Chapter Text
Tella didn’t recognize the name on the return address of the letter she’d received today, and since it was from the Magnificent North she was even more apprehensive about it. She ripped it open anyway, curiosity spiraling inside of her.
Princess Donatella,
I know you don’t know who I am, but I’d like you to remember a year ago when you and your sister—the Empress—sent a young girl, Evangeline Fox, here to the Magnificent North. I’m sure you read about the strange and wild events around her marriage to Prince Apollo Acadian and his death, resurrection, and subsequent death (when he truly died), and the take over of my parents the Valors. I’m sure you are also aware of the involvement of a person in all these dramatic events that I believe you have had the misfortune to make the acquaintance of the Prince of Hearts.
I write to you as Eva’s closest friend to tell you that something dreadful has happened. The Prince of Hearts has put her under a spell. She believes that she loves him and that he loves her. He has effectively kidnapped and is keeping her trapped in a protected house in the woods of the Magificent North.
I’m asking for your help to free her since you are the acclaimed fate slayer. Unfortunately killing Jacks will not solve our issue. I have found a way to break the curse on her, but I need your help.
I have of course, tried on my own to save her on my own, but the spell on her is stronger than any I’ve seen and that says something since I am one of the great Valors. When I tried to save her, she grew violent and attacked me, wounding me with a knife I believe the Prince of Hearts gave her. If you do decide to help, it may be necessary to chain her up until we can break Jacks’ curse over her.
I beg you to come help me. I’m at my wit’s end have no one else to turn to since my family refuses to get involved in the matter but I cannot let my best friend stay bewitched by the evil Fate who has her entrapped.
I hope to hear your positive reply in person but if you cannot help I understand and will try my best on my own.
Sincerely,
Aurora Valor
Tella’s blood boiled. How dare Jacks do something to the brave and innocent girl, Evangeline? But more so, how dare she be so careless that she didn’t even think to check in with Evangeline? She’d known that Jacks was in the North, and had indeed seen some of the most major headlines from North, but hadn’t cared enough to see what was really going on.
Tella didn’t even need to think about about her response, didn’t bother getting out a pen and paper. She would take this Aurora’s suggestion and deliver her answer in person.
The door to her room opened and Dante walked in.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. “You look mad. Did I do something?”
Tella tried to put on a neutral face. “No, you did nothing. But I’m packing my stuff and leaving tonight for the Magnificent North.”
Dante’s eyes widened. “What!? What for?”
“To kill Jacks.”
Dante’s eyes darkened. “Then I’m coming with.”
She laughed. “Good. In fact I’ll rope in Scarlett and Julian too, if possible. At least Scarlett since this is her and I’s fault, at least partially.”
“What is it?” he asked confused.
Tella explained the situation in a few brief words. Dante’s jaw tightened. “Alright, then I’m doubly in because there is no chance in hell I’m letting that asshole spell an innocent girl. And even if that weren’t the problem I’d probably go after him anyway after everything he did to you.”
Tella smiled and she knew the curve of it wasn’t a kind one. “Let’s go get Scarlett on board too then.”
***
Tella stood at the bow of the ship. It would be a week before they reached the Magnificent North but Tella had realized that the letter sent by Aurora had been enchanted, allowing her to write on the back of it, sending a message instantly to Aurora on presumably a copy of the letter she had back in the Magnificent North. She stared down at Aurora’s response to Tella telling her that she, her sister, Dante, and Julian would help her.
Thank you! I cannot tell you how happy I am to know that you’ll help me rescue my friend. Unfortunately I’m tied up at this very moment with family business that my father will not let me out of. Because of this, I will not be able to greet you at the docks, but you should go forward with the rescue mission. Jacks has Evangeline trapped in a place called the Hollow.
Below the message was a map of the Magnificent North and a location circled labeled “the Hollow.”
I will not be able to help for a day or so after you arrive, perhaps more if my father insists on keeping me longer. Please rescue Evangeline immediately, every second the curse will become harder and harder to break if we wait any longer. Once you have Evangeline meet me here:
Another place was circled and the illustration appeared to be a tree of some kind. It was labeled “The Phoenix Tree.”
Tella and Scarlett had already formed a plan to get Evangeline out. They weren’t familiar with the Hollow but they had the element of surprise. Tella would deal with fending off Jacks and the other three would get Evangeline.
They tried to rest as much on the ship, since they planned for their plan to be put in place immediately once they arrived. They needed to be ready, she needed to be ready, to face Jacks and take him down.