Chapter Text
I hear my feet hit the soft ground hard and fast. I couldn't tell where I was going, and what I was hoping to do but I just kept running. My face was moist from the snowfall, and the hem of my dress was soaked through. I could barely see two inches in front of my face, the snow blinding my vision so bad I end up tripping over a tree root. My body falls, at the mercy of gravity, and I stick my arms out to brace myself for impact.
"Aaaah!" I scream before my face makes direct impact with the cold hard ground. The adrenaline from running delays the pain I must feel from the fall, so I try to lift myself off the ground, but I suddenly feel a intense pain in my leg. I look back and realize I've twisted my ankle, the sharp and piercing pain coursing through my leg. I push up with my arms, and try to stand up with my good leg, but feel my foot skid against the wet snow. I catch myself before colliding with the ground again, and try again to stand, more successful this time. I stand to my feet, feeling my face, and realizing I've bruised it more than anticipated. I could feel the small cuts, and a huge bruise has formed on the bridge of my nose. I flinched back after touching it, sucking the air through my teeth. I look down again, and try to check out my ankle but I can't seem to see through my thick socks. Best to not sit down again…I'll check it out once I make it home. I think to myself as I begin to wobble my way toward the direction I was going, trying not to put too much pressure on my left leg. Now the adrenaline had died, I felt my whole body begin to shake, and I felt all the little pain from the fall begin to accumulate. Tears streamed down my face, and they were hot at first but then turned into a bitter cold as they dripped onto the ground. I continued to walk, still not sure of where I was going, but I felt an undeniable determination to find my way home no matter what. I can't believe I thought about….how could I have been so foolish? I squinted my eyes, tensing the muscles in my face as my tears fell even faster. I clutched my chest, feeling a sudden pain, and my breathing began to become more ragged. I suddenly imagined him, his eyes wide and filled with happiness as he gazed at me, and my eyes widened. But then I saw it, that thing, it's red eyes piercing into mine, ready to take a bite out of me and end my life. My body trembled aggressively, fear consuming my soul. I stopped walking, the fear paralyzing me, and my legs buckled under me, almost making me fall to the ground. I mustered up all the strength in my body to keep myself upright, clutched my chest even tighter. I saw the flashing images in my mind, ones of him, and ones of….it. …..why? Why can't I just… I tore my hands away from my chest, and clutched my head, trying to forget everything. I shook my head, and hit my head with my hand, punishing myself for thinking such thoughts.
"…..please……someone…." I murmured, barely able to hear my own voice over the raging snow storm. My mouth felt dry, and my lips barely moved due to the cold. I suddenly heard a distance sound, a hollow howling, and the running of feet against the snow. My eyes widened in sudden anxiety, and I looked up in the direction of the sound. I didn't see anything, but I heard more howling and running, the sound making its way closer, and closer to me. I felt myself begin to want to run, but the pain in my ankle prevented me from doing so. I tried, and tried and tried to run, but my ankle was too far gone to support me. I felt my heart beat hard in my chest, and I held my breath as I waited for my inevitable death. I felt a scream rip from my throat, but no sound came out, as I collapsed against the ground. I stared at the ground, still hearing the howling, as it reached its closest point. It stopped, and I finally saw them, three timber wolves, their white and gray fur glistening against the moonlight. They growled at me, snarling their teeth, and barking like dogs. I looked up in their direction, and they seemed slightly hesitant to pounce on me, probably seeing who gets to rip me apart first. I felt my heart begin numb, my breath soft and distant, as I slumped into the wet ground. …ah so this is it… I thought as I accepted my fate. In the wake of my numbness, I felt a twinge of determination, something inside me that just screamed "I want to live!" and I so desperately wanted to listen to that voice.
"Help! Someone help me!" I shouted out, not sure when I regained the ability to speak, but my voice somehow came out clear. I hear the sound of the wolves snarling toward me again, as one of them finally pounced at me. I flinched back, waiting for its claws to sink into me, ending my suffering finally. I closed my eyes, and only heard the whimper of one of the wolves, and a fast wind blow past me. I slowly opened my eyes, and saw my vision filled with a dark purple color. My eyes opened wide as soon as I saw it, and looked up at who was standing in front of me. It was him, the owner of the castle and my current savior. He was still in his beastly form, his huge figure towering over me. I felt my heart beat again, reminding me that I'm still alive. I tried to stand to my feet, failing miserably as I caved under the pain of my ankle. I sucked the air through my teeth, and I looked back up at him. He was now turned toward me, looking down at me with his red piercing eyes. I locked eyes with him, still seeing the man behind those savage eyes, and I felt a sudden warmness in my heart.
