I gave him one of my sweet smiles. “Good evening, Your Highness, what can I do for you?”
He gave me a strange look, like no one had ever spoken to him like that before. “I hope you are not angry with me for not telling you who I am,” he pleaded.
“Angry? You were dishonest with me, and that was not a sign of good manners. Peasants have a better sense of honesty.” There went the insult. I got worried thoughts from Ritta, but I didn’t care. My eyes were blazing, and I kept my voice low but intense.
“I understand your frustration.”
My frustration?
“But if I told you who I was, you wouldn’t have come to meet me. Every other girl would have said yes because of who I am, but I am sure you would have rejected me.”
That might have been true, but still, it was no excuse.
“I didn’t want to be one of the boys you rejected.”
I gave him an angry look, “You were spying on me?” Oh. This was going too far. Who did he think he was? “Of course, I would have rejected you, and in fact, I am doing it right now. You have offended me, and patience is not one of my virtues.” I didn’t care if he was a prince. Even if he was a God, I couldn’t have cared less. I gave him one last angry look and started toward the doors. Before I reached the doors, he was in front of me again, and he grabbed my hand. “Get out of my way, please.”
He didn’t move or let go of my hand. “Please, I know we had a bad start, but give me a chance. Please. I am not like the others. I promise.”
I pulled my hand from his and looked at him hard, and some color left his face, but he didn’t take his eyes off mine. One thing was certain: he was stubborn and decisive. “All right then, you get one chance and nothing more.”
He smiled a little. “Thank you, my lady. Shall we dance?” He took my hand hesitantly at first.
We danced a little with the slow music, and I sensed Ritta’s thoughts calm. I was still mad, but my anger was starting to ease.
“So, what’s your name?” he asked.
“You asked me to a masked ball and you don’t even know my name? How did you recognize me anyway?”
He smirked. “Because you didn’t look at me when I was passing.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Everyone is bowing when I pass or stop talking. They look at me as if I am a prize... but not you, you even insulted me.” He sounded surprised and laughed.
“You deserved it,” I said.
“My name is Jonathan and I invited you because I thought you were special—not just pretty but beautiful inside and out.”
I looked at him carefully. Well, he had it wrong. I might be somewhat pretty outside, but on the inside... I had killed demons, monsters, and many other things to prevent them from invading the Earth and I had done things unforgettable things, but did that make me good or bad? “I don’t know.”
“You know, most girls would have just accepted the compliment.”
I scowled. “I am not most girls.” Even if sometimes wished I was.
“How about telling me your name? I gave you my name, so it’s only fair you tell me yours.”
I gave him a skeptical look. “Hmm... I don’t think so. You did nothing to deserve my name, and names have strong power. You can tell if a person is strong, has potential, or even if he is destined to do great things only by knowing the name. I will give you my name when you have earned it. Not before, nor later.”
“Beautiful and smart. You sure seem to know a lot about names. What can you tell me about me?” He seemed curious.
“You have a strong name: Jonathan means gift of God and is associated with many heroes.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Are you working in a church or are you a teacher?”
“No, not at all.” If he only knew he was miles away from the truth. “So, did you know me before meeting me at the market, or did you just go scouting for girls that day?”
He gave me a strange look. “One day I went out with a friend to visit the village. He said it would do me some good to know my subjects since one day I would be ruling the kingdom. He’s a good friend and loyal, he’s like my brother.
“We saw everything: the school, the church, houses, little shops, and the market. In the market, I saw you, but you didn’t see me because you were looking pretty much everywhere: the stands with the fruits, the walls of the houses, the roofs, the sky... you were like lost in your own personal world, one that no one could enter. My friend asked me what happened, and I told him that I saw an angel.”
I stared at him. Then I laughed because it was just ridiculous. Me? An angel?
He smiled apologetically. “I know it sounds a bit crazy.”
“A bit,” I said.
The clock sounded twelve. That couldn’t be right. That meant I had been here all night. My Heavens! “I am sorry, but I have to leave.” I bowed a little and started toward the exit where Ritta was waiting for me.
“I will walk you out,” he said.
“I don’t need a bodyguard. I can find my way to the doors.”
“Yes, but I have to use my fine manners to earn your trust, my lady.”
That I would like to see. “All right then.” If you want to be a puppy, then be one. After all, this is your fault.
We walked in silence toward the doors. He wished us goodnight and we left. Ritta spent most of the way home talking about all the boys she danced with, talked to, or saw. The rest of the time, she talked about all the beautiful dresses everyone wore. My thoughts were headed in different directions. I was still angry, but I wondered why he would talk to me. This was the first boy who didn’t give up, and I found it fascinating.
Gossiping
The next day after our chores, we gathered in the garden—my mother included—to hear about our night. Ritta shared about the ball, the decorations, the people, and the royals. She also told my mother that the boy in the market was actually a royal.
“A prince?” she asked.
“Yes,” I answered. I looked at her. “You are not mad?”
