Simina awoke the next morning with a renewed sense of determination. She sat up in bed, stomach rumbling. The aroma of seared meat and toasted bread filled her nose. Her eyes landed on a silver tray sitting in front of the door. Nostrils flaring, Simina leapt over to the tray and devoured the food in minutes.
Now, after gaining proper nourishment, Simina began looking for a way out. First, she started at the window. One glance told her that it would be impossible to escape via the window. The height alone was dizzying and even if there were foot holds along the wall, only one slip and it would be over. Simina wasn't willing to take that risk. Her physical capabilities wouldn't allow something of that magnitude. She needed to go outside and find the stables. But guards waited everywhere.
Simina thought about her aunt. If there was just some way to contact her, let her know where she was...she could come for her. A letter. There was a slanted writing desk by the window, with paper and pens. Simina sat down and quickly composed a letter to her aunt, explaining her dire situation. Then she hastily folded it and stuffed it into an envelope. Now how would she get it there? If she had magic, she could talk to animals and lure a bird to the window. But she didn't. However, every building had some place where post was received and delivered.
In order to do that, though, Simina needed to find a way out of this room first. A quick jiggle of the knob let her know that the door was indeed still locked. Using the pen, Simina tried to pick the lock. She gave up a half an hour later, frustrated with her lack of progress. Huffing, Simina threw the pen to the floor. Simina refused to be trapped here.
She thought about Ernest and recalled his words. You might just be a late bloomer... She'd never attempted to use magic before, or even tried to channel it. But that's because she thought she couldn't. However, maybe that's the problem. Ernest was able to do more magic and for longer periods of time after eating. Maybe it was the same for her.
Simina took a deep breath and placed her hand flat against the keyhole. She closed her eyes, trying to imagine magical energy coursing through her body. She pictured it as a huge, golden ball of light in her chest, and imagined it spreading out. It stretched into her legs and flowed through her arms and into her hands. She focused on the goal she wanted to achieve, and that was to unlock the door.
"Unlock," she said, determination in her voice. She waited a few moments and then opened her eyes. Simina twisted the knob, but the lock held fast. It hadn't worked. Frustrated, she kicked the door. Simina forced herself to calm down, and tried once more. And this time, when Simina imagined the magic coursing through her, she experienced something she'd never experienced before. A surge. A pulsing, electrical warmth spread through her entire body.
"UNLOCK," Simina said again, with more power in her voice. There was a soft, but clear, click of the door unlocking. Simina's eyes flew open in surprise. Has it actually worked? Had she really used magic to unlock the door? Only one way to find out.
Simina grabbed the knob and turned. It opened smoothly without a sound. Giddy, Simina stepped out into the hall with a huge grin. There was some magic in her after all. It may not be a lot. But it was there. Her celebration was cut short by a sudden and unexpected wave of fatigue. Her steps faltered, Simina's knees buckled and she slumped weakly against the wall. Ernest was right. Using magic, even such a small amount, must have sapped a lot of Simina's physical energy.
Nevertheless, Simina pressed on. After several minutes of hobbling around, she found herself back on the landing, in the foyer. The guards remained at their post. But the other doors on the landing had been left unguarded. Simina quietly slipped in after making sure the guards weren't paying her any attention.
She'd entered a very vast room. Simina looked all around, taking in all the details. On each wall, there were five lancet windows, so long that they went from the floor to the ceiling. At least three glorious chandeliers hung from the ceiling, dazzling bright in all of their beauty, filling the room with light. The exquisite, marble floor was polished so well that Simina could see her reflection when she looked down.
There were lots of chairs in this room, lots of chairs, lined up neatly on either side of the wall. Taking in all the detailed beauty of this large room, she slowly walked across the floor, footsteps echoing loudly, bouncing all around on the walls. Simina's eyes landed on a man's figure sitting in a chair across the room. He sat relaxed, with one leg propped up on his knee. He rested his head on his fist, his expression broody. A long, dark trench coat framed his limber body. Upon realizing that it was the Dark Prince, Simina spun on her heel and started walking back towards the door.
"Stop," he grumbled with a heavy sigh. Simina froze. He appeared in front of her in a swirl of purple smoke. Simina held the letter behind her back.
Prince Nar glared at her. "How did you get out of your room?"
Simina said nothing. She cast her eyes to the floor, avoiding his dark gaze.
"Did Matilda let you out?"
Simina shook her head. "No."
"Then how did you get out?" he asked again.
Simina looked up and met his gaze. "Maybe you forgot to lock the door," she quipped, curling her lips.
Prince Nar's eyes flashed with fury. "How dare you...what have you got there?"
He must have noticed the letter somehow.
"Nothing," she said quickly, but Nar snatched the letter from her hands.
"Please, it's just a letter to my aunt!" Simina cried. "I was supposed to arrive two days ago, she's probably wondering where I am!"
He was silent as he peeked the envelope open and took out the note.