"Pomni….I need you to run…." His voice was deep, and had a soft growl to it. I could feel his breath hit my face, and I saw the rise of fall of his chest, quick in pace. He must have ran here….to save me. I pondered, but I quickly put the thought aside as I stood to my feet, not slipping this time. My right leg was now starting to cramp, holding up my body weight alone.
"I-" I started to tell him I can't, but suddenly he flinched in pain, and I saw a wolf attack his shoulder. It fangs sank into his flesh, and blood splattered onto a nearby tree. He screamed out in pain, and I put my arms out, almost lunging toward the wolf but stopping myself. I…I can't do anything… My chest began to hurt again, and I scrunched my face in frustration. I made my feet move, moving as fast as I could toward a tree. I picked out a thick tree to hide behind, and I planted my back against it. I breathed out, hard and fast, and starting peaking out from behind the tree. He was now in full on combat with the wolves, his huge claws clenching in aggression. The wolves pounced at him, tearing at his flesh, and biting down whenever they landed a blow. Red blood poured onto the ground, whether it be his, or the wolves. He swung at one of them, hitting them against a tree, and I saw blood splatter against it. The wolf whimpered, and then collapsed against the ground, not moving and slumped. He continually cried out in pain, and I winced at his cries, feeling tears begin to fall down my face. he finally tore the wolf clamped onto his shoulder off, and flung it out into the forest. The last wolf was still taking swipes at him with its claws, and I saw it claws make deep cuts into his violet fur. I saw him finally hit the wolf with his hand, picking it up, and slamming it into the ground, ending it once and for all. He looked down at the now dead wolf, and he breathed heavily as blood oozed from his many wounds. I felt my feet move on their own, slowly making my way toward him. My tears fell to the ground, and I whimpered in sorrow.
"Jax!" I called out, my voice hoarse from my violent sobs. he turned quickly toward me, his eyes widening at my sudden cry. I finally made it close enough to him, and I wrapped my arms around him. His fur was sharp and course, but I squeezed him even harder, smelling the iron like smell in his fur. I breathed in, closing my eyes and smiling. My chest felt warm, and my face began to burn with the same heat. I let him go, and looked back up at him, barely able to catch his face over his tall figure. I stepped back away from him, and my eyes widened in surprise. His eyes softened when he looked at me, his eyebrows forming into a sorrowful expression, but despite that he spread his lip into a genuine smile. His sharp teeth beaming out at me, and my mouth hanged open in response.
"Jax…." I said his name again, my voice much softer this time, and his face burned a deep red. I felt my face warm in response, and I looked away for a moment. I looked back and no longer saw him smiling at me. His body collapsed to the ground, slamming down from the weight and creating a huge noise. I immediately went to him, and hovered my hands above him. His eyes were closed, and his body was slumped. I looked at his chest, and saw the gentle rise and fall, and felt a wave of relief rush over me. Good he's still alive, I better get him somewhere safe. I think to myself as I lift his arm over my shoulder, and try to lift him up. I hoist him up, but I fall under his weight, and my bad leg. I grunted loudly, trying once again to lift him, but to no such success. I can't lift him like this. I thought, as I put him back down, and at least move him up against a tree upright. His wounds were still bleeding, and I looked around for anything I could use to cover them, at least for now. I looked down at my dress, now tattered and torn in several places. I grasp onto my skirt, and begin to rip it apart, using the pieces of fabric to cover his wounds. Blood soaks into the fabric, but I see the bleeding slow as I put pressure on them. I covered his bigger wounds, but had to leave the smaller cuts alone. As soon as I was done, I leaned up against the same tree, and breathed out heavily. Exhaustion overtook me, and I felt my eyelids begin to heavy. I'm sorry…Jax….I can't save you. I thought before sleep overtook me, slowly swallowing me up in the darkness.
