Unhappily Ever After: Fairy Tales With a Twist

by Anchor Group Publishing

  The prince watched his princess walk away into the distance, tears flowing freely down his face. As the days, months, and years passed by, he continued to search for his child but never could he find her. Each morning he awoke and looked out of the window, hoping to see his princess returning to him, but she never did.

  A not so Happily Ever After ending.

  About the Author:

  Jennifer Bull spends her time visiting other worlds, going on crazy adventures, and generally arguing with her characters when they are not cooperating ... which seems to happen rather too often. In the real world she lives in the North of England with her husband, and when she is not working or writing she enjoys reading, crafting and photography.

  Rumpelstiltskin's Ghost is Jennifer Bull's first published short, and she is currently writing her third novel, a young adult fantasy adventure. Visit her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jenniferabull

  Shattered Glass

  by Emily Fogle

  All I wanted was to love him, but she refused to let that happen.

  I was a fool to fall in love with a man encumbered by the blind love he had for his daughter. But I could not help myself. When he looked at me, I felt beautiful. He had captivating eyes like clear glass, and I knew what I wanted the moment I looked into them.

  However, that was a long time ago.

  His eyes, like broken mirrors, have left behind shattered fragments of what I used to be. The only thing that keeps me sane is the thought of our first meeting: so much hope lived in my heart before it turned to stone. Some days I think it would be better to pry out the beating stone, ridding myself of all feeling. I could live with the void, the emptiness of never feeling again, but I cannot live with its dull thump, like mocking laughter in a hollow cave.

  If I tell you about him, maybe it would free some small piece of me, releasing it forever like a bird upon the clouds.

  ***

  My mother died when I was very young, but her fate was perhaps better than life with my father. Most nights, tears stained my pillow. My only comfort was a foolish dream. I prayed that someday a man would find me, one that would take me away from my misery.

  One day, there was a horrible fire. I watched as our small cottage burned to the forest floor. My father was trapped inside, pinned beneath a fallen beam. From a distance, I watched the flames consume the hay roof and lick the wooden walls until there was nothing left except the stone chimney. My father’s screams echoed around the trees, frightening the animals from their homes. I tried to cover my ears, but it was no use. The sound tore into my head, leaking through my fingers like infected water. It coursed through my veins until my pulse ticked frantically to the sound. The thrashing of his agony, paired with my panicked heartbeat, strummed a macabre symphony. Soon, I succumbed to the creeping darkness and crumbled to the ground. The crunch of fallen leaves and the smell of mossy tree bark welcomed me into the world of unconsciousness.

  Darkness consumed me for moments without end, and darkened visions clawed at my mind. Images of my half-burnt father teased me, and fire-charred blood soaked into my thoughts. Worse, was the memory of the candle that started the blaze. Its shadow danced magically against the wall. Rhythmically it swayed, like a lover’s finger beckoning sweetly. The orange glow flickered, burning my eyes until the feeling consumed me. I did not mind the pain, the flame was too beautiful. When the candle slipped out of my grasp and fell to the straw-covered floor, I watched it spread. It was like rippling water, illuminated by the rising sun. The heat penetrated my flesh, sinking into my toes. I turned and walked away, pulling myself from the enchanting beauty. Outside, I heard the walls creaking. They were caving in. Then the screams began, and the smell of cooking flesh filled the air …

  “What is it?” a voice called through the darkness.

  “A woman,” another answered.

  The voices were deep and powerful. I wanted to hide from them, but there was nowhere to go.

  Footsteps drew nearer. Leaves cried beneath heavy booted feet and twigs yelled out in pain. A great shape knelt down beside me. The air around me warmed. The smell of horse hay and trampled grass filled my nose. A strong hand touched my shoulder, shaking me gently where I lay. The flutter of my lashes brushed against my cheek and dappled light flooded my senses. Leather boots, littered with bits of dried leaves and sap, were the first things I saw. Fine riding pants of rich navy blue covered well-toned legs, and an embroidered tunic fell to the forest floor. The hand resting against my skin was well manicured, but also worn by the thrills of hunting. Tiny scratches adorned his flesh, and the remnants of an old scar peeked beneath the cuff of his long sleeve. It was faded and worn, and a shade lighter than the rest of his tanned skin.

