"Sire!" I heard Brimley, I didn't want to get out of bed. "Your majesty! Wake up!" I felt the shredded blankets leave my body and his voice grow louder. I slowly woke up. "Sire, you need to get up and let her go!" I had no idea who or what he was talking about. I turned around on my bed and tried to ignore him again! That's when a felt a a sharp stinging slap on my head.
"Ouch!" I cried out as I jumped out of bed and tried to pounce on Brimley. I knew I missed, but that slap he laid on me really stung. "What was that for?"
"For leaving that young lady in the dungeon!" Brimley yelled at me. "She didn't mean to go in there!"
"What...are you talking about?" I pushed.
"Oh." He simply said; by the way he said it, something must've happened.
"Brimley, what happened?" I asked again.
"Nothing sire." He quickly said, "Forget I said anything." I could already tell he was going on the run. I charged over to my bedroom door and blocked it.
"Brimley, you may be invisible just like the other servants, but can smell you. I knew you're still here. Now you tell me what's going on now!" It stayed silent for a moment, I must've gotten to the door a little late.
"You're not going to be happy with me." I heard.
"What in the great blue skies did you do?" I asked him.
"Two nights ago, someone came to the castle." Brimley said, "The door open and I saw someone in a white cloak. I couldn't see who it was, I couldn't even tell if it was a man or a woman The cloak inside the hood was pitch black. All I saw...were these light blue eyes. It wasn't until it spoke did I realize that it was a girl."
"Wait," I said calmly, "did...you just say...'girl'?" I almost could not believe it. A girl...inside my castle...oh my dear lord!
"I opened the door to the foyer for her." Brimley continued to tell me. "She walked inside and sat down on one of the chairs. She quickly fell asleep and I watched her all night, she didn't move from the chair."
"Brimley, something is telling me that you let her out of your sight." I said with a growling tone.
"I must've dozed off because the next thing I knew, I heard screaming...and you howling and snarling. I ran over to the sound and found you dragging her out of your kiln room. I tried to reason with you, but you just threw me to the wall and I watched you take her to the dungeon. You also said that since she entered a room that she wasn't allowed in, she wasn't going to leave the castle." When I heard that, my heart broke. The werewolf, living inside of me, had taken over my body. I don't remember doing all of that. I slowly sat down on the floor, deeply sadden.
"Well, it explains that sharp slap you gave me."
"Sire, I wasn't aware that-"
"No, I deserve it." I pushed, "I don't think I should escape punishment for this, even if I don't remember."
"Oh sire, it was an accident. It's my fault, I should've known that you wouldn't have done such a thing."
"Well, I think the best thing for me to do right now is set her free." I sat up and went towards the dungeon.
"Wait a minute, sire!" I heard and I left something grab my forearm. "Set her free, sire? Don't you realize what's here?"
"Meaning?"
"Sire, here's your chance!" He pushed, "Our chance to be free!" Now I knew where he was going.
"Brimley, don't be foolish! Who would fall in love with a wolf?" I asked.
"Sagittarius, I'm trying not to pressure you, but this might be your only chance. You shouldn't let slip by like this." I knew Brimley had a point, but I was very skeptic about it.
"All right then." I finally said and we both went to the dungeon tower. I changed my mind because my servants were also counting on me. They didn't want to be invisible as much as I don't want to be a werewolf.
I walked up the stairs that leads to the tower, it was still as cold as winter. I was very nervous...and afraid; I think Brimley could see and sense it because I didn't want to open the door to the tower. He put his invisible hand on my shoulder and I moved automatically to let him get to the door. I had sunk into a sort of daze, an almost hopeful dread. So, so close to my salvation...but it could so easily turn into my destruction. Brimley wrenched open the door and hurried up the steps. After listening to his retreating footsteps for a minute, I turned on a whim and crept halfway up the stairs, crouching there to listen to the conversation. I've had enough of not knowing what was going on in my own castle. The way the stone stairway curled around itself was perfect for my needs, since the curvature carried the sound down to me until I was hearing them as if I were standing right there. I listened to their conversation.
"Ma'am." I heard Brimley ask.
"Who's there? Show yourself!" That must've been the young woman who came two nights ago. I could smell her scent, it was very strong. She smelled like sunflowers and irises, but there was another smell: hay and horse.
"I would if I could." Brimley told her, "I'm not here to harm you."
"Who are you?" she asked.
"My name's Brimley."
"I'm Sapphire, Sapphire Lamaze."
