The Cursed Princess

She's Gone (Part 2)

*Look at my horse my horse is amazing...fine I'll write the story...*

    "Honey look!" her mother instructed. She did as she was told and was blown away. She covered her mouth and felt her eyes tear up. "Oh mother! Father! Y-you shouldn't have!" she cried.
    
      There pawning before her was the most magnificent steed any one has ever laid eyes on. The curious black eyes searched the person before it. It took a step forward before pausing like a boy waiting for the girl to now take the second step. She took that step and soon stood before it. It gestured with its head giving her permission to touch. She ran her over its snout causing the animal to let out a pleasurable snort. Her hands tugged lightly at the reins recognizing them as Karnataka made.

       "It's beautiful..." she breathed. "Actually HE'S beautiful." Issue corrected her. "Whatever." she kissed his nose. "What's his name?" she asked. "His name is شجاع meaning 'brave' in my language." her friend responded. "شجاع, huh?" she then mounted him. "Wait do you know how to-" "Giddy up horsy!" she yelled and spanked his behind. Before anyone knew the horse galloped away with Salamanca on his back. "Ride a horse...?" Issue finished. "Guards catch my runaway daughter!" the worried King yelled. The Queen just stood there, worry on her features.

                                               
   Meanwhile our princess is having the ride of her life. شجاع rode faster than any horse she had ever ridden (which was one but still!). His mane whipped up the wind making look like a supernatural being. His ears were alert paying attention to everything around him. The reins seemed to sing the Karnatakian folk songs Issue had tried (and failed) to teach her. She closed her eyes and felt like she was free. She ran her hand on شجاع's neck and smiled more when he shook his head. She could ride forever. Then suddenly he reared.                             

    "Whoa!" she exclaimed falling from the horse. He stopped and turned to look at her, a 'sorry' on his face. She groaned as she remembered: there was a force field around the open grounds to prevent her ever running away or her power from affecting others.

     "Princess are you alright?" said the leader of the guards as they hurried towards her on their own horses. "Yes I am. But I'd be better if I could go beyond here." she muttered ruefully. He chuckled. "Maybe when you're cured." she froze at his comment. It was true. Ever since the day they found out of her power they have been trying to cure her. Going from seer to seer but they all disappointed. Is she really sick? Does she have to be quarantined from others until she is cured? Can it infect others? And if it can, why risk other people come in contact with her? What if it's incurable? What if... The same guard saw her expression add quickly added. "Not that's it's an illness I'm positive. You're just special...that's all." She smiled at his correction. It'll satisfy her inner questioning...for now. Maybe tonight her parents will answer the questions she's been asking herself for so long.                     

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      Night quickly fell and with it came the guests. Representatives from other kingdoms as well as wealthy folk filed in. People talked, laughed and danced well into the evening. Many hopefuls came to her and request to dance but she declined for two reasons: one she wasn't interested and two she couldn't dance. The full moon glared at her from its position in the sky. She shimmered in its light.

    Just then a surge rocked her body. She staggered backward gripping onto the banister for support. Issue who was beside her placed her hand on his shoulder. "Hey, hey...are you alright." the princess quickly nodded but stopped upon feeling nauseous. Her friend flashed her a worried frown but let her be. All of a sudden she felt naked, exposed. She looked around frantically hoping to find an escape route. But before she could her father's voice boomed out. "And now I would like the star of my life and the twinkle of my eye to join me." Princess Salamanca's heart sank. "Go girl." Issue urged nudging the girl gently. The princess swallowed and walked towards the crowd. They parted to let her pass. Above her she saw her dad smiling at her and her mother with a tired look. She gulped and climbed the steps to join them. When she reached her parents, her eager father grabbed her and pushed out in front of him.                

    "Smile my dear." he whispered. "Princess Salamanca!" he announced the whole crowd erupting into cheer and applause. She tried to smile when a sharp pain went through her body. She yelped and grabbed the railing. Gasps of shock and worry drowned out the applause. "My dear are you alright?" her father asked his eyes sad. She was going to deny when another wave of pain hit. "NO! I'M NOT ALRIGHT! IT HURTS EVERYWHERE!" she screamed. Her head was pounding and she felt faint...then she felt hollow. Her white hair turned an oily black, her skin paled until it looked translucent and her eyes went a solid black. She surveyed the insolent fools in front of her. Hah! Worthless! She'd kill them all.

Se ofilesc şi se descompun
Pune capăt acestui destin
Rupeti acesți lanțuri pământești
Și eliberează spiritul
Spiritul liber

*The lyrics are in Romanian*

   She sang. Suddenly the stars went out. The candles in the room as well as in the grand chandelier lost their light. The moon was no longer silver. It was slowly turning black. Everyone was confused. The Queen stood, her eyes wide with realization. "Honey...her powers..." she whispered weakly. She then pitched forward. The King grabbed her and moved a stray strand of her hair. She was white as stone. He touched her forehead. She was cold. Salamanca was draining her life force. Then a woman in the crowd faltered. Then another. A third. One by one these people fainted, her siren voice filling the space. Then the moon cleared, stars once again began to twinkle and the princess returned to normal. She rubbed her temples. "Ow. My head-" her eyes caught sight of her guest unconscious but alive spread out on the floor. Panic surged through her as she realized what had happened. She had to get out of here. She'd outstayed her welcome. If she leaves she won't be able to hurt anyone ever again. Her parents would understand. She looked behind her and saw her father unconscious with her mother sprawled out on top of him. Yes they would.                                         

   Her footfalls echoed through the empty castle. She passed by passed out servants them as pale as everyone in the party. She ran until she reached the stables. The horses neighed when they felt her presence. "Shh! You'll exposed me!" the horses quieted. "شجاع? Are you here?" she heard a whiny in response. "Come on boy. We're outta here." she whispeed running up and opening his stall. He snorted in reply. She slipped his reins on and mounted him. "Yah!" she said flicking the reins. He reared and sped off. They were racing rapidly across the fields. Just before them freedom loomed. She braced for the barrier. She knew it would stop her. She felt something go through her body then felt the cool evening breeze. She opened one eyes then both. She saw miles of fields and heard the snort of  شجاع. She looked behind and saw the castle rapidly disappear. She let out a breathe she didn't know she was holding. She was free. Finally free.

PS: Forgive me if this chapter feels rushed. Again this chapter was promised to: @lostbeyondgalaxy