Me, Gummigoo, and his two brothers made our way into the forest, treading through it on horseback. This is the third time this week we had been down this road and we had been coming up short in our quests to find this dreaded forest. I tugged on the reins of my horse, and came to a sudden stop. I peered out into the forest, and I squinted my eyes. This place looks familiar. I thought to myself as I rubbed my theoretical chin and grumbled in frustration.
"Is something the matter sir?" Gummigoo piped up and I held my reins with both hands again.
"I'm getting a sense of deja vu." I said, as I whipped my reins at the horse, and it began to move again, slowly and pensively. I heard Gummigoo's horse gallop closer to me, moving his way right next to me.
"So you know where we're going now?" His tone was a mix of frustration, and excitement at my statement.
"Oh I'm afraid not, I'm just saying I think this might be right way." I say and I hear grumbles from behind me. I see Gummigoo look back at his brothers, and shoot them a look that says "Shut up" and looks back to me and smiles wide.
"Well its better than the nothing we have been getting, I say we take this route." His voice is higher in tone, and he leads his horse in my direction. I nod at him, and he nods back. I turn forward, and scrunch my face in anticipation. I've been leading these fools for the last couple days, hoping their navigation skills would lead me to Pom but they're just as incompetent as me when it comes to directions. Gummigoo is semi useful, but I still don't trust him and his motives.
"Sir are you sure none of your memories have come back from that night?" Chad asks from behind me, and turn my head in his direction.
"I'm afraid not." I sighed, trying to make my lie even more believable. I see Gummigoo make a inquisitive expression, clearly seeing something up with my tone. I turn back forward, and finally see the thing I've been looking for. I whip the reins, making the horse gallop faster toward it. A tree that is ripped at the base, the top against the ground. I turn toward the right, the path I took that night. Gummigoo and his brothers follow behind me without question, but I hear him speak up again.
"So your daughter was kidnapped, and you won't tell us how or why?" I feel my body tense up at his question, but breath out to ease my anxiety.
"Its not like I won't tell you, I just don't really remember…" I trailed off at the end of my sentence, and he grumbled some more behind me. I started to feel a chill in the air, and ordered the horse to go faster, and it did. I hear their horses follow suit, as I begin to see snowfall on us.
"I don't know about that, how could you even know she was kidnapped in the first place?" He asked another stupid question, and my frustration was starting to build. I'm so close, and once I find that cursed castle, I'll ditch these morons and find my daughter. I thought to myself as snow fell on my face. I realized I didn't bring a winter cloak with me, so I clutched my light cloak against my shoulders.
"Boss it's starting to get real cold." I heard Max say from behind me, his teeth chattering against the cold wind. Gummigoo ignored his brothers comment, and continued with his questions.
"You wouldn't be lying to us…would you?" I tensed, and pulled had on the reins, stopping the horse in his tracks. I turned slowly toward him, and made eye contact with him. He was smirking, and his attitude had completely changed. My eyes widened, and then I looked at him with a questioning look.
"Lying? Now why would I do that?" I said confidently, still keeping up my act.
"You seem real confident as to where you're going now, as if you remember where she is." His expression changed again, his eyes shone of malice, and I stepped back apprehensively. I swung my leg over to hop off my horse, and I pounded into the soft layers of snow. I saw Gummigoo do the same, while Chad and Max stayed on their horses.
"Listen, you offered to help me…" I said, putting my hands out, motioning to him and then myself.
"Ha, you really think I didn't realize you were playing me for a fool!' He yelled suddenly, and I stepped back, putting my hands behind me back. Shit he figured me out. "We've been going around in circles for days!" He yells out again, flinging his hands out in frustration. I squinted my eyes at him, and then stood up straight.
"Fine, you're right I do remember the way there, I remember everything, but what about you, what do you get out of this?" I say pensively, seeing him smirk again and scoff at me.
"Ha! What do I get out of this?!" he shouts, more aggression building in his tone.
"Uh boss maybe don't…" Chad speaks up but Gummigoo ignores him again.
"The only thing I want is your daughter to marry me!" He shouted, finally revealing his true intentions. I begin to feel sweat build on my brow, despite the cold, and my eyebrow raises in confusion.
"Marry you?" I saw, baffled by his statement, and even more confused by his next.
"Oh yes, she is the only one suited for me, we are meant to be!" He clutches his chest, and looks off in the distance in awe. I'm disgusted by his statement, and I feel my face begin to distort.