“Why should I be mad? Not everyone gets to meet a prince. Was he nice to you?”
“I guess Eva was mad for all three of us. She would have turned him into a chandelier if I hadn’t stopped her.” Ritta laughed.
“Why would you want to turn the poor man into a chandelier?” my mother asked.
“Poor? He is a lot of things, but he’s definitely not poor. And I was mad because he lied to me. Royals are crazy. All they care about is their wealth and being married to girls of their line even if they are their own sister. That’s disgusting.”
“That is why their children are born sick,” my mother said.
“Really?” We looked at her.
“Well, you know I am interested in herbs, medicine and I did a little study, and I found that if you mix the same blood... well, results are weakness and sickness. These royals think they must keep their line clean, but by doing so, they become weak, and in little time they will be extinct.”
“Well, this won’t be that bad. They brought it on themselves.”
“So, back to the prince. What was he like?”
“He had black hair and blue eyes. He seemed nice and somewhat... different. He said he went to the market to invite me because I had made an impression on him, though I don’t know how.”
“What? He’s been watching you? That is so sweet,” Ritta said.
A furious look crossed my face. “That is called spying. Where do you find that sweet?”
“Technically, he wasn’t stalking you. He was watching you because he might not be like the other royals. Maybe he just wants peace, love, and happiness like everybody.
“Maybe. But he’s not everybody. He’s a prince.”
“It won’t hurt if you give him a chance. I am not asking you to marry him. Just take a chance and see. You may find something different.”
While I thought over Ritta’s words, I looked at my mother. People often said that we looked like sisters. We both had green eyes b
ut she had red hair, whereas I had curly black raven’s hair, and she was a little taller than me. She had the appearance of a middle-aged woman, but I knew she was much older. I figured she was about four hundred years old, but I never dared to ask. My mother didn’t offer any advice, and I shrugged. “I guess it won’t be any harm,” I said, although the idea was unpleasant.
In the afternoon I went for a walk in the village. I liked watching people: children playing, mothers doing the laundry, and men working. I was watching an artist who made splendid drawings—I always came and watched his newest ones—when I spotted the glint of a gold aura. The prince, wearing regular peasant clothes, was walking the street and came to stand next to me. I closed my eyes. This couldn’t be happening.
“Are you doing this regularly or you are here just to annoy me?” I opened my eyes.
“No, I have come many times. The village is beautiful. Do you mind if I accompany you?”
Yes, I mind very much. I looked at him suspiciously. “All right, if you can handle long walks”
“I love long walks.” He grinned and he held out his hand.
I ignored his hand. We walked all the way in the village and then went to the perimeter of the woods. It was a pleasant afternoon. A warm breeze was blowing and the birds were singing. He wasn’t a bad company either. He told me about his life and how he had everything he wanted but wasn’t happy. He had to act like he was above all. He had to follow rules and traditions, and he had no chance to make friends and no free time to relax. Like I suspected, life in a palace was too restrictive. But he had a friend who was like his brother and was a little more free and open-minded. This friend took him to many places like the market to show him what regular people were like.
I thought his friend seemed wise for a royal and maybe more compassionate than most rich people, but I didn’t know him so I couldn’t say much about him. I didn’t tell him much about myself. I only shared that I wanted to have adventures, travel, and draw. Of course, I didn’t tell him I was a witch. What do you think I am? Stupid? Witchcraft was considered dangerous and people were burned at the stake.
“Do you live alone? He asked. Living alone in this era was considered a bad thing.
“No, I live with my mother, and sometimes my friend stays with us.”
“What about your father?”
“I never met him.” It was true. I had never met my father, and whenever I asked my mother, she would say that he died, but he was a good man and that he didn’t live long enough to see me born. I suspected that my father was a human and my mother hid it because there was a dark time when witches were forbidden to make any contact with humans, but I really didn’t know the truth. I let it go a long time ago because I didn’t want to cause any problems for my mother.
“I am sorry,” he said, and he had a sad expression.
“It’s all right. I am used to it. I help my mother, and she helps me. We are happy together.”
“I envy you, I wish I could have this kind of happiness too.”
“You don’t?” I asked curiously.
“No, not in my family. All they care about is power and wars and money. We are even apart for celebrations like Christmas. Me and my brothers are close, but with the rest—it is like we live in a different universe.”
Imagine that. A family without love was sad. “I am sorry.”
“It’s all right. I am used to it.” He looked at the sky. “We should get back. It’s getting dark.”
I laughed. “I don’t need a guard. I can reach home before nightfall.”
“I am sure you can, but I cannot let you walk out on your own. It’s dangerous.”
Heavens. Who was he? My mother? He started walking me toward the village, and although I didn’t like it—I could reach home in two minutes with my speed—I walked along. We reached a curve in the street and he stopped.
“I believe you can find your own way home from here,” he said.
