The Nutcracker King (Coming From Darkness #1)

This is Not The End

Location: On the border between the worlds

Heinrich stared at the field. It looked utterly ordinary, but the gypsy woman had sworn this was where the two worlds met. Where he could finally rescue Marie from the creature that kidnapped her.

"Marie," he shouted. "Marie, can you hear me? I'm here to save you!"

He didn't have much time. His parents and Luise had started working together, and if they found him again, he would be committed to an asylum. So much for helping him rescue Marie.

Everyone thought that Marie was dead, but Heinrich knew better. There had been no blood in Marie's room. And not to mention that strange line that Marie had spoken, about a Nutcracker. When that book, with its tale of the Mouse King and its crown, written by one Herr Hoffman came out, Heinrich figured out everything. It could be no coincidence that Marie's name was in it. The Nutcracker King had kidnapped Marie, though he knew not why.

The night was hot. He had less than an hour before daybreak, and he would have to hide again.

Suddenly, the air in front of him shimmered.

"Human," a voice spoke, "What do you want?"

"Marie? Is that you?"

"You speak of Queen Marie, the sad wife of the Nutcracker King," the voice stated flatly.

"The Nutcracker King? It wasn't the Mouse King?"

The voice laughed. "The Mouse King has not been a threat for many, many years. Again, I ask you, what do you want?"

"I want to rescue Marie."

"And I need a... helper of sorts. I will make you a deal, human. Help me, and when I succeed, I will send you to where Marie is." As the voice spoke, plants started springing up from the field. Those near Heinrich started climbing up his leg.

"How long will your task take?"

The air filled with the scent of roses, blooming from the vines winding up his legs. "A few years, give or take. My ugly stepdaughter is too powerful now. But don't worry, you will keep your youth, as your darling Marie has kept hers. Decide now, human."

What would he do?

Take the deal and wait a few years, or try to find another entrance to this world?

What had that gypsy woman said?

"The gates between the worlds are closing. Soon, the only route would be through the Goblin Market, and you do not want to go through there. No, you don't want to go there, not unless you wish to forget. But no matter what entrance you use, beware. That world is not kind to humans. Take my advice, and give up on your maiden. There are many others in this world, why risk your life in the other?"

Everyone, even her family, had called that old woman crazy. Touched by fairies, claiming that she once went to a magical market, staffed by goblins and filled with characters from the fairytales. But here he was in the field she had pointed him to, talking to a mysterious voice.

"I'll do it," he said.

The air grew cold, and when the voice spoke, it sounded smug. "Then, we have a deal."

Heinrich cried out as thorns dug into his flesh.  

Thank you so much for reading all the way to the end of The Nutcracker King! I hope you liked the story. The next story in this series, Beauty's Daughter, is available for sale on Amazon, Kobo, and most other e-tailers. You can also get a copy if you sign up for my mailing list: eustaciatan.com/magnet