Sleeping Beauty

by K. M. Shea

  It would have hurt Isaia less if Valor kicked him in the gut. She did have an escape route in mind: me.

  “Then her plan didn’t work, or her emotions got the best of her. Either way, we failed her. We shouldn’t have added pressure to her,” Firra finished.

  “Briar will awaken,” Isaia said. Neither of the mages seemed encouraged, so he attempted to crack a joke he thought Briar herself would approve of. “Her dedication to her Easy-and-Carefree-Life will not allow her to sleep for long.”

  Firra laughed. “Perhaps we should try passing gold under her nose and see if she wakes up.”

  Donaigh kept his silence, but his gaze turned from grim to confused as he squinted out at the green fields. “What is…?” He stiffened. “Magic approaches.”

  Firra snapped her arms in front of her, creating a blue fireball. Isaia whistled for Valor and lunged to his feet, unsheathing his sword.

  A light swirled with blue and black streaked towards them. It almost looked like a shooting star, but it traveled over land. Thunder crackled loud enough it shook the ground, and the star screeched to a stop. The light disappeared, revealing a beautiful woman perched on a horse-like creature.

  The woman—who wore a gorgeous dress that changed colors, dancing from sea blue to aquamarine—beamed, making her even more beautiful. “I have arrived early. Hello Donaigh, Firra! For once I have beaten calamity and come before—what happened?” She had an unworldly sort of beauty—like elves or high-ranked magic users. She could only be—

  “Lady Enchantress Angelique.” Donaigh went down on his knees. “I fear I have terrible news.”

  The lady enchantress leaned forward, briefly resting her head on the crest of her mount’s neck. The animal—which looked more like a celestial constellation than a horse with its flaming blue mane and tail and its black body flecked with pin-pricks of star-like light—snorted and pawed the ground, spraying sparks and creating another thunder-crash.

  Lady Enchantress Angelique slid from her horse. “What is it? I have arrived before Princess Rosalinda’s birthday—Pegasus got us over the Chronos Mountains so quickly, I even had time to stop at the Veneno Conclave before coming here.”

  “The princess has already been struck by her curse. She has fallen asleep,” Firra said.

  The lady enchantress frowned. “That is terrible news. Have they summoned her true love?”

  “The king has trooped every eligible—noble—male through her chambers to kiss her,” Donaigh said.

  The enchantress’s frown grew an edge. “And he thinks that will break the curse?”

  Though Isaia didn’t appreciate the king’s broad selection, he was so surprised by her statement he spoke without thinking. “It won’t?”

  The lady enchantress set her eyes upon him, and Isaia felt his sword shiver and his armor activate under the scrutiny of such a magic-infused being. “No,” she said. “I didn’t use true love’s first kiss because I am a romantic fool. I used it because it is a powerful emotion that can be harnessed to shatter Carabosso’s magic. Taking a group of men and using Briar to search for the one will never work—it makes it into a task, not the act of love needed to break the curse. Doesn’t she have a true love?”

  “She might, but King Giuseppe is shouting down anyone who dares to suggest she might already be in love—particularly if they imply it is with someone outside her social caste.” Firra glanced at Isaia as she spoke, but there seemed to be no hidden emotions or agenda behind the gaze.

  “Firra and I estimated that if Briar’s curse would be finished off, the country would be fine. Neither the nobles nor the government officials are against letting an extra heir be named just in case—nor are they against allowing foreign gentry to approach Briar,” Donaigh said. A frown settled on his lips. “Unfortunately, though the rest of the country is amiable, King Giuseppe appears to be falling apart. Forgive me Isaia, but it is true.”

  Isaia had shifted slightly at Donaigh’s frank observation, but in the privacy of his mind, he agreed with the mage. King Giuseppe had always been known for his iron will and ability to distance himself from issues in order to make unemotional decisions. Isaia had seen little of this, however, since Briar had arrived at Ciane, and now it seemed that—without her—the king was going to drag everyone down in his spiral.

  Even so, his conscience wouldn’t let him make the observation verbal, so he changed the subject. “Princess Alessia and Prince Consort Filippo will wish to speak to you.”

