The Cursed Girl, #1

by Maria Vermisoglou

  I tried not to be nervous, so I looked around the inside of the carriage. The walls had designs of leaves and birds in real gold. I didn’t think I could ever afford anything like that.

  The carriage came to a stop, and my mother turned to me. “Smile and don’t look nervous.”

  “I am not.” She nodded, but I knew she didn’t quite believe me.

  She and Ritta got out of the carriage, and I was left inside the carriage. I closed my eyes and I told myself that I was ready. I was ready to face the world. I got out of the carriage, and Ritta asked me, “What took you so long?”

  I shrugged. “I was admiring the designs. Plus, this thing is uncomfortable.”

  She took my hand. “You will admire them later. We are late.”

  “Isn’t the bride supposed to be late?”

  She turned to me. “Ehh...”

  Meow. My dear Midnight never missed a moment of my life.

  We walked a few steps and Jasmine greeted us. “Oh, you look so beautiful. Come on.” She took my hand and ushered us in from a side door.

  “Where are we going?” I asked her.

  “He can’t see you right now; the ceremony has to start first, and then you show up, remember?”

  “I do, but my mother and Ritta rushed me saying I was going to be late.”

  She giggled. “A bride should be late on her wedding day.”

  “That’s what I said.”

  Jasmine stopped and peeked through the curtains. Why an open spot would have curtains or a side door in the middle of nowhere I had no idea. “Don’t worry, it will be fine,” she reassured me.

  “Right... I do remember that at your wedding I was the one who said it would be fine, not you.”

  She laughed. “Now it’s my turn to do it.” She handed me a little tiara.

  “What’s this?”

  “You gave me yours on my wedding day, so I am giving you your own now.”

  The tiara matched my outfit. “How did you...?” I asked puzzled.

  “I may have made some inquiries about your dress.”

  “You asked Ritta. You two are conspiring against me.”

  Ritta came up to us. “Don’t worry. The ceremony hasn’t started yet.”

  I was nervous, but not worried. “I am the one who is worried? You have been rushing me all day.” If she was like this for my wedding, what would she be like for her own? Meow. Midnight was excited too.

  Ritta grinned. “What can I say? I love weddings.”

  I peeked through the curtains. “There are a lot of people. Did we invite them all?”

  Jasmine smiled. “Not, exactly. But you know... the wedding of a hero and a former king can’t be missed.”

  “Now. It starts,” Ritta said excitedly. We heard some music and all talking ceased. “Here he comes,” Ritta said.

  I tried to look, but they wouldn’t let me. Ritta blocked my view, and Jasmine said, “Bride must not see the groom before the wedding.”

  “I don’t know if you noticed, but the wedding has already started.”

  Jasmine waved her hand dismissively. “We don’t take any chances.”

  The music that was my cue started. “Now you can’t stop me from going there and meeting my fate,” I said and gathered the train of my dress. I took my sunflowers, and the children came and took their positions carrying my dress. The walk down the aisle felt like an eon. I would have gone faster with a horse. When I arrived at the end, I stood next to Jonathan.

  He smiled at me and said, “You look beautiful.”

  Meow. “Exactly. I agree with Midnight.”

  “Is that supposed to mean that I should stay silent?”

  I wouldn’t put it that kindly. “Yup. I see your cat lessons are improving.”

  He smiled. “A little.”

  The priest cleared his throat. We stayed silent and he began. “We have gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Jonathan Francisco del Oro and Evangeline—”

  “It’s Eva,” I whispered since he said my name wrong.

  He stared at me. “But—”

  “Just Eva. Continue,” I said.

  He sighed and continued. “Eva Angela della Luna.” He said everything else he was required to say. We said our vows, and then, the priest said, “You may kiss the bride.”

  We kissed and the people cheered. We had arranged for the ball to start immediately after. I liked it more than any other ball I had been to. We were surrounded by nature, and we could see the sun, and the space was open. The adults laughed and danced, and the children ran, danced and played. I danced and laughed and smiled.

