The Enchanted Queen

Once Upon A Dream

Vera's POV
*******************************************
I found myself walking through a mesmerizing forest that seemed to be lit from within. The trees were twisted and dead as if they came straight from a horror movie. But instead of feeling scared, I was drawn to them. With each step that i took, strange looking flowers erupted from the earth. I reached out to touch the tree, watching it come to life. Color returned to the branches and leaves grew from the stems. I smiled and spun around, touching every dark and dying thing and watching it spring back to life. Then, I saw a dark figure approaching. He was terrifying, but somehow inviting. I watched as he rested against a flowering tree. The once beautiful tree withered underneath his touch. I need to touch him. I reached out and he did the same. Slowly our fingers touched and intertwined. He looked down at our hands and saw my touch fill him with light. His skin was glowing, bringing out the delicate planes of his face. I noticed his pointed ears, jet black hair, and wicked grin. I could recognize him. Ren. But before I could do anything else, the earth swallowed me up and I was falling.

I woke to Asya shaking me. "Vera! Are you alive?" She shrieked.

I stirred and opened my eyes. "What time is it?" I asked groggily.

"It's 6 in the afternoon. You've been asleep all day. I was afraid you were dead." She rolled her eyes. "What happened to you last night? I texted you a million times and you didn't answer."

I rubbed my eyes and sat up. "Honestly, I don't remember." I laughed.

Asya sighed and sat next to me. "Well I just woke up a few hours ago, so don't feel bad. I don't remember much of last night either. Except....." She pulled out an envelope from her purse. "This."

She handed the heavy envelope to me and I opened it. The envelope was filled with money. Hundreds of dollars. I looked up at her, completely baffled.

"Our vendor sold all of your paintings." She squealed. "There are also a list of telephone numbers in there of people who want commissions! Isn't it amazing?"

"Oh my God Asya. This is incredible!" A smile stretched across my face.

"I'm so proud of you." Asya said clasping my hand. "But how are you doing? I mean with the whole thing about your parents?"

I thought about it for a few minutes. I expected the pain to come rushing back all at once, but instead I felt fine. "I'm okay." I told her. "Really. I guess they were gone for so long that I had already accepted the fact that they were never going to come back." I said. Still, it's strange. I feel nothing but peace.

Asya gave me the famous do you think I'm a dumbass look. "I promise." I smiled. "I'm okay." I said.

"Come on, I'll make your favorite breakfast." I said shoving her off the bed.

She dramatically sprawled out on the ground.

"Vera it's six in the afternoon. It's dinner time and I'm hungover as HELL. Let's go to the diner and get some burgers."

"Fine." I said, rolling my eyes. "You know I don't make my special breakfast for just anyone. You're really missing out."

"We can postpone till tomorrow." She giggled. "I'm surprised you even feel like cooking after you downed all of that tequila last night. Are you even a little hungover?" She questioned.

"Nope. In fact, I feel amazing." I said, beaming at her.

"This must be the first stage of grief." Asya mumbled.

"I am not in denial. I have skipped all of the stages and I am now in acceptance. Now come on. I'm starving."

********************************************
Casper's POV
*******************************************
"I can't believe that bastard left me in the damned human realm." I growled as I hauled open the door to a 24/7 diner. "What a prick."

I trudged through the isles of booths and selected a secluded table. Hopefully no one will notice that I don't belong here.

Last night was absolutely miserable. After Ren ran off with the human girl, I hid deep inside the woods. I spent the night in my wolf form, resting under a cave. It's more comfortable sleeping that way when I have to sleep on the damned ground. Also, it wasn't helpful that it was negative four degrees outside. Yes, fur helps with thermoregulation, but even wolves still get cold.

I'm going to have to find some better place to sleep tonight. Unfortunately I'm not a damned wizard like Ren, so I can't open the portal. But as I watched a familiar face walk through the door, I finally formulated a good plan.

********************************************
Ren's POV
*******************************************
As I walked through the castle doors, I was stopped by my father.

"Ren." He grumbled. "A word."

He knows. Shit.

"Of course, father." I said, trailing after him. Dreading every step. He guided me down the labyrinth of hallways and into his private office. When father brings you into his private office, someone dies. It's fact. He sits in his fancy chair and places his wrists on the desk. His eyes were glaring daggers through the very essence of my being. He clears his throat. I prepare to be blessed out.

"It has been brought to my attention that Casper wasn't here for border patrol this evening. Do you have anything to do with that?"

My heart sank. Oh shit. I left Casper in the Human Realm last night. Suddenly I erupted into laughter. My father looked annoyed.

"I'm sorry-" i tried to get out. I just can't stand it. He's probably so fucking pissed. I haven't laughed in so long that my ribs were aching. I took a few deep breaths and calmed myself down. I tried to muster up a straight face.

"Yes sir, in fact I do." My head was swimming with excuses for my hilarious, yet thoughtless actions. "You see, I was, well we were um-"

"Enough." Said father, his mighty fists slamming against the wood. "I don't care what you did. Just find him and return him to the guard. We can't afford to lose another soldier."

I nodded quickly and he stood from his chair.

"You better hope I don't find out what happened." He raised a dark eyebrow at me. "Because if I do, just know that my punishments are only going to be amusing to me."

I nodded again.

"Dismissed." He stayed firmly. I scurried from the room. God help me. I'm going to have to risk yet another journey back into the human realm.

Damn it Casper.