  “King Giuseppe will as well,” Firra said. “But I wouldn’t expect tears of happiness when he sees you.”

  Angelique shrugged. “He wasn’t particularly happy with me when I modified the curse, so I’m not surprised.”

  Donaigh’s gaze darkened. “If he lays a hand on you…”

  Angelique smiled—not one of her beautiful or dazzling ones, but something that was more like an amused quirk of her lips. Though it didn’t match her dress, Isaia suspected it was a better representation of her personality than most would think. “Peace, Donaigh. I’m still in disgrace from using magic in Arcainia last year. Baiting royalty will not ease my situation. Come, let us find the royal family and get it over with. I will have to explain to the king that his system won’t work, anyway. Pegasus!”

  Angelique made her way to the gates, Donaigh respectfully trailing her. The starry mount snorted and floated after her, ignoring Donaigh as if he were a fly.

  Isaia watched the procession with a wrinkled brow. Donaigh was typically a carefree, easygoing man. Isaia rarely saw him serious, and he never saw him deferential.

  “Donaigh greatly esteems Angelique,” Firra said. Isaia was relieved to see some of the playful light back in her dark-colored eyes. “She’s something of a personal hero to him due to the nature of her core magic.” She winked. “Come on, we don’t want to miss this meeting. It should be…flashy.”

  Angelique’s arrival was even worse than Isaia had imagined. While the princess and prince consort were grateful for her presence, King Giuseppe glowered at her. Angelique kept her words light and airy, though at times her smile seemed to have an edge to it.

  “It is your fault we are in this situation. If you had just broken the curse off—if Lord Enchanter Evariste had bothered to work the spell himself!” King Giuseppe had sunken even deeper into coldness. His voice was icy and dark.

  The edge was back in Angelique’s endless smile. “Yes, you’ve mentioned that several times, Your Majesty. So, in the interests of using my time wisely, I will go see to the sleeping princess myself.”

  “We are in this situation because of your inability to properly use magic.” King Giuseppe gripped the arms of his throne, and his purple eyes were dull and disdainful. “If the country unravels, the guilt will rest on your head. You are a failure of an enchantress.”

  Angelique paused in the doorway.

  Isaia, standing in the hallway, could see the sharp light that entered her eyes, and the flat, emotionless line of her lips. The spells on his anti-magic armor blinked to life, until Angelique shut her eyes and relaxed her shoulders. When she opened her eyes again, her serene smile was back in place. Without a backwards glance, she glided into the hallway.

  “Sir Isaia, was it? Would you be so kind as to show me to the princess’s quarters?” She asked.

  Isaia bowed. “This way, Lady Enchantress.”

  Angelique brushed the fabric of her skirts—which were turning from sunrise red to wine red—as they strolled down the hallway. “The title isn’t necessary. I’m only an enchantress-in-training.”

  There was a scuffle behind them as Firra dragged Donaigh out of the throne room, and guards eagerly shut the doors behind them. “Well,” Firra said. “That might have gone worse.”

  “He’s more emotional about this than I predicted,” Angelique said. Worry made fine lines crease on her forehead. “I thought he was sensible—but he’s locking everything out of his heart right now.”

  “Briar has not brought out the best in King
Giuseppe,” Donaigh said.

  Firra chuckled darkly. “He is offended by her headstrong ways—which is a hoot as she’s a great deal like him.”

  The wrinkles on the enchantress’s forehead deepened. “His iciness is a bigger threat than the princess’s curse,” she said. “For he could drag his country down if this continues.”

  “But what if Briar never awakes?” Isaia asked.

  Angelique’s expression remained even. “I must inspect the curse before I make any observations.”

  The little group was quiet for the rest of the walk, speaking only when they reached Briar’s rooms. There were still a few men hanging around the hallway, waiting for their chance to kiss Briar.

  “Away with you lads,” Donaigh said. When the men gave him dirty looks, he gave them a half-smile. “The Lady Enchantress wishes to inspect the princess’s curse. You’ll have plenty of times to make your fruitless attempt later. Now, off with you!”

  The men grumbled but followed Donaigh’s instructions and ambled away.