  “I can’t believe he pronounced your name wrong,” Jonathan said.

  “I know. But I guess if nothing goes wrong at a wedding, it’s not a wedding.” He smiled. People congratulated us and gave us their best wishes.

  “If someone would find a way to blend the dresses together, that would be you,” Alec said.

  I shrugged. “Your wedding had so many outfits I wondered how you didn’t go crazy.” Since it had grown dark, my gown was glowing like the moon flower I had put in my hair.

  We danced and laughed all night. When everyone had left, we sat and watched the sunrise. My wedding had lasted all night. Unbelievable. Amazing. “All night,” Jonathan said and stretched. “Time to go home.”

  I looked at him. “Why? Do you have a curfew?”

  He smiled. “No, but I wanted to hear the sound of it, kitten.”

  I scowled at him. “You are not calling me that.”

  He laughed. “All right, but I will find something special for you.” I couldn’t believe we were married. I had pinched myself a few times to make sure I was awake and not dreaming. “What are you thinking, Jonathan?”

  “That I can’t believe we are married.”

  You are not the only one. “I guess you are officially stuck with us.”

  He seemed confused. “Don’t you mean me?”

  “I thought you were getting better at this.” Meow. Midnight showed out of nowhere and sat on my lap. “We are going together everywhere.”

  He laughed. “Right, the—”

  I scowled at him. “Midnight.” The Midnight? “I thought it was your mother’s cat.”

  “It’s my only cat and mine.”

  He petted Midnight. “The girl with the cat.” I guess I am and will always be that. “So where do you want to go?”

  “Now? To bed, hopefully.”

  He shook his head. “For the trip.”

  Right, the honeymoon. “Can we go to Italy?”

  He took my hand. “That goes without saying. Where else?”

  I looked at him strangely. “Why? I can choose more than one place?” He nodded. “Tell me your choice then.”

  He thought for a moment and then said, “Austria.” Of course, his brothers and sister lived there. “Your turn.” We decided to make a tour of Europe, leaving out some places we did not like.

  Honeymoon

  I had officially moved to his house, but I would go to my house to work because it was now my shop. I had to work not only for money, but because I wanted to help people, be a little free, and be a witch a little. All was finally set for our trip, and we mounted our horses and left with everyone saying goodbye and wishing we would have a nice trip.

  When you went on a trip without running and hiding, was much more pleasant. We could relax this time. We went to Italy first, and Alicia was thrilled to see us. We visited most of Italy and, of course, “our cave.” It was in the state we had left it: warm, welcoming, and comfortable. We didn’t stay in it because we didn’t need help now; we were following the legend.

  Stefen and his children were happy to see us too. The children had grown a lot since the last time I had seen them and were looking more like their mother. They were going to school now. We passed from Siena to where a horse competition was often held, but there wouldn’t be one for some time. “Oh, what a shame. If there was one, you would compete with the most dangerous acroba
tics in the world,” Jonathan teased.

  I nudged him. “I will find a horse competition somewhere else,” I threatened, so he stopped the jokes. He still didn’t like my “dangerous” acrobatics as he called them.

  We went to multiple places, each one more beautiful than the last one. We tried every food and had lots of fun. We did go to Bretagne again. We swam and fished, and we gathered shells, walked on the beach and, of course, watched the beautiful sunset. Midnight enjoyed gathering shells too; her paws were suitable for that activity.

  We visited Bohemia, Poland, and then Austria. Every place had its own unique beauty, exceptional views, sites, and landmarks. The colors were so beautiful that I could sit there and watch them forever. Or draw them. Or both. Probably both.

  Austria was beautiful and the buildings were much different from the ones in Spain. The architecture was exceptional. Jonathan’s brothers and sister gave us a tour of the city, although they had stayed on the farm where they had taken shelter during the war. I was glad that something good had come out of it after all. The Austrian countryside was peaceful. It felt like being at the top of the world and you could just hear the world breathing. I could understand why Jonathan’s brothers loved it so much.