  “Can you hear me?” a gentle whisper surrounded me.

  I let the question linger, unanswered, and then pulled my eyes to his face.

  He was older than I, but severely handsome. His hair fell to his shoulders in a waterfall of waves, the mahogany strands woven with silver. His strong jaw was slightly hidden by a short beard of auburn. Crow’s feet delicately scratched at the outer corners of his eyes, but the sweep of his long lashes seemed to make them vanish. His deep blue eyes were clear and they reflected all they lingered upon. I saw my frail frame, cowered on a carpet of dead leaves, and the frightened look on my face. But I was beautiful in my state of weakness and I knew he wanted me. Tiny lines creased the corners of his mouth as he grinned slightly. The honesty in his smile filled my heart with comfort.

  “What happened?” My memory was a blur of distorted images.

  “It appears there was a fire,” he answered. Then he looked over his shoulder at the ruined cottage.

  My eyes stayed fixed on him, unwilling to face the destruction that lay before me. When he turned to face me again, our eyes locked. I could feel the quickening of his pulse and his breath catching in his chest. A smile brightened my face and he returned it quickly.

  “Do you have anywhere to stay?” he asked breathlessly.

  I shook my head and the innocent bat of my eyelashes fluttered softly.

  “No family to turn to? No friends to take pity on you?” Blue eyes searched me, running over my body.

  I shook my head again. In a low voice, I answered, “No, sir. Without my father, I am alone in this world.”

  “Then fear not, for you shall not remain so.” His soft, weather worn hand fell into mine. The warmth of his skin slipped through my flesh and sunk into my heart.

  “Accompany me to my home and stay as long as you wish.” Though he tried to steady his voice, the quiver behind his words betrayed his want.

  Looking at him, I knew I would submit to his wishes if given the chance. I had no intention of leaving his side. He wanted to be mine, and I would let him. With gentle fingers, I squeezed his hand. He helped me up and led me to his horse. When he put his hands on my waist, I felt a shudder of pleasure. As he lifted me into the saddle, the strength in his fingers made my heart quake. He was so powerful, yet he managed a delicate touch. I let him help me, and then hoisted myself gracefully into the saddle. My skirt pulled toward my knees as I straddled the great horse. The exposed skin caught his eye and his breath. The shock on his face was apparent, but so was the delight. He wasn’t used to seeing a woman ride a horse in such a way, and it excited him.

  His hand dropped to his side, but not before his fingers brushed lightly against my calf.

  “It is only a three days ride to my home, but we can go as slowly as you wish.” As he spoke, warm breath touched my ankle.

  “I see no need to prolong our journey. If our going could be done in a day, I would have it be so.” I smiled sweetly, letting my eyes linger on his before I coyly turned away.

  “Then I shall quicken my pace.” With that, he tugged the reins.

  His companion fell in behind us. I turned, chancing a look at the other man, and saw unhappy eyes gazing upon me. He was not the charming man I would have expected him to be. Jealousy burned bright, but I fa
ced him with a smile nonetheless. Then I turned my attention to more positive prospects.

  ***

  For two nights and three days we walked together. My savior’s name was William and his companion was Charles. Though Charles spoke only when he needed to, and never to me, William engaged me in a constant prattle of conversations. He told me about his life, which was filled with much sadness. His wife had succumbed to a terrible illness a year ago, leaving him behind to care for a son and daughter. I told him what little of myself I could, but the subject held only a fraction of the details his life did. However, he didn’t seem to care how uninteresting my life was. He only wanted to listen to the words slip from my mouth.

  I told him what little of my family I could. My mother went out to collect wood one night and never returned. The only trace we found of her was a shallow pool of blood. After that, William changed the subject to happier things. He seemed uncomfortable hearing about my heartache. Perhaps it rang too close to his heart and the suffering his children had experienced when their mother was taken.

