A Curse to Break

Before

The dragon released one last trembling breath, eyes sliding shut for the last time. The boy releases his sword, taking a stumbling step away from the dragon, horror, relief, and grief all mixing in his expression. The woman steps forward, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. She calmly studies the dead dragon, the dark crimson slowly flowing over its white scales to feed the growing pool on the ground, something like grim satisfaction glinting in her eyes.

"I'm proud of you Axel," she gently tells the boy. "He would be too."

At those words the boy trembles. He can't pull his eyes from the dragon, from his sword still buried in its chest from the killing blow.

The woman pulls the boy back to herself, free hand coming up to caress his cheek. "This part is over Axel, but there's still work to be done." Her hand catches his chin, pulling his head back to look up at her as she gazes down at him. "The end of the curse is closer than ever. Keep the resolve you had tonight and I've no doubt we will break it." A smile curls across the woman's lips as the boy nods, resolve solidifying in his eyes. The woman releases the boy's chin so she can place the hand on his other shoulder. She turns easily with the boy, pointing him away from the dragon and towards the exit of the grand room. "Go now, I will take care of him. Rest. See to your kingdom, my little prince." The woman gives the boy a gentle shove, sending him on his way to the stairs. "The next time we meet, you'll be a king."

The boy obediently heads for the stairs. It's not until he's reached the door at the top of them that he pauses, taking one last glance back. The woman's back is to him, her attention now on the man laying where the dragon had been. She reaches out, hand wrapping around the hilt of the sword buried in his chest. The boy quickly turns away, yanking the door open. With the door shut firmly behind him, he doesn't look back this time as he trudges through the small, dilapidated shack.

The boy doesn't pause as he walks through the garden. He doesn't even pause as the girl waiting in the old, converted conservatory rises from her chair. He keeps his eyes down as he passes her as if he doesn't want her to see the guilt and shame clouding his eyes and etched across his face. This doesn't stop her from following though. She catches his hand, matching his pace. She walks along beside him in silence, squeezing his hand.

There are no servants in the halls as they walk along; no servants to witness the young blood-spattered prince returning from the gardens where the king would undoubtedly be found in the morning after a week of odd coming and goings and two days of absence. The servants' families had been in service in the palace long enough to know better than to raise questions. This is what always happened.

The boy and girl reach a door, pausing. When the boy releases the girl's hand, she steps back. She would always be there for the boy, but she knew what came next was something he wanted to do alone.

Taking a deep breath, the boy enters the room. A woman sits in the room, staring blankly out the window. She stirs, turning when the door click shut. Her expression softens when her eyes fall on the boy, but the deep sadness remains. Silently, she holds out her arms. Just as silently the boy complies, crossing the room to enter her embrace. The boy melts into her embrace, releasing a shuddering sob. The woman tightens her embrace, gently brushing a hand over the boy's hair.

"It had to be done," her voice is soft and hollow. The woman bows her head to kiss the boy's head. "He's at peace now." The woman catches the boy's chin, gently tilting his head up. "Your father loved you very much, Axel. This doesn't change that." Tears shine in the woman's eyes. "Always remember that. Don't let this change you. He wouldn't want that."