Encircled
FROM CROWNS TO CURSES TO SPACE CAPSULES,
A COLLECTION OF FAIRY TALE RETELLINGS
BY THE EVER AFTERS
Laurie Lucking
Tori V. Rainn
J.M. Hackman
S.E. Clancy
E.J. Kitchens
Jebraun Clifford
Copyright © 2019 by Laurie Lucking, Tori V. Rainn, J.M. Hackman, S.E. Clancy, E.J. Kitchens, Jebraun Clifford
Published by Laurie Lucking, Tori V. Rainn, J.M. Hackman, S.E. Clancy, E.J. Kitchens, Jebraun Clifford
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, is completely coincidental.
Cover Design by Maria Spada
Encircled / Laurie Lucking, Tori V. Rainn, J.M. Hackman, S.E. Clancy, E.J. Kitchens, Jebraun Clifford — 1st ed.
Contents
INTRODUCTION
EDGED IN SILVER by Laurie Lucking
Melia has always felt more at home in Bradaigh Forest than among her high school peers, despite her parents’ insistence that danger lurks behind its beautiful, silver-lined trees. Befriending a dryad prince only adds to the forest’s allure. But when Melia becomes trapped in the dryad world, she realizes too late she should’ve heeded her parents’ warning. Melia’s struggle to return home draws her further into the magic of Bradaigh, uncovering secrets of the dryad realms and her own family in the process.
A contemporary fantasy retelling of “Snow White” by the Brothers Grimm
A HEART’S DESIRE by Tori V. Rainn
Prince Lyndon’s engagement announcement turned from a grand event to a cursed evening. Time is running out, and desperate to break the curse, he sends his henchman to the village to bring back the witch who cursed him. Content with her village life, Desiree Lowell’s quiet existence falls apart when she’s kidnapped. Whisked away, she’s now captive to a beast in an enchanted castle. When it’s revealed that she’s innocent, she’s unable to leave until the real witch arrives.
A retelling of “Beauty and the Beast” by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve
THE SONGBIRD’S CITADEL by J.M. Hackman
Darianna Chantel’s gorgeous singing secures her a residency in the palace, and it’s a dream come true. So is her growing friendship with West, also known as Kyllen, the crown prince of Trisolis. When his betrothed, Princess Jerissa, arrives, the talented singer is replaced with a captivating gift full of alluring sights and sounds. But Darianna soon realizes the gift has drawn the royal family into grave danger. Darianna must save West and the kingdom. If she doesn’t, she’ll face a life on the run—or execution.
A science fantasy retelling of “The Nightingale” by Hans Christian Andersen
THE LAST MRS. BLUEBEARD by S.E. Clancy
Though Wilhelm Meyer sports a bright blue beard, Robin King is captivated by the mine owner with impeccable manners, and his wealth is just what her family needs to survive. Despite her uncertain feelings for childhood friend John Hastings, she marries Mr. Meyer and begins what promises to be a happy marriage. But Robin soon realizes there's something sinister underneath her husband's kind exterior—and something horrifying hidden below her feet.
A mid-nineteenth century retelling of “Bluebeard” by Charles Perrault
A SPELL’S END by E.J. Kitchens
Marie Stahlbaum continuously sketches the nutcracker doll her inventor godfather gave her, trying to capture the doll’s all too life-like expressions. But when an evil faerie king abducts Marie to a dream realm, the nutcracker comes alive as a prince resembling her godfather’s lost nephew. Marie and the prince must defeat the faerie king and return the seven crowns he stole, or Marie will never wake and the prince will never be free.
A nineteenth-century retelling of “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” by E.T.A. Hoffman
BEYOND THE STARS, PAST THE MOONS by Jebraun Clifford
Astrid makes the mistake of landing on a derelict moon base above a planet with a corrosive atmosphere. Inside the base lives Milos, a lonely young man who always wears his space suit and a reflective helmet. The base seems familiar, like from a memory or dream. What isn’t Milos telling her? And why won’t he show her his face? Milos waits for the one destined to break his curse. When Astrid arrives, he realizes she’s everything he’s dreamt about for the last five hundred years. Can she save him before the sorceress who imprisoned him wakes up and destroys them both?
A retelling of “East of the Sun and West of the Moon” by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe
ADDITIONAL WORKS BY THE AUTHORS
Introduction
ONCE UPON A time, a writer stumbled, lost and confused, through the pages of her manuscript. Did the story make sense? Were the motivations of characters clear? Was her writing style professional or riddled with errors?
She joined an organization called the American Christian Fiction Writers, and slowly her path came into focus. She met one writer, then another, who took the time to read her work and make it better. Eventually, a small group formed—a band of writers who invested in each others’ projects and offered humor, commiseration, encouragement, and support as each experienced victories and challenges along their journey.
Sometime later, an e-mail announced an opportunity to write a fairy tale retelling for a contest. When more and more members of the group expressed interest, the idea was born: what if they put together their own collection of fairy tale retellings? Soon they began calling themselves the Ever Afters, choosing stories to reimagine, and making plans for their project.