  We avoided going to England for obvious reasons: the moment Jasmine’s mother would hear that we stepped into her country, she would rush to “greet” us. Thank you, but no, I had enough of her yelling for one life. We went to Wales instead, and it was enchanting with all the castles, towers, and fortresses, but the music, the people, and the nature were my favorite parts. The emotion the music created was so... beautiful. The people were so nice and their language, Celtic, was beautiful and poetic.

  “Our two months of traveling is up. Have you enjoyed yourself, drawing girl?” Jonathan asked as we prepared to return home. Remember, the special name I wanted? Well, Jonathan found something to call me. He calls me drawing girl, but that doesn’t make any sense. I make the drawings. I am not a drawing. Leave it to him to mess things up.

  Two months might be a long time, but it was the only honeymoon we would have. “Yes, Jonathan, I have enjoyed myself immensely, but I am ready to go home.” Of course, I had made medicines for people in need while we traveled. People sent requests by pigeons, and I was glad to assist, but Jonathan teased me about working even when I was not at work.

  We arrived in Spain to find it changed. We almost turned back because we thought we were in the wrong place, but it was our village in Spain, just a thousand times changed. There were more houses, and they were bigger. There was a market, but not for merchants; it was a building with a sign that read “MARKET.” There were other shops I didn’t recognize. “I see Alec has been busy,” Jonathan said, looking around curiously.

  “Too busy,” I responded.

  “Ritta. I am back.”

  “Incoming.”

  I heard running and there she was. We hugged. I had missed her. I loved Jonathan, but what Ritta and I had was something entirely different and inexplicable. Companions in battle was the closest human term that came to mind. Midnight licked Ritta. She almost gave her a bath since she was very happy to see her too.

  News traveled fast, so before we had reached our house, everyone knew we were back. We were going to start working next week, so we paid a visit to Alec and Jasmine, whose stomach was as round as a ball. Alec, of course, knew we were back. “The king knows everything,” Jonathan said, and everyone laughed.

  We shared news of our trip and they shared news of the village. I learned the market was still the same, but now it was a permanent indoor market instead. Merchants could now sell their products under the rain, snow, and every other weather condition.

  “That is fantastic,” I exclaimed.

  “I am glad you like it,” said Alec.

  “You seem a bit tired,” I said.

  “Yes, but I am taking a vacation next week. “No need for Midnight to watch my work. I am not approaching it.” We laughed and Midnight meowed from his lap.

  “Lila is expecting a baby,” Jasmine said.

  “I am so happy for her,” I said and I smiled.

  “Now her Highness’s plans have fallen apart,” said Jonathan.

  “Lila told me that she literally turned green when she heard Jonathan was going to marry you,” Jasmine said. I had heard the phrase “changed color” but I never thought it was a real thing.

  We said our goodbyes and we went home to rest. The next day we paid a visit to Lila, and she was thrilled to see us. We congratulated her and the wood boy for the good news. Once, I accidentally said it aloud and then had to explain how I couldn’t remember his name, so he gave me permission to call him wood boy.

  “Your nickname really stuck with him,” Jonathan said.

  “Well, it suits him.”

  I visited my mother some days after my return. I had gone to see her when I returned, but just to let her know I was back. I told her everything about our trip, the places we saw, the food we ate, and some misfires like when we were in Poland and it started snowing. For the love of angels, it was almost summer.

  “Do you remember that lunatic lord from Barcelona?” I asked.

  “That crazy fool who barged into your house and demanded to marry you?” my mother asked.

  “Yes. Of all the people we could have seen on our trip, we had to see him.” I grimaced. “It was good Jonathan was with me or else I would have cut that lord to pieces when he walked up to me!”

  “I hope he didn’t give you any difficulties,” my mother said as she handed me a cup of tea.

  “No. In fact, he thought Jonathan was still the king! He extended hospitality and invited us to stay at his palace. You should have seen the look on his face when Jonathan told him he and his wife had a meeting to attend.”

