Here is the finalized Chapter 9! I hope that you enjoy. Leave a comment and let me know what you think so far!
-Martyred Muse
Chapter 9
The darkness was falling by Swan Lake, and Daring continued to lead Apple farther away from Book End. The willows tickled her, and she let out a small giggle. Daring stopped and turned toward her, and the shadows fell on his face and for a second, his face appeared to be a scowling skeleton. Apple's heart leaped, and for the first time in her life, she felt fear. Why did she allow him to lead her away from Raven? She could be safely away from here, doing her thronework with Raven right now. Then again, she was supposed to be brave and trusting, or else she would never take the poisoned apple and continue her story. Apple reassured herself that no one would ever harm her. Why would they? She was the fairest one of all and future Queen. No one could take that right away from her. She gave Daring a smile, and he loosened up.
"How much further?" she asked, looking at the sun falling in the sky and dipping into the horizon. The deep purple of the sunset made her think of Raven. She truly hoped that Raven would forgive her for sneaking away, but Daring had insisted that they meet alone. Perhaps he had a romantic candlelit dinner awaiting them. That was just what her Prince Charming would do for his future bride.
"Not far, Apple. Not far at all…." Daring said. He smiled eerily and continued pulling her deeper into the maze of Weeping Willows around the Lake. It is a good thing that Daring is experienced in traveling, because if she was alone she would never find her way back.
Daring finally came to a stop at the far end of the lake. Apple looked across the shimmering surface of Swan Lake and at the lit castle of Ever After High. The fairies were just lighting the torches through the castle to mark nightfall, when all of the students were expected to be back in their dorm rooms. She wished now that she would have told Raven where she was going and with whom. Raven would be so worried. She was such a wonderful friend to have.
Daring took off a small messenger bag that he had carried with them. The leather was tanned a light brown and the Charming's family insignia was branded into it. He untied it and grabbed something. "I just wanted to give you a special gift, Apple." He pulled out the most beautiful deep red apple that she had ever witnessed. She yelped in joy.
"Wow, that is the most charming apple that I have ever seen, Daring!" she said. Then she laughed. "Of course it is charming, it DID come from you!"
She took the apple in both hands. Her mouth watered in anticipation to her namesake fruit. Then she remembered her promise to Raven. She couldn't break her promise to Raven that she would abstain from eating any apples until their stories were underway. She remembered her hexcitement when she realized what it meant. It meant that Raven wanted the next apple for her to eat to be the poisoned fruit that she would give her. Apple shook her head and tried to hand the apple back to Daring. She hoped he would understand the importance of their story.
Daring shook his head and pushed the apple back to her. "No, this is for you. You love apples!"
Apple looked down. "I know, but I made a vow to Raven. I will not take another bite of an apple until she poisons me. I can't break a promise to a friend."
Daring's face contorted and twisted. "A friend? Would a friend ask you to not eat your most favorite food in the world? I think not! Eat the apple. For me."
Apple looked at him, confused. "I would love to, but I already told you. I can't. Why do you want me to eat an apple so much?"
Daring growled at her. "If you won't eat this apple, then I will force it down your throat!" Daring held the apple high above his head, preparing to bring it down on Apple White. She screamed and brought her hands up to defend herself. This was never in their story!
An arrow went through the apple and Daring's hand, pinning him to a weeping willow's trunk. He yelled in pain.
Apple turned to see Sparrow and Duchess. Sparrow Hood took out another arrow and set it on his bow, prepared to shoot again if necessary. He glared at Daring,"If you move another inch, I will put this one through your stomach."
Daring glared back at Sparrow, but stayed still. Apple ran behind Duchess and Sparrow, tears streaming down her face. "He, …he tried to hurt me! Why? Why would he do that?"
Duchess glanced back at Apple and shook her head. Apple would never understand Daring's motive, even if she explained it to her. The good thing was that she finally seen Daring's true side. He was as venomous as a snake.
"You make the worst enemies, Sparrow" Daring said between clenched teeth. "Almost like that other commoner. Who was he?" Daring tapped his free hand against his chin as if he was in deep thought. "Oh, yes. That's right. Little Don. He screamed for you at the end…."
Sparrow's chin wavered. "You. I knew you were behind it all! You killed my best friend!"
Apple stepped back, her hand over her heart as if trying to keep it from breaking. "You murdered Little Don? How could you? You are a Prince! My king-to-be! Why would you throw that all away? Throw our destiny away?" Apple let out a deep sob. Duchess swallowed her words. The last thing that Apple needed to worry about was about her silly destiny. If she was alone with her, she would tell her she should be thankful for her life.
Daring finally wriggled the arrow loose and clenched it near his chest. Blood streaked bright red against the weeping willow's bark. He growled. "You will all pay for this. When Queen Lizzie finds out about this, all of your heads will be off!"
Sparrow raised his bow, aimed at Daring's heart. If he moved even one step, he would let the arrow loose.
Apple let out another sob. "Lizzie? Queen? You were suppose to be my king!"
Duchess shot her a cold look, and Apple fell silent.
A high pitched scream rang out from the castle. Sparrow and Duchess turned toward the scream. "That came from Ever After High!" Duchess said to Sparrow.
Sparrow turned back to Daring, "This isn't over yet. Not by a long shot. If you come near Duchess or Apple, I will personally make sure that the next arrow that leaves this bow will be aimed at your wretched heart."
Daring cut his eyes at the group that was slowly backing away from him and toward the scream of the castle. "Is that a threat?"
Sparrow smiled. "No, that is a promise."
The group finally was enough distance to turn and walk away from Daring. Sparrow continued to hold his bow and arrow defensively, looking back to make sure that Daring did not move. When he was finally confident that they were far away from any threat of Daring, he turned his attention toward the direction of the scream. Someone was in trouble, and he knew that Lizzie was still loose.
A small crowd was in front of Ever After High, and the soft echo of crying could be heard. Apple broke free from the Duchess and Sparrow and ran to the crowd. "What happened?" she asked, scared of the answer.
Raven turned and caught sight of Apple approaching. Raven wiped away her smeared make up from her tears and hugged Apple. "Please, Apple, don't look."
Apple looked into Raven's deep purple eyes, still welled with tears. "Who is it?"
Raven's chin wavered, and she couldn't find her voice. She shook her head.
Apple pushed her way through the crowd and gasped. She fell to her knees and finally allowed the guttural sob break loose that she had been containing all along.
Briar had fallen to her death from her balcony.
