Chapter 47
ELLA
LICHTENSTEIN CASTLE
“Jacob,” I choke out, pressing my shaking fingers to my mouth as I fall to his side. “Look at me! Tell me you’re alive.”
His eyes blink once, and he shifts his head slightly to look at me. Eyes the color of a brooding storm, memorizing me like this moment will be his last. My heart shatters.
“Ella,” he whispers. His face is gray, ashes falling from a dying fire.
My hand trembles as I tenderly drag my fingers along his jaw because suddenly I know. I’m in love with him. He’s the fire of my life. It’s he who brought me out of the cinders. It’s he who told me I could be a princess even though no one believed it, not even myself.
“The creatures are gone.” I wrap my palms around his. “As is Dr. Wissen. You did it.”
“It was you,” he whispers. “You saved us, my beautiful Ella.”
A cry escapes my throat. This is not the aloof warrior I’ve always known. He’s broken and torn to shreds, and yet, more beautiful than I ever imagined. I look at Wilhelm, sitting at Jacob’s other side.
“Tell me he’ll be all right,” I demand. “His body will heal just like yours did in the fortress.”
Wilhelm shakes his head. His eyes are bloodshot, and there are rivulets staining the battle grime on his face.
“The casualties are too great.” He scrubs a hand over his face. “We can withstand greater losses than a normal human, but we aren’t immortal. I tried to finish the story, but I wasn’t fast enough.”
“Then we change the ending,” I say. “There must be something you can do.”
“It is finished. You did it when you pronounced the truth of who Dr. Wissen was to the prince and then called your birds to defeat him. It had to be you, his future bride. You exposed him for what he was.”
Wilhelm opens the book to show me a story: The Robber Bridegroom. I should find consolation that the doctor has been sent from this world. That the people of our village are finally safe. Except my heart finally breaks in half. It’s suffered too much loss.
“But it’s not too late for Jacob, right?” I gasp for air. It’s too hard to breathe.
Jacob’s hand squeezes mine. “I want you to have your happily ever after,” he says.
“Then don’t die,” I shoot back.
“Wilhelm,” Jacob rasps. “Write Ella her happy ending. Promise me? Make sure that witch doesn’t get the prince. Ella must marry the prince.”
“No!” I sob and press his hand to my cheek. “Please. We can find a way to be together. We will figure something out. Don’t make me marry someone I don’t love.”
“I love you,” Jacob says. “I think I always have.”
And then his eyes glaze over, and his grip slackens. Life slips from his lips, gathering into the candlelight. I collapse against his chest, unable to stop the sobs wracking my body. Wilhelm leaps to his feet, throwing down the book.
“This was not the deal!” Wilhelm yells, punching his fist into the air. “You can’t let him die! If he dies, then I’m out. There will be no more stories. No more writing. Without him, I can’t. Just can’t.”
Wilhelm’s rage peters out until he slumps onto the floor. I don’t have the strength to leave Jacob’s chest to offer comfort.
That’s when she comes. At first, I think we’re being assaulted by fireflies, but then they swirl together, solidifying into a woman.
She’s terrible and beautiful with a gown spun from the coldest winter’s snow and skin smoother than ice.
Her crown, studded with gems the color of the rainbow, is so sharp, it could be a weapon.
“How disappointing.” The woman clucks her tongue. “He was my favorite, you know.”
“Enchantress,” Wilhelm says with a growl, so similar to his brother.
“Oh, don’t take it personally.” She waves her thin wand flippantly. “I like you well enough. But this one, he had sass. Always liked to challenge me.”
So this is the woman who has been torturing the Grimm brothers. I give her my fiercest glare.
“He’s not supposed to die.” Wilhelm’s fists clench at his sides. “This should never have happened.”
“Well, it happened, so I suppose it was meant to be,” she snaps back.
“Don’t even think about blaming me. Now you.
” The Enchantress stops talking and glides to where I’m huddled next to Jacob, narrowing glacial eyes on me.
“How unexpected. A mere bird-girl. You saved them, didn’t you? You know they’re your hunters.”
“I was too late,” I choke out. “Can you save my Jacob?”
Her eyebrows shoot up at my words. “Your Jacob? He’s my Jacob. And don’t forget that. But the witch, she’s afraid of you, isn’t she?”