"You don't have to fear me, I'm only second in charge of the castle." Brimley told her.
"Don't hide it!" she pushed, "you work for that wolf!"
"I work for the man you know as the Werewolf." He said, I couldn't believe it, he still sees me as Prince Sagittarius instead of the Werewolf.
"Are you invisible or something?" She asked.
"Yes, just like all the other servants here. I can assure you, you will be well taken care of."
"I sincerely doubt that!" She said in fury, "That werewolf took my freedom away from me!"
"What about your family?" Brimley asked her.
"My family...is of none of anyone's business!" Ooh, sounds like Brimley hit a nerve there. I hope Brimley can think of something else that can calm her down.
"I shall see to it that you get moved to a more comfortable living arrangement. If you need anything else, anything at all, I shall do my best to get it for you."
"Wait!" She yelled out, "What about Snowflake?"
"Snowflake? Who's that?"
"My horse!" Sapphire answered. Well, that certainly explains why she smelled like a horse. Sapphire must've gotten here by horse-back.
"I'll see what I can do to make him comfortable as well."
"Thank you." She said in a kind tone, "I've never met anyone as kind as you."
"The master is kind as well...if you give him a chance." I heard his footsteps, coming towards the stairs. I quickly, silently, turned and climbed back down, settling myself in the same position as before he had left and swinging the door shut. A few seconds later, it opened and I gazed listlessly up at his invisible face.
"So...did you get anything out of her?" I asked, hoping that Brimley didn't think I listened to their conversation.
"I did, her name's Sapphire." Brimley answered, "I hope you're not going to let her stay up there."
"No, I'll let her out. No one deserves to be in a cage." I slowly got up, still very nervous and afraid of meeting her.
"Sire, I also found out that her horse is here as well." He added, "I think Midnight would like the company of another horse." In case anyone's wondering, Midnight is the name of my horse. I gave her that name because her coat is as black as night. When the curse went into affect, all my horses turned into donkeys, including Midnight. I could tell the difference between her and the other donkeys because she had a black muzzle while the others had white muzzles. I don't visit Midnight in her stall often because I was afraid that the Werewolf inside of me would kill her and eat her.
"Are we forgetting that she's not a horse anymore?" I asked.
"That shouldn't matter, Sagittarius. I believe Midnight would enjoy the company."
"Okay," I groaned, "Let me go take of this." I threw open the door and slowly started up the stairs. I leapt lithely up the remainder of the stairs, straightening up to face the girl. All I saw was a white hooded figure, she turned around. The hood hid her face; the long sleeves hid even her hands. That's when I saw her eyes. Those eyes struck me, like they were hiding something.
"It's you again." She said with fury in her voice, "What do you want?" I felt very uncomfortable about this situation, but I needed to keep her. She could be the one to save us.
"So...your name's Sapphire?"
"Yes, you stupid werewolf!" She screamed as her hidden hands grabbed the bars. "What could you possibly want with me?"
"Come, I'll let you out of this cell...unless you want to stay in there." Heavens, this was hard, I was afraid that last part would come out of my mouth. She walked up to the bars and looked at the lock on her side of the bars. She raised her arm, it was pointing at the lock. I saw something coming out of her sleeve, something long and thin. "What are you doing?" I asked her.
"None of your business!" Sapphire snapped. Whatever she had under her sleeve, she entered it into the lock. I was surprised when I heard the lock click. Sapphire picked the lock, the door opened and she walked out. She hesitantly followed me out of her cell, head bowed, and down the stairs. I slammed the door to the tower behind us. Just then, I heard the sound of running footsteps. I didn't know who it was, but he or she ran into me and knocked bother of us down to the ground. I heard Sapphire groan as she leaned against the wall.
"Sorry sire." That was Brimley's voice I heard as I got up from the floor.
"What...happened to make you run for...your life?" I tried to ask. When Brimley ran into me, I felt the Werewolf trying to come out. I was trying very hard to control it.
"Sapphire's right," he said, "that horse doesn't allow anyone near him! He tried to kick and bite me!" I heard Sapphire groan again as she turned and walked down to the front doors, with her cloak dragging behind her. I didn't let her go outside on her own. I followed her to the front doors; I sensed Brimley coming along as well. When she opened the front doors, there was a horse with a snow-white coat, near the stairs. Sapphire went down the stairs, up to the white horse and stroked its neck.
"Brimley," I said, still trying to control the Werewolf, "show them to the stables."
