to her!” Anya pleaded. “Don’t give in.”
Auroa ignored her plea and moved towards the throne set for her. She touched her wrist nervously, but kept walking towards Malorna. Anya looked horrified.
Malorna smiled at Aurora as she climbed onto the dais. There was a gleaming crown of gold and diamonds waiting for her. It was the same one she had seen in the lake of fears's reflection. She knew it was her mother’s.
Aurora’s hand trembled as she raised the crown. She gently placed it on her head.
She turned and faced Malorna’s dark court.
Her voice didn’t waver as she said: “I, Princess Aurora Briarcastle, reclaim my kingdoms. As Queen, I will serve my people faithfully as long as I live.”
Malorna asked, her voice now a gentle caress: “And do you agree to rule with me by your side, Queen Aurora?”
“No,” Aurora replied.
Aurora and Anya caught Malorna off guard as they worked together. Aurora grabbed Malorna’s staff, while Anya took out the whip she had hidden behind her back and lashed it towards her crown. The whip twisted around one of the demon horns, and Anya pulled it right off Malorna’s head and brought it in her hand. Aurora smashed the orb on top of Malorna’s staff and watched as two gleaming gems fell out from the broken orb and vanished into smoke.
When Aurora was climbing the dais she touched her wrist, where the circle’s tattoo was, and quickly send Anya her message: Grab her crown. I will get her staff.
Aurora had only given Anya minutes to react, but her plan worked.
Malorna screamed as her staff laid broken.
“You will pay for what you have done!” Malorna screeched. “Hellgor, kill them both!”
“He is no longer your lackey, Malorna,” Anya said as she tossed the Malorna’s crown of devil horns into the lava pit.
The ground shook violently, and there was a large boom as the witch’s spell broke. The impact tossed aside Anya, and she laid unconscious on the floor.
“Anya!” Aurora screamed, but Anya wasn’t moving anymore.
“Don’t worry, Aurora,” Malorna said. “You will join your friend soon enough.”
The witch raised her arm to cast a spell, but Hellgor grabbed her arm.
“No! You will not harm them!” Hellgor’s voice boomed. “You must pay for what you did to us.”
Malorna screamed. The grey demon gave a terrible cry, and a large portal opened in the middle of the castle’s ceiling. Aurora could feel intense heat coming from above. She held on to the nearest throne as the portal threatened to suck everything into it.
“At last, we can go home,” Hellgor said and the other demons screeched in delight. Aurora watched as all the demons grew in size and sprouted wings on their backs. They swarmed together and flew towards the open portal that went to their fire realm.
Hellgor still grabbed Malorna by one arm. She was fighting to get free, but Hellgor's grip was strong. The demon looked back once at Aurora as he flew towards the portal. Hellgor was the last demon to go through, and Aurora watched as the portal closed.
The grey demon had taken the witch with him.
As soon as Malorna disappeared through the portal, the castle started crumbling all around Aurora. She heard screams and cries around her. They were coming from the witch's human prisoners. They were all screaming, frightened, as the floor was shaking and objects were falling from the collapsing ceiling. It was pure chaos. Aurora barely made it to where Anya was.
Aurora’s ears were ringing, and her vision blurred. She held on to Anya as the world fell apart.