Ursula walked away, smiling. Ariel would turn to sea foam at midnight, and as long as she kept Ariel at the palace until eleven, then she could return to the lake and strike a deal with the king and queen for their crown in return for the safe return of their daughter.
***
Lori rode into the palace grounds and stepped out of the carriage, wearing a disguise. She could not risk being noticed. She had the guard introduce her as the Queen of Forosh. She had made sure that the real Queen of Forosh did not come by sending a spell in a letter that caused a nasty stomach bug.
‘Majesty,’ the king said. ‘Welcome to Milborn. We’re delighted that you could make it to our son’s engagement ball.’
‘Pleasure to be here,’ she said.
Snow and James pulled up. ‘Is Lori here too?’ James asked. ‘You said my mother is here with Edward. Lori will kill them.’
‘I sent them on a detour, and Lori is not here,’ Snow lied. ‘It’s just us. I paid another woman to pretend to be Lori.’
‘I see, good thinking,’ James praised. Of course, Lori and Snow had devised a plan. Lori would be in disguise, and she would tell James it wasn’t Lori. Then Lori would go in the carriage and leave early. Snow would get Belle, Edward, and Stilt into a carriage by telling them Lori was approaching and they had to leave.
However, on the road, Lori would reveal her true face, and she and Snow would arrest them. All Snow needed to do first was to persuade Stilt, Edward, and James to put on the bracelets that would stop their powers for five days.
Snow felt incredibly guilty but played her part well. She dressed up nicely. Her lace purple dress dragged behind her as she walked. Her raven black hair was half up, half down, and curled, with silver sparkles on the tips. She had on a red cloak with white fur up the front. She took it off and handed it to a guard. The palace and its grounds were bustling with people turning up for the ball, all wearing the most beautiful dresses and masquerade masks. James wore white trousers and an emerald green waistcoat over his black and white top. His cufflinks were purple to match Snow’s outfit. They both had masquerade masks on colourful sticks to cover their eyes. They were gorgeous; both purple with gold and black beads, gold lace outlining it.
Lori stepped out wearing a silver ball gown. Her hair was down and wavy; her mask was a full one with silver feathers coming out of one corner.
Music boomed out from the hall. Ariel greeted them. She was wearing a sea blue ball gown that shimmered a little in the light. Her red hair was up with a few curls dangling from the bun, and she wore pearl earrings that matched her pearl necklace. ‘Thank you so much for coming.’
‘Thank you for having us,’ Snow said and hugged the soon-to-be princess. James kissed Ariel’s hand.
‘You’re Belle’s son,’ she remarked.
‘How did you ...?’
‘Same eyes, same expressions, same hair colour, same smile,’ Ariel said and grinned.
‘Oh,’ James said and laughed. ‘Where is my mother?’
‘Inside,’ Ariel said and let them past.
Eric walked over to them and Lori, who was in disguise. ‘Majesty,’ Eric said and bowed to Lori.
‘Majesty,’ Lori said and bowed back.
He turned to James and Snow. He shook James’s hand and kissed Snow’s. ‘Thank you for coming,’ Eric said. He was wearing a full white suit embroidered with gold stitching and buttons. His sword was in its scabbard. James spotted his mother at the back of the room. She was wearing a magnificent yellow ball gown which flowed out and was covered in little gold beads. Her hair was tied up into an elegant bun, and pearls fell from her ears. Her mask was an eye mask, like theirs, but it was plain gold and had three yellow feathers on the side.
Next to her was Edward. He wore a similar outfit to Eric’s, except the stitching was silver and he had no sword. Stilt, who was next to them, was looking smart too. His hair was cut short and was swept to one side. He wore a black tuxedo. His cummerbund was green with silver spirals. Belle saw Snow and James and waved them over. Snow looked behind her and saw that Lori had gone off to mingle. James picked up two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and passed one to Snow.
Snow raised her eyebrows. ‘Alcohol?’
‘It’s a special occasion,’ he said and shrugged. ‘You look beautiful, by the way. I feel lucky to have you as my girl tonight.’