You hold in your hands their finished product. Encircled is the culmination of nearly two years of writing, editing, dreaming, and hard work. The Ever Afters are thrilled to share this set of stories with you and hope you find fun, excitement, and even some deeper meaning in their words.
Now sit back, relax, and let their tales transport you to distant times, foreign kingdoms, faraway planets, and beyond!
Edged
in Silver
A retelling of “Snow White” by the Brothers Grimm
Laurie Lucking
Chapter 1
IF ONLY I didn’t have to go home.
I snuggled further into the alcove formed by the roots of my favorite oak tree. As though shutting the drooping sun out of my view would stop it from setting.
Heaving a sigh, I tucked my book into my backpack and stood. Mom and Dad would be furious if they found out I’d spent the day here. Again.
I paused to run my fingers along a budding leaf, tracing its silver tips. There had to be something special about Bradaigh Forest. None of the trees in town looked anything like this. Releasing the leaf, I set out down the faded dirt path.
Something rustled in the tree behind me. My heart lodged in my throat. I pivoted, peering into the oak’s twisting branches. Was that movement, above—?
A squirrel bustled out, chattering in annoyance. I grinned and tipped my head. “Sorry to disturb you, I was just leaving.”
No need to be so jumpy, Melia. Bradaigh Forest didn’t hold any dangers, no matter what my parents said.
I resumed walking, humming a strain of Voi Che Sapete, and soon slipped
into the lyrics. The summer I turned thirteen, I’d wound through these paths over and over again, singing every aria I’d learned in voice lessons. Hoping a handsome gentleman in a waistcoat and cravat would appear and profess his undying love for me.
If I were honest with myself, I still harbored the absurd fantasy.
After all, a young man dressed in something other than baggy shorts and a jersey, who demonstrated some semblance of manners, would be a significant improvement over the guys at school. Even if he was a total stranger.
As the sun dipped further behind the tallest trees, I broke into a run, only slowing when I reached my street. Uh-oh. Mom’s teal sedan sat in the driveway.
I hurried into the house, the blast of air conditioning making me shiver. Pausing, I took several deep, slow breaths. I was only supposed to have walked three blocks.
“Melia?” Mom’s voice called out from the kitchen.
“Yep. Sorry I’m late.” I ran my hands over my calf-length skirt, then went to meet her.
“No problem.” She let a cupboard door slam shut. “I wouldn’t have been home yet myself, but my last two patients cancelled. Not that I’m complaining.” She bent to retrieve a pot from below the counter. “Did you have a good time with Becky?”
“Uh, yeah.” My stomach twisted at the lie. “We, you know, hung out.”
“Sounds fun.” Water sprayed into the pot, some stray droplets landing on the window above the sink.
“Can I help with anything?” I asked.
“Oh no, just starting dinner. Do you work tomorrow?”
“Not until Friday.”
“That’s right.” She turned a knob on the stovetop. “Will you go to Becky’s again? Or another friend?”
Another friend. Good one, Mom. My parents were either oblivious or in denial about the fact that I had no friends. The smell of nail polish gave me a headache, and I preferred classical music to anything they played on radio stations. Even the few classmates who tolerated my unusual tastes were drawn to the dim, stuffy local mall almost as strongly as I was drawn to Bradaigh.
Mom regarded me expectantly.
I shrugged. “I’m not sure yet.”
“You know, that Travis Ward couldn’t take his eyes off you at the restaurant last week. What’s he up to this summer?”
I coughed and climbed onto a stool. “I have no idea. And I don’t care to find out.”
Her brows dropped to a V.
“The only time I see him is when he trips me in the hall at school.”
She set a glass of water in front of me. “Some boys use that as a form of flirtation, you know.”
I sighed, then took a sip. Holding my glass out, I studied my reflection. Apparently, I was pretty. Like, really pretty. Black hair, dark eyes, red lips, and flushed cheeks all stood out against my otherwise ghostly pale skin. In my opinion, the stark contrasts made me look more haunted than pretty, but Mom insisted the girls who scratched less-than-flattering names on my locker were jealous, and the boys who teased me sought my attention.
If that was flirting, I wanted no part of it. Was it asking too much to be properly courted?
I snorted and set the glass down. Courted. Not dated. No wonder I was a loner.
The garage door squeaked open. A minute later Dad glided in, tucking his briefcase under the desk in the corner. He gave me a smile before pecking Mom on the cheek. “And how are my lovely ladies this evening?”
“Had a few cancellations.” Mom poured penne noodles into the now-boiling water on the stove.
Dad scrunched his nose at me. “Why is it my spreadsheets never cancel?”
“I guess your computer doesn’t get enough viruses.”
“Must be it.” He reached over to ruffle my hair.
His smile faded.
“What’s this?” He plucked out a leaf.
I tried to keep my expression neutral. “Probably from my walk home. It’s kind of windy.”
