The Curse

Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Ember

We left the village, and managed to get between the barrier between the White, and the Eternal forest. To our right as we went along it was the snow, and to our far left were shadows and evil. Audrina mentioned that if we keep going along the strip there could be another town that is inhabited, and hopefully filled with peace makers rather than gold diggers. 

I kicked the dirt with the tips of my toes while walking, my hands pulling up my worn out dress so I could move correctly.  I knew that if I put it back down, I would somehow trip under a rock and get tangled in the skirt.  It's not a wonderful feeling. 

It hasn't been very long after we left the home, and killed the woman who almost answered my prayers.  It wasn't very long before I denied Audrina when I wasn't supposed to.  I've learned quickly that if I concentrate hard enough I can deflect the curse for a little bit.  It doesn't last long though and I still am tempted to do whatever I'm asked to do. 

"How much money do you have anyway?" Peter asked Nicholas. 

"I'm a prince.  I have all the money in the world." I scoffed and rolled my eyes, turning my attention in the opposite direction while I removed my hands from my dress to cross my arms.  Nicholas was so cocky, and full of himself.  And he wonders why I will never love him.  Once he starts to think about anyone other than himself there is a chance that I might bat an eye for him. 

"Enough to get a crazy woman after you, that's for sure," I said monotonously.  She was suspicious from the beginning, but I didn't expect her to make a move. 

Time passed by afterwards, and no one said a word until now.   

"How long has it been since we left the south?" I asked Audrina, and she shrugged her shoulders. 

"I don't know.  Maybe about two or three days.  All I know is that we haven't travelled that long, yet it seems like forever since I've seen my father." 

"It seems like forever since I've taken a bath." Nicholas said, pausing in his tracks.  I stopped with him, and Audrina and Peter kept walking. 

"And that was when?" I raised an eyebrow. 

"Over a week ago." 

"Yes, well, when you're a peasant, there is no bath." 

"I'm no peasant." 

"And I'm no royal.  If you're stuck with two peasant girls, and an inexperienced solider, then you better stop complaining about how oily your luscious hair is."  I said dramatically toward the end, making Nicholas roll his eyes.  "You don't even smell that bad." 

"That's because peasants like you are used to odors and dirty work.  You're meant for that kind of life.  Therefore, you have become adapted to uncleansed drunk men, and diapers from newborns." 

"If I'm meant for dirty work, then why do you want me as your queen?" 

Nicholas looked me right in the eye, then averted his sight to somewhere a little lower.  He moved his hand to touch my waist and he leaned in closer, when he pinched my hip I jumped but still remained in his grip, "You hate me, and it intrigues me.  You're gorgeous, and I can definitely see you leading a whole kingdom into peace." 

"Then why don't you choose Audrina?  You two have gotten a lot closer, so why isn't she your top priority?  She's beautiful, and is perfectly capable of being a strong leader." 

His other hand moved up to tuck a loose strand of my hair behind my ear, and he whispered, "She's not you.  I need you.  I'm in love with you."