I want to apologize for the long wait for this chapter, thanks to everyone for being so patient with me.

XOXOXOXO

Chapter 14

Sofia sat shivering in the cold, damp and sour smelling cell she had been roughly thrown into. the torches on the walls casted ominous shadows on the rock

walls around her making her whimper in fear. She was never one to get scared easily but besides the squeaks of mice in the distance it was too quiet and she

had no idea what was happening with James above her. Sofia couldn't stand the thought of never seeing him again, it hurt too much.

'You really love him, don't you' a man's voice echoed out in the darkness

'Who's there?' she asked meekly

'I don't envy you, being forced to care about such a monster' Sofia was taken aback by how sincere the man sounded

'He isn't a monster, he just doesn't know how to mourn his father's death. He is really a sweet, caring, beautiful person' Sofia began to cry knowing there was no way she

could help him now

'That really is a strong curse, how much do you know about it?'

Sofia snapped her head up

'Come into the light, I want to see your face stranger'

The sound of foot steps padded towards her and a man clothed in black robes with a pointed face and dark beady eyes emerged from the shadows

'Cedric?' Sofia asked shocked

'my grandfather was the wizard who created the spell that bounds you to James. Before grandfather died he instructed me that if I was to replace my father as the royal

sorcerer I was not to undo his spell under any circumstances, he was a grudge holder. However I, like you, had nothing to do with their quarrels and I don't think its fair to

suffer for one man's...vitality' Cedric explained slowly

'What are you saying?' Sofia asked suspiciously

'I hold the counter spell that will give you back your freedom. All I ask in return is to follow your heart, what it really wants and not what you feel you owe to James'

'I promise, will I know my true feelings once it's applied?'

'Yes, the effects will be immediate. It may hurt, not physically but mentally. If you don't truly love him it will feel as though your heart is being ripped in two but if your

feelings are true you will feel happier and light headed. Love is a funny feeling I've heard' Cedric chuckled as though at a joke Sofia didn't know

'Please, I've got to know' Sofia pleaded

Cedric pulled out a vile of swirling black and pink potion

'Drink this, if you need me to I can help you escape and if you choose to stay I can get you to him'

Sofia took the cork out of the vile and put it to her lips, the warm liquid ran down her throat and she felt her heart tighten and she felt lighter

'How do you feel?' Cedric asked but Sofia couldn't answer, she could hardly breath 'Sofia?' He asked again

The feeling in Sofia's stomach made her burst out in laughter, she couldn't help but smile and Cedric sighed a sigh that sounded like a mix of relief and worry

'Well we have our answer but I must warn you, if you stay here you will witness the man you love die and spend the rest of your life as a slave to Silas'

'The man I love, I love James!' Sofia giggled again not hearing what Cedric was saying

'Sofia! Pay attention. The next step you take will decide if you live a life of pain and suffering or if you get to be free. Choose wisely'

'I'm not leaving James' Sofia said sternly. She would never leave him alone even if it meant she would die along side him. She wanted to help him. She wanted to be with

him for the rest of their lives, no matter how long that might be. She needed him. It was all clear, Sofia loved James and it wasn't because she had to.

'You said you could take me to him. Let's go. And Cedric, Thank you, thank you for everything'

'You're welcome, Sofia. I'm just sorry your happiness might not last long'

Cedric mumbled something and the cell door opened quietly. He took her by the hand and lead her up the stairs

'Go to him' Cedric said and disappeared in a cyclone of smoke

Sofia saw the guards dragging James towards the dungeon and she ran to him

'James!' Sofia cried, the feeling in her chest got tighter when she saw him

'You there, how did you get out of your cell?' one of the guards barked and grabbed her arm 'Lets go back to Silas'

James looked at her sadly but she continued to smile at him. She was so glad he was still alive.

'Silas, we caught the girl escaping from the dungeon' the guard holding her announced

Silas sighed sarcastically 'And to think I was going to let you two say goodbye'

Sofia scoffed and Silas glared at her

'Keep your aggravation to yourself, that's no way for a king's queen to act in front of his guards'

'I will NEVER be your queen' Sofia hissed

'you will change your mind once James is dead. You won't have a choice girl' Silas laughed and motioned for Sofia to be taken to the corner 'Lets get to this, shall we boys?'

The guard holding James tied his hands behind his back and pushed him to the ground

'NO!' Sofia yelled but was ignored

Silas took the sword from his guard and sneered down at James who was immobilized by the rope

'I will do the honors' he laughed getting into position beside him

'You can't do this this! JAMES!' James heard Sofia cry out and he wished more than anything that she wasn't there. He knew he was getting what he had deserved for treating

his kingdom so passively but what had she done? It wasn't her fault she was cursed to keep him safe.

'Be quiet, my queen. Let me concentrate' Silas snapped and James's blood began to boil

James felt the wind from Silas's blade as he raised it and he closed his eyes bracing himself for the impact but instead he felt a body thrown over him and the sound of Silas's

angry roar echoed throughout the hall

'FOOLISH GIRL!'

'SOFIA?' James yelled

'Stop this, just let us leave. Banish us and we won't come back. Please have mercy and just let him live' Sofia cried holding James tightly with no sign of letting go

'Move, or I'll kill you too'

the room went quiet. Nobody moved waiting to see what would happen next and when she didn't give in Silas raised the tip of his blade to her heart

'I will ask you one more time, insolent girl, move or die'

'Then I choose death, I'm not going to let you kill him. Not while I'm still breathing' Sofia whispered

'Sofia, I love you' James whispered

'I love you too, James'

Silas growled as he pulled his sword back to run her through when two guards caught his arms

'What is the meaning of this?!' Silas bellowed wrestling against their grips

'We can't stand by and watch you slaughter an innocent girl, or our king' one of them said angrily and the other nodded in agreement

'Innocent? She is guilty of treason and conspiracy against the throne plus you two were all for me killing your king' Silas spat

'If Sofia is guilty of anything it would be attempted kidnapping of a royal but that was just to keep him safe, James is still our king and he seems to have been rehabilitated by

her. You have no authority her Silas' the other guard spoke while cutting the rope from around James's wrists and he stood up

'Your Majesty, forgive us' the guards half kneeled while still holding Silas firmly

James turned and embraced Sofia tightly

'Take him to the dining hall, I will be there shortly to sort things out'

'Yes, your majesty'

they escorted Silas out of the room and James leaned down passionately kissing his savior

'You saved my life' James sighed not letting Sofia go 'You were willing to sacrifice yourself for me. I know it was the curse but thank you'

'Actually...I was cured down in the dungeon. I love you, James, It may have been sparked by magic but it's real'

'What? Cured? I don't understand, you saved me on purpose?' he asked astonished

'I had to, I don't want to live without you'

James smiled and kissed her neck

'Will you marry me?' he whispered in her ear

Sofia flung her arms around his neck

'YES!' she yelled happily 'a million times, yes'

'I will make sure we are always together, no matter what happens. Now lets go get this over with'