The Curse of Thorns

CHAPTER FIVE

Briar stood near the window, staring at the night sky adorned with shimmering stars and a crescent moon. The cool night air whispered against her skin, carrying the scent of blooming night flowers, but tonight their fragrance brought no comfort.

She couldn't stop thinking about her father. The way his body had twisted and changed haunted her. Was he a monster now? He was one of the bravest men she knew. Yet she couldn't forget the look on his face when he was taken away. He looked dejected as if he had lost any hope of living.

Her mother had locked herself in her chamber since the king was taken yesterday. When Briar went to see her, she didn't speak. It was as if her mother had turned into a breathing statue. She had lost her husband. The kingdom had lost its king.

And all of this was happening because of Briar.

"No one is going to suffer for me anymore," she said to herself, her voice trembling with determination.

She moved to her bed and placed the letter she had written earlier on her pillow. It was her first-ever letter to her mother, explaining that she was leaving to break the curse. The weight of guilt for leaving her vulnerable mother was overwhelming, but she couldn't see any other option.

She closed her eyes tightly, trying to push away the thoughts of how her mother would react upon reading the letter. Would she be angry? Devastated? Would she understand?

"I hope she will understand," Briar whispered to herself.

She glanced out the window. The nightfall had deepened, enveloping everything in a serene stillness. It was the perfect time to make her exit from the castle.

Briar changed into her green-colored traveling gown and a midnight blue cloak. She put the map, hourglass, and vial in the pocket of her cloak. The fabric felt heavy with the weight of her resolve. She took a deep breath and steeled herself for what lay ahead.

Earlier in the day, Briar had packed a large satchel with food, water, a traveling gown, and a few gold coins. She had never travelled before and had no clue what to take with her, but she hoped what she had packed would be enough. The satchel felt heavy with both provisions and the weight of her impending journey.

As the seconds ticked by, her heart rate quickened, pulsating with anticipation. She was venturing into a dark forest filled with evil creatures. A mixture of fear and exhilaration coursed through her veins, intertwining in a whirlwind of emotions.

Briar grabbed her sword and the satchel, took one last look at her chamber, and left quietly.

As she crept through the darkened corridors of the castle, the flickering torchlight cast eerie shadows on the walls. Every little noise made her heart race. The castle seemed to hold its breath, the silence only broken by the occasional distant clink of armour from the guards. She passed the door to her mother's chamber and paused for a moment, her hand resting on the cool wood. She could hear her mother's faint sobs from within, and it took all her strength not to burst in and comfort her. But she knew that staying would only prolong their suffering.

Just a few steps from the door to the servant's room, a sharp voice pierced the silence. "Where are you going?"

Briar stopped dead in her tracks, her heart pounding in her chest. She turned around slowly, half-expecting to see a guard ready to drag her back to her chamber. Instead, she was relieved and furious to find Prince Leon standing there, his arms crossed and a confused expression on his face.

"Will you stop spying on me?" Briar glared at him.

"Shouldn't you be sleeping right now?" he said, ignoring her question.