“Marianne?” I snort. “She’s definitely not afraid of me. I suppose she hates me since Prince William liked me better than her. Not that it matters.”
“Yes. Yes.” The Enchantress nods, her eyes growing wider as her white lips curve into a smile that could dazzle anyone. “I like you, Cinderella, quite a lot actually.”
“Ella,” I correct.
“Fearless for such a little bird,” the Enchantress coos. “I respect that.”
I scowl. “This is your fault.”
“It’s for the best that he died. A pretty, bright thing like yourself can do so much better. Besides, your love was never meant to be. Star-crossed lovers, that’s all you ever were.”
Every muscle in my body screams to jump up and stab her with Jacob’s sword. But then a desperately wretched idea forms into my mind.
“This witch, Marianne,” I say, clenching my fists to keep my rage in check. “How long has she evaded and outwitted you? Because I think it’s been quite a while.”
The Enchantress studies the ballroom’s carnage. “The witch’s and my history are none of your concern.”
“I’ve read her journal.” I rise to my feet, empowered by the sudden hunger flickering in the Enchantress’s eyes. “A fascinating read. In it, she writes about her plans, her desires, her allies. Riveting material.”
“You lie,” the Enchantress says, but her body leans toward me like she believes every word I say.
“There were conversations in that book between her and other witches. They all have grand plans, but their number one goal is to destroy you.” The Enchantress is quiet.
Her fingers drum against her wand. “I could give the Grimm brothers this journal and keep her from marrying the prince and gaining a kingdom to rule over. But I want something in return.”
“The little bird is more clever than I gave her credit for,” the Enchantress mutters. “What do you want?”
“Bring Jacob back to life,” I say. “You can do that, can’t you?”
She remains quiet, looking down at Jacob, still as forgotten stone. “There would be consequences. There always are consequences. But since he hasn’t completely left this realm yet—maybe.”
I suck in my breath, too much hope daring to spill out of me, and yet terror hovers there as well. Consequences? What did that mean? I think about Jacob’s deal with her when he saved Wilhelm’s life. Jacob said they lived a cursed life because of it.
“Ella!” Wilhelm grabs me and draws me aside. “Don’t do it. Don’t make any deals with her. Ever. There’s not a day I don’t regret the decision we made to be slaves to that wretched woman. Trust me on this.”
“You would rather let Jacob die?”
“Yes, most definitely. In fact, his dying wish was to give you your happy ending. How can I do that if you’re enslaved to this Enchantress?”
“I can’t let him die.” Tears spill down my cheeks. Now I understand Jacob’s pain and why he chose his path.
“If you truly love him, you’ll let him go. It’s the right thing to do.”
“But isn’t love about holding on no matter what?” I counter. “Isn’t love about fighting for each other, despite all odds?”
Wilhelm stares at me, swallowing hard. Mother used to tell me you could see a person’s soul through their eyes. His are deep pools of sadness.
“Wilhelm,” the Enchantress commands. “We must speak.”
He leaves me to join the Enchantress in the corner where the two talk in whispered voices. I wring my hands, trying to keep them from shaking.
“The deal has been struck,” the Enchantress says upon returning. Her face is hard and unreadable in the candlelight. “All that’s required, Cinderella, is for you to keep your part.”
“My part?” My heart feels like it’s sinking into the depths of the sea.
“You must hand over the witch’s book to Wilhelm,” she says. I let out a breath, but she continues, “And complete your fairy tale. I suspect it’s through your tale that we can stop Marianne forever.”
My fairy tale. Wilhelm’s book is open on the floor.
The pages turn on their own accord to an unfinished story called Cinderella.
My breath catches in my throat, and a gasp escapes my lips.
Wilhelm races over and snatches up the book, but there’s no more hiding the truth.
Jacob and Wilhelm were writing my story this whole time without my permission?
Of course, they were. I’d been a fool to think I might be different.
Jacob got close to me only to use me to cross off another story from his list.
A smirk slides across the Enchantress's face as if to say, What did you expect?
I confront Wilhelm. “Jacob’s and my relationship was only about completing your next story, wasn’t it?”
Wilhelm blanches, clearly stricken by my words.
“It’s not what it seems. I mean, it is, but you’re from the other realm, and that’s where you belong.
This is your chance to enter your own fairy tale where you can choose your own ending.
I’ll merely write out the events as you see fit.
