~Chapter 14~

Joel

As Noella requested, I walked with Eric back to the palace and he showed me to my guest room. The room was massive and I just stared at the huge bed that could easily fit three people. It was insane to me. Eric turned to leave and I turned toward him.

"Night didn't go as planned, huh?" I asked.

Eric turned back toward me releasing a sigh.

"How did you know?" Eric asked raising a curious brow.

"I can tell, but I must say time is precious and if you care about her...tell her how you feel."

"It was a perfect day. During the tour of the kingdom, we danced in the square and I even let her drive the carriage back to the palace, and then we got in that boat and I rowed us out to the bay. It was magic and I know you're right...course I do. She needs to know."

"Get some sleep…" I said patting him on the shoulder, "You have an exciting day tomorrow." I smirked.

"Thanks Joel." Eric smiled.

Before Eric shut the door to my room, we both paused hearing a knock at the palace door.

"Strange...who could come knocking at this time of night?" Eric said curiously.

"Should I get it?" I asked.

"No, let me. I may be the prince, but I'm also more than capable."

Eric and I said our goodnights parting ways for the night and he rushed down the hall and I closed the door behind him. What a day today had been and I would only expect tomorrow would be even better.

I slept hard that night not realizing how tired I was. Though it was far from a restful sleep. My mind was plagued with nightmares. I was traveling through all the worlds that I've seen with Noella by my side. In every world, each time I would shoot an arrow in her back and each time she wouldn't see it coming and I would never see that look of betrayal on her face as she fell down dead in a pool of blood. Each time, I would have blood...her blood on my hands. These images repeated all night and I woke up the next morning shooting myself up from the pillow breathing heavily. I threw my legs over the side of the bed and cupped my face in my hands running a hand through my now damp hair. The deception clearly was getting to me, but I wouldn't have to endure it forever. I threw on a shirt and tied back my hair in a low ponytail. I opened the door to my room and I was surprised to see Ariel in her nightgown staring at something downstairs that clearly had her attention. I heard muffled voices and I stepped out to greet her, she cupped her face in her hands and ran back to a room at the end of the hallway. Curiously, I descended the stairs and saw Eric talking to his confidant an older gentleman by the name of Grimsby, but a new face had her arm linked with Eric. She had a sly smile on her face as she leaned into Eric's shoulder. I didn't understand this at all. What was Eric doing with her? As I got closer, I was surprised by the conversation that I had walked into.

"Grim, Vanessa and I wish to be married as soon as possible." Eric said.

"If that is your wish Eric, I will make it happen. I believe the wedding ship leaves just before sundown." Grimsby nodded and then he turned toward the woman, "Follow me my dear and I'll be sure your wedding preparations are in order."

She nodded and followed Grimsby down the corridor and out of sight. I came down the final stair and Eric looked at me blankly.

"Uh, what's that about?" I asked curiously.

"Vanessa and I are getting married." Eric replied.

"What happened during the night? Did you hit your head? What about Ariel?" I pressed.

"I'm getting married." Eric repeated again, "Please join us for the ceremony on the wedding ship down on the docks."

I watched Eric carefully as he talked to me and there was no emotion in his tone. Eric walked away very stoically and stiff. Whatever this was, I didn't like it and I had to stop Eric from making the worst mistake of his life.

First thing, I found Grimsby outside of one of the bedrooms and tried to get answers from him, but ultimately he ignored my comments implicitly determined to obey Eric's wishes. Who was I kidding? I'd been following orders for as long as I could remember, both my brother and I being trained huntsman. I knew all about that loyalty, but today I could tell that Eric wasn't himself. I needed to find Ariel and reassure her that this wedding was a fake. Surely it was all a facade. I passed by that woman Vanessa's room and the door was slightly ajar and I peered inside. She was dancing atop her vanity counter singing to herself and twirling around patting a seashell necklace she was wearing. I thought this odd, but I watched as she tipped her vanity down and in the reflection was an old woman with a deep cackling voice with purple skin and black tentacles. I wasn't certain, but my gut pieced a theory in my head that this was that witch Ursula. It was only a theory, but my gut had never let me down before. I ran back to my room grabbing my bow and quiver. Not wanting to waste more time, I ran to Ariel's room knocking before I entered, but she was gone with the doors to her balcony open.