"How could a noble such as yourself marry my daughter? Does she even have feelings for you?" I plead out, while I see his face return to his usual smugness.
"Who cares? Once she realizes how good of a life she'll live with me, she'll be desperate to marry me." His voice sounded rough now, echoing in the vast empty forest. His eyes frantically moved, his smug nature no longer present as his mood changed on a dime.
"I will not allow a man like you…to marry my daughter." I said with a stern tone, glaring daggers into his eyes, and he flinched at my sudden tone shift. He straightened out, and motioned toward his brothers, both of them hopping off their horses. I moved back carefully, watching my every step. They moved toward me, slowly as they took something out from behind them.
"Yo-!" He shouted but was cut short by another scream in the distance.
"Help! Someone help me!" I heard it far away in the distance, but there was no mistake, it was Pomni's voice. I immediately turned toward the voice, and ran in its direction.
"Pom! Pom it's me!" I shouted as loud as I could, but I heard their footsteps behind me, running just as fast as I was. I finally stopped when I saw her figure in the distance. "P-Pom!" I shouted, my voice cracking as tears poured from my eyes. I took a step toward her, but I suddenly became aware of the presence of my pursuers. I turned around, and saw them come up right behind me.
"Boss it's him!" I heard Max shout, and I stood my ground as they neared. I can't let them get to her. I thought, and I pulled out my spare wrench from my belt. I held it up against them, realizing it might not do much, but it was something.
"You think you can take us all on with a wrench!? You're even more foolish than I thought." Gummigoo pulled out a hunting knife from his belt, and held it up to me. I glared at them, as they all pulled out hunting knifes, and I swung my wrench at them, preventing them from getting closer to me. I suddenly heard a deep roar, and I turned back toward Pomni, seeing something I wish I didn't have to see again. That Beast was standing over her, a wolf biting into his shoulder. My eyes widened as I tried to call out to her again,
"Po-" I was cut short as I felt a sharp pain in my back, feeling the blood gush out the wound. Gummigoo had thrust his knife into my back, and I felt myself fall on my knees. he pulled the knife out, and flicked it out to get rid of the blood. I heard he chuckle slightly, and then burst out in laughter. I couldn't tell if he was laughing out of nerves, or pure malice. As I felt the blood begin pour out of my body, I felt myself begin lose consciousness, and the darkness enveloped me as I heard their laughter ring in my ears.
My eyes slowly opened, and I felt the cold wind against my skin. The blinding light of the sunrise pierced my eyes, and I blocked it with my hand on instinct. I looked down and saw my torn up dress, now reaching up above my knees, showing my bare thighs. They were riddled with bruises and small scraps, and I brushed off some of the dirt on them. I looked back up, and the sun was full in the sky now, bringing in a light I hadn't seen in a while. Did I…fall asleep? I wondered as I looked around, only to find who was laying next to me. Jax had turned back to normal now, his long slender body slumped against the tree, and his eyes closed. I sat up straight, and gazed at him. His wounds were the same, the cloth I put around them was now laying on the ground or flying away in the wind. I put my hand out, and placed it on his shoulder. I gently shook him, trying to see if he would wake up, but he seemed to be in a deep sleep. I could see him gently shivering from the cold, and I seemed to be doing the same. I clutched my cloak close to my body, and I moved his cloak over his shoulders more. He moved slightly after I did this, nuzzling into the warmth of the cloak, and I smiled slightly. I pushed myself off the ground, and stood to my feet. I still felt pain in my leg, my ankle hadn't miraculously healed overnight, unfortunately and I leaned down to pick up Jax off the ground. I pulled on his arm, his body resisting my force, but I somehow got him into an upright position. I quickly flipped around and put his arm on my shoulder, and moved the other onto my other shoulder. I held his arms firmly over me, and began walking back toward town, I have to get him to a doctor. I thought as I dragged him across the ground. I walked for only a short while, and then I saw the border between the winter forest, and the normal one. I practically ran, as much as I could, to cross over but I was abruptly stopped by seemingly Jax yanking me back over. I tugged on him hard, but no matter how hard I tried he couldn't cross over. I backed away, and gently placed him on the ground, leaning him against a tree. I walked by myself over the border, and had no problems. I walked back toward him and once again picked up Jax. I slung him over my shoulder, and tried once again to cross. I was unable to cross with him, and I heard a strange warbling sound coming from somewhere. I stepped back quickly, and saw an invisible barrier, warping outward from where I was trying to enter. I looked up, the pulses reaching up quite a ways, and I breathed out. Can he not…leave? I thought as I peaked over at his sleeping face, still fast asleep despite my efforts. I huffed out in frustration,
"Oh of course you can't leave, that's so convenient!" I shouted into the empty forest, my voice echoing against the pine trees. I marched back toward the other direction, and slowly moved back toward the castle. As I walked, my back began to cramp, and my leg was seemingly getting worse the more I put pressure on it, but I carried on, determined to save Jax as much as I could. He saved me, so I have to save him. I thought to myself, as I breathed out through my nose, moving despite the pain. Eventually I saw the courtyard, illuminated by the flowers, but the darkness still evident despite it being the daytime. I walked into the courtyard, and fell to my knees as soon as I made my way to the steps. I moved Jax off of me, and gently placed him against them. I breathed out, now letting my back and legs rest. I moved to sit on the steps, but I suddenly heard a voice speak out.
