Escaping
The Prince
Lorraine O’Byrne
A Booktrope Imprint
Seattle, WA 2015
COPYRIGHT 2015 LORRAINE O’BYRNE
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.
Attribution — You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work).
Noncommercial — You may not use this work for commercial purposes.
No Derivative Works — You may not alter, transform, or build upon this work.
Inquiries about additional permissions
should be directed to: [email protected]
Cover Design by Gwen Gades
Edited by Verushka Byrow
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to similarly named places or to persons living or deceased is unintentional.
PRINT ISBN 978-1-5137-0566-8
EPUB ISBN 978-1-5137-0617-7
Library of Congress Control Number: 2015918941
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
BRANDYDOOK
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
BRANDYDOOK
PRINCE MORGAN
Chapter 9
GOODWIN AND ALUNA
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
BRANDYDOOK
Chapter 12
PRINCE MORGAN
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
PRINCE MORGAN
Chapter 15
CHICO
Chapter 16
PRINCE MORGAN
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
WENDY
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Acknowledgments
Author Bio
More from Lorraine O’Byrne & Updrift
Dedicated
to
My parents, Margaret & Noel Barry
Prologue
Buttercup opened her mouth to scream but was so petrified nothing came out. The spider lunged towards her. Gasping and sobbing for breath, Buttercup tore through the long grass, her satchel banging up and down on her back as she frantically tried to escape.
‘Run!,’ the spider shrieked in glee. ‘I quite enjoy a chase.’
Buttercup was no match for the great spider. With one broken wing she couldn’t fly and not used to running was already starting to tire. With eight powerful legs crashing through the grass, the creature caught up to her in no time.
‘This will only sting for a moment, I promise you,’ the spider chuckled. Using one of his legs, he pulled at her collar in an attempt to get a firm grip as she struggled and twisted to escape. In a last bid for survival, Buttercup caught her satchel and flung it into the creature’s face as hard as she could. The spider yelped in pain and released its hold slightly but it was enough for her to wriggle free.
Panting hard, Buttercup made a run for it through the grass. She could hear other strange sounds around her but didn’t stop to find out what they were; the spider was still in hot pursuit. She had to get away. Suddenly the high green stalks came to an end. She was standing on bare ground on the verge of the green sea. Trapped with nowhere to go she stared around her aghast; huge monsters stood all over the place, these must be the humans her mother had referred to; running, jumping, some wrestling on the ground and throwing things at one another. Laughing and shouting, some small, some big, all different sizes. She was surrounded.
‘You’re mine now,’ hissed the spider…
Chapter 1
‘Oh no,’ Buttercup groaned.
Elga was waiting for her below, marching up and down, with a face like a bull. Buttercup searched around quickly for some place to hide.
Too late. Elga had already spotted her. ‘You useless pixie,’ she roared up at her, ‘look at the state of these gowns – I’ve never seen so many holes,’ she pointed to a number of dresses dangling lopsided from a branch just above her.
Buttercup, fed up with the old pixie’s constant nagging, stuck out her tongue and made some funny faces.
‘How dare you!’ sputtered Elga launching into the air in hot pursuit. Her face turned purple as her hair, looking like she was about to explode.
‘Oh pixie socks I am in for it now,’ Buttercup thought. She bolted for the trees and didn’t stop flying until she reached the cover of a giant sycamore. She paused for breath, glanced behind her and sighed with relief. No sign of Elga.
Suddenly, the leaves parted. ‘Gotcha you little brat,’ Elga snarled, seizing her by the arm.
‘Let go! You’re hurting me,’ Buttercup cried, wriggling desperately to get away. She put her hand up to her nose. ‘Ooh, your breath smells like…like my Nan’s old stockings.’
Elga’s eyes bulged with rage. Just as she was about to give Buttercup a box on the ear the little pixie stomped on her toe.
‘Owwww,’ Elga howled. Releasing her hold on Buttercup, she plopped on to the branch to nurse her foot.
Buttercup giggled. She made another face and then, without so much as a glance back, flew home as fast as her wings could take her.
A familiar pixie came into view just as Buttercup returned. Her heart sank. He didn’t look too pleased with her either.
‘Where were you? Your mother and I have been waiting all evening…we’re going to be late for the ball,’ her father Peblo scolded.
Peblo’s silver moustache curled up at the corners and Buttercup could count the number of hairs on his pumpkin-shaped head. As advisor to the king, he spent much of his time at the palace discussing important affairs, and was well respected and admired throughout the kingdom.
‘But I don’t want to go,’ Buttercup protested.
Peblo put his hands on his hips. ‘We’ve been over this…Prince Morgan is requesting every pixie in Brandydook Kingdom to perform at his ceremony.’
‘I know, I know but…’
‘No buts,’ he bellowed, wagging his finger, ‘it’s the law.’ Peblo gave a long sigh. ‘I don’t understand you; your sisters are thrilled at the opportunity. This is a great honour for the family.’
Just then, the door opened and out stepped her mother, Flora, an enchanting pixie with long, blue hair just like Buttercup.
