Chapter One
The prince sat high atop his throne, gazing irritably down at the old woman cloaked in wool, who stood on the lowest stair. Silence reigned in the room as he waited for the hag to speak first. Impatient eyes darted over the elaborate reception hall.
It was the finest castle in all the land—more of a palace than an actual castle—and as such, had been built and furnished by only the best. White pillars spiraled to the ceiling, high above their heads. Crafted of solid marble, they were unrivaled throughout the world. The floors were made of slabs of marble as well, and had been polished to such a high degree that the prince could see his reflection in it without bending down and squinting.
His eyes swept disdainfully over the red carpet laying over the floor. Red did not match his eyes, nor did it go with the marble. It should have been blue. Yes, definitely blue. Besides, this red carpet was not nearly fine enough, and now that the hag had soiled it with mud and leaves, he would be forced to send for another. His lip curled in distaste. She was trying to make him spend money, wasn't she? The tax-payers would come crying to him about it.
Lightning flashed through the stained glass windows, casting multicolored shadows. Thunder boomed. He loved the sound of rain; it was comforting to him.
"Your Royal Highness," grated the hag. Her voice sent chills racing up his spine, though they had no strength for a return trip. She neither curtsied nor bowed her head. This infuriated him greatly. He was to be addressed as "Your Majesty" and shown the proper courtesy.
Her beady eyes rested on his face. He could hardly bear to look at her haggard old features. What a horrid nose! So long and—Goodness, was that a mole on the tip?
"I desire shelter from the storm, and I have—" here she withdrew a magnificent red rose from her tattered sleeve "—this rose with which to pay."
As he stared at the rose, a sneer crept over his face. "A rose in exchange to sleep in my resplendent palace?" Disbelief and haughty pride colored his tones an ugly shade of bloated self-importance. "Get out of my sight!" he commanded.
"I ask you to reconsider."
The prince was thoroughly irritated with her rusty voice creaking within his earshot. He stood and started down the steps regally, as far away as he could get from her as he descended. Gesturing for her to leave, he decided to retire to his chambers. Dealing with peasants always wore him out.
"Do not be deceived by appearances. Beauty is found within," she warned him.
"Guards! Throw this witch out!" Contempt was engraved on his features; he had obviously made that expression many times before. Upon reaching the last stair, he halted. The woman was… glowing.
Her hunched form straightened and lengthened; her hooked nose, toothless mouth, and beady eyes melted into the ageless face of a beautiful enchantress; her simple linen dress and woolen cloak spun themselves into a gown of emerald green. A golden circlet appeared on her brow, a wand in her hand. The previously offered rose floated in midair between herself and the prince.
Only then did he realize his mistake. The rosy color in his cheeks drained away, leaving him with a pallor of ash. Still, he held his ground and asked condescendingly, "Why have you come here?"
"I have looked into your heart. There is no love, only greed and hatred," she answered. Her voice, once grating and harsh, was now the song of angels. Waving away his protests with her free hand, she stepped back and rose into the air.
The prince grew nervous as she began an intricate enchantment.
"You will remain a terrible beast until the day comes when you learn to love, and are loved in return. The servants in this castle will be changed as well. When you break the spell, all will be returned to its rightful state."
She gestured across the hall with a broad sweep of the rod in her hand, sparks flying to swirl around every object and person. Transformation causes much pain; all fell to the floor, gasping and writhing.
As the prince collapsed, he demanded through clenched teeth, "If I am so terrible, why do you tell me how to break it? Why not make it last forever?"
"Even the bad deserve a second chance. It's whether or not they learn to be kind and repent that matters." With that, she vanished in a flash of blinding green light.
It would be days before he awoke, and he would be alone in a cold, dark place.