"Pomni! Your Highness!" Kinger waddled his way toward us, and I turned back toward him. I smiled at his presence, and felt a sudden bout of vertigo wash over me.
"Woah woah, are you ok?" I lifted my hand to my head, and looked over as Zooble also walked over to us. The vertigo subsided a little, but I was starting to feel nauseous.
"I-I'm ok, but he needs help…" The vertigo was starting to get worse, and I felt myself begin to fade and I lost consciousness.
…
I awoke again, staring up at a gold covered ceiling, and seeing the tops of a canopy bed. I feel my head pounding hard against my skull, and I groan in pain. I blink rapidly and sit up slowly in my bed, looking at my surroundings. I was in my bedroom, well the one I had in the castle anyhow, and the room was dark, none of the candles were lit except the one sitting on the nightstand.
"Oh are you awake?" I hear a small timid voice call out, and I look in its direction. Gangle is faced toward me, though I can barely see her. She moves slightly closer to me, not moving much but close enough so I can see her. My eyes are squinted due to the pounding headache, and I finally speak up.
"How did I end up here?" my memories were hazy, I remember taking Jax back here but everything after that was fuzzy.
"Kinger and Zooble dragged you both into the castle, they're tending to his wounds." She twiddles her ribbon hands together, and my eyes widen. I remember the state that Jax was in, and I immediately flip the blanket on me off, and try to stand to my feet. I get a severe head rush, and sit back down carefully on the bed, grounding myself.
"You need to rest Pomni!" Gangle exclaims, putting her hands out toward me. I put my hand up to my head, and look down at the floor. I notice I've been dressed in different clothes, and my wounds have been cleaned and bandaged. My ankle is also wrapped in bandages, and it feels cold to the touch. I look back and realize an bag of ice had placed on it, seemingly by whoever treated my wounds. I looked back up at Gangle, and stand to my feet, making sure to not to put too much pressure on my twisted ankle. I placed my hand on my nightstand for support and Gangle stepped back slightly.
"Gangle, I need to see him, please." My eyes were determined, glaring at her, and she flinched back. She looked around nervously for a second, and then nodded.
"O-ok, take this." She opened her doors and she produced a walking cane from inside her wardrobe body. I snatched the cane from her, and pressed into it, beginning to walk toward the door, I looked back at Gangle, and put my hand up in confusion.
"Aren't you coming?" I said, my voice soft and direct.
"Oh…I don't think he would want me to be there…" She said, her sentence trailing off as her eyes softened in sorrow. I felt sad for her, there was clearly more to her statement, but I was determined to see Jax. I turned back toward the door, and closed it behind me. I made my way down the hallway, the sound of the cane clinking against the wooden floor. I moved slowly, frustrated by the limits of my injured body, but I realized there was nothing I could do. I finally made it into the main corridor, and looked at the front entrance. It was slightly open, blowing in a cold wind. I shivered at the cold, looking down and seeing that I was only wearing a thin nightgown. I began to walk again, up the stairs into the west wing. I breathed out, feeling my anxiety subside as I entered the place I said I would never enter again. I walk down the hallway, seeing the claw marks etched into the walls. I feel a deep sorrow come over me, What…what happened to you Jax? I find myself thinking, feeling tears form in my eyes, but blinking them back. I find myself in front of his door, again, placing my hand on the handle, and turning it pensively. I hear the loud noise of the door ring out in the room, but I'm unaffected by it, and make my way into the room. I climb the small stairs up, and finally see him. Kinger and Ragatha stand on his right nightstand, watching me enter the room. Zooble sits on the left one, their arms crossed and looking away from him.