  When we reached William’s realm, I was struck speechless by the mastery of it. A small village, clean and quaint, surrounded a breathtaking castle. We walked through the town and the smell of sweet hay from the thatched roofs tickled my nose pleasantly. People went about their business, selling bread, tending chores, and chasing children. They looked happy, without a care in the world. I glanced around, wondering which house was William’s. As my eyes searched my surroundings curiously, I noticed the peculiar look on the townsfolk’s faces. They were wonder-filled, and they bowed slightly when their gazes fell upon William.

  One woman lowered herself to the ground, holding a small bundle of flowers. “Your Grace.”

  William bent and touched her shoulder softly. “Rise, woman, and know that I am deeply touched by your show of loyalty.”

  She rose and looked at him with happy eyes, so grateful to receive his approval. From her bundle of white posies, she pulled a single flower and laid it at his feet. Then she turned and walked down the street. William picked up the flower and sniffed its delicate petals.

  He held it up and placed it behind my ear, tucking the soft stem beneath a lock of my hair. A tender smile touched his eyes as he looked at my surprised face, my astonishment evident.

  My reaction amused him, and when he spoke his words were light. “Come. Let us not waste any more time. I will show you to your new home … if you will have it.”

  Sweetly, I grinned, answering him with the pretty twitch of my lips. My fingers found the soft, white petals of the posy and caressed them lovingly.

  “Nothing can rival your beauty, but it brightens your eyes as it sits beside your cheek.” He took my hand in his, placing a sweet kiss against the sensitive skin of my palm.

  Goose bumps trickled over my body and my breathing quickened. He watched the swell of my breasts, and his eyes intensified with each rise and fall of my chest. He licked his lips without thought and they glistened seductively in the midday light.

  “I’m ready,” I whispered. He let go of my hand, and I missed the feel of his warm skin immediately.

  William turned, taking up the reins, and led me towards his home. I felt Charles’s stabbing stare burrow a hole in my back. I turned slightly, meeting the foul gaze that fell upon me. For a moment I was frightened, but I could not let the brooding man get the better of my nerves. I straightened myself, sitting high on the horse’s back, and gazed into his hate-filled eyes until he looked away. He needed to learn that I wasn’t going to be so easily intimidated.

  The tall, gray stone walls of the castle loomed before me and glass windows littered the side towers. Each was stained with marvelous colors, like jewels pulled from an enchanted mine. Great sweeping bridges hovered from corner to corner, connecting the towers with airy wings. Lower walls formed lovely tiers below the bridges that looked like cascading waterfalls of chiseled stone. White banners hung from golden poles, and at the center of each flag sat a red heart with a crown of ebony feathers. The castle was built to be intriguing to the eye, not a looming fortress.

  Guards greeted us at the tall wrought iron gate. They were dressed in white armor that caught the light like a dove’s wings in flight. Their helmets swept upward, coming to an arching curve at the top. Intricately placed at the end was a plumage of black and red feathers. They held lances with small replicas of the great banners that flew overhead: each with a red heart and black crown. Bowing slightly, they stood aside as William walked through the great gate. Both men eyed me, but their looks were only curious, not filled with loathing like Charles’s.

  A tapered staircase lay beyond the entrance. It flowed outward like peacock feathers made of marble. At the top of the steps sat a door of glass and complex iron work. Looping lines of dark metal were spun like uncontrollable ivy over the dark tinted glass. Heart-shaped leaves of copper hung from the iron ivy and silver flowers dotted the glassy canvass of the door. It was like looking into a winter garden frozen in time.

  William helped me from the horse, placing his strong hands against me. I let him hold me for a moment, lost in each other’s eyes. When he took my hand, the warmth of his skin melted into my heart and lingered around my mind, making it fuzzy with want. Then he led me up the steps and opened the breathtaking door. Inside, the floor was tiled with squares of red and black glass, frosted slightly with a silver tinge. A double winding staircase stood at the end of the entryway, like sentries guarding the way into the rest of the castle. A narrow landing was the only thing that connected the two stairways, and then each flowed their separate ways like rivers bending into different lakes.