She felt her stomach knot on hearing ‘my girl.’ She wanted to be his girl always. But she never would be, especially not after tonight.
‘Mother,’ James said and hugged her. She held him tightly and asked him for a word. They entered the dimly lit corridor where waiters were frantically running back and forth with trays of drink and canapés.
‘Stilt and Edward aren’t bad, James,’ Belle whispered. ‘You have to trust me, okay. We have been lied to, by Lori. Stilt was forced to do what he did. Edward was forced to forget us. Look, I believe them. I love Edward,’ she admitted.
He could see the anticipation in her eyes. ‘I trust you. But are you sure you can trust them? Are you sure this is what you want?’
‘I am certain,’ she replied.
James smiled. ‘I just want you to be happy,’ he said.
He was taller than she was now, only by a few inches, but Belle looked up at her grown-up son teary eyed. ‘You look so handsome. Snow looks beautiful tonight. You make a lovely couple. She seems to make you happy.’
‘She does,’ he admitted. ‘I’m going to tell her I love her tonight.’
Belle grinned. ‘She will say it back, I’m certain.’
***
The music started, and James put his hand on Snow’s waist, looking longingly into her eyes. ‘I know you hate Edward. However, my mother loves him. Apparently, he didn’t do everything he has been accused of doing. I don’t know if that includes the death of your mother. I hate to ask you because I know it causes you so much pain, but can you give him the benefit of doubt? They have been good to my mother. They seem like good people,’ he admitted.
She gulped. ‘Of course.’
‘I expected more of a fight. I’m surprised,’ he said.
She forced a smile. ‘You know me. Full of surprises.’
‘Yes, you are,’ he started. The music changed its tune. It was upbeat and had a jazzy tune to it. He twirled Snow around and felt his hands go clammy. Never had he felt so nervous. ‘I’m in love with you, Snow.’
‘You’re what?’
‘I’m in love with you.’ He looked longingly into her eyes, waiting for her to say something, anything.
‘The cake,’ Eric announced over the room as Ursula entered the hall. She placed it on the table and smiled. Snow turned to see and out of nowhere Ursula was bombarded by twenty guards. Stilt used his powers and pushed her to her knees. Belle appeared and wrapped the rope around her, and Edward grabbed a sword from a guard and put it up to her throat. While she was distracted, Stilt grabbed a small bag she was carrying and ripped it from her. She screamed at him to give it back to her. He peeked inside and saw three shining shells. The source of her powers. They took Ursula to the dungeons, and Ariel and Eric followed Stilt, Belle, and Edward out of the room.
‘What are we missing?’ Snow asked and grabbed James’s arm. She looked over at Lori who mouthed, ‘Tell me everything.’ Snow nodded and left as the king explained to the crowd that an arrest had taken place, and it was nothing to worry about, for everyone to continue dancing. He then announced the opening of the buffet, to distract them, I imagine.
Stilt, in the chamber, held the shells. He spelled Ariel to break the curse. Ariel was flung into the air, dangling like a rag doll. A light surrounded her until she landed back onto the floor.
‘You’re a human for good,’ Belle exclaimed.
‘Ursula will be executed soon,’ Eric informed her. Ariel nodded but felt bad for the sea witch even though she knew she had no other choice.
Snow saw her opportunity. She left James, went into the ballroom and gave Lori the signal
to leave then ran back into the corridor. She pulled out five bracelets; only three were spelled to suppress powers. ‘Lori is waiting for us. I have just heard from a woman I paid to pose as Lori. I sent Lori on a detour. She has a curse planned. Please, put these on. They will protect you all.’
She handed Belle, Stilt, Edward, and James a bracelet each. ‘I’m telling you, it’s the only thing that will stop Lori’s curse.’ She put one on herself.
Edward turned to Belle. ‘Can she be trusted?’
‘Yes,’ Belle said and smiled at Snow. Snow’s stomach knotted.
‘I’d trust her with my life,’ James said and put on the bracelet. They all put them on.
‘Is there anything we can do?’ Eric and Ariel chorused.
‘We need to leave before she gets here,’ Snow said.