  Isaia knocked, then opened the door.

  “Please pardon the intrusion,” Angelique murmured. She smiled at Lady Delanna and Sir Franco.

  Sir Franco almost dropped his halberd when he saw Angelique, but Lady Delanna curtsied.

  Angelique approached Briar’s bed, tilting her head as she studied her. She sat on the edge of the bed, then wiggled her fingers in a “come here” gesture. Silver magic fizzled around Briar, then died. Angelique glanced around the room. “This may take a few minutes,” she warned, then returned her attention to Briar.

  Donaigh flopped into a chair with a yawn, and Firra leaned against the doorframe.

  Lady Delanna stepped away from Briar’s bedside and joined Firra at the door. “I am surprised Princess Alessia and Prince Consort Filippo did not choose to be present.”

  “We left them trying to calm King Giuseppe down,” Firra said. “Depending how warped the curse is, this might take Angelique some time. Why don’t you retire? We’ll stay with Briar.”

  Lady Delanna curtsied. “Thank you, I believe I will.”

  “Sir Franco, you might as well leave, too,” Firra said. “I suspect Sir Isaia isn’t going anywhere.”

  Sir Franco tilted his head and looked to Isaia.

  Isaia nodded. “If you would send word to Sir Artemio that Lady Enchantress Angelique has arrived—”

  “Of course. He’ll want to hear what she has to say.” Sir Franco smiled encouragingly at Isaia, but gave the oblivious Angelique a sappy gaze as he left, trailing behind Lady Delanna.

  The lady enchantress stood and moved around Briar. Roughly fifteen minutes later, when Sir Artemio, Princess Alessia, and Prince Consort Filippo arrived, she finally pulled herself from her observations.

  “The curse modification is working perfectly,” she said after introductions were made. “It seems I might have put a little too much power in my spell—the inexperience of youth—but the only thing it has done is make the reactions slightly more…explosive. There is nothing wrong with the spell itself. When Briar’s true love kisses her, she will wake up.”

  “Yes, but can she awake? What if she hasn’t met her true love?” Prince Consort Filippo’s voice was tight with worry.

  Isaia waited for Angelique’s answer, almost holding his breath in worry.

  Angelique eyed Briar. “Based on the weaving of the spell, I can confidently say she has a true love and is primed to wake. The only other necessary part of the equation needed is for him—whoever he is—to kiss her. The princess will be fine.”

  The prince consort exhaled deeply, a smile returning to his face.

  Isaia felt both relieved and slightly vindicated. This had to prove it—there was a true love out there somewhere who was right for her.

  Princess Alessia clasped her hands in front of her and looked quite grave. “In that case, I ask you, Lady Enchantress, what we are to do with the rest of the country?”

  Angelique smiled blandly. “I fear I cannot give you any advice. I am but a magic user; I know nothing of running a country.”

  “But we need your help,” Princess Alessia said.

  Angelique stiffened. “According to Veneno Conclave laws, magic users are strictly forbidden from meddling with governmental affairs.”

  “You helped Prince Severin when he was cursed, and you saved the princes of Arcainia,” Sir Artemio said.

  “Not in the least.” Angelique took a hasty step backwards. “It was Elle who broke Severin’s curse, and Elise saved her foster brothers. I only modified their curses—as I modified Princess Rosalinda’s.”

  “That’s not entirely true,” Firra said. “In Arcainia, you tried to kill Clotilde with Gabrielle, then helped the princes get back to Arcainia and fought a basilisk.”

  Angelique broke her pleasant character for a moment and glared at Firra.

  Firra shrugged. “Sole is my homeland, and it’s going to crumble if we don’t do something.”

  Angelique sighed. “I will hear you out, but I make no promises to act.”

  “The specific problem is my father,” Princess Alessia said. “He’s lost his way.”

  Angelique interrupted before the princess could continue. “I am not doing anything to affect his thinking or his mind. Such magic is only used by black mages or sorcerers.”

  “We thought as much,” Prince Consort Filippo said. “But if things continue as they are, King Giuseppe will have to be removed from the throne.”