“So, you don’t know where I live.” I smiled with delight because I didn’t want him on my heels, knocking on my door at every opportunity.
“I didn’t follow you around everywhere. I just looked at you. I am not someone with bad intentions.”
“I see. Well then, thank you for accompanying me in this walk, and I wish you goodnight.”
“Goodnight, miss.” He bowed.
I still hadn’t told him my name. If he earned it, I would consider it, but for now, we would be addressing each other with miss and Jonathan since he had made the mistake of giving his name away. He took my hand and kissed it. Uh, oh! This isn’t good. I stared at him and then turned and started walking toward my house. I hid discreetly behind a tree so he couldn’t see me and took a look back. He was still there trying to see me. What was going on with him? I ran, going near trees, so he couldn’t see me running like the wind. I reached my door and stopped. He was still there trying to see me. It was too cold for me to wait for him to spot me, so I opened the door and entered our warm house. I ate something and then went to my room, washed, changed into night clothes, and lay on my bed under the covers. My last thought was his eyes staring at me.
During the next several weeks, we met sometimes in the market or in the village, and we went for long walks, talking about many things. One day he introduced me to his friend Alexander, who he called Alec, of whom I had heard a lot of things. He was good-looking with black hair and light blue eyes. He seemed nice, clever, and kind, and he was different from most rich boys I had ever heard or seen. He had a silver aura. How funny. One gold and one silver. We became friends, and when we talked I felt like he understood me, like I had a friend, and it was strange... I never thought I could have human friends.
During this time, the country was facing a crisis. People were becoming poorer, and you couldn’t find good quality food in the market. Sometimes there was no food at all in the market. We were forced to go out in the woods and collect berries or anything that could be eaten. We hunted animals for survival to sell it to the highest bidder. Life was becoming harder and things changed pretty fast, at least by human standards.
I rarely saw Jonathan anymore. He was busy with the palace’s affairs and saving the country. The strange thing was that it bothered me like a thorn bothered a wolf. I was passing my days looking out of the window if I wasn’t out looking for something to eat. Ritta visited sometimes, but not too much because witches didn’t get involved in human affairs like wars. My mother and I had made a choice of staying here, so we were kind of stuck in here with them. Alec came to check on me often, and it was strange. At first, I thought he was doing it because he liked me, but then I understood he did it for his friend and brother because that’s what a brother would do. Alec felt it was his duty to protect me since Jonathan was kind of my friend, but I found it strange since we weren’t even best friends. I was a witch, and I could take care of myself, but he didn’t know that.
The First War
One day Ritta came bearing some bad news.
“Hi. How are you doing? What’s wrong?” I asked, looking at her sad face.
“Word came from the princess, and all witches must go up to our land because there is a war coming in the human world and we should not get involved. We should go to safety.”
I looked at her, but I couldn’t believe what she was saying. She turned to look at me. “Is something wrong?”
“I don’t know. Are they insane?”
She shot me a strange look. “Insane? What do you mean?”
I took a deep breath, “I mean that if we were chickens we would have already left. But no, we are witches. We are fighters. We can’t just leave like we care about no one. Why fight demons if we don’t care about people? I don’t care if they created these wars and fights. Some people are bad, yes, but there are some good and some very good people that need to be protected.” My voice had grown louder and louder until I was yelling.
Ritta looked at me like she was terrified but then her expression changed to determination. “Yo
u are right, but I can’t stay. I don’t love people as much as you do, and I don’t think I would be doing any good if I don’t feel anything about it. I wish you good luck, and don’t die because I will kill you.”
I smiled. That was my friend. We hugged tightly because it would be a long time until we saw each other again, if anytime soon, but I didn’t want to think about that. My mother was leaving too because she said that she had been helping people a long time with their lives and fights and wars but she didn’t want to be in this one. She thought it was better trying to fend off the demons from the skies. After some final hugs, they left and I was alone.
Not too long after they left, there was a knock at my door. It was the last person I was expecting.
“Good evening, Jonathan. How can I help you?” I asked politely.
He bowed. “I was just passing by and I thought I would come and greet you.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You were just passing by? What happened to your kingdom? The war is over and I don’t know it? Why then have all people fled?” It was true. Most people had fled except the very old ones who couldn’t walk and some determined young people like me who wanted to help by taking care of other people or making useful things like blankets, clothes or medicines.
“There is still a war,” he informed me.
“And how did you find me anyway?”
“I saw your mother and your friend leave the road so I figured the house wouldn’t be that far, and this house was the only one with lights. Why haven’t you left with them?”
“That was smart of you. I prefer helping people in need, and I don’t exactly look out for myself very much.”
“I can see that. But don’t you think you should leave too? It could be a dangerous situation with the war and all.”
I scowled at him. “I don’t need protecting, and besides, enemies don’t target empty villages. They target cities, and towns with active young men who can do actual damage and will be a blow to a kingdom’s defenses. Not that you care.”
The Cursed Girl, #1 Page 2