Ever After

☾Chapter Fourteen☽

The ball was still going on, and nobody seemed to notice that Wyll was gone, thankfully. Ever wished that the night would last longer. For the first time in a long time, she was having fun, and not a casting spells and fear kind of fun. How long would it last though? Soon, they would find the last artifact's location and Ever would venture to find it, but then what? Will she have to go to Ione alone? She didn't even know what she was looking for, she couldn't do it alone-

"Ever?" Wyll turned to her after talking with a couple of nobles. "Is everything alright?" He asked.

Ever shook the thought off. "I'm fine."

"Then," Wyll took her hand in his, "would you care to dance?" Before Ever could respond he pulled her through the crowd and guided her into position.

Now, more people were staring at her than before.

Here she was, someone that no one here could possibly know, dancing with a prince, but not just that, she had also danced with June before.

She felt eyes glare at her; glare at this girl with black and white hair, who looked like she had no place with a prince. They were right, for the most part.

Every whisper, every sound, bore into her like a drill. She had never been one to worry about whether or not people liked her. She had never feared anyone, or anything, but right now, she wondered what they thought of her.

Ever glanced up at Wyll, his face beaming.

She started to second guess herself.

Suddenly, the music stopped, and everyone began to clap, but Ever could see the jealousy in the ladies' eyes. Who was she to dance with a prince?

"Ever?" Wyll pulled her out of her sleep-like state.

"Yes, Wyll?" She didn't realize that they had melted back into the crowd.

"How about you meet my father?" He asked. Ever couldn't think of a protest. She originally went to the ball just so Wyll could introduce her as a friend and nothing more, but now... what was she?

"Ok."

Ever wasn't royalty, she's a witch, one whose broken so many rules she should be in jail. She felt like a hypocrite.

At the end of the ballroom was a short stage, with stairs leading up to it from the front. On top, were two thrones, with only one being occupied by the king.

"Father, this is Ever." Wyll introduced her.

"Ah, I was wondering if I would get to meet you." The king let out a hearty laugh.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, your highness." Ever bowed with a smile. She could pass off as a noble, but only by using her charm. How far would that get her though? It wouldn't be long until the king found out she was a witch, that she had lied.

"So, you're friends with Wylliam?"

"Yes, your highness." Ever replied.

"How did you two meet?" Ever was prepared for any other question. She glanced at Wyll, who was deep in thought, quickly trying to calculate a story.

"We met at the docks last month. When I decided to go for a walk that morning." Wyll stuttered over his words.

"Indeed. I go every Sunday to watch the ships depart." Ever chimed in. Wyll was terrible at lying, lucky for him, Ever could lie like it was another language that she spoke fluently.

"Does this mean," The King addressed Wyll, "that when you are crowned there will be a queen as well?" The king laughed.

It took a minute to process.

"Father-" Wyll began. Ever realized what the king had meant. This was not her life. This was not her. She's not destined for tiaras and a stupid fairytale ending.

"If you will excuse me for a minute?" Ever bowed quickly before disappearing through the crowd. She rushed out the front door of the castle, suddenly feeling sick to her stomach.

She decided to find her truck and leave.

Ever slammed shut the door to her hut before sitting down in her worn armchair.

The first thing she did was take off her heels. She then unpinned her black and white hair from its bun.

Who was she anymore? She didn't quite know.

"You live such an interesting life, don't you?" A voice asked.

"Who's there?" Ever jumped from her chair and looked around the hut. There was a shadow of a man cast from the flickering light above her dining table.

"Hello again, Ever."

"I thought you were just a voice in my mind, Hex?" Ever questioned.

"I was."

Ever glared at the shadow before sitting back down in her armchair.

"What do you want?" Ever waved her hand and sighed.

"Why, to offer some advice, friend to friend."

"And why would you feel the need to do that?" Ever sneered.

"Because, I'm feeling generous."

"Fine. What is it?" Ever snapped.

"You know that you don't have to deal with this? You can go back into the woods and try to find your coven."

"No, as much as I miss them, I don't need them. They're cowards."

"Such harsh words." Hex cooed.

"Is that all?" Ever crossed her arms and watched the shadow from the mirror across from her.

"That's it. It must be so strange to find yourself trapped in this life."

"What do you mean?" Ever turned around in her chair to peek over the back.

"Well. You have good relationships with three future leaders, not to mention you have a relationship with one of them that is more than just friends." Hex sneered. "You already make the perfect Queen. The perfect persuader."

"Shut up." Ever turned back around. She didn't want to hear it.

"If you don't want the life laid out for you, then why pursue it?"

That was a good question. It's not that she didn't want a relationship with Wyll, he was a good person, and actually cared about her. The problem was, that a relationship with him led to royalty and responsibility. Ever was a criminal, a witch, what business did she have as a princess or queen? Not to mention the fact that it would mean she would have to have children and-

Ever sighed.

"I'm glad you see my reasoning." Hex marveled before dispelling.

The room became quiet, and the only sounds were of the crickets outside and the ambience of the swamp.

It was a life she didn't want, but looking around her tiny hut, it was a life she wouldn't mind.