Or even better, forget this madness. Let Jacob die in peace and go home and live out your life. ”
“Yes, because my life at home is so lovely,” I say dully.
“Time is ticking,” the Enchantress calls out. “He’s nearly beyond my reach.”
A queasiness settles in the pit of my stomach.
Without Jacob, I wouldn’t have found the truth behind Dr. Wissen.
The monster would still be alive, and I’d be a married woman, perhaps already fed to his trees.
He also gave me the strength to stand up for myself and made me believe I could do what I otherwise thought was impossible.
For all Jacob’s trickery, I owed him. I face the Enchantress.
“I agree to your terms.”
“Excellent,” she says, pulling out a contract and pen. “Prick your finger and sign your name in blood. I recommend you hurry.”
A wave of dizziness washes over me after I sign. Then I spin on my golden slippers and dash into the hall only to run into Prince William kissing Marianne.
“Fritz—I mean Prince William?” My voice is strangled.
Marianne pulls away from him with a coy smile. Her hand still clutches his tussled jacket as if she’s holding him up. Blood drips from her lips.
“What have you done to the prince?” I demand. “His blood is on your mouth!”
She chuckles, wiping the crimson off her chin and then licking it.
“Don’t you worry, stepsister. That isn’t the prince’s blood.
It’s yours. When I discovered the true reason for Crabb Wissen’s obsession with you, I swiped some of the blood you spilled and tasted it.
Sweet and tangy, full of magic. Deep, old magic.
The doctor was keeping secrets about you from me. ”
“You speak like a madwoman.”
“You must come from a very powerful family with ancient magic. The doctor and I drank a blood oath that you would be his and I would have the crown. But he’s dead now, thanks to you, so I think I’ll just take everything.”
She lifts her hands as if she’s preparing to kill me. My thoughts whirl in desperation. Fear scrapes my skin.
“If you kill me,” I say quickly, “you’ll never get your book back.”
Her hands lower. “What book?”
“The one in your garden,” I say. Her lips part slightly, a sharp breath catching in her throat.
“Yes, I know about your secret hiding spot and what you’ve been doing to my poor bird friends.
And I found your journal full of information and communications that I’m sure the Enchantress would love to read. ”
“How do you know about her?”
“It’s why I took your journal and hid it in my own secret place. If I don’t return home alive, I’ve asked a friend to make sure the book is given to the Enchantress. You know, I was shocked at how much information you wrote in there. Plans, allies, weaknesses.”
“You dare think you can bribe me?”
“Not think, I know.” I throw on a smirk even as my knees tremble. “Also, get your hands off the prince.”
She lets go of him and he startles as if coming out of a trance.
“Princess, you’re alive!” he exclaims. “I saw you jump out the window. I merely kissed this lovely lady because I wanted to get out of my frog form and save you. You must believe me. It’s a long story, but I can explain everything.”
Backpedaling, I give the Enchantress a meaningful look. She lifts her chin but doesn’t stop me. Urgency rails at my nerves. I need to hurry and get Marianne’s book to Wilhelm. There isn’t a second to lose; Jacob’s life depends on it.
“Wait.” Prince William starts after me. “Don’t leave. I order you in the name of the king to stay.”
“I have to go, Your Highness,” I say. “I’m sorry. For everything.”
Picking up my skirts, I take off down the hallway, heading to the back gate, blue feathers from my tattered gown fluttering in my wake. With every step, I expect Marianne to use her witch powers and stop me, but she doesn’t. Concerning, but I don’t have time to worry about it.
“Guards!” Prince William calls, running after me. “Close the gates!”
The castle corridors, once full of partyers, are silent as if holding their breath. Once outside, I rush to cross the wooden bridge only for my slippers to sink into dark pitch, making it impossible for me to move.
“Someone is on the bridge!” a guard’s voice cries out from above.
“By orders of the prince,” another guard says. “No one can leave the castle without permission.”
Heart pounding, I manage to slide my feet out of the slippers and then mentally focus on turning to my bird-form.
Except I’m still having trouble transforming upon command.
Voices gather at the edge of the drawbridge.
My heart pelts against my ribcage. Panic claws at my throat.
But it appears once again my panic will save me.
Maybe the frog prince and I have more in common than I thought.
Because I’m ripping, tearing, shredding from my human form. I lift into the sky, vanishing onto the wings of night.