"You're such a chicken!" Sapphire yelled at me. She pushed the line there because the next thing I knew I jumped and pounced on her. The Werewolf was controlling me again! I saw Sapphire's head being pushed into the ground.
"Stop it!" I told the Werewolf, but he wasn't listening. He was about ready to crush her head.
"Sire, stop it! Let her go!" I heard Brimley yell, but then Sapphire spoke.
"Go ahead and kill me! The sooner I die, I don't have to suffer anymore!" I couldn't believe what came out of her mouth. I wasn't going to let someone die in my...paws. I fought against the Werewolf and I removed my paw from her chest and quickly got up off her. Suddenly, I heard the horse's hooves; I turned around and saw the horse coming at me. "Snowflake, stop right there!" Sapphire said, still on the ground. The horse stopped, he had this furious look and pointed it right at me. I saw Sapphire slowly get out of the snow and walked over to her horse. "How about you show me the stables?" she asked me, "I won't say another word." Nothing could express how horrible I felt, I almost killed her. I agreed to take her to the stables. I kept a distance from her because I didn't want to harm her again.
I opened the doors to the stables; Sapphire and her horse walked in. I led her to an empty stable. While Sapphire was tending her horse, I went over to Midnight's stall. I walked over to her stall, she rested her head on the stable door. How I missed being able to ride her and talk to her...and not worry that she would tell anyone.
"Friend of yours?" I heard Sapphire ask. I just nodded my head 'yes' to her.
"Brimley!" I yelled out.
"Yes, sir?" He asked, I almost jumped because he was right next to me when he said that.
"Don't...do that again!" I pushed, calming down my startled heart.
"Sorry, sire. What can I do for you?"
"Get Lilla to set up a room for our guest." I told him, "She'll be staying with us long-term. Lilla is her personal servant now. Anything she wants, it's Lila's responsibility."
"Very well, sire." He said, "Shall I show our guest...?"
"No, I'll escort her myself." I said, "Go get Lilla; have her meet us in the guest suite, the Northeast wing."
"Yes, sir, right away." He added; then I heard his footsteps leave. I looked back at Sapphire, her blue eyes still struck me like lightning, but I still managed to look at her in the eye.
"You..." I tried to speak as I cleared my throat. "Well, as you've guessed, you're no prisoner. You're my guest, you may go anywhere you'd like...except the Southwest wing. You must never go there, understand?" Sapphire didn't need to see what the Werewolf had done to my room.
"Why didn't you kill me when you had the chance?" She asked, still upset. "I've lost everything, all I have is Snowflake. You should've crushed my head."
"You...have me now." I tried to say in a kind voice. I offered my paw to her, but I knew she wouldn't accept it. Sapphire lift her right hand, still hidden in her long white sleeves. She moved it so fast that she slapped my paw away. She did more than push it away, she scratched it the same time she slapped it away. Nothing could express the pain in my paw. All I was paying attention to was the pain, I felt like my fingers were sliced off. I felt something sharp into my arm. I looked back at Sapphire and saw that I was holding her hidden left arm and I was dragging her.
Oh, no! Not the Werewolf again! He must've snuck in when Sapphire harmed me. I was doing whatever I can to fight him as he dragged her through the halls. I felt the pain in my arm again and that helped me gained control over myself again. Sapphire was grabbing onto my arm, her fingernails must be trying to stab me. When I gained control back, we were at the door of the Northeast wing. I quickly opened the door and released her. Sapphire looked at me...and then looked inside, she was silent for a few seconds.
"Is...this it?" Sapphire asked as she looked back at me, fury still in those light-blue eyes.
"These are your chambers." I told her, trying to swallow my guilt. "This and the adjoining two rooms, a full bath and a large spare room, are yours. You can do anything you want to that room."
"I have everything set up, madam." We both heard, I immediately knew who that was.
"Another invisible servant," Sapphire groaned, "wonderful."
"I am Lilla, your maid. I've run a bath for you and there is a drink on the end table. If you need anything else, madam, you need only just ask."
"Thanks...I think." She said.
"Dinner will be ready in several hours." I added, "Six o'clock, I think you're due for a warm meal." Sapphire seemed to suddenly make up her mind, and took a deep breath, drawing herself up to look me square in the face, but then cringing back slightly.
"I refuse to be treated like a princess while I'm bound as a prisoner!" She yelled out at me. I didn't blame her for that reaction. I had to get out of there before the Werewolf controlled me again.