"Just let me send it."
"Quiet," he snapped, holding up a hand. Simina's heart hammered as she watched his eyes read every line. After a brief hesitation, he finally spoke.
"Simina, is it?" Prince Nar said, her name flowing from his lips. It was a lovely name, and unique. He'd never heard such a name before.
"Simina," he repeated slowly, sounding out every syllable. His voice, seemingly emanating an aura, sounded as if he was casting a spell.
The way he said her name sent chills down her spine. It was unnerving yet attractive. Simina didn't know how to feel.
Breathing in, Prince Nar promptly tore the letter in half. Then he carefully tore the rest of it into tiny, useless pieces and dropped them. They fluttered down to the floor at Simina's feet.
Frowning at the pieces of parchment, tears burned in the backs of her eyes, like liquid fire. "How could you..."
She glared at him, eyes full of tears. "I wish to leave!"
"You will leave when I say you can leave!" he shouted, taking a step closer to her.
"Am I to be your prisoner, then?"
This time, the Prince remained silent. Simina went on.
"That book was right. You are evil," she hissed.
This took him by surprise. His eyes widened, jaw dropping. "What book? What are you talking about?"
"I found a book. About you. You are just as vile and despicable as the book says!" Simina's words lashed at him like a whip. Anger and hurt swelled within him, mixing into something dangerous.
"You know nothing of me," Prince Nar spat, his face inches from hers.
Simina whimpered in fear, but held his gaze. "I know enough. In fairytales, princes are good. Not evil."
He smiled mirthlessly. "My dear, this isn't a fairy tale."
Sadness enveloped her at this revelation. No. This wasn't a fairytale.
"Why can't you be good?" she whispered.
Much to Simina's surprise, Prince Nar's eyes softened. Maybe it was a trick of the light? Or an evil trick? But maybe not. Simina didn't see cruelty, or evil...only sadness. He tilted up her chin with a finger, staring deep into her eyes. Simina expected his hand to be cold, a reflection of his dark personality, but instead it was warm. And being so close to him, Simina found that his scent was so very inviting. He smiled of lilac and gentle musk.
"Because if I was, I wouldn't be," he murmured. As soon as the words left his lips, his face blanched with astonishment.
"How did you do that?" Prince Nar exclaimed, flabbergasted.
"Do what?" Simina stared at him, confused. What was he talking about?
His vulnerable expression vanished in the blink of an eye, and his face hardened. It happened so fast that Simina wasn't sure what she'd seen. He abruptly shoved her away, roughly, and she fell to the floor.
"Aaah!" she screamed, pain shooting through her small body at the impact.
"Get away from me!" he roared, purple eyes glowing.
The room began to shake, and the floor shifted significantly beneath her. A loud rumbling filled her ears, and all of the walls and ceiling shook. Dust and debris rained down, and the chandeliers swung precariously. Long, jagged cracks snaked up the walls like vines, the sound of the stone breaking deafening.
Gasping, Simina struggled to find her footing. Nar was overcome with rage, his shoulders heaving. A chandelier was torn from the ceiling and came crashing down in a dazzling but dangerous display of smashed, glittering crystal. Simina screamed and dove out of the way to avoid it just in time. Heart pounding, Simina made a beeline for the doors.
How could she let herself falter? The Dark Prince was exactly that: dark. Why had she even entertained the thought that he might be good? No one good could do something like this.
Reaching the doors, Simina shoved them open with her entire body and kept running. As she ran down the steps, she saw the two guards at the exit running up them to check out the commotion. Refusing to stop, Simina burst out of the castle and into the cold, snowy landscape. Nearly falling over, she gathered up her dress and ran as fast as she could around the castle, searching desperately for the stables.
Panting, Simina shivered as the cold air bit into her bare skin, ankles deep in the snow. It glistened blindingly in the bright sun. By the time she found the stables, she'd run halfway around the castle. Her face was numb and she could barely feel her toes. The only horse in the stables was midnight black, with a silky mane. Without hesitating, Simina leapt on, grabbing the reins.
"Hiya!" she shouted, and the horse neighed. The horse galloped away, carrying her on its back. Just as she passed the castle, the doors burst open, releasing a gigantic, cascading wave of dark violet smoke. As it cleared, Simina saw the Dark Prince standing there, two guards flanking him. But Simina kept going, and his eyes followed her until she disappeared into the snowy woods.
Prince Nar seethed with unfiltered anger as he watched the peasant girl ride off with his horse, Night Rider. There's no way she should've been able to ride it, it's enchanted. Only he should be able to ride that horse. Nar would have stopped her, but the enchantment protects the rider from being harmed.
"My liege, she's just stolen your horse!" one of the guards shouted.
Nar whipped his head towards the incompetent guard, purple eyes aflame. "I know, I just saw."
"What do you want us to do, your highness?"
He gritted his teeth. "Find her and bring her to me."
There was something odd about that girl and he intended to find out what.