Chapter 1

When I first walked into the garden, all I saw was him. It was a late summer night at the castle of Baeldina; the soft breeze blew small strings of hair across my face. My father, the proud king of Celestia, recommended that I come to a ball at Baeldina. I hadn t been to a ball in a few years so I thought why not? I was wearing a sea blue dress with a white border, my brunette hair neatly tucked into a bun. My completion was quite fair with a slight blush that never went away. The garden had an abundant of flowers there were roses, lilacs, daises, daffodils, and many other plants I don t know the names of. There were polished tables here and there with an assortment of foods. People were gathered around tables talking, and some dancing by the fountain as the musicians played their lovely music. Everyone was wearing what seemed to be their best gowns and tuxes.
The man I saw started to make his way through the crowd toward me. My breath caught when I saw his face up close. His features were as smooth as glass. His hair was just barely a darker brown than mine. The moonlight shimmered off of his hair and was cut just over his shoulders. Amazing I thought. Before I knew it, I was in this mystery man s arms dancing to a slow waltz. When they music stopped I looked around and saw that everyone was staring at us. I started to turn and walk off but he held me there. Hello, what is your name? He asked in a honey sweet voice. I glanced around a little to make sure he was talking to me Princess Cecilia, I said confidently, And you are? He chuckled a little. I am surprised you do not know the name of the host of this ball He said with a smile. His smile made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, so much that I couldn t help but smile back. I blushed slightly, but from my normal blush I suspected no one would have noticed. I am Prince William. We looked into each others eyes for about a minute, and during that minute it seemed like I had known him all my life. We danced until the very last song, our eyes never leaving each others.
When the last song finally finished William s father offered us to spin the night at their castle. We agreed since our kingdom was the farthest from Baeldina. I was escorted by one of the maids to my sleeping quarters. It was very plain inside; there was a dark oak bed, dresser, and wardrobe. The maid excused herself and left the room. I was alone.

When morning came I expected nothing but an empty room. I was wrong. I was startled fully awake. I saw William sitting by a window, staring off into the distance. I always come here to see the sun rise. He said softly, But not even that can compare to the beauty I am looking at now. He smiled. He was looking at me. I blushed deeply. We sat there for a while, just staring at each other when he abruptly got out of his chair and went out the door. About two minutes later the maid came in, excused herself for feeling she had awaken me and left. I stared at the door in wonder. Had he learned the maid s schedule? I thought curiously. I must ask him at breakfast I never got the chance.

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I was seated in the dining hall when she walked in. Her lovely face blushed slightly more when she entered the room. She walked gracefully to the table and sat down across from me. While I was watching her a sudden deep chill came over me and traveled up and down my spine. I shivered but otherwise thought nothing of it; I was too captivated by how beautiful Cecilia looked. I sighed. As if you could win her. I thought sadly. She s probably already found someone anyway Speeding across the floor, I could have sworn that there was a shadow. I looked around the dining hall for a sign for way could have caused the shadow. I saw what I always see when I look around; the whole room was mostly oak the table, floor, walls, door, even the framing. There was an arched glass door-way that lead to the balcony. It over-looked one of the most beautiful gardens ever seen and where I first met Cecilia and was in full bloom. I could smell the roses, lilies, bluebells, and all of the other flowers fragrance mixed together. I was silently daydreaming when the waiter came in with our breakfast. I immediately came to my senses and, again, thought I saw a shadow skid across the floor. I looked at Cecilia to see if she had seen it too. Her face was ghostly pale, cheeks inflamed. I thought for a moment that she was ill, but she was looking directly where I had seen the shadow disappear. I silently gulped. The waiter disappeared out the door and as we were about to begin eating, Cecilia s eyes went wide with fright. Her skin became even paler. She seemed to be shaking all over now. Her eyes were fixed right above my chair, seeming to get bigger with each passing second. I started to hear deep ragged breaths from above me. A glob of drool descended down to my shoulder. I felt all the color drain from my face. I slowly looked up, afraid of what I might see. Before my eyes was the very creature that would change my life.

