Chapter four
"Stand back. Don't come any closer!" Stayne watched as the exceedingly ravishing woman elegantly put a dainty foot over the edge.
She was nothing he had ever seen before. Stayne heard of fairytale princess's but he never thought that anything so stunning could possibly exist. In Underland, the fairest was the White Queen Mirana due to her slight frame, her kindness and her elusive appearance. If Mirana was worth her weight in gold, this creature was worth its weight in diamonds. Her hair seemed to flow into the air with every brush of wind making it shimmer a light gold. As it uncovered parts of her face, Stayne could see eyes crisper than any aqua blue… and milky skin, which was tinted with rose coloured cheeks. Her neck was long and bare and her figure was quite tall and slender. Her dress was as black as the swan that veiled her true appearance. She was so light despite her darkness.
"I mean it!" her soft-spoken voice barely carried "I'll jump!"
Stayne dropped to his knees and raised his hands in the air
"Oh, fair maiden! I truly wish you no harm" Stayne cleared his throat, still marvelling at what he just witnessed "I beg you, young lady to look into your heart and believe that this man who set you free from your chains has no intentions of mischief or impairment. Please now…come down".
Stayne then rose slowly from the ground trying to be careful not to frighten the young woman. He stepped closer and held out his hand for her. He admired her beautiful long fingers as they gently brushed his skin.
"That was close" his voice came out like a soft whisper "I'm Ilosovic Stayne"
The girl blinked rapidly
"I'm Odile" she paused "I don't really know much else…"
"Curious and curious-er" Stayne couldn't hide his smile from her. Especially now that he knew her name "it's a beautiful name, fair maiden"
"You think so?" Stayne watched as her cheeks turned a shade pinker "It's not from here…"
"Where is it from?" Stayne couldn't believe how genuinely intrigued he was…how keen to know every little detail about this strange being. But what he couldn't get over the most was how easy it was to listen to that soft voice…it was a nice change after hearing nothing else but the bloody big head complain all day and night…
"My creator was from the mainland" she began "Rothbart was banished here after casting a wicked spell on a princess from the land above. Her father had a mighty kingdom full of wealth and prospers…but after he was murdered and the princess under a great spell, the people rose from the streets and chased him out. As he fell through the channel to Underland, he hid us here"
"It still doesn't explain your name…"
"Quite right. My name means to be glorious in battle…I was his weapon. He used me and kept me prisoner. Here in this castle I would await my days until his return. For seven long years I have waited here. The animals on the lake tell me he has died long ago from the storms that hurry across these wastelands…but I'm still not sure. It is only when Rothbart is dead will this spell break. I'm still a cross between the woman I want to be and a swan".
Stayne starred into her aqua eyes, which were now filled with clear tears.
"Hush now…I rescued you didn't I?" he brushed her salty tears away from her sweet cheeks "the outlands last forever, you could fly away!"
But Odile shook her head in a cross between truth and sorrow.
"I will only change into a human if I'm in the walls of the castle. I cannot leave…Sir, if I leave ill still be imprisoned…only in a different location"
"Odile, I'm deeply moved by your story. So, on behalf of our new friendship, I vow to help break your curse"
Stayne held her tighter, letting his hands softly stroke her soft back…he was in a perfect place in mind until…
"Uh, do you mind putting me down?" As Stayne realised his arms that were still entwined around her small frame, he realised her with a great deal of embarrassment.
"Oh…sorry, milady…I'm not quite myself" Stayne gulped.
Odile giggled softly. Stayne thought it was most charming…
"Thought you said you had no intentions of keeping me captive… besides, I'm not a lady… I'm not even from here. Why does a big man like you want to help someone like me?"
Her abruptness astounded him. The girl clearly had some Sass. Stayne always admired a strong woman; someone who could hold herself in conversation but yet appeared delicate enough for him to want to look after her at the same time. This Odile had all these qualities.
"Big…like…you…help…um, no I just. Where did you say you were from?"
Odile laughed again
"Sir!"
"It would mean a lot if someone as fair as you would address me by my name"
"And as my favour, I wish you to use mine…Ilosovic"
As both exchanged smiles, Stayne couldn't help but hope that morning would never come.