The Enchancian Curse

War

Chapter 13

(Hugo POV)

I looked over at Sofia after seeing the army coming toward the palace. "Sofia lets go inside we have to tell your parents they are coming." She nodded and we went inside. We went into the throne room, "Your majesties, he is coming with the army he promised," I warned them. The King nodded and took Queen Miranda out of the room. Sofia and I then went back to her suite, "We are going to stay in here. If he comes to us we will be ready but, I am not risking bringing you to him" Sofia nodded and went to her closet, she changed out of the night gown a maid changed her into when she was over to her window seat. "Sofia, I don't think it is a good idea to be right near the window," I started but she turned to me, "I have to see what is happening, my family is out there. I will stay away but I need to see them." I nodded understanding what she meant. I sat next to her and took her hand, "Then I'll be right here with you."

(James POV)

I gathered the knights and we mounted our horses. Amber was safe and far away so I didn't have to worry about her, the only person I had to worry about was Sofia. My squire was sharpening my sword and I saw her handkerchief tied to the reigns of my saddle. I had forgotten that my princess had done that. She wanted to remind me to keep myself safe when I was going into dangerous situations. I had seen her at the Reunion ball but, wasn't able to spend much time with her before Sofia was taken. I thought about her smile and the brief time we got to spend together before I sent her away for her own safety. We had danced and she was smiling and laughing as we made our way around the dance floor. I clutched onto the handkerchief as I grabbed the reigns of my saddle.

My squire came back out and handed me my sword. "Knights lets go, we have to protect the the royal family." We rode around to the front of the castle and joined the guards and the troops that were prepared.

We saw them coming on the horizon line. Their troops wore black armor and rode black stallions as they came charging toward us. I turned toward our troops, "He kidnapped our princess and declared war on us. We weren't the small kingdom we were when he disappeared all those years ago. We will not lose in our own kingdom, we are not going to lose one of our princesses again." I turned back towards the battlefield preparing to lead the charge. We looked evenly matched in number and we had more troops from neighboring kingdoms on their way. For now we could handle this. I was not losing my little sister again.

We charged forward and rode to their armies. Metal clashed against metal as we began to fight. I was leading the charge as my men fought alongside me. I was tearing through their troops knocking them from their horses as I made my way deeper into their side of the battle. I was looking for Prince Cole as I made my way through the troops charging as far ahead as I could. I could not see him and I saw more troops coming out from the opening of the vine. We were going to need those reinforcements sooner than I originally thought but, for now we could keep them under control. They didn't appear to have much training, they were just trying to move forward and take out anyone who was getting in there way. I knocked off one of their helmets and saw their white eyes. They were under his control. They didn't know how to fight but they were physically unable to do anything else.

I went off to the side and saw a small additional vine had come out of the hole. After it had sprout it went completely underground and I looked back at the castle. There was so many of us out here and although some guards were still inside none would be able to defeat Prince Cole and his magic if my suspicion was correct. I turned toward another knight, "Continue holding them off I think something is about to happen in the castle." I turned my horse around and began riding toward the palace. Hugo could keep her safe I kept telling myself not sure how true the sentiment was. I know that he loved her, but I also knew that Prince Cole was an ancient magic wielding psychopath who had kidnapped her once before.

I hoped I was wrong. That I didn't actually see a vine and my mind was only imagining the worse. In reality I knew the truth. His army was merely a distraction who wouldn't stop fighting until he gave a command as to otherwise or they died. All of us would be busy fighting them and that would leave Sofia at a more vulnerable position with less guards inside the castle.

(Sofia POV)

My eyes stayed glued to the battlefield as I saw soldiers from both side fight amongst one another with James leading the charge. More and more troops kept coming from the vine and I could see we were becoming outnumbered. I then saw that James had turned around and was riding back here. What did that mean? What was going on down there? James never retreated in a fight. "Hugo, I think something is wrong," He turned to me. "We all knew it wouldn't be as easy as a fight on the battlefield. James is a knight, he knows what he is doing." I knew that Hugo was right but I began taking out my Protector's equipment. I put on my Enchantlet, I held my Which Way Bow in my hand and turned my attention to the door.

Noises made their way down the hallway and my hands began to shake. Hugo grabbed my hands and drew my attention to him, "I'm right here and I am not letting him take you again." He unsheathed a sword and stood next to me. Our eyes stayed fixed on the door as we moved toward the center of the room, no longer wanting to be exposed by the window.

"WHERE IS SHE?"

We heard his screams, I wasn't sure if he was looking for me or Amber but so far he was clearly disappointed. The noise got closer to my door. My door burst open and a dark green smoke made its way into the room. It filled the room surrounding Hugo and I. We stayed close to each other as he made his way into the room, "Now, now Alice you promised not to run away from me this time, yet here I am chasing you down on our wedding day yet again." Hugo stood slightly in front of me, "You are not taking her away from me." "Yet again another man believes he can stand between me and my destiny." "Prince Cole please this curse has to end this pursuit has to end," I was pleading with him. "No, I was promised this. I was promised this after you ran away the first time with that sailor. You are all I need to end all of this and end this curse once and for all," he started. "What do you mean 'end this curse' weren't you the one who cast this?" I asked confused. "Yes, I cast it. I cursed your family line Alice, that you would only have sons until I would be able to have you again and then a daughter in your image would be born. Until I could have you, your niece would take your place. Only once I finally had you would the curse end." He was coming closer to us. I couldn't help but feel sad as he spoke, "The problem is, I am not Alice. Despite how I may look, I am not her." "But, you will be." He came closer again.

My amulet began to glow a white light and I turned to Hugo, "It has never done this before." My eyes were wide.

(Hugo POV)

White smoke began to circle around Sofia as her eyes were glowing the same white light as her amulet. A woman was now standing where Sofia just was. She looked similar to Sofia but, there was something different. Her eyes were glowing white as well but, that wasn't what was different. She just wasn't my Sofia. "Hello Cole," she began. He looked at her awestruck and went to grab her hands, "Alice," he smiled