Chapter One

I was elated. I was free — free to do whatever I wanted, free to refuse to obey Hattie, and free to marry Char... my Char. After our kiss, I opened my eyes to see him smiling at me. I could feel my own smile growing larger, and try as I might to control it, it continued to grow, taking over my entire being. I fingered a curl that had fallen out of place and hung by Char's temple. For a moment we were lost in another universe, where only he and I existed...

All too soon, though, it ended. Coming back to reality, Char looked around, and his smile turned into a look of concern as he took in my appearance. He looked me up and down, taking in my sooty servant's dress to which I had grown accustomed. "Ella, why...?" I couldn't help but love the expressions that flew across his face as he figured everything out. Well, almost everything.

"Does your father know?" he asked, and he held my hands tighter.

Mandy snorted.

I nodded. "Yes, but he has been busy..."

Mum Olga spoke up, "Honestly, Your Highness, Ella is just a maid."

"She is also your stepdaughter, and is in many ways superior to either of your daughters!" Char spat back. He turned his eyes back to me. "Ella, come with me. You can stay with me and my family, and you won't have to spend another night in this... prison."

My smile reappeared. He didn't even realize it, but Char had just given an order — and I reveled in the fact that I could obey by my own free will.

Quickly, I finished packing and changed back into mother's white gown. I brushed my hair so it fell long, past my shoulders. Placing Mandy's garland back on my head, I couldn't help but feel that pressure that within the hour I would be meeting Char's parents — not to mention the King and Queen of Kyrria!

I met Char back at the main hall. We left without saying a word — except when I reclaimed Mother's necklace from Hattie. "I believe you still have something of mine," I said, turning to her. I could tell she knew exactly what I meant — her hand quickly flew up and touched the pendant. To my surprise she gave it up without even trying to argue. My stepfamily must have been shocked, or completely angry, or both, for they just stared stupidly. Mum Olga did, however, remember her manners right before we left, for she cried out, "Oh, how we'll miss you, Ella. I speak on behalf of this entire household when I wish you the best of luck, Prince Charmont." Her voice was dripping with honey, almost to the point of sarcasm. I'm sure she was trying to secure an invitation to the wedding.

I rode with Char on his horse, sitting right behind him with my arms securely around his middle. When we arrived at the castle there were still many carriages outside, and I remembered the ball we had left behind.

Instead of going to the front and up the wide staircase, as I had previously done that night, last night, and the night before last, Char rode to the back stables. He helped me down with his strong, steady grasp and took my hands in his.

After giving the horse to a stable boy, he took my hand and led me down a path, around the stables and into the garden. There were shrubs all around, creating different paths, and he led me down one that opened into a little courtyard. There were gardens all around, filled with different exotic flowers, all white and carefully kept. In the middle was a large rose tree whose white petals shone in the silver moonlight. "Oh, Char, it's breathtaking..."

He didn't notice. His gaze was fixed only on me. I could feel myself blush, but I met his eyes as he pulled me close. I knew his beaming smile matched my own and I felt as if I could burst from happiness. It was something I'd never felt before — utter and complete freedom. No sense of dread about what the next command might force me to do. No worrying that I was putting myself, or anybody else, in danger. And best of all, no guilt that I was risking all of Kyrria to be with Char.

Char's deep brown eyes soon changed to a look of concern. "Ella, I had no idea. Why didn't you tell me? I thought you were married... I thought..."

"I'm so sorry, Char," I whispered, a pang of sadness hitting as I realized how much I had hurt him. I remembered the images the magic book had shown me, of what Char had said about me, and how I had deceived him. I took a deep breath and tried to explain myself. "I couldn't marry you so long as I was under that curse. It would have been to dangerous for you, for Kyrria... If anyone had found out, who knows what could have happened? I would be powerless to refuse any command. You could be killed, and I wouldn't be able to stop myself..." I looked down as a stray tear ran down my cheek.

"Hey," Char said softly as he cupped my chin in his hand and tilted my head up. A worried look replaced any signs of hurt on his face. "It's alright. That's all over now." I smiled as I looked into his familiar eyes, those hazel eyes with flecks of gold that sparkled when he laughed and now shone with love.

"I just wish you could have told me," he continued. "Surely I could have done something." He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close. I was about to disagree, but stopped myself. I loved that he wanted to protect me, and all that mattered was that now he could.