Eric stepped forward. ‘I will get your carriages ready.’
They all exchanged their goodbyes. Ariel hugged Belle. ‘Anything you need, just ask.’ Belle nodded.
‘What will you do now?’ Belle asked Ariel.
‘I’m going to explain everything to my family then I will wed Eric,’ Ariel said and smiled. ‘Eric has sent the troops to Dolorom, which should prevent the attack or at least delay it.’
They hugged once more, and they all got into the carriage. Belle and Eric waved as they rode away. As soon as they were out of the gates, Snow held James’s hand.
‘I love you too,’ she whispered and closed her eyes. James squeezed her hand. She knew this would be the last time she’d have this.
When they were on the road, another carriage bashed into them. ‘What the …?’ Stilt said. They poked their heads out and saw Lori approaching them. Stilt tried to use his powers to protect them, but he couldn’t. James did the same. They tried to remove the bracelets and couldn’t.
‘Snow?’ James asked.
‘Sorry,’ Snow managed.
James let the betrayal rush through him.
Snow grabbed the bag with the shells and jumped out of the carriage.
Lori walked up to the carriage, and she, Snow, and her guards put them all in handcuffs.
‘It is only Stilt and Edward who are being arrested,’ Lori said and dragged them out of the carriage. ‘However, to make sure none of you try to help, Belle and James, you will be held in custody until the execution.
‘Execution?’ Belle asked. ‘No,’ she screamed. James shouted at them to let them go, but Snow walked off.
She could hear James calling after her, begging her to help, but she didn’t look back. She went into Lori’s carriage and sat with a guard.
‘Ready, Majesty?’
Snow nodded at the guard. Lori stayed in the other carriage to make sure none of them escaped. There were too many of them to magic back to the kingdom. So they travelled back by carriage.
Halfway through the trip, Snow swapped carriages and found herself alone with James and a guard. ‘How could you?’
She looked down at the floor. ‘I have a plan.’
‘You do?’
She nodded. ‘You’re not going to like it, and in fact, you’re going to hate me for everything that is about to unfold, but you’ll have to trust that no matter what happens and where we end up, I love you and I promise to secure a future at the end of it all for us.’
His eyes widened. ‘Let me go, let me help you.’
She shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. ‘This is the only way I can make things work. It’s going to suck, but everything I am doing is for us. You must believe that.’
He lowered his gaze. ‘I do, Snow. I do.’
GOODBYES
He could hear Belle’s pleas and screams from the holding cell. Every tick on the large clock tower ticked down the seconds left of his life. Childishly, he hoped that Stilt would use his powers to save him. Or his mother and stepfather would come in at the last minute and demand his release. Or the more unlikely option, that Lori would have a heart and let him go.
His cell was cold, drips fell from the pipes in the corner, and rats ran around freely. Sometimes, one would come up to him and eat the crumbs of bread left on his plate. The slice of bread he’d get only once a day. He’d hoped that as a last request they’d at least allow him to dress up nicely and eat a good meal before he lost his head. He stood up and peeked out through the bars of his window. Crowds were gathering in the court below. Hundreds of people had made their way to the castle to watch him take his last breath. To watch as their queen beheaded him for a murder committed years ago. This was all because he had cheated on her, he knew that, and somewhere deep down, she knew that. Lori had convinced herself, however, that he was responsible for her entire life going to shambles, and she was using Mary’s death to get her revenge.
He saw Belle amongst the crowd being held by guards. Stilt, unfortunately, sat in the cell next to him. This was how he knew he could not be saved. His only hope was locked away, too. He could hear Stilt’s incoherent mumbling as he watched the clock tick to ten to twelve. His heart hammered quickly as if it knew it was beating its last beats. Beads of sweat dripped down his forehead, and Edward ran his hand, probably for the last time, through his greasy, scruffy hair.
‘Stilt,’ Edward called out but wasn’t answered. Edward gulped as he imagined the sharp edge of an axe hitting his neck. ‘Stilt, please. There must be some way. We were friends. I always regarded you as a friend. Don’t let them do this to me. How are you giving up so easily? You have a daughter!’