  My mother laughed. “Oh my! I wish I could have seen that.”

  I finished my tea and stood. “I’m sorry I can’t visit longer, Mother, but I have to prepare to start work in a few days.”

  My mother hugged me, we said goodbye, and I returned home.

  A couple days later, work officially started. It was difficult at first since I hadn’t worked in some time. There were a lot of tourists in the village, and it was crazy. I heard they stayed in the “rooms,” houses built especially for the tourists, and they were called rooms because five or six couples could stay in one house. They were cheap, but nothing special from what I heard. They had a bed for sleeping and a kitchen if someone wanted to cook something and a bathroom. I could never stay in one of them, knowing that I slept near strangers. We had gone to inns, of course, but I felt more comfortable with inns than these new rooms. The environment maybe? I might have to adapt, but I would always find it strange.

  I returned home after work and found Jonathan had customers who wouldn’t leave, so I swept them out. Not literally. “All right, everybody out. The shop is closed.” I was sure they wanted to complain, but nobody complained to Eva.

  “Thanks,” Jonathan said. He ate two plates of food once dinner was ready since he hadn’t eaten at lunch.

  The next day I made it clear he would eat. “You stay here,” I said to Midnight. Meow.

  “Why do you leave her here?” he asked.

  “Because”—I pointed my finger at him—“she will make sure you will eat. I have many customers, and I still find time to eat. So you will do the same,” I said a little angrily.

  “But—” I closed the door before hearing his excuses.

  The Accident

  We had been married only a short time, but soon our family would grow. Jonathan was singing again this morning. He had done that every morning since I told him I was expecting a child. He kissed me and we ate breakfast, and at the end of it, he asked me, “What do you think it will be?” He asked me that question every day. He was dying to know if it would be a boy or a girl.

  “I don’t know, why don’t you ask it?”

  He smiled, bent down, and put his face near my stomach. “Are you a boy o
r a girl? Please tell me.” As always, the stomach didn’t reply—fortunately.

  “I think it tells me you have to wait.”

  He made a face. “And are you sure you don’t know?”

  I smiled. The truth was I knew that there was a high chance it would be a girl. Witches were more likely to give birth to girls than boys. Boys were rare. “Maybe it’s a girl,” I said.

  “Why do you think it’s a girl?”

  I could tell he was pleased I finally had taken a side. “She kicks too much.”

  He frowned. “And the fact that she kicks proves that it’s a girl? In what world? Boys kick and girls heal.” And we began yet another a series of our “epic fights” as Alec liked to call them.

  “A girl can fight, heal, cook, knit, and, more importantly, survive. Boys can only fight and nothing else,” I said.

  “Boys can cook too,” he said, but he was losing the fight.

  “Oh yes? When? Maybe in a millennium, boys will learn to cook and fight, but right now, the first thing boys do is to learn how to fight. Their priority is not to survive, but to fight.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Maybe you are right.”

  “Maybe? I am right.”

  He laughed. “All right. I have to go. I am meeting Alec, and I will see how little John is doing.”

  Jasmine had given birth to a cute little boy whom they named after Jonathan, but it was confusing for everyone, so they shortened his name to John. Quite a shame since his name was pretty. Lila gave birth to a girl with a bright smile, and they called her Violet. And who chose the name? Me. They had wanted something with a flower.

  “Don’t forget your coat. It’s a little chilly today,” I said while clearing the table. He kissed me and my stomach. Yes, he was behaving like there was already a living person there. He waved and left. Meow. “You already ate breakfast today. You have to wait for lunch like everybody else,” I told Midnight.

  Midnight was happy with the baby news too. You might ask how she could tell. Well, she could. Sometimes she came and put her ear on my stomach like she listened. She licked my hand like she was saying everything will be all right. Jonathan and she had formed a kind of alliance; he had made her a bed—an animal bed—and a plate with her name engraved on each. The plate had some decorative fish, so the first time she thought they were real food, which resulted in her bumping her teeth on the plate and painful meows afterward.