I slammed the door, breathing heavily, and I thought I heard Sapphire finally burst into tears on the other side of the wood paneling, and Lilla quietly trying to calm her. The enormity of the situation finally struck me. Sapphire was right in the other room. She was here, but I didn't feel any better. How can I control this Werewolf, when the answer to all of my problems was behind that door?
"Problems, Sagittarius?" I heard Brimley ask as he approached me.
"I feel horrible." I said, "That Werewolf is trying to control me. He's...attacked her twice now...and my chance is getting smaller and smaller. I'm losing control over myself."
"Maybe because both of you realize that the hard part's still ahead of you." He said as I sensed him sitting down next to me. "He must trying to destroy your chances so that you would stay like this forever. That might his goal, but your goal is the most important because all of us are involved. You can't let him control you, even how easy it is for him to take control, you can't let him do it!"
"I...don't know how." I finally admitted, "That Werewolf took control of me when I wasn't paying attention! I don't know how I can stop him!"
"You managed to stop him from killing Sapphire." Brimley said as he placed his hand on my shoulder, "If you're able to do that, Sagittarius, then you'll be able to control him. I believe in you. I know you're up to the challenge, not just for us...but for her as well." I looked at Sapphire's bedroom door. If Brimley believes in that, then I will have to do it. I then heard Brimley get back to his feet. "Well, sir, I must get back to work. Should we expect the lady for dinner?"
"I don't know." I answered as I got up, "I really don't...but I don't blame her if she doesn't." I looked away from the door and went down the hall.
"Sire?" Brimley asked.
"I'm going to my kiln room." I answered, I had to see what had happened in there. I really hoped that...nothing in there was too badly destroyed, especially...my glass roses.
I walked into my kiln room. Everything still looked the same...until I looked on the drying table. I saw many little pieces of different colored glass all over the table. I looked at all the different glass items, seeing which one was missing. I sighed when I figured out which was missing...it was a glass lily I made three days ago. I took a deep breath as I cleaned up the broken glass, being careful that I don't cut myself. Seeing all the tiny broken pieces of glass was making my heart break. I threw away the broken glass pieces in a special can I use to hold broken glass, nobody didn't need to cut themselves.
'You really believe that she would set you free?' I quickly jumped and looked around. I was expecting someone there, but...I was the only one in the kiln room. I then heard this evil laugh. 'You are definitely a fool, Sagittarius! Thinking that you could free yourself from me? I don't think so!'
"Where are you?" I asked; then I heard that evil laugh again.
'The far right corner...behind the black curtains.' I slowly walked over to the black curtains. I grabbed a hold of them, expecting someone to come out to attack me. When I pulled them away, I was in shock and horror. 'Not what you were expecting...was it?' I didn't want to believe it: it was a reflection of myself in mirror glass that I hid behind the curtain so I wouldn't see what I've become. It wasn't my reflection of my Werewolf body, it was a reflection...of my human form. The human form that was taken from me twelve years ago, the only difference...those weren't my eyes. The eyes were blood-shot red, my eyes are indigo.
"Who...who are you?" I asked in horror.
'I'm you...the you you've wanted back!' He evilly laughed, 'You know, you're just as bad as I am. You're just as greedy and selfish as the men in your mother's family.'
"Don't even mention that!" I yelled out, I didn't want anything to do with my mother's family's past. Every man in my mother's family was very abusive towards their wives and sons. Girls weren't allowed to be born, that's why my grandmother sent my mother away to her parents' castle. If my grandmother hadn't sent my mother away to them, my mother and I wouldn't be here. "I am nothing like them!" I yelled again.
'Yes, you are...and I prove it! I've been living inside of you ever since you were born! You know you want to keep her here as a prisoner! She broke your glass lily, that's why I went after her.' He then evilly smiled at me. 'She doesn't want anything to do with you...you're better off being the animal that you are!'
"Shut up!" I yelled as I punched the mirror glass. When I did, the glass broke and sliced my skin open. I held onto my paw very tightly to stop the bleeding.
'You can deny it all you want, you're becoming like your grandfather...and your uncle. I'll be back.' He said. After that, I didn't hear him again. I was in much pain, not just from my sliced-up hand. I now have a bigger problem, not only do I have to earn Sapphire's love...I have to control this Werewolf before he strikes again and ruins my chances.
Did you know that irises were meant for faith and hope? Or that sunflowers were meant for warmth and happiness?