Flora folded her arms and said with a frown. ‘You skipped class again, Buttercup, I don’t like it.’
At that same moment, her sister Aluna joined them at the doorstep.
‘She also put Elga in a foul temper.’ Aluna giggled, ‘You should have seen the holes in the gown, there was hardly any material left.’
‘Get lost,’ Buttercup snapped.
‘I’m going,’ Aluna chuckled, then flew past them into the house.
‘Oh, you’ll never get a husband if you don’t learn how to sow,’ Pablo groaned.
‘Who says I want a husband papa? I’m quite happy as I am.’
‘Enough talk about sowing,’ snapped her mother, ‘tomorrow morning you will go to class. I will escort you there myself if I have to.’
‘But mama, it’s boring.’
<
br /> ‘That’s beside the point,’ her mother glared, ‘you do those lessons for a reason. Tell her Pablo.’
‘Come,’ Pablo grunted, ‘there’s little time for arguing, your sisters are waiting for you.’
Buttercup knew better than to argue with her father and followed him meekly inside, her mother trailing behind, making sure she didn’t try to slip away.
Along one mud wall of the pixie house stood a wooden rickety table and four small mushroom chairs. To the right, a winding, gnarled oak staircase led to the main sleeping quarters.
For the rest of the afternoon, Buttercup was prodded and poked, spun this way and that way and made to rehearse her performance, while her sisters giggled and chattered in excited anticipation of the evening ahead.
While Buttercup was busy getting ready, Aluna glided into the room in her gorgeous, sparkling emerald gown, black ringlets bouncing over her back as she spoke.
‘Just look at this gown, he will pick me for sure.’ She spun left and right, admiring herself. ‘Shall I sing the song again, Father?’
‘Save your voice for later, my dear.’ He muttered, ‘I’ve heard it so much I could sing it in my sleep.’
‘What about me? He hasn’t heard my sweet music,’ Melody cried as she flew down the stairway, a small, brown timber flute sticking out of her pocket. Her hair was short and so spiky a steel brush couldn’t flatten it.
‘I’m sure you all will do very well,’ Peblo beamed, glancing from one to the other with pride, until he noticed one of them was missing. ‘Where’s Buttercup? She must be ready now.’
‘I’m here, Father, don’t worry,’ said a small voice behind him.
He spun around in relief. ‘My, don’t you look pretty.’ Then he frowned. ‘You can’t wear those.’
Brown, laced boots peeped out from beneath the turquoise satin dress that Buttercup had made herself only three days earlier.
She shrugged. ‘But I don’t have anything else.’
‘Here, you can wear these,’ offered Melody, handing her a pair of silver slippers.
Peblo clapped his hands. ‘We’re good to go then.’
Buttercup shuffled out the door. ‘I can’t walk in these. Mother, they’re pinching my toes!’
‘Oh quit whining,’ Aluna snapped. ‘We’re late as it is.’
Buttercup whisked through the air following her parents and sisters and a succession of other pixies down through the valley’s edge and up towards the palace. They lit up the sky like little glowing balls, whirring about in excited chatter, each determined to be the Princess of Brandydook. It was a beautiful night. The sky was clear, with promises of sunshine for the next day.
Just before they reached the palace however, Buttercup hung back behind the others. She chewed her lower lip, not relishing the thought of performing for the prince.
She figured, on the other hand he probably wouldn’t pick her anyway so maybe she had nothing to worry about. After all, the other pixies were much prettier. ‘Oh, but what if he does?’ she fretted.
Buttercup scowled. She was much too young to be stuck in a palace everyday; unable to go anywhere without guards watching her every move. Doing the same boring thing all the time, and following the prince around the kingdom like some kind of puppy.
The last time she had seen his Highness was at the Brandydook Festival—three moons ago. While everyone was dancing and having a good time, he was busy dunking Pixie Cookinpot’s head in the palace pond. All this, because he had baked him the wrong birthday cake. And Prince Morgan had been doubled over laughing too. Pixie Cookinpot got so much water in his ears he couldn’t hear for the entire festival and no one had said a word. The prince had gotten away with it. Buttercup shuddered. Let him choose one of her sisters, she didn’t care. She didn’t want to marry a bully.
Chapter 2
Pixies dressed in magnificent shades of yellow, red, blue and green, scattered hundreds of petals along a cobbled path as it climbed higher and higher toward the blue crystal palace. The palace towered over all of Brandydook, its beauty and richness a sight to behold. Its spires almost touched the clouds. Flowers and shrubs of every shape and colour flourished in abundance and matching blue crystal salmon fountains gushed water into little ponds to the left and right of its grand entrance.
Chandeliers of lilies and orchids adorned the domed ceiling of the great banquet hall. As Buttercup followed the other contestants into the main hall, little did she know that her gown was starting to unravel bit by bit…
***
King Rufus swept into the banquet hall, followed by his wife, Queen Tulip, and his son, Prince Morgan. King Rufus nodded in a greeting to his subjects. His bearded face was slightly red and his eyes were shining. The queen’s eyes glittered with excitement. She had long copper hair tinged with silver, and wore a red satin dress and gold slippers that sparkled in the light. She had been waiting for this night for some time now and dearly hoped her son would choose well.
