History of Fictitious: Volume Three

Chapter 14

As fun as it is to dance with my brothers and Shane, I want the night to be over. Shane tugs on my hand while everyone soaks in Flint's lovely singing voice. Wordlessly, I follow him into the castle.

We enter the foyer and head into the creepy hallway that leads to his bedroom. Because of the darkness, Shane shifts into a wispy red figure. We cautiously approach the enchanted rose, where one petal dangles by a fiber. I resist the urge to yank it off and be done with it.

"We have only an hour left," he murmurs, his voice heavy with the weight of his decision. "I've been contemplating, and I believe you should stay on the other side of the barrier. I cannot bear the thought of you being trapped here forever. You have your family and friends. I've separated you from them before, but I do not intend to do so permanently."

I scowl. "But what about you? What do you really want?"

"I want you to be happy."

"And what if your happiness makes me happy, huh? We just got married, and you want me to abandon you!"

Great, we're already having our first argument as a married couple. However, I need to shout at Shane because what he's saying infuriates me.

"Arabelle, I am happy. This is the happiest I've ever been. Yes, I want you to stay, but if the barrier closes and I'm left as a spirit, that isn't fair to you. Besides, we've been tied together for eternity, so I know whatever happens tonight won't be the end for us."

I cross my arms and storm onto the balcony I once jumped off of. "So what? I'll have to be a widow for the rest of my mortal life. Do you even know what will happen to you if the curse isn't broken? Or is this all speculation?"

Shane sighs and wraps his ghostly arms around me from behind. The embrace is cold instead of his usual warmth.

"Of course, it's speculation. Just promise you'll stay on the other side until we know the curse is broken. I'm not giving up hope. I'm just preparing for the worst outcome."

"You sound like me," I mutter before clearing my throat, "Alright, fine. I'll wait on the other side."

As soon as I say that, the ground trembles. Shane and I whip our heads to the rose. The last petal shivers as it waits to fall off the stem. The tremble ceases, but I have no doubt more will follow.

"Let's head back. They'll be wondering where we are," Shane says.

When we return to the party, everyone is in an uproar, and the lanterns have all gone out. Spirits are flying around, demanding to know when the curse will break. Most of the other guests have fled outside the castle grounds. My family alone waits for me.

As another earthquake hits, Shane hands me over to Gill. "Get outside the castle grounds! We'll wait until we know the outcome."

None of the spirits are pleased with our departure. They surround Shane, asking who is lying to the other. Is it Shane who doesn't love me, or am I the culprit? He keeps urging my family to leave, and once we are outside the immediate grounds, he briefly transforms into the demon beast. He lets out a roar, which silences the anxious spirits.

I fall to the ground as yet another tremble unsteadies the dirt. Ahead, a castle turret falls, caving in on itself. Then, I see it—the barrier. It glows a transparent red, and the red wolves race down it as it approaches the ground. I swallow, my eyes trailing down to Shane.

With Gill's help, I stand back on my feet. I step forward a little, and so does Shane. Yet, there is still so much space between us. My hands clench my dress in anger and frustration. I don't believe for a second the curse hasn't broken because we don't love each other, so what are we doing wrong?