Stepping into better light, he examined it. “It’s silver.”
Mom dropped her knife and turned. Their glares made me want to hide under the counter.
“Where were you today?” The sharp edge in Dad’s voice meant trouble.
“I...”
“This is from Bradaigh Forest.” The leaf caught the light as he twirled it between his fingers.
“Well, yes.”
The hurt in Mom’s eyes pierced my chest. “I’m sorry. Becky...wasn’t feeling well today. So I started wandering and ended up there.”
Dad’s fist thumped the countertop. “How many times have we told you to stay out of that place? It’s dangerous. There’s something—not right about it.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know what more we can do to get through to you.”
“But it’s not dangerous. It’s beautiful, peaceful. I’ve seen chipmunks, squirrels, birds. The occasional deer. I don’t know what you’re so afraid of.”
Mom leaned wearily against the sink. “It is a beautiful forest in many ways. But sometimes it’s the things we can’t see that we should fear.”
I pressed my palm to my forehead. How could I argue against such vague, irrational explanations? “I feel at home there. I can be myself. The kids from school—we have nothing in common.”
Dad threw up his hands. “This is your home.”
“I know, but...”
“Don’t be too quick to judge your classmates, Melia.” Mom’s tone was gentler. “You may have more in common than you think.”
“Sure. Maybe if I watch more TV. Or subscribe to one of those fashion magazines.”
“Do not make light of this, young lady.” Dad pointed down the hall. “You will spend the rest of the evening in your room.”
“Fine.” I downed the remainder of my water, clattered the glass back onto the counter, and slid off my stool. “Goodnight.”
Mom caught my arm as I stormed past. “I’ll bring you some dinner when it’s ready.”
I muttered, “Thanks,” before continuing down the hall.
They clearly had no interest in understanding.
Having been sent to bed early like a five-year-old, I woke with the dawn. I eased my door open, not sure whether my parents would be up yet.
Silverware clinked in the kitchen.
“Isn’t that a little extreme?” Mom’s voice drifted down the hall, sounding unusually grim. I paused.
“She was there again yesterday. And lied about it.”
This again. Hadn’t we bickered enough the day before?
“I know, but I’m not sure we can move away. She may have to stay within a certain radius—”
Move away? I sank against the wall.
“But we also need to keep her out of it. And what else can we do? Put her on house arrest? Hire our seventeen-year-old a babysitter?”
Mom’s sigh hinted at exhaustion. “Maybe if we talk to her.”
“We’ve talked to her a hundred times.” I could picture Dad’s characteristic raised eyebrow. “Look how much good it’s done.”
I didn’t dare breathe during Mom’s long pause.
“Well, I don’t like it. But you may be right.”
No! I clapped a hand over my mouth so I couldn’t cry out.
“All right. Charlie at my office does real estate on the side. I’ll talk with him today to get the process started.”
Chairs scraped against the tile floor. I stumbled to my room and crawled into bed.
Maybe if I went back to sleep, I’d wake to discover the conversation had been a terrible dream.
Chapter 2
AFTER LYING AWAKE, listening to my parents go through their morning preparations and eventually back their cars down the driveway, I dragged myself out of bed. I showered and dressed quickly, then grabbed a blueberry muffin on my way out the door. If Mom and Dad were serious about moving, I needed to spend as much time in Bradaigh as possible before it happened.
My boots stomped up the trail, one hand clutching the muffin I couldn’t stomach. Even if we d
idn’t move, how many times would we repeat the same argument? I crested the hill, my posture slumped.
As I settled against my tree, the dam finally burst. Warm tears streamed down my cheeks, saturating my hair and the collar of my shirt.
When the cascade subsided, I shifted, leaning the side of my face against the bark and inhaling its sweet, woody aroma. I curled my knees to my chest, wrapping myself into a tight ball. If only I could disappear into the forest and hide here forever.
Why are you crying?
I jumped up, searching frantically. “Who’s there?” I patted my pockets. As usual, I’d left my phone at home.
Nothing responded except sparrows twittering in the distance.
“Who is it? Where are you?” I spun in a circle but saw nothing. I backed against the tree. At least no one could surprise me from behind.
My apologies, I didn’t mean to startle you.
My head turned from side to side like an oscillating fan. “Show yourself. Please.” It came out as more of a plea than a demand.
If only I could, but we’re not permitted to reveal ourselves to humans.
My breathing slowed. Slightly. Whatever it was, it didn’t seem to want to hurt me. “Who are you?”
A dryad.
Dryad? Something to do with trees…
Think of us as tree spirits. The voice was low and smooth, with the melodic rhythm of a flowing river. My name is Garrick. Prince of the Southern Dryad Realm.
Prince? My brain spun like an out of control merry-go-round. Was someone playing an elaborate joke on me? “But, where are you?”
A rumble like a laugh. Behind you.
I turned and frowned. “You’re in a tree?” Had to be a prank. I circled the oak, peering into its branches. Silence. “Hello? Are you still there?”
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