  “Princess Alessia would become queen, but it would not be a peaceful transition,” Sir Artemio said. “There will be bloodshed, and our allies will likely be displeased with us as King Giuseppe was previously an exemplary monarch.”

  “Then leave the king on the throne,” Angelique said.

  “We cannot,” Princess Alessia said. “I love my father, but I know he will ruin this country and bring civil war to us if we let him continue.” She stood straight and proud as she set her true-blue eyes on Angelique. “Can the continent survive the chaos it would bring?”

  For a moment, Angelique looked like she wanted to cry, but the expression was so brief, Isaia thought he might have mistaken it. “It survived Erlauf’s takeover of Trieux,” she said.

  “I beg your pardon, Lady Enchantress, but that was several years ago. The world is in a different mess now,” Sir Artemio said.

  “So what would you have me do?” Angelique asked.

  Princess Alessia took a deep breath and glanced at her husband—who nodded encouragingly. “We ask that you tie all of Ciane to Rosalinda’s curse.”

  Angelique stared at her, let out a short bark of laughter, then took another step back. “You are serious?”

  The princess bowed her head.

  Isaia was surprised but not shocked. He knew the situation with King Giuseppe was rapidly eroding.

  “If the seat of the government sleeps with the princess, it will forcibly smother all conflicts,” Sir Artemio said. “We have a number of knights and government officials standing by, ready to leave Ciane. While the rest of us sleep, they will keep the country running and circulate through the countryside and cities. Already, the ambassadors who had returned home to celebrate Princess Rosalinda’s arrival have left and returned to their posts.”

  Angelique blinked. “You want me to put your royal family and the majority of your government under a spell so they sleep until Princess Rosalinda wakes up?”

  “Some of us Magic Knights would remain in Ciane and sleep as well,” Sir Artemio said. “If we all left, King Giuseppe would suspect something.”

  This part of the plan did astonish Isaia. He had assumed all knights would remain awake—Ciane would need to be guarded, after all. He hesitated, then glanced at Briar. Her sleeping face spurred him into speaking. “What of Carabosso? He is still at large and will pose a danger to Ciane.”

  Donaigh made a noise of approval.

  “We have been assured that we will receive more help from the Veneno Conclave,” Sir Artemio said.


  “As loyal as I am to the Conclave,” Donaigh said, “I must warn you it is not known for acting with haste.”

  Sir Artemio nodded. “Perhaps, but I am confident those knights who remain awake will be able to manage while we wait.”

  “If the princess does not swiftly wake up, things could go very badly very quickly,” Angelique said.

  “Then, in that case, we will remain sleeping until the continent is more peaceful and enough enchanters can visit to remove the spell,” Princess Alessia said.

  Angelique shook her head. “Some believe things are going to grow worse.”

  “I agree. This does not seem right,” Donaigh said. “In fact, it smacks of what Carabosso sought all along—keeping Sole pre-occupied with its own problems.”

  “Be that as it may, what other choice do we have?” Sir Artemio asked, a chord of anger in his voice.

  Princess Alessia smiled sadly at the war mage. “If we leave things as they are…my father will ruin us all.”

  Silence reigned for several tense moments.

  “I have heard that Princess Cinderella and Prince Cristoph of Erlauf are to visit Prince Severin and Princess Elle of Loire. I assume they are among those who believe things will grow worse?” Prince Consort Filippo asked. “If that is the case, it is even more important that we quiet Ciane. If the chaos continues, Sole will only degenerate faster.”

  Angelique studied the princess, prince consort, and Sir Artemio. She must have read the same determination in their eyes as Isaia had, for she turned to Firra and Donaigh. “The Veneno Conclave will be very upset,” she said. Though her voice was rich and warm, there was a note of bleakness to it.

  “I know as mages we’re supposed to stay out of governmental matters, but I am reasonable enough to admit my bias for Sole,” Firra said. “If we attempt to wait it out, it might thwart Carabosso in some manner, but I fear it will be at the cost of Sole itself. I, for one, would rather minimize our losses with the proposed plan.” She hesitated. “If Lord Enchanter Evariste were here, perhaps we could do something differently, but he’s not. Please, Angelique.”

  The lady enchantress looked to Donaigh.