Prince Morgan gazed down upon the pixies gathered before him with boredom. He was tall with eagle eyes and his untidy bronze hair curled to the nape of his neck.
The prince gave a long sigh then looked over at the king.
‘I’m ready now, Father.’
King Rufus clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention. ‘Let the ceremony begin.’
Buttercup reluctantly took her place behind dozens of participants. All around her, pixies babbled in excitement, shoving each other, trying to get a better view.
When it came to Aluna’s turn to perform, the prince didn’t even bat an eyelid. He just fiddled with the cuff of his sleeve and stared out the window wishing he was elsewhere.
Aluna finished her song to the thunderous applause of the spectators. Flushed and pleased with herself, she gave an elaborate bow and batted her eyelids at the prince.
‘As you are all aware,’ began the king, ‘every young pixie is required to attend this ball but it is equally important to my son, the prince, that we find out what qualities each contestant has to offer should they be the next princess. Now tell me Aluna…what does being princess of Brandydook mean to you?’ questioned the king solemnly. ‘Take your time dear. Think before you answer.’
Aluna took a deep breath. ‘I believe I’m just the right pixie to be chosen for princess.’ Her face flushed with excitement. ‘With my hard work and determination, along with the queen’s guidance, I’ll turn Brandydook into a magnificent kingdom.’
‘Thank you Aluna. You may go now,’ said the king. ‘Next contestant, please.’
The music from Melody’s flute brought tears to Peblo’s eyes, it was so magical. Some of the other pixies were congratulating him on having such a talented daughter. He nodded, wiped his eyes and smiled. The same question was posed to Melody.
‘It’s obvious isn’t it? I have everything Brandydook could wish for in a princess; beauty, talent and everybody adores me,’ she giggled.
‘Marvellous!’ shouted King Rufus, ‘you have two very gifted daughters Peblo.’
‘You are most gracious, Your Highness,’ Peblo stuttered, before turning to his wife, ‘You hear that, you heard what he said? He will pick one of them for sure.’
‘You know dear, I believe he will.’ Her face lit up expectantly.
***
‘What do you think, son? They are all very gifted performers, are they not?’ whispered the king.
When there was no answer from their son, the queen murmured, ‘I believe Morgan will have some difficulty in choosing his bride after all.’
‘Young Aluna showed some promise,’ remarked the king.
‘I believe so, Father.’
‘But is she what you are looking for?’ asked Queen Tulip.
Morgan groaned. ‘I don’t know. I wish I didn’t have to make a decision right away. The truth is, most of the performers are equally as talented and equally as beautiful but they all give the same answer. They long for the glory and attention that the title of princess will give them. I j
ust wish I could get to know them first. See what they are really made of.’
‘But there is no other way son,’ sighed the queen sympathetically. ‘You must choose your bride tonight. Law states in Brandydook Kingdom that the prince must get married as soon as he comes of age, otherwise he will not inherit the throne.’
‘Yes Mother I know but – ’
‘Don’t forget the second eldest, Melody,’ King Rufus cut in, ticking each performer off one by one with his fingers, ‘Oh, I think her music would light up the palace.’
‘But will it lighten up our son’s heart?’ asked Queen Tulip softly. She patted Morgan’s hand. ‘Take your time dear, the night isn’t over yet.’
Then it finally came to Buttercup’s turn. There were rumblings of disapproval from the spectators. Among them were the head council members of Brandydook: Silus and Pernicus, and of course Elga, proud owner of Brandydook’s weaving house and dress maker to the queen.
‘What happened to her lovely gown?’ sputtered Peblo to his wife. Flora flushed scarlet. She didn’t know where to look.
‘Proceed,’ said the king, failing to see the stitches splitting along the back of her gown.
‘Thank you, Your Majesty,’ Buttercup replied giving a quick curtsy.
Buttercup trembled. She could sense every eye in the room boring into her in indignation but she couldn’t stop now. She started off well. It wasn’t a complicated dance but it did require a lot of jumping and twisting but most essentially, timing to the music. Buttercup put her hands on her hips and kicked her legs out. One of her silver slippers sailed across the hall over the other pixies’ heads and hit the window with a loud thud. But she ignored it and kept going. Further seams ripped from her dress, drawing indignant shouts from the contestants. Buttercup threw her arms in the air, jumped and twirled then landed with a wobble across the floor. There were squeals of panic from the pixie band. Timber flutes dropped to the ground as they stumbled to get out of her way. Buttercup twisted left then right. Then panting from exhaustion she lost her balance and toppled against the prince’s knee. Buttercup flushed scarlet, up close, the prince was gorgeous. Am I crazy? she thought giving herself a mental shake. I’m just as bad as all the others.
Escaping the Prince (Bedlam in Brandydook Book 1) Page 1