Do you know what you wish?
Are you certain what you wish
Is what you want?
if you know what you want,
Then make a wish.
- Cinderella at the Grave, from Into the Woods
Amaya made her way through the gardens, creeping through the arch hidden by ivy that had long ago grown to cover the entrance. On the other side was a smaller garden that her mother had tended until her death. Here the roses grew and the lilies bloomed with such a beauty that the young princess felt close to the lost queen.
"You are afraid," said a soft breeze. Amaya laughed, looking at the nymph who resided in the gardens. The young woman hid well enough during the day, and watched her step at night when lusty men were about. It was Appias, who had served for a long while as Amaya's nurse-maid before she caught the king's eye. After the queen died the nymph took on a mothering role here in this garden. It was she who hidden the entrance from all other eyes and made sure it was a forgotten sanctuary.
"He is a horrible man who needs to be put back in his place, submitting to someone more powerful then he could ever be," Amaya said bitterly, leaning against a tree trunk and sliding down to sit on the roots.
"Now my sweetling, I know you do not mean that," the demigoddess cooed, brushing a few dark strands of the young girl's hair back as her own blonde strands blew in the wind.
"I just wish…" the princess let her words die as she raised her face to the sky, the moonlight casting eerie shade about the small walled garden. There were no torches here, only the strange glow…
"Yes?"
"I wish the man I married loved," she said, her face falling again.
"We shall see. Even the coldest hearts change," her nurse gently said, pulling her to her feet. "But it is late, and tomorrow you have a long day. Go rest."
Once Amaya had gone Appias grinned, hoping that the princess knew what she had just wished for. She walked towards the fountain, the water flowing into the basin with a soft sound that could make the most stressed warlock relax for a moment. Her fingers gently grazed the surface, until a pale face as beautiful as the sun, moon, and stars appeared.
"M'lady. I have a request of you. A wish, from our dear princess for her wedding," pleaded the nymph.
Her patroness looked her, coolly glancing up from the waters, "And what is this wish?"
"It is a wish of love."
"My sister and I will be there at dawn for the wedding. I will give her the gift of love, but it will not change his fate," the goddess said shaking her head. "Some things should not be wished for…"
"M'lady?" asked the princess's nursemaid worriedly.
"It is not your concern anymore Appias. You are to leave, now. I shall be visiting Mozenrath on the morrow… It is time fate took what was rightfully her own."
Mozenrath saw Amaya coming down the walk, "What would be fleeing this fine night?"
His cool voice sent a shiver through her as he walked closer. Her hands rose to lightly brush an apple that was hanging on a low branch, trying to act calm.
"Running?" hissed a cruel voice. Amaya jumped looking at the branch to see Xerxes coiled like a snake watching her.
Or was the real snake standing beside her, grinning like a man who enjoyed flaunting his freedom. The wizard's arm wrapped around her waist and she knew in an instant why.
The sounding of choking came from just a little ways off. She could see in the flickering light her dearest friend and her fiancée.
"Jasmine," Amaya said with a warm smile. She could hear her own so called "lover" whisper play along as he gently brushed his lips against her neck. She tried not to stiffen, though her breath caught for a moment. Forcing a smile the princess quietly excused them, taking Mozenrath's gloved hand in her own and leading him away. Aladdin's eyes widened as he saw the gauntlet the wizard wore…
"What was that?" hissed Amaya.
"Me trying to play romantic so the street rat had to stand and watch, after all he can't touch me here." Mozenrath said with a laugh. "Now, my Deathly Queen, I think I shall retire for the evening." He started towards his room, his eel wrapped around his neck.
"Does Master think Princess knows?"
"Of course she doesn't. Destane did protect her from some truths about power. And there is no need to change that."
The wizard looked at his hand. The price of power was greater then merely loosing a little flesh. It was to eventually be his life.
