Cursed by the Phantom Prince (Once Upon A Curse)

Prologue

PROLOGUE

O n the eve of my thirteenth birthday, they came for me.

I felt it. Like a hundred spiders crawled over my skin making me shiver. I fought not to react. It always felt like this when the Fae crossed the veil into the human world. My body was specifically tuned to it like it knew I didn’t belong here. It craved the realm that I had never laid eyes on, the Fae lands that filled my mother’s stories for the brief amount of time I had with her.

‘My name is Morgan Le’Fey, my sweet one, but you must never utter it here. My human family wouldn’t hesitate to take, imprison, and use you for their own gain. You must avoid them until you are old enough to return to Alleryia, the realm that is your true home.’ Her smile was sad as she looked at me, fear and despair clear in her bright eyes. She knew she wasn’t long for this world.

Her cheeks had been flushed with fever but to my tiny baby brain she was beautiful. Hard to believe it had been nearly thirteen years since I last saw her, touched her skin, breathed in her scent of sunshine and spice that I now know as magic.

Tomalen, the little orphan boy I shared a bed with, shifted under the covers, drawing closer to the warmth of my body. He was a small boy, looking more like a toddler than a child of nearly ten summers.

A lock of golden hair slipped onto his forehead, making his eyes flutter. Carefully, I tucked it behind his ear, my eyes connecting the freckles spattered across his cheeks and nose. For a mortal male he was cute and I could already tell that he’d grow to become a handsome man.

I wouldn’t be here to see it.

That sobering thought made the smile slip from my face. Tomalen would grow up, become a man. Possibly marry and have a family. All without me to witness it.

I knew that my future was not here in the human realm, I knew it like I knew my face, but the thought of leaving Tomalen behind was a dagger to my heart. I loved him like a brother. Ever since he first came to the orphanage, big blue eyes, dressed in rags and holding a clean scrap of material that resembled a handkerchief. With one look we bonded and were inseparable.

Until now.

“Rhan?”

I looked to the door and saw Flora, the orphanage's matron and my mother’s closest human friend. Flora was once my mother’s handmaiden back when she was a princess before she fell in love with my father, a Fae prince.

“I know, I felt them,” I answered her unspoken question.

Flora was purely human but, under my mother’s tutelage, learned how to tune her body to recognize the vibration of nearby Fae. Her awareness wasn’t as acute as mine but enough to keep her and her charges safe.

Knowing she’d be here to watch over and protect Tomalen as he grew up was a small consolation. I’d rather it be me but I couldn’t bring him with me; humans didn’t belong in Alleryia, and I couldn’t stay.

I sniffed, fighting back tears as I tucked the covers around Tomalen, worried that he’d be cold without me here.

“I’ll take care of him,” Flora assured softly; her hair was more gray than brown now. “He’ll remember you.”

It was my biggest fear that those I cared about would forget me. Flora had raised me since the day after I was born. After my mother died. I knew she wouldn’t easily forget me but as time passed my features would inevitably fade.

Tomalen, on the other hand, would be hurt by my sudden disappearance. He’d grown to trust that I would always be here and it killed me that I couldn’t be. He had his own path and future to explore, and I had mine.

“They’ll be here soon,” Flora said, her voice cracking as emotions overtook her.

I slipped from the bed, the icy temperature of the floor pulling my mind to the memory of another cold night.

‘Rhan. We were going to name her Rhan.’

Those were the first words that I heard clearly. I knew that awareness at birth was unusual but I wasn’t exactly sure why. Weren’t all infants able to think, comprehend, and understand? If not, how were they expected to survive?

‘Give her to me,’ my mother requested after I’d been wrapped in a thick scratchy material.

‘She’s strong, my lady,’ another voice said but I ignored it because it wasn’t the voice I’d heard since I first started to form.

‘Of course she is,’ my mother agreed, cradling me in her arms.

My first look at her was incredible. She was beautiful. The center of my universe. I instinctively knew that she was powerful in magic. I could smell the spice on her skin as I suckled at her breast. My own power churned happily in my chest.

‘And powerful,’ my mother complimented, rubbing the fine tufts of hair on my head. Her smile was dazzling, making me stare. ‘Just like your father.’

Emotion filled her blue eyes as she traced the features of my face. Her fingers started to tremble as she touched me, tears streaming down her face.

‘My sweet girl.’

For hours we laid on the hard stone floor of a cave studying the other. Mother spoke to me, telling me everything about her life. She revealed that I had a brother, Mordred, who was older and currently living with my uncle and grandfather. She explained how magic had corrupted her family, starting with her mother and passing to her father, half brother, and son.

