Ashes to Ashes

by A Lonergan

  Forty-Eight

  Arabella

  I paced the floor in the washroom. I didn’t know how I was going to tell him what I was feeling, but I needed to do it soon. Especially with the fact that I still had the knife in my arm and had been too stubborn to have him take it out. I bit down on a leather belt as I yanked the blade free. I hissed between my teeth as the metal slid free from my skin. I didn’t know how I managed to stay conscious through the experience but I was proud of myself. The belt clattered to the floor with the blade as I pressed a cloth to my fresh wound.

  “Ara?” Alister called through the door.

  I sunk to the floor. The pain or the loss of blood was getting to me. I wasn’t sure what it was but I was in no shape to answer the door. The door clicked open and Alister let out a pained noise before he flew across the room to me. My head bobbed as I lost the hold on the cloth pressed to my arm. He picked up where I left off and I managed to get out, “We have to stop meeting like this,” before the room went dark and I blacked out.

  * * *

  When I woke up I was laying on the bed in Alister’s room. He was seated on the edge of the mattress holding my hand.

  “I’ve been thinking,” I started. His head picked up and he opened his mouth to speak but I shook my head. “I need to turn myself in.”

  Alister clenched his jaw and turned away from me. “I can’t be a part of this.”

  “What are you talking about?” My arm stung but not as badly. It was wrapped tightly in white bandages and a little difficult to move.

  “Little John approached me with the same plan right before all of this.” He waved his hand over my arm dramatically.

  “I can’t stand for more to die.” I had been thinking about this since I saw the girl die in my place. How many more would die? I could stop it all. All I had to do was go with them. It would put me in the right place. The place I needed to be in order to avenge my parents.

  Alister’s shoulders slumped. “And what if I can’t get to you?”

  I couldn’t help but smile. “You put a hidden pocket in my hood. Go look in it please.” He pulled my suit off of the floor and revealed the knife that Priscella had stabbed me with. The jewels on the end of it sparkled in the light. “My aunts used their weapons and blood to get through the wall in their cottage. I always assumed the weapons had magic and I was right. Today proved my theory. You and the rest of the men will use it to get into the castle after they bring me in.”

  Alister turned back toward me and I thought for sure he was going to argue but instead, he leaned in and placed his lips over mine. He poured everything into the kiss. His heartbreak was especially apparent. He cupped my face between his hands and looked into my eyes. “I could say no and I could throw a fit like you are accustomed to but I know it will not change your mind. Not much does. I know that I can’t say or do anything to make you stay. At the end of the day, you know what you have to do and all I can do is make this easier on the both of us.”

  Tears slid down my cheeks at the way his voice broke and his face fell. He pressed his palms into his eyes. “I will be right behind you. I won’t let you be out of my sight for long.”

  * * *

  I tossed and turned the remainder of the night. Alister had left to speak with Little John about the plan and then hadn’t returned. I hadn’t expected him to. I knew he needed to blow off steam but, at some point, I had thought he would come back. When the sun was streaming into the room, I knew I had to get up and face my fate. I dressed in the simple long dress the mice had made me to go into the village. I ran a brush through my hair and splashed cold water on my face. Under my dress I fashioned the holsters for my knives. I wasn’t going to go into that castle without some type of protection.

  “My dear, how you have grown.” I whirled around at the sound of a woman’s voice. I had a knife between my fingers in seconds. “How resourceful as well.”

  She wore a light blue dress over her round body and her silver hair was curled to perfection then twisted intricately around her head. There was a slight dusting of glitter in the air around her. There was a long piece of metal in her hand. It resembled an oversized needle.

  “Who are you?” And how did she get in here? This place wasn’t easy to find, nor was it easy to get through with all of the burly men lurking about.

  “You have grown into a fine woman. I hoped this visit would have come sooner, but alas, your parents didn’t do the finest job. But I have found myself reconsidering that as of late. I always thought they had failed you. Extremely stubborn, selfish and moody. But now I look at a flowering young woman and I can’t say I’m surprised. A little intrigued but that is all.” She smiled at me and bowed her head. “I am your Fairy Godmother.”

  * * *

  I bit my lip. It couldn’t be. “My heart isn’t pure enough.”

  “I have been watching and waiting for this moment. The moment that your goodness shone through.” She sat on the edge of the bed and watched me. “The moment you decided to sacrifice yourself for the better of your people.”

  I bowed my head and tried to keep my emotions in. “I can’t let anymore die because of my selfish mistakes. I feel like the world is crumbling around me and sliding through my fingers. I have to stop her.”

  “Indeed you do, child.” She touched the hilt of Priscella’s dagger on the side table. “You are on the right track though. I will say I am proud of how smart and inquisitive you are. You will go far as Queen someday. Magic is the only thing that can destroy magic.”

  I frowned at the knife. I was going to give it to Alister. How could I possibly defeat her without it? Maybe he could bring it to me once he made it through? “Why didn’t you destroy her then?”

  “Good magic is unfortunately too good. If I would have harmed her with it, I would have lost it. Even if it is for the good of the people, I can’t do that. I have my rules I have to abide by.”