Stilt coughed, his voice was cracked and barely audible. ‘I can’t help either of us.’
‘You have to try,’ Edward pleased. ‘They will be coming to get me any minute now, please. Belle is watching. I cannot have her watch me. I don’t even know why she is here,’ Edward pleaded. He wanted to walk to his death with dignity, with his head held high, but he was breaking. Tears forced themselves out of his eyes. ‘I don’t want to die. I’m scared.’ The childish words escaped his lips as the guards threw open the door. They looked at him and waited for him to do something. ‘Has there been any changes?’ he asked but already knew the answer.
‘I’m afraid not. You must come with us,’ they said and placed handcuffs on him. There were ten guards. Even if he could take down one, he’d never be able to get away from all ten.
‘See you on the other side,’ Stilt said as Edward was dragged past his cell. Stilt looked through the bars sorrowfully. ‘Looks like we have both been taken for fools.’
‘Goodbye, old friend,’ Edward managed as he was taken down the winding steps. The cuffs cut into his wrists. The closer he got to the courtyard, the more his heart pounded, the more beads of sweat trickled down his nose. He tried to steady his breathing, but as the door opened, sunlight blinded him. He looked around for anyone he knew, anyone who could help him, but unfamiliar faces took up his view, all cheering for his death. He looked up at the block and panicked. Lori was sat up on a balcony, looking down at the scene. She was not smiling, which was unexpected. She looked indifferent if anything.
‘Edward,’ Belle screamed through the crowd. Edward desperately looked around the crowd for her but couldn’t see her face. He just wanted to kiss her lips and look into her beautiful brown eyes one last time. But that wouldn’t happen, and he didn’t want her to watch what was about to happen.
‘Please,’ Edward spluttered. ‘Please get Belle away from here. I cannot have her watch!’
The guards ignored his request. The heat from the sun fell on his back, and he remembered back to when he was a child; running through meadows, going horseback riding for the first time, playing hide and seek with the other children from the palace. Now, he was to meet his fate, and he didn’t even get to say goodbye. Every regret, the poor princess he killed, the girl who he cursed to be a frog. Lori, Belle, every single one of the people he had hurt; it crippled him.
Remorse will not save you,
The truth will not help,
Sorcerers, the two of you
Will surely lose your heads<
br />
Snow sang under her breath as Edward was pulled over to the block. She wore black; not to mourn, but to show who she truly was. She had helped send two men to their deaths. Both of whom deserved it, but the cries from Belle and silence from James almost killed her inside. In doing this, she was hurting the people she loved.
James tried to comfort his mother, but she was frantic, screaming, trying to break free from the guards. Snow had asked for Belle not to see the execution, but Lori insisted.
Lori.
Snow vowed that one day Lori’s head would be on that block. Chopped by the same executioner, she would have her head separated from her shoulders. Until that day, Snow had to play it safe.
Lori looked back onto the crowd and looked as Edward was dragged onto the board. Her heart sank slightly as she looked down at the man who she had once loved, once cherished. He looked up at her too, catching her gaze for only a second before turning back to the crowd. She could hear Belle’s screaming; well, who couldn’t? The screams were filled with so much anguish and pain that Lori wanted it just to be over and done with. The finale to the years of planning her revenge was not as satisfying as she had anticipated. She ran her finger along the wand’s edge that she had taken from the dwarfs. She could use it to channel her power, to make it stronger.
The crowd fell silent as Edward was asked if he had any final words. He gulped and tried to hold back tears. ‘I—’ He started but stopped on meeting Belle’s gaze. Tears patterned her cheeks. She looked like she hadn’t slept in weeks. Her hair was limp, and nothing but sadness showed on her face. He shook his head and pressed his lips together. ‘Get out of here, Belle.’
‘Edward,’ she cried. ‘Please, someone, help him. He didn’t do it.’
‘I did,’ Edward admitted. Belle gasped and fell to her knees. Edward felt the disappointment and hurt pierce through him. He looked down at Snow, who looked back at him with no compassion.
The Enchanted Kingdoms (Haunting Fairytales Series Book 1) Page 20