She blamed it on the meddling of a wizard named Merlin who indulged the males in her family until he grew tired of them. He then disappeared without a trace, leaving a broken world behind him. He was selfish, arrogant, and viewed himself as omnipotent. He interfered where he shouldn’t and now the universe was on the cusp of rebalancing. Chaos and magic from the Fae realm bled into the mortal world. The consequences were speculated and theorized, but the truth was there was no telling what the future held.

‘We don’t know how the powers that be will choose to right the imbalances of the worlds,’ my mother explained, her forehead dripping with sweat as she fought to stay conscious. ‘A seer from the Sun Court told your father and me that your birth would be the catalyst. The burden of saving the Fae lands and the mortal world falls to you, my love. I tried to change your fate but there are some things that the Fae, Merlin, nor I can fix.’

‘I don’t have much time left. When I renounced my mortal ties to this world and bound myself to your father and the Fae lands it meant that I could never return. If I did, the Fae lands would take my magic so I would fade.’

My tiny face scrunched at her words. She had left the Fae lands and returned to the mortal realm to birth me, and because of that she was dying.

‘Don’t be upset, dear heart. I knew the consequences of my actions and accepted them.’ She coughed, her chest rattling as she struggled to continue breathing. ‘The Fae courts are in disarray. They continue to war amongst themselves instead of working together. It will be their downfall. Your father and I tried to warn them but they drove us to our deaths instead.’

I opened my mouth to speak but I couldn’t form words. My mind could understand but my body wasn’t capable of speech yet. All I could do was listen and remember.

‘Neither world is safe if your true identity is discovered. However, the mortal realm is the lesser of two evils. As long as you don’t draw attention to yourself, you’ll be safe here. I’ve foreseen that the Fae courts are heading toward a revolution. Though old, the Fae will need to adapt and change if they hope to see the future. There is hope and allies there. You’ll need to seek them out when you return.’

My mother’s hand appeared in my line of sight, trembling as her strength continued to wane. She pressed her thumb to the skin between my eyebrows, lips moving as she whispered words I couldn’t make out. The smell of spice grew more potent as the air around us became charged in anticipation of whatever magic my mother was doing.

‘I’ve given you all of my magical knowledge. It won’t be readily available to you since your mind is fragile. As you grow it will slowly reveal itself to you. Use it wisely and remember that two worlds sit upon the edge of a blade. One misstep and all will fail.’

Tears filled her eyes as she ran her fingers over my face, like she was memorizing my features. My eyebrows scrunched as I watched her committing what she saw to memory.

‘Flora,’ she called to the other person who was in the cave with us. ‘It is time. Take care of her.’

‘With my life,’ Flora promised, then scooped me out of my mother’s arms, turned, and walked away.

I let out a wail, knowing that I would never see my mother again.

‘I love you, sweet dove.’

Those were the last words I heard her say and knowing I’d never hear them again broke my heart. I clung to everything she told me with a vice grip so nothing would ever slip away. My mother was the bravest, strongest, most loving person I had ever met and I was determined to make her proud.

I’d return to the Fae realm and do everything in my power to save it.

I stood from the bed, turned and tucked the blankets around Tomalen’s small body. I bit my lip to keep from crying as I took a couple steps backward, keeping the bed in my field of vision for as long as I could.

The door’s cool touch on my back jolted me enough that I was able to tear my gaze away from the boy who’d always held a piece of my heart.

Flora grabbed my shoulder and steadily guided me out of the room, shutting the door firmly behind us. I fought the sob that built in my throat, swallowing it down to deal with later. Now was not the time to break. The Fae were approaching quickly and I had to meet them or they’d search the whole village until they found me.

I descended the stairs to the main room in a daze. Flora still held my shoulder and I feared I’d drown in emotions if she let go before I was ready. She’d always known exactly what I needed, sometimes before I did. She was the best sort of human who loved unconditionally. My mother had chosen her friends wisely.

A whimper from beneath the stairs drew my attention away from the approaching Fae and my uncertain future. From the shadows a wolfhound puppy stumbled out, making a beeline for me. I picked her up when she was close.

“Are you sure you want to take her?” Flora asked, watching as I stroked the wiry hair on the pup's neck.

“I’m certain.”

Flora just nodded then turned toward the door that led outside. I pulled away from her, placing my hand on the knob, my hand trembling with nerves. Tonight my whole world was about to change. I felt my mother with me as I twisted the metal handle and pulled the door open.

