Prologue

Once upon a time, in a castle far, far away there lived a princess who was trapped in her own castle and guarded by a wizard named Luke. Little did Princess Leah know, that Luke had locked her up in hopes that she would fall in love with him.

Every morning at dawn, Luke would go into her room and take her hands in his. He wished there was a way to force her to fall in love with him but, alas, that was against the rules of wizardry. She would have to fall in love with him naturally if it was possible. Luke was about ready to give up because she ignored him when ever they were in the same room together. To Luke the only time she looked truly happy and the most beautiful was when she was asleep.

When Leah looked like she was going to wake up he would drop her hands and leave the room so she would never know of his feelings for her, for that too, she would have to find out for herself.

Chapter One

Leah

I awoke tangled in my blankets. Again! I hadn't slept well last night. Again! What was new? Absolutely nothing! I was still a princess. I was still locked in my own castle. And I was still being guarded by the evil wizard Luke!

Is he truly evil? I don't think so. He's just evil to me because he locked me up in my own castle and killed, or at least, took my family away from me. I may never see my parents or brother again! I guess I haven't seen or heard him doing any dark magic, only good. Such as my bed making it's self or food appearing on my plate since the servants are also gone.

I suppose you could say Luke is taking very good care of me. Yes, I suppose you could. He hasn't hurt me or anything. I'm just not allowed outside the castle walls or allowed to see my family. Luckily I'm allowed outside. I've read fairytales and heard stories about maidens that are locked up but aren't allowed outside. Ever! Luke hasn't hurt my physically only he hurt my spirit when he locked my up and took away my family. I miss them! Oh, how I miss them!

He has taken everything from me. My family, my freedom, my lively spirit, my friends, my dignity, everything, even love! Well, except a home, food, safety, and one friend: my cat Lady Kitty (or Kitty for short.)

I sighed as I untangled myself from my blankets and hoped that today was the day I was hoping for. Maybe today Luke would let me free from him and the castle. Maybe, just maybe, today I would see my family again.

On that happy note I hopped out of bed and trotted over to my wardrobe. I opened the door and pulled out one of my plainer dresses: long sleeved, pale green cotton, with a white lace neck and cuffs and silver embroidery along the hem. I also pulled out my forest green velvet cloak with a silver clasp in case I was allowed outside or, if I was lucky, get to see my family again. Or at least get to go outside the castle walls for awhile. I was getting board!

I slipped out my nightgown, pulled on my dress, and draped my cloak over one arm before I skipped out of the room, down the stairs and into the dining hall. Luke (and breakfast) was waiting for me. I smiled at him and curtsied.

"Good morning, Leah. I'm glad to see you happy this morning," he said, returning my smile.

"Good morning, Luke," I replied cheerfully, sitting down where a hot bowl of portage was waiting for me. I looked down at my bowl and wrinkled my nose in disgust. It was brown!

Luke laughed. "It's chocolate portage."

I looked at him. "Chocolate?" I hadn't had chocolate in months!

"Yes. Go ahead; try it."

I put my spoon into my bowl hesitantly. "Mm, it's delicious."

He smiled. "Told you."

I quickly began to eat. When I was about half way done Luke said, "You're rarely this happy. What's on you mind?"

That caught me off guard. I hastily swallowed my portage and said, "It's a beautiful day out. I was hoping to go outside today."

"You may go outside in the walls any time you wish, Leah. You know that."

"Actually, I was hoping to go outside the walls today." After seeing his first startled than angry expression, I quickly added, "If, that is, you'd go with me."

His face softened. "I'd love to go with you, Leah. But lets wait 'till after lunch so it will be warmer."

I scraped my bowl and said quietly, "Thank you. I'll be in the library if you need anything." I stood up and suddenly felt Luke's hand grab mine.

"Your favorite place," he said turning me around so I was facing him.

"Yes it is," I agreed, hesitantly. He dropped my hand.

"I…," he began but stopped. "I'll see you at lunch then, Leah."

"Yes," I replied, confused. What was he going to say? I turned, leaving the dinning hall. As I walked up the stairs I wondered what was going on. Why did Luke suddenly agree to let me outside the walls for the afternoon? Was it because I asked him to go with me?

I was free to go anywhere in the castle, except the Western hall. That was Luke's territory. But honestly I didn't want to go anywhere near him if I could help it. I wasn't about to go to the Western hall if he didn't want me to.

When I entered the library I went straight to my favorite armchair by the window. Next to the chair, on the table, right where I left it was the book I was reading: Rapunzal. I could easily relate to it. I too was locked in, but not, thankfully, in a tower. I did have some freedom after all.