"Pomni! You shouldn't be walking!" Ragatha calls out to me, but I ignore her cries as I move quickly toward Jax. He's still sleeping, his arms laid over each on top of him, and his mouth is slightly agape. I make way to the edge of his bed, and sit down next to him. I stare at him, not letting my eyes move away from him, and I see the rise and fall of his chest. I breath out, and close my eyes, looking down at the floor.
"Oh thank god he's alright." I say, feeling relief wash over me, Kinger and Ragatha stare at me, bewildered.
"I'm surprised you're both still alive, you both could've been eaten by wolves, or worse, froze to death." Zooble spoke in a monotone tone of voice, scoffing out the words.
"Zooble! Just be thankful they survived!" Ragatha shouted at Zooble, puffing out in frustration. Zooble scoffed, looking away once more.
"Is he…gonna be ok?" I mumbled, my voice sounding fragile, vulnerable. Ragatha smiled softly at me, and Kinger spoke up.
"He's fine, luckily most the bleeding stopped and his wounds are cleaned now." Kinger sighed, and turned to look at Zooble for a second, and then back at me. I looked at Jax, sleeping peacefully as if he hadn't a care in the world. I felt tears stream down my face, as I felt guilt build up in my chest.
"Pomni…" Kinger's voice came out calm and quiet.
"Why…why did I…run away?" I closed my eyes as I felt myself begin to sob, I restrained myself from crying out loudly. The moment flashed in my mind, the claws, the sharp teeth, his dark fur, everything made me so terrified, and so I only thought about escaping death.
"You only followed your fight or flight instincts." Zooble spoke suddenly, speaking flatly. I hear Ragatha growl a little at them, and Zooble breath out in frustration.
"I…I did this to him….I couldn't do anything…I-" I was cut off by my own sobs, and I barely spoke out cohesively.
"Pomni….don't blame yourself…." Ragatha started to say, her voice hesitant. "We….we are to blame…"
"Ragatha…" Kinger spoke out, his voice still quiet. I looked up at them, confused as to why she thinks that way. I wiped my face of the tears with my hands, and listened in as she spoke.
"His Highness, he was once a carefree child, never bothered by the weight of the world…but his mother…corrupted him." Her voice changed into a more rotten tone when she spoke of his mother. "His mother had high expectations for him, as next in line to become king, he had to meet them. No matter how much she scolded him, beat him, punished him, he was never good enough…." Her tone sounded completely angry, though I couldn't tell if it was for her, or herself.
"He grew up always wanting to impress her, throwing parties to show off his wealth, looking down on commoners to flaunt his power, but underneath it all….he just wanted to be loved…" I saw tears stream down her face, and Kinger placed his hand behind her back. My heart began to hurt, hurt for him, hurt for them. I felt tears begin to fall again, and I looked back at him, seeing the peaceful look on his face.
"So why…why is he like this now?" I asked, truly wanting to know the answer.
"Jax….His Highness is cursed." Kinger spoke up, and I moved back slightly in shock, my eyes widening.
"Cursed? By who?" I asked.
"An enchantress, she came in during one of his parties, and cursed him to turn into…well I'm sure you know.." Kinger looked down, and I looked back toward him. My heart started to beat fast, and I could feel myself losing the ability to breathe. I put my hand to my chest, slowing my breathing, and calming my heart. In that moment, it all started to click for me, why the servants look the way they do, why there's an invisible barrier, why this castle has seemed cursed from the moment I got here, it's cause it is.
"So wait if he's cursed. there must be a way to break it." I stood up off the bed, my voice seeming louder than before. My heart was beating fast again, anticipating his answer. Kinger looked up at me, and I ignored the pain in my leg. Kinger looked away from me, off to the left of the room. I followed his gaze, and saw him staring at the enchanting purple rose. I looked back to him, and his eyes softened.
"…He must love, and gain love in return."