The crisp night air met my face like a splash of cold water to the face. My senses refocused as magic stirred to life in my chest, a direct response to the Fae who were drawing closer by the second.

Turning, I grabbed the handle once more and with one final look at Flora, I pulled the door closed. I could hear footsteps hurrying forward then pausing. I held my breath, hoping that Flora wouldn’t try to interfere. She had some knowledge of magic but she was human and therefore stood no chance against the Fae. For her safety it was best that she stay indoors.

A soft thud signaled that Flora had bolted the door, preventing me from retreating even if I wanted too. I made up my mind long ago that I wouldn’t fight my destiny. I wouldn’t struggle or fight but return to my father’s realm peacefully, though I held animosity in my heart against those that had killed him and drove my mother out. I would find out who had sent my mother to her death and make them pay for what they had done.

I descended the stairs to the dirt road that ran through town, my mind filled with thoughts of revenge.

With purposeful steps I turned west and followed the road that would lead me to the forest. The village was quiet, nothing stirring as I passed, like the land around me was holding its breath in anticipation.

The forest came into view, lit by the crescent moon that hung in the sky giving the world just enough light. I didn’t pause or slow down until I was standing several yards away from the treeline. The puppy trembled in my arms, her chest rumbling with a whine. I stopped, putting the pup down, content to wait here for the Fae.

I could feel them making their way through the dense foliage towards where I stood, making me think that they could feel me just as easily as I could feel them. The wolfhound pup was sitting at my feet, ears swiveling like she was also tracking the Fae. I smiled, thankful that she’d agreed to come with me.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end and I knew the Fae were close enough to have spotted me. I straightened my spine, narrowing my eyes at the shadows that hid them from my vision.

From the darkness, three beings appeared, astride elegant horses that seemed to glide over the ground, leaving no hoof prints behind. Their coats were silken and glowed unnaturally under the light of the moon. Eyes twinkled like stars, making the ones above dim in comparison.

They approached, cautiously, faces so beautiful it hurt for my human eyes to gaze upon them. I couldn’t look away, though. The Fae part of me wouldn’t allow supplication or any sign of weakness. These were powerful beings that demanded obedience. I was glad that Flora hadn’t decided to follow me; one look at their beauty would erase any sort of self control she had.

“Are you the child?” The lead Fae asked. He wore a cloak that covered his body, with moss green eyes that didn’t fully portray the kindness he was after.

“My name is Rhanen,” I answered, tilting my head down slightly in a bow but never taking my eyes off him.

“Come,” he invited, stretching his arm down, palm open.

I hesitated, studying the hand for a moment wondering what the flesh of a Fae felt like. Mother said the whisper of butterfly wings was the closest she could compare it too.

I didn’t know how or why but I was important to them. So important it took three Fae lords to retrieve me from Earth.

My mother had explained that there were four courts in the land of the Fae. Three of which sent a powerful lord to safely collect me. I couldn’t tell which courts were represented here, having no knowledge of them other than the stories my mother told me.

“We must go,” the lead Fae said, a touch of impatience in his tone.

My lips pulled down into a frown at his words. My head tilted slightly as my eyes narrowed at the imposing Fae. All three horses shifted their weight uncomfortably as I scrutinized their riders. My mind immediately reached out toward the horses, using my magic to calm them. Their ears twitched, eyes rolling forward to watch me curiously.

The pup at my feet let out a small yip, drawing everyone's attention. Brown eyes looked up at me with love and loyalty, melting my heart. I bent and picked her up, cradling her close, knowing that we would become great friends.

Adjusting her in my arms, I walked to the Fae whose hand was still offered down to me. His lips twisted as he took in the dog I cradled in my arms but wisely kept his opinions to himself.

This time I didn’t hesitate. I placed my hand in his waiting one, feeling the softness of his skin yet knowing that soft didn’t mean weak. This Fae Lord was powerful, arrogant, and angry. I tried to ignore what his touch was telling me but it was insistent. For reasons beyond what I could grasp he’d agreed to come collect the child that could save his world.

Effortlessly, he pulled me upward until I was settled on the horse, my back to his front. I squeezed with my legs to maintain my balance as the horse turned around, heading back the way they came.

My fingers stroked through the puppy’s fur, keeping it calm while the movement comforted me. Her head remained upright, staring in the direction we were heading like her sight could pierce the shadows. She was regal and proper, making me confident in the name I’d chosen for her.

With Lady searching for untold dangers I straightened my back trying to mirror her confidence. I was heading towards an uncertain future in a land I knew very little about.

Somehow, I’d save them all.

I had to.