  I nodded my head. “So what are you doing here?”

  “I came to warn you that if you give the dagger to Alister, you will not make it out of the castle. Not alive.” She frowned and looked at her white shoes.

  “I understand.” I knew what needed to be done.

  Forty-Nine

  Arabella

  I could hear my Fairy Godmother’s words echoing through my mind as I handed Alister the dagger. I knew that I wouldn’t make it out of the castle alive, but Alister could still get in and kill her for me. That was all that mattered. He had to stop her from ruling. No more could die because of me.

  My hands shook as I climbed down the tree and walked to the village. I could feel Alister’s eyes on me as he followed me through the trees. Though he could only follow me so far. When I made it to the square I closed my eyes. The guards already had a woman in barracks. My hands shook but I tucked them into my pockets on my apron.

  “Let her go.” There were collective gasps around me as I stepped into the square. The guards paused. These weren’t the undead ones. The zombies probably didn’t know what to look for.

  A guard with red hair narrowed his eyes. “Who knew this would be so easy?”

  The guard with blonde hair beside him looked starstruck. “Who knew she was so beautiful?”

  The redhead spit into the dirt. “She looks like her mother.”

  “Yes and no,” the man whispered as he watched me.

  “Are we going to waste the day standing here or are we going to go? I want a promise that no more women will be hurt in my name.” I demanded. I wasn’t going to go quietly, that was for sure.

  “Yes, Princess Arabella Charming.” The blonde bowed and the redhead rolled his eyes. I watched out of the corner of my eye as Alister dropped down from the trees on the edge of the village. He placed his fist over his chest. He would come for me, but would it be too late?

  The redheaded guard was rough with me as he wrapped his fingers around my forearm. The blonde was more gentle as he took hold of my other arm. I winced as he made contact with my hidden
wound.

  “Are you injured?” the blonde asked.

  I nodded, “Yes, it happened yesterday. One of those zombies tried to kill me.”

  The redhead scoffed. “No wonder we were called out to do this. They can’t handle simple tasks.”

  “Does it need to be treated?” the blonde inquired.

  I shook my head. “No, I am well versed in healing. I was required at least five hours a week in the infirmary.”

  It wasn’t a complete lie.

  The blonde nodded his head like he understood completely. “As guards, we are required about the same.”

  They lead me to the carriage on the edge of the town and I prayed Alister and the guys didn’t go rogue. That was the last thing that needed to happen. I needed them to follow the plan and for whatever reason, I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. As I faced the carriage, I could hear children in the town singing. The ominous sound had chills running through my body. “ Ashes to ashes we all fall down. Ashes to ashesss. Fall down.” The song echoed around my head like a death sentence.

  The blonde helped me up the steps and I was met by Brunhilda sitting on the plush bench. She was wearing a light pink dress and fanning her face ferociously. “You couldn’t stay away. You escaped just to come back. I’m wondering if there is something seriously wrong with you.”

  “Nice to see you too.” I said as I sat across from her. The carriage shook as the two guards climbed onto the front of it. They clicked their tongues and the horses moved forward. The carriage jerked and I was almost launched from my seat.

  “You don’t understand what you are getting yourself into.” Brunhilda looked out the window and toyed with one of her loose curls.

  “Neither do you by warning me.” I tried to keep my voice passive.

  “You look better than when I last saw you. I for sure thought you were dead somewhere. That break was nasty and the wound to your chest would have killed anyone. But yet here you are. Priscella is going to be just as shocked to see you as Mother. They heard rumors that you were still alive but I didn’t believe them. I had a feeling you were more resilient than that.”

  I shrugged my shoulders. “What can I say? When I set my mind to something I don’t plan on losing. That’s how I’ve been since I was a child.”

  “I suggest you think twice on defying my mother before we get to the castle.” Brunhilda sighed. “I want you to be smart about this. You have turned yourself in for a reason and I have to protect my family before I protect you.”

  I groaned. “You know you aren’t obligated to protect me, right?”

  “I feel like I have to. You must not remember all the times we spoke.” Brunhilda leaned back and I felt like the conversation was over.

  I leaned forward and looked her in the eyes. “You don’t owe me anything. I wish more than anything that I could help you but you have to help yourself first. You will always be at the end of their torment if you don’t break free.”

  She smirked. “Like you did? You talk big, but you are the one that made all of this possible because you rebelled against your family. I have always been the good daughter.”

  I smirked back and laughed. “Not so close. You defied them by taking care of me.”

  “That’s the only thing I have done against them. ” Her shoulders sagged in defeat.

  “Help me get your freedom and mine.”

  She gave me sad eyes and didn’t say anything else.

  Fifty

  Arabella

  The wall of fire swallowed us up and I could see the castle perfectly now. It wasn’t as clean or polished as it had been when I was there last. The gardens were unkempt, thanks to Alister being in the trees, I imagined. Or maybe Tremaine didn’t care. I had a feeling it was a little bit of both.

  The carriage jerked to a stop in front of the castle steps and my breath hitched. I hadn’t expected to be so emotional returning but my eyes filled quickly and I tried to blink them away as the door was yanked open. Brunhilda took the hand of the redheaded guard and giggled as he whispered something into her ear.

