Page 191 of Castings & Curses

“What if the witches tell us that the curse cannot be broken? Will we not be able to marry?”

“Why would you want to be with someone who cannot state her affections?”

Eryx put his hands on her shoulders and looked into her amber eyes. “My darling, you know how I feel about you. I may not be able to say the proper words or ask you the question that will make our souls complete, but I do know that my heart belongs to only you. We will break this curse, and if not, we will continue as we are. For I know I cannot live without you by my side. We may not be able to verbalize our affections yet, but our hearts and souls communicate with each other silently everyday.”

A smile crept across Bellatrix’s face, and her heart leaped with joy. She leaned forward and pressed her lips against his. “Then together we shall be, with or without words.”

Swooping down from above, the cackle of a raven disturbed the romantic moment. The lovers were separated as the dark-feathered bird dived down between them, swooped overhead, and took off into the sky.

“Ay, it seems the curse walks among us with every intention of separating us for good,” noted Eryx. “It appears we are lost, as well.”

Turning around Bellatrix attempted to make sense of the surroundings; however, each tree trunk appeared to be a twin of the next. The rustle of the wind through the branches sent a shower of multi-colored leaves onto the couple. Pulling out a red leaf from her dark locks, a chill ran up her spine. The darkness of the woods and filtered lighting through the boughs make her fearful. She was not sure why, but a growing sensation told her she had been here before. Eryx called to her, and she broke from her moment of pensive thought.

“No, dear, we are not lost,” replied Bellatrix. “Iris told us we must journey to where the trees become ghosts.” She pointed to a grove of trees that were the color of snow. The uniqueness that surrounded the particular section of woods was the fact that trees resembled the rest of the coppice, only they were pure white. The trunk, branches, and remaining leaves glistened in the light as if covered in ice, but the phantom cluster rang true to its name for the flora indeed resembled ghosts.

Reaching forward, Eryx took her hand and together they walked toward the ghosts. As they neared the silent sentinels, the demoiselle felt a jarring within her soul. A feeling of agitation swept through her body as if her heart were trying to communicate to her, but her brain kept severing the connection.

Entering into the domain of the Good Witches, Bellatrix noted how the ghostly trees harbored green ivy, and the lush grass was embroidered with various colors of flowers. The atmosphere delivered a sense of peace and serenity. It was the same sensation she felt when she and Eryx were in their secret place.

A woman appeared before them, which caused the couple to jump back in surprise. She was beautiful with long blonde hair and a jeweled headpiece woven into her locks. Slender and agile, she was clothed in emerald garments.

“Hello, Bellatrix and Eryx, I was wondering when you two would be arriving,” she beamed a smile.

“H-How do you know our names?” asked Eryx.

“We Witches of the Woods know everything.” She roved her eyes over the maiden and her armorer. “Have no fear, we only wish to help.” Behind the witch, a group of enchanters appeared, men and women of various stature and size. “I am Tiahanna,” the witch gestured towards tree stumps for them to be seated. Once comfortable upon a cushion-covered oak ottoman, Tiahanna clasped her hands together, formed her fingers as if in contemplation, and looked through emerald green eyes at the loving couple. As her gaze brightened, light began to emulate through her fingertips.

“Darkness surrounds you both, and your future together is in peril,” she narrowed her eyes whose color deepened.

“Ah, actually that is I who lies in darkness, for I have been hexed,” confessed Bellatrix. “It appears we have received the sovereignty of the Lover's Curse. A spell of the highest powers, and if it is not broken soon, it will last forever.”

Tiahanna tilted her head at the young maiden. “You do not remember why you have been cursed?” Bellatrix shook her head. The Good Witch reached forward and placed the back of her hand to the unfortunate lady’s forehead. “A wound to the skull inflicts scars that disrupts the brain from remembrance.”

“I know,” replied Bellatrix, “I have suffered this malady for almost a year.”

“It does no good to break a curse when one cannot remember the reason for the purpose. A young maiden can bring about an unwanted betrothal. Or should I say, your royal highness, Princess of Maldinia.”

A twitch of pain flicked at her brain, Princess of Maldinia? She was not the only princess.

“Princess?” gasped Eryx. “I knew the King had daughters, but I thought they were already married.” The armourer shook his head. “This cannot be. How is it possible that the King would let his daughter go missing for almost a year and not send an army to find her?”

Daughters?

Bellatrix felt as if her brain were beginning to awaken from a long slumber. The idea of more than one daughter seemed old and new at the same time.

Tiahanna cleared her throat. “In the line of monarchy, only one principle is presented to the realm, the Rule of Order and Peace. What goes on behind palace doors is never meant to be made public. The royal pages who deliver messages from the palace always shield themselves with layer upon layer of veils. Truth is often lost in the mist of good intentions. Within our little hamlet, we are at the outskirts of the realm where news often reaches us long after events have taken place. You have no idea what has been going on at the grand edifice. Evil lies in wait.”

The Good Witch smiled in secrecy. She walked over to a brook that ran through the phantom trees and dipped her fingers into the water.

“In order to dispel the bitterness and hatred that has been projected onto you, we must bring forth the memory that has been lost. To bring the past into now will be the key to saving your souls, your love, your family, and all of the realm.”

Walking over to Bellatrix, the witch placed her hands on the damsel’s head, one hand on the back of the skull and the other on her forehead. “Close your eyes,” she commanded. Bellatrix did as she was told. The witch hummed softly and a purple glow began to surround the two. From behind her closed eyelids, Bellatrix listened to the melody as she felt the warmth from the conjurer’s hands massage her brain. The shadows that had plagued her thoughts for months metaphorized into images of faces that were recognizable, but the names were out of her reach.

Princess of Maldinia,

One of two.

Born under the Hunter Moon.

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