A/N: SAT: done! APUSH exam: done! Life back? Mostly. It sure feels good to sit down and write again! It took me forever to get this chapter right, but I think I'm satisfied with the results. If there's a mistake you notice, just let me know. Also, "Ponyo" is a really cute movie and "Dial M for Murder" is quite intriguing!
So, it seems a general consensus that people like Silverspark as a human. Thoughts? Comments? Just curious.
I ran out of the castle, trying to find Silverspark. When I found him, he had already turned back into a Yethid.
Mari, what's wrong? I leaped onto his back and we took off.
"Lady Millicent and Evangeline kidnapped Leo! I've got to go save him!" I exclaimed. Confused, Silverspark questioned me some more. Too intent on saving Leo to explain, I tried projecting my memory of the ball into Silverspark's mind.
Oh. You know, doing that would have saved a lot of time in years past.
"You mean, I could have done this all along?" I asked. Silverspark nodded. "I'll fret about this later! Right now I have to find Leo!"
Silverspark dove so we were closer to the ground. Where would Evangeline hide Leo? If I were a nasty witch, where would I hide the heir to the throne?
We inspected the Misty Forest, then the cellar, attempting to venture near the borders of Corvaux. And then it hit me.
"You would hide him in plain sight," I murmured. "Silverspark, take me to the gardens!" I ordered. That place was the most meaningful to the both of us, and also the last place anyone would look. It was so obvious that it was perfect. Silverspark nodded and banked a hard right.
Sure enough, as we flew over the gardens, I saw two figures. Leo was tied to the willow tree, and Evangeline was standing next to him, smirking and holding a knife. We landed, and I jumped off to go rescue Leo. Where was a sword when I needed one?
"Silverspark, go make sure everyone is safe! I'll take care of this one!" I ordered. Silverspark obliged and rushed off to the castle.
"Let him go!" I shouted. Evangeline laughed.
"Do you honestly think I'm going to kill the Prince? You really are foolish. See, that's not the way I work. Maybe my mother works that way. I won't kill him, Mari. But that doesn't mean I can't hurt him," she said. I gasped as she turned toward Leo, uttering strange words and moving her hands. Leo suddenly cringed in pain. He let out a yelp of pain. I gulped, now realizing the rashness of my behavior. We could easily get killed out here! But I just couldn't let that get to me. I had to be brave, despite this powerful and deceptive witch in front of us.
Suddenly, I saw something from Silverspark. I blacked out for a moment, concentrating on Silverspark's message.
It seemed that Lady Millicent had the King at knifepoint, still making demands. True, the knife was probably useless, but with whatever she was doing, Lady Millicent was using her magic against them. She clearly had them trapped. I wondered if they were in pain like Leo clearly was. Most of the guards were stunned, dead, or too afraid to attack her. The people were frightened and scattered around the edge of the ballroom. Great. More mayhem. This was all my fault! Civilians were going to get hurt!
I returned to consciousness, more determined than ever to stop Evangeline, who was smirking victoriously. I stood up, trying to be brave. I looked around for something with which I could defend myself. Roses wouldn't do any good. But a sword would! I dashed behind a bush to grab Leo's sword that Evangeline must have tossed to the side to disarm him. Thank you strong and handsome prince!
"I don't care what your plans are; you will let him go and stop the demands of your mother!" I exclaimed. She shook her head.
"I'm afraid that's not an option," she said. Evangeline pointed her finger at me, muttering strange words under her breath. My legs gave out, and I fell to the ground, suddenly lacking the strength to stand and fight.
"Besides, I'm the one who's been planning this all along. I'll get my power one way or another. I don't care if my mother gets her stupid revenge! I will get the throne!" she declared, forcing the pain in me to go deeper.
Ignoring the pain deep in my bones, I reached my full height, aiming the sword at her.
"Let. Him. Go," I snarled. Evangeline smiled maliciously and with a flick of her wrist, set the tree on fire just to spite me. Leo struggled to get free, but the ropes and magic were too much.
"I thought you said you wouldn't kill him!" I shouted. Evangeline shrugged.
" Circumstances change. I have a plethora of plans, pig. No matter what happens, I will win," she answered. "And there's nothing you can do to stop me!"
I lunged at her with the sword, distracting her long enough for the magic to fade. Leo immediately struggled to get free, using the fire to his advantage. He winced as the fire licked at his skin, but eventually he freed himself from the ropes. Evangeline tried to shove him back, but he had regained his strength. I tossed him the sword, and he held it forward in a defensive stance, keeping me behind him. Evangeline shot a spell at us, but it bounced off the sword and hit her, causing immense pain.
