Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters or this universe. The italics are direct quotes from the book.

"I spent the hours till dawn imagining my release from the curse and thinking about my reunion with Char. I couldn't decide whether I should steal one of Mum Olga's horses and ride to Ayortha to surprise him, or whether I should wait and amaze him at the balls."

…

"You won't bestow any more gifts, then?"

"Never. I wish I could take them all back.

I stepped out from behind the curtain, even though I'd promised I wouldn't. "Please do take them back."

This was my chance, the chance for the freedom I always should have had, the chance to escape from my stepfamily, the chance to win Char back. But I was so nervous my voice was gone. I could only nod.

"What did I do to you, child?" Lucinda whispered, as though afraid of my answer.

I found my voice. "You made me obedient. Now you know how it is."

"I do, child."

She touched my cheek, and my heart rose. Then suddenly, I felt something stir within me. Something was lifting from me, trying to force its way through me, and I was afraid I might lose my balance. I shuddered, and Mandy rushed forward to hold me up. I closed my eyes and tried to regain control of my shaking body. It was like someone had given me a command that I was trying to disobey, and I was experiencing every physical complaint I had ever had before, but multiplied tenfold. I felt like I was about to puke, like my throat was on fire, like my head was about to split open. Despite my inner agony, I couldn't open my mouth to scream. I truly thought I was about to die.

But then, as suddenly as it had started, the feeling was gone. I gasped for air, and then stood straighter, trying to figure out what just happened. Mandy was still holding me, but I walked away from her, and towards Lucinda, who was trying to erase the fear from her eyes. I tried to take stock of myself. I did feel lighter, but also fuller, more complete. But I still wasn't sure what this meant. Was it over? Was the curse gone, that easily?

"Give me a command," I said hoarsely. My throat was unbearably dry. But Lucinda was speechless.

"Ella, come here," Mandy said. I turned around, almost prepared to walk to her out of habit, but then I stopped myself. I waited for the curse to kick in, to push me to go to Mandy, but nothing happened. The seconds ticked by, and all I felt was an intense dryness in my throat, nothing more. I stayed my ground. No one said a word.

"Ella, child, walk over to the window," Lucinda said from behind me.

I didn't move, hoping it wasn't too good to be true.

Then Mandy smiled, and I knew. I ran over to her, and she scooped me up in a huge hug and spun me around. "It's over, love," she whispered to me. I was crying, though I didn't remember when I had started.

"Ahem," Lucinda coughed. We both turned to her, and I was speechless once more.

"While I'm not sure I approve of using such big magic without thinking it through, it seems that it's actually worked. Fancy that," said Mandy.

"Thank you so much, lady," I said. "This is a wonderful gift, and I will cherish it for the rest of my days." I coughed, trying to clear my voice. "I am forever indebted to you," I added. Lucinda beamed. She was even starting to look younger as we spoke.

"Ah dear, what can I say, it's all in a day's work. Now I'm afraid I must be off. Enjoy your new freedom," she sang. And the next second she was gone, with a slight poof, leaving behind the familiar scent of lilacs.

"Oh, Lady," Mandy sighed. "I wish I had known that it was that simple…but I suppose it's good that she acted without consulting me, because I would have had to tell her not to. That was some awfully big magic."

I considered scowling, but I was too overcome with joy.

"I'm so thirsty," I managed to croak, and Mandy whisked me off to the kitchen, where I drank four cups of water before speaking again.

"I should leave tonight," I said, lowering my voice to a whisper, though my stepfamily was all abed.

"Leave? Where are you running off to?" Mandy frowned.

"To Ayortha, to find Char. I need to win him back, Mandy. I can't stand the thought of him hating me an instant more than he has to."

"But why the rush? Surely the prince can wait until the morning."

I shook my head. "I don't want Hattie to find out I've broken the curse, or she might try to enslave me for real." I took another sip of water. "I lost him once, Mandy. I can't lose him again."

Mandy tried to protest, but my mind was made up. I went to my room to gather all my possessions, and Mandy gave me a sack with enough food to last me a month, and then I was out in Mum Olga's stables, sneaking past the dozing stable boy and trying to be quiet as I saddled my horse. His name was Philip, and he only whinnied once.

I led him to the back of the house, where Mandy was waiting. It was just past midnight.

"Are you sure you don't want to get a good night's rest, and leave at dawn?" she asked.

"I love him," was all I said. It seemed to be enough for her. It was too dark to see her clearly, but suddenly I wondered what I would see if I could look into her eyes. Had Mandy ever been in love? Were fairies allowed to be in love? Had Mandy always been…Mandy? Or had she once been young and beautiful and in love? Somehow, this had never come up between us. But it would have to wait until I came back. I was eager to see my own love, after all.

Mandy hugged me tightly. "Go now, before I change my mind," she said. I smiled, and mounted Philip, pausing to make sure my bags were securely fastened, and then rode off into the night.