TWISTED

11: Disaster

In the light of the moon, Ella could see the Prince's jaw clench and unclench as he lifted his sister to mount his favorite horse, White.

Ella wished she could reach out to touch him and say everything will be okay but the Prince was out of bounds to her. He was like a tantalizing treasure that was forbidden.

Why was she when thinking about him when she had several critical things to ponder over. Ben, that cursed step-father of hers, Courtney, Star, Emerald, Theresa, Mabel... What would Brian do now? Hog the throne all to himself? Obviously that's what he  wanted, the sick bastard.

Eric chuckled beside her. "I never knew you could whip up a curse word."

Ella pursed her lips, watching him lead out another horse. "I'm sorry for my inappropriate words."

Prince Eric saddled the horse for Ella. "I'm not complaining in the least."

Ella was glad he didn't judge her.

"May I ask where we're going, brother?" Charity asked, peering down at her brother, holding White's bridle and steadying the fidgety horse.

"I'll come up with a plan. For now let's focus on getting out of here." Eric extended his hand out to help Ella. She stared at his pale white hands and up at his face.

"I think I can manage on my own, thanks." She climbed onto the horse and held the bridle waiting for Eric to climb behind his sister.

Ella covered her hair with the cloak Charity lended her. One glance at Eric and he nodded. It was time to leave.

~~~~~~~~•••~~~~~~~~

The three young people rode in silence until they had put a reasonable distance between them and the castle. It was approaching the early hours of morning when they alighted from their horses and allowed the animals drink from the brook they stopped at.

"You okay?" Eric asked, observing the way Ella plopped down on the protruding root of a tree.

"Yes, I'm perfectly okay."

Charity yawned, eyeing her brother and positioning herself beside Ella. "So, have you any concrete plans in mind." She asked her brother. He just finished tying the horses to tree trunks and then he joined their seating position.

Even if Princess Charity acted as a wall between the two of them, Ella couldn't deny the fluttery feeling emanating from seating close to a Prince. A very handsome one at that. Now wasn't the time for stupid feelings. Ella shoved her thoughts away.

"I've decided that we should go to Arthur's." Prince Eric glanced at Ella over his sister's shoulder and noticed the cloud of confusion on her face. "Arthur's my best friend." He added for Ella's sake.

Ella nodded. Any place away from the palace is welcome for now.

"Are we going to talk about what happened?" Charity demanded.

Typical Charity, always straight to business. Ella noted. She had hoped discussion about the unfortunate attack would be deferred to later.

"If only I had believed Ella, all this wouldn't have happened." Prince Eric cradled his head in his hands, his fair locks falling over his eyes as he stared down at the brown earth.

Charity laid a hand on his shoulder. "What do you mean?" Then her eyes trailed to Ella who averted her gaze expecting Eric to reply.

"Brian was responsible for the attack. Ella warned me but I refused to listen."

Charity's gaze strayed to Ella again. "I've always had a strong dislike for Courtney, now I know why."

"And Ella's her step-sister." Eric added.