"You'll pay for that! Both of you!" she shrieked. She waved her hands at us, ready to cast some wicked spell on us. But before she could, she turned her attention elsewhere, as if listening to something far away. She frowned and tried to finish the spell that would undoubtedly kill the both of us. Leo stood in front of me, protecting me from my tormenter. This was the end, I was sure of it.
"I love you, Leo!" I whispered. Leo shook his head.
"We'll get through this! I won't lose you!" he exclaimed. I smiled. If we died, it was good knowing he was with me.
Instead of the pain we thought we would feel, nothing hit us. We looked up to see Allodia there, placing a magical shield around us.
"Allodia!" I exclaimed. "You're here!"
"I have to help my granddaughter! I promised your mother I would protect you! Today I continue to fulfill that promise. Now go! I'll take care of her!" she replied. I nodded, but before Leo and I could run away, I fell to the ground, unconscious.
Terribly guilty…I deserve death for this. I don't want people to die…I just want…oh, I don't even know what I want anymore. I've been terrible. Not only to my stepdaughter, but also to all of these innocent people, as well. She tried to love me, to care for me. I abused that blind love, and here I am, at the pinnacle of choices…do I set them free and beg for forgiveness or do I go through with my plan and kill them all? Evangeline told me this was the right way to go…but is she really right? She's not exactly an angel. Can't I stop this madness? What have I done? Everything is so unclear and mixed up! The King…oh, what was it he said so long ago?
"If you had truly desired to repent, I would have considered your statements; but you have used your art to manipulate others, to attempt the unnatural! Your actions go against everything we hold true here in Corvaux. I cannot relent. You will be taken from Corvaux this day!" The guards…they tried to kill me on the way out. They were not under orders to do so, but they tried anyway. So much hatred for one mistake I made. Now can I let Evangeline's influence convince me to cause these people to die?
"Mari? Please Mari, don't you dare leave me again!" exclaimed Leo. My eyes fluttered open and I smiled. Allodia spoke some strange words. I took a sudden deep breath.
"I've still got the hang of this! I wasn't sure I'd be able to break her spell. She's very powerful. We were afraid we lost you," commented Allodia. I nodded, thankful, then looked toward the castle. I sat up, ready to continue the fight.
"Thank you, both of you. Now, I don't think our work is done yet. We may have stopped Evangeline for now, but Lady Millicent is still in there with the King and Queen!" I exclaimed. Leo helped me stand up and embraced me.
"I won't let you get hurt again, Mari. I love you too much for that. I'll go and chase after her and avenge all that she has done to you!" he said angrily. I shook my head.
"Not now. I have a hunch that we can stop Lady Millicent now, and even bring about good from this awful situation. She's very unstable right now. She'll either break down and beg for mercy or kill us all, but I can't tell which. That's where we need to focus our attention. See, somehow, I'm connected to her thoughts. Trust me, Leo, Evangeline can wait," I replied. Allodia nodded, and Leo sighed.
"Weird. You can't stand her, but you're still connected. I guess I don't understand magic, but you've got to try something. Those are my parents in there!" he exclaimed as we ran back to the castle. My heart pounded, and for a split second, I thought I wasn't good enough to fight this battle. But one glance at Leo gave me enough strength to continue.
As we were ready to enter the castle, I turned towards Leo, who was holding my hand. I looked up into his eyes, for he was about a head taller than me.
"Leo?" I ventured. "I'm scared," I admitted. Leo squeezed my hand.
"I am too. I thought for sure I was going to die. So, in case I don't get the chance again," he started. I suddenly realized that Leo was kissing me, and my heart soared. Being with Leo was just what I needed right now. In all of this doubt and danger, it was good to know that he loved me and that I could fight alongside him. And if we didn't survive…well, that was one thing I didn't want to think about.
Tiger Lily21: Darn those antagonists! :) It's kind of fun to write, though. I do love a good plot twist. But testing is over, so I'm good until almost the end of the year!
Quiet Mindreader: I had so much fun writing that chapter and their adorable conversation. Glad you enjoyed it, even with all of the interruptions. You'd be right about Silverspark at the ball! I do love his character. He's so much fun to write about! I just love all of my characters.
Ashabagawa: I'm kind of going for psychotic on this one... :)
Mockingbyrd's Tune: It makes me lol too. :) Hmm...I think that maybe, just maybe, he may find the right girl someday, one that doesn't have her heart stolen by a handsome prince.
Arista Everett June: Your reviews always make me smile! I do enjoy building tension in my stories! Hopefully the excitement and tension stays up in the next few chapters. Sadly, there are only about six more chapters until the end. I can handle it, though. I think. I kept debating about whether or not they should have masks, but it just seemed to fit without the masks.
jyushi girl: So glad you enjoyed the chapter! It took me forever to get just right! Who needs cliche Cinderella stories when you can warp your own? :) I do love writing this story, just as I hope everyone enjoys reading it!