The Swan Princess

Chapter 25: The Apple Doesn't Fall Far from the Tree

Bones breaking, skin ripping, I'm now in wolf form, panting and wheezing. My mother, still in her human form, looks down her nose at me in disapproval.

"Well, that was a debacle," Annalise begins. I'm pacing the Great Hall, furious, overwhelmed, unhinged.

I pace the hall, crossing it over and over again in great strides. My mother and sister sit at their respective thrones. Annalise's eyebrows crease with worry. Mother's slender, talon-like fingers are tapping the arm of her throne with disdain.

"You need to control your tempter," mother scolds. "I did not raise you to act so brashly. The advisors — who, consequently, have all quit — were worried of the impact Odette would have on the kingdom. I, however, am more concerned about the effect she is having on you."

"NOBODY HURTS MY MATE!" I screech.

Conversations halt outside the Great Hall doors. All the lingering gossips, once leaning against the doorframe, scramble in panic. Servants flee, their footsteps pattering against the floor in their haste. I can smell their fear and terror from here. Good. Be afraid of my power, and my love for my mate.

"The advisors have always been beneath me," I growl. In my wolf form, I can still speak, but the noise that comes out is wolven. Guttural. It grates through the air, as wild as my own thoughts right now.

"She was insulted," I spit. "I had to defend her honor."

"By creating a scene." Mother repeats. I continue to pace, avoiding her comments. I trip over a random table, enraged, and then send it flying across the room with my paw.

"That was a nice table," Annalise adds. I growl.

"I want a purge of every resident of this castle." I pace, moving too fast and yet not fast enough. Frantic energy comes off me in waves, causing Annalise to retreat further in her seat.

"Watch it, pup," mother says. "Besides your temper tantrums, we need to talk about that girl."

My ears swivel. I'm listening, though my pacing is ongoing.

"That girl is not a peasant. She has the manners, the posture, and the audacity of the nobility."

"She pretends to be the Princess Insun," Annalise adds. "Do you think she picked that up from studying royal mannerisms?"

I stop my pacing, huffing. They continue on their conversation without me.

"No," mother says, "she carries herself with too much grace for that. And on that note, have we ascertained why the girl likes to pretend she's two people?"

"No, but I like both of them. Maybe she's like Sieg — common worker by day, gentry by night."

"The entire scheme is just bizarre. Has she mentioned who her mother is? You cannot judge a girl's true character without meeting her mother first.."

"Of course you would think that, mother."

"Mothers always know best. Answer the question, girl. Your brother is currently dumbstruck by devotion."

I bark. Rude. She ignores me.

"Well, I've only met two of her family members, and they are quite horrible. I would advise you not to meet her father, firstly, as he is truly abhorrent. Nor her sister, who is merely annoying."

"Hmm."

"Hmm, indeed."

My sister is the one to acknowledge me first. "Why don't you just propose already?" Annalise starts.

"Because my mate keeps getting injured here!" If I was in my human form, I would be ripping out my hair right now. Instead, I'm poised on my haunches, pawing the ground with my fury.

"Must I remind you of everything my mate has endured?"

"The attempted rape."

"The tar."

"The trees."

"The insults!"

"My own stupid, pointless conversation skills, making her think she isn't loved..."

My voice breaks on the last line.

"Oh, Sieg," Annalise bounds towars me. "I know she loves you." She pats my side reassuringly.

"Not enough, if the rose petals are still falling," mother adds.

"How could she, when she can't trust us? We wiped her memories!" I snarl at my sister. She jumps back.

"Watch it," mother warns. I growl, sitting back on my haunches.

"She was falling out of love with you, Sieg. I could see it in her eyes, and I... I was scared!" My sister's eyes have started to water. I do not care. I am fueled by rage and the desire to protect what is mine.

"I do not need you to intervene on my behalf," I gut out.

"She intervenes because she cares," mother says. She is losing patience, her eyes glittering as if she, too, might shift in frustration.

"Like the time she shot me? I could have died!" I roar.

"You know that was an accident." Mother says.

I ignore her, and continue to pace, the sudden movement causing my sister to stumble and trip over herself.

"How do you think I felt, Sieg?" I can smell the salty brine of her tears, and my tail lowers. I hate seeing women cry. Especially when it's my own fault. "Knowing I already lost one brother, and then the second? At my own hand?"

My pacing stops. I fold my ears to my head, remorseful.

Mother finally addresses me. "Shift back. We need to have a family discussion."

Drawing in a breath, I let my body fold inward. My hair disappears, my paws shrink, and my body elongates upwards as I return to my human form.

I return to my sister and draw her into a hug. "Sorry," I mutter. I'm not good at apologizing.

She wraps her arms around me in a warm hug. "I missed you," she said. "You're not yourself when you're angry."

"You need a proper plan," mother interrupts.

"Can't we sibling bond in peace, mother?"

"No. There are only 14 petals left. You need to find someone to love you unconditionally."

"If I wanted unconditional, reckless devotion, I'd have proposed Odile," I bemoan.

Annalise chuckles, releasing me. "You always liked a challenge."

"And on that note, if Odile loved me, the flower would regrow."

"Exactly. Which means your Odette isn't fully devoted to you either, yet." Mother stands.

"Which version of you is she more enraptured with? You, or Lukas?"

I stare at the ceiling. "Depends on who she is, and more importantly, on her mood."

"You need to pull something off. Time is ticking, son."

"I know." I sigh. "I'll figure something out."

"Your sister cannot lose you. And for that matter, neither can I."

My chest tightens. "I know."

"Time is ticking."

"Tick, tock," I mutter.

"Don't disrespect me."

"Apologies."

My mother stares at me and my sibling both. "You need to make a grand gesture."

"A grand gesture?" We say in tandem.

"Yes. Do something so grand, and so romantic, that Odette can't help but be swayed."

"He's more of the brooding type," Annalise says.

"Do it soon," mother insists.

"Yes, mother," I say, turning to my sister.

"How would you like to design a wedding dress for me, sister dearest?"