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I froze in my chair. I dared not move for fear of drawing the creature s attention to me. There was an enormous purple demon-dog-like creature hovering above Prince William s chair. It started to drool on Prince William. I felt my stomach churn. The monster slowly started to descend upon him. I closed my eyes, waiting for the worse. I waited for what seemed like an eternity, but it was probably only a minute. When I was about to open my eyes again, I heard it. A blood chilling scream, tear of flesh, the horrendous smell of blood, and a thump seemed to happen all together. I didn t move a muscle. I couldn t open my eyes for fear of seeing William lying on the floor, body limp. Or no William at all, just red stains. I took a deep breath and started to open my eyes. I saw William lying on the floor unconsciousness with a huge tear starting just above his eyebrow and ending at his chin. I started to feel faint but looked around for the monster. It was no where to be seen. The glass door was broken and glass was scattered around the room. The doors we re blocked by some of the cabinets. I tried to move them but with no prevail. I ll get help for you William, I whispered, I promise. I started calling for help at the top of my lungs. I heard muffled voices from the other side of the entrance.

Within 15 minutes they had pried the door open and had gotten William s wound fixed. When the royal doctor finally came into my quarters he had a grim look on his face. I stifled a cry. But I couldn t help the tears coming to my eyes. I looked down at the covers, hoping to hide the tears.
I want to see him please I said, barely above a whisper, I just have to see him I looked back up and the doctor was frowning a bit, but when he saw me looking at him he forced a smile Very well then, he said in a voice coated with too much fake happiness, But be careful, he s in a terrible condition and then he saw the tears streaming down my face and a look of pity crossed his well, lets be on with it then. We walked down the grand halls to Prince William s chambers. The doctor slowly opened the door, as if with caution. We stepped inside and I nearly fell to the ground in anguish. William was lying in his bed eyes closed. His face was pale and twisted in agony, despite the medication. I went and knelt down beside him. I gingerly touched his face and all of the tears I had been holding back poured out.

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I stayed with William for days on end. I wouldn t leave his side no matter what anyone said. They maids were even forced to bring my meals up to his room. Every time someone asked me to leave his room I would look at William s face then shake my head. A week had gone by and William still hadn t woken up, but I didn t loose hope. My determination was soon rewarded. After I had been delivered my breakfast, William started to come to. He first started to move around, as if uncomfortable. Then he finally opened his eyes. I smiled down at him then instantly saw something wrong. His eyes were a deep crimson red. He started to sit up and every inch he sat up was every two steps I backed away. When he was sitting completely straight he turned and looked at me head on. I shuddered inwardly. His gazed seemed like it was reading everything I thought, and anything I might do. Then suddenly everything went black.

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When I finally came too I was back in my room, on a table that had been brought in. I looked around my room and saw William staring at me. I felt like I was going to faint again but, with all I had, stayed awake. A purple book with strange inscriptions on it appeared on the dresser next to William. He looked at it curiously for moment then picked it up. He started wailing at the top of his lungs. I tried to cover my ears but my hands and feet had been bound while I had been unconscious. The sound he was making made my stomach curl. It was mixed with agony, pain, and, yet somehow, delight. When he stopped screaming he turned at me with a terrible grin on his face. I finally took notice to where his wound had been. All that remained of it was a terrible scar. I started to scream as loud as I could then I felt something hard hit my head and the next thing I saw were men coming in the door with all kinds of weapons knives, torches, pitchforks and one man even had a gun! Then I was sucked back into unconsciousness.

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I found myself in my room still, but this time I was in my bed. I had a horrible headache which worsened every time I moved. The doctor was over by the door talking to the man with the gun I saw attack William. I had my eyes open just enough to see them, but they not know I was watching. They kept glancing at me with worried expressions. I heard mine and William s name mentioned several times. Then I heard something that sent shivers down my spine.
So it was one of the Dark One s minions, the man said, I should have shot the prince when I had the chance. He tightened his grip on his gun. I gulped. And what should we do with the girl? You saw that he was trying to change her. He glanced at me with narrowed eyes. The doctor sighed.
We will just have to wait and see, he said with finality.