  I winced. So that was how it was. I was left to my own devices and jumped from the carriage in the most unladylike fashion. The blonde quirked an eyebrow. “I hate carriages. I would much prefer to ride the horse itself.”

  He nodded once and they led me down the front entryway. It was filled with paintings of my ancestors. I was surprised they remained on the walls. I would have figured Tremaine would have taken them down first. The inside of the castle was well kept and there were castle staff posted everywhere. They kept their eyes on the floor as I passed. I did my best to get them to look at me without being obvious but not one would do it.

  My soul hurt but I didn’t need their acknowledgment. They probably knew what I did. Leave it to Tremaine to out me and everything I had done. That was okay, I was still going to get the kingdom back. I wasn’t the same stupid, naive girl I have once been.

  “I have every right to throw you in the dungeons.” A voice boomed from the end of the hallway. I would know that voice anywhere.

  “Hello, Madame Tremaine.” I said as I turned toward the throne room at the end of the hallway. She leaned against the door frame. If she hadn’t spoken I wouldn’t have recognized her. Her salt and pepper hair was now a dark chocolate. It was braided down her back in a thick plait. Head to toe she was ready for an equestrian ride. Her body was slender and lean now while her face was at least fifteen years younger.

  “Hello, granddaughter. I was planning on going out for a ride, but then I heard of your return and I just had to be here for it. I will say, you look much better than you did when I last saw you. Except your face looks like it lost.”

  “You can thank your daughter for that.” I snarled.

  She tapped her whip on the floor and tsked. “Pris always had a temper.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest. I was done with this conversation. We needed to get to the point. “Why aren’t you throwing me in the dungeon?”

  “There are a few people that have been dying to see you. Wouldn’t you like to know who they are?” she asked. I immediately thought of Alister’s mother and sister. “Come, come. I haven’t got all day.”

  The guard behind me nudged me forward. When I made it to the doorway Tremaine had been standing in, I felt my nerves kick in. I wasn’t ready. My feet wouldn’t move. The guard behind me shoved me and I stumbled forward into the throne room. Emotions clogged my throat. The last time I had been here had been ages ago. The floor was just as shiny as the day I remembered. The rug that ran to the thrown was a light blue that matched the sky. The throne itself was gold plated and right beside it on the floor was my mother.

  The color drained from my face and the feeling left my limbs as I launched myself across the room. Her face was swollen and bloody and she was dressed in rags. “Mother,” the guard wrapped his arms around my waist and cut my sentence short.

  The guards held me back as I tried to fight my way to my mother. She was chained to the throne and my father was nowhere to be seen. I kicked the guard and dislodged myself from his arms. Another guard replaced him and I found myself inconsolable as I tried to fight through each man to get to my mother. Tears flowed down her cheeks but she didn’t move or say anything.

  The guards hoisted me up and carried me from the room. “No!” I screamed. “No! Mother! I’m sorry!’

  I kicked and punched but it did nothing. Tremaine laughed as they dragged me away. “Take her to her old rooms. Maybe she will feel more grateful then.”

  Fifty-One

  Arabella

  My eyes were swollen from crying and trying to break out of my bedrooms. I had thought this place was a prison before. How laughable. I threw myself into the double doors and bounced off of them. Every exit was fused with magic. I wasn’t going to get out unless Tremaine wanted me out. I slumped to the floor and let it out. All of my frustrations and fears. If my mother was alive did that mean my father was too?

  “It will
get easier. You will find that it isn’t so bad eventually. That at least you still live in a castle.” Beatrice, my handmaiden, said from behind me.

  I laughed. It was cold, hard sound. It didn’t resemble my old one. My carefree one. It resembled a monster’s laugh. “At least I still live in a castle?”

  I turned on her and she gasped at my rage. I had always been so controlled with it. I had thrown things, yes, but I had never felt my temper peak like it was now. She had probably never seen me so angry. I had been good at hiding it, but had I ever been this distraught?

  Beatrice looked at the floor.

  “I would prefer to live freely, outside of these walls, than be a prisoner. I didn’t come back to live in a castle, Beatrice. I came back to take what is mine.” I snarled before I pulled my shoe off and threw it at the window. The magic there just spit the shoe back at me and made me angrier. I didn’t know how it was possible but my entire body was shaking in it.

  “Princess,” she whimpered. “I am so terribly sorry. Please forgive me.”

  I gulped. “You are allowed to speak freely, I am the one that should be sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

  “Being back here probably brings back a lot of memories.” She took a tentative step toward me and curtseyed.

  “That it does.” My voice held a new sadness now that the rage was gone.

  “What happened while you were gone?” Beatrice whispered as she sunk to the floor beside me. She pulled my hair away from my face like she had done countless times in the past before she gasped. Blood had soaked through the sleeve of my dress. In all my rage I must have popped my stitches badly.

  “Lots of unspeakable things.” I managed to get out.

  I covered my arm with my hand and Beatrice rose from the floor. “I’ll go get the healer.”