  A young girl stood on the landing. She was magnificently beautiful; her creamy skin caught the afternoon light, the darkness of her hair gleamed like raven’s wings, and her green eyes were the color of dew against a fresh fern. With wide eyes, she watched every step I took. As I drew closer, her full red lips tugged into a half-smile, one that was coy and unpleasant.

  William stood beside me and placed a gentle hand on the small of my back. A shiver of lust trickled through me, but when I saw the look in his daughter’s eyes, my want quickly turned to ice.

  “Daughter, come. I would have you meet someone. I came upon her in the forest. Her house has burned and she has nowhere else to go. She will stay here as our guest for as long as she wishes. Her name is Melaina.” As William spoke he did not look at her, but at me. His gentle eyes embraced me with every word.

  Though it was hard, I pulled from his glassy eyes and gave my attention to his daughter. “It is very nice to meet you. I look forward to getting to know you with each day that passes.”

  Her bright eyes grew dark, and her sideways smile turned into a bitter smirk. “Do not think because you are my father’s pet that I need pay you the same false pleasantries. Words drip from your dark serpent tongue like venom. You care not for my company, any more than I care for yours. I can see well through your cloak of beauty.”

  Such animosity rang in her words that the harsh tone stole my breath and stilled my heart. I could not speak. Even if I could, no reply would possibly make the uncomfortable situation turn for the better.

  “Lillyanna!” William’s words bit through the bitter silence and pierced through my momentary state of paralysis. “Manners would serve you best in the company of a stranger. I have taught you better than this.”

  Blood-red lips smiled sweetly and a flutter of dark lashes batted against her cheeks, falsely innocent. She spoke in soft tones, but her response was venomous, “You have taught me many things, Father, but manners were never among them. Try as you may, I cannot be put down like so many of your rabid beasts. Like it or not, I am your ever loving daughter, here to serve but never to obey.”

  She turned her dark green eyes upon me and spat, “There is no place for you here. You should have stayed in your burning house, you may have fared better.” Then she turned and gracefully floated up the curving stairs.

  I couldn’
t remember how to breathe and my vision became blurry. My head spun and my body felt weak. William’s hand found my cheek and brushed away some of the cloudiness. “Fear not, she will warm with time. My daughter has never taken quickly to strangers.”

  It was a father’s response, one that was blind to all the horrible things children are capable of out of unconditional love.

  I looked at him and tried desperately to smile, but felt my lips had grown numb. The slight nod of my head was all I could manage in response.

  Quieted footsteps made their way inside the door, but stopped only a few feet from the entrance. I didn’t want to turn and see who was behind me. This place was filled with foul people, untrusting and cruel. Besides William, all seemed plagued with poison that blackens the heart.

  “Ah, Richard, my son,” William’s words stole through my fright.

  And though I was not looking forward to meeting his other child after the dreadful encounter with the first, I turned. I tried to smile, but was unsure if my mouth had actually listened. When my glance finally landed on the man, however, I was taken by his beauty. He was handsome beyond all others. William would have looked much the same in his youth. The young man had a strong build with wide shoulders and strong legs. His dark hair matched the ebony feathers of the castle banner and his eyes were a darker reflection of his father’s. He had strong facial features that were well chiseled and finely sculpted. The smile on his lips was sweet, but faltered slightly when he looked at me.

  “You’ve brought a guest, Father. You should have sent word and I would have had the house put in proper order,” a strong voice echoed off the glass floor and swam into my ears. The baritone sound quivered down my spine and rippled through my middle, penetrating the core of my body.

  “Thank you for your kind words, son. But I fear there was little time and even less means to do so. My only companion was Charles, and he stayed by my side, protecting me even when it was unwarranted.” William laughed slightly.