One Hundred Refusals (11)

A serialised romantic fantasy

Previously… Chapter 10

Pearl wished to let loose, be free. She got lost in Val’s dark eyes; it was the freedom of running barefoot through the darkest woods of Avem, safe and untamed, just Pearl and not the look-alike of a princess.

Val unbuttoned the back of her dress, his hands slid under the heavy layers of silk. Pearl wanted to be liberated from the burden of the Queen’s silk and velvet, pressing on her with the heavy weight of responsibility.

Their kisses became hotter, Pearl’s hands glided over Val’s muscled chest, he attempted to pull down his pants frantically. Indeed, The Thief of Hearts had forgotten the cold art of seduction and deceit, Lord Valeur was a desperate man in love. They kicked away the heavy Queen’s gown, Val pulled up the skirt of her petticoat dress…

A bird chirped loudly.

“My Lady!” Cinnia shrieked, turning up near them.

“Oh, Cinnia! What brings you here?!” Lord Val tried to calm his voice but could not. He jumped to his feet, pulling his pants up, grabbed his shirt and jacket, bowed to Cinnia awkwardly.

“Forgive me… I… excuse me, Gema, I shall leave you now,” he gave another bow and marched away.

Pearl laid down in the lovely, sweet-scented flowers, her chest still rising and falling in the rhythm of her nearness with Val.

“Oh, my Lady Pearl! Believe me, I would never interrupt your togetherness with Lord Val, but King Olor insisted on you to return!”Cinnia chirped nervously.

“It’s a good thing… a good thing you did, Cinnia! Otherwise… I don’t know what came over me! I nearly…” Pearl tried to calm her breath. She covered her face with her hands.

Cinnia helped her put the dress back on.

“And? How was it?” Cinnia couldn’t help herself.

Pearl kept her mouth shut but caved in after some minutes.

“He’s wonderful, Cinnia! I never wanted him to stop, can you believe it?!” Pearl exclaimed happily.

“Maybe you’re not so different from my lady Gema after all?” Cinnia smirked.

“Oh…” Pearl gasped with a terrible realization, “but he thinks I’m her! Oh, Cinnia, he doesn’t want me, but her! It will always be her!” Pearl stood staring into the darkness; tears flowed from her eyes without her making a sound.

“Oh, you cannot return to the meeting in such a state! Go, rest, my Lady! I’ll make some excuse!” Cinnia suggested. Pearl nodded. Indeed, she was too devastated to return.

She went straight to the Queen’s chambers, but as soon as she closed the door behind her, a dark figure grabbed her from the back and held a dagger at her throat.

“See? I brought my own toy today, Gema! Are you pleased?” Ash hissed in her ear.

“Let go of me, you despicable creature!” She grunted.

“Not before you explain - how come a Snakeling would make a bad king, but a Birdling would be just right?!”

“It’s none of your business, you snake! Let me go!”

Lord Ash released her. Pearl turned around swiftly and assumed the fighting stance.

“That’s new,” Ash frowned, “well? I’m waiting for your explanation!”

“I don’t owe you an explanation, you perverted reptile!” Pearl grunted.

Lord Ash observed her silently for a couple of minutes.

“You’re not Gema!” Ash exclaimed his sudden realization, “how did I not see it sooner?!” He laughed.

“Of course I am princess Gema! What are you talking about?!” Pearl remembered that Gema was not supposed to be a good fighter. She tried to relax her shoulders, but her posture appeared somewhat awkward.

“You will not fool me… whatever you’re called.”

“I am Gema,” Pearl growled.

“If you are, indeed, I might have to test it,” Ash spoke pacing around her slowly.

“How?”

“A kiss. No one knows the art of kissing like princess Gema does,” a sly smile graced Ash’s lip.

Pearl felt defeated - the Birdlings did not prepare her for this. He was right. Nevertheless, Pearl decided to try her luck. For Avem!

“Alright, Lord Ashier! Ash..” she tried to sound softer, “do your test. You shall not be disappointed.” Pear closed her eyes and puckered up her lips.

Lord Ashier stood smiling at her for a couple of seconds, then he held her tight and kissed her. Pearl shook with disgust from head to toes, but she withstood it.

“I am not disappointed,” Ash said to her relief, but added, “the test confirmed my suspicions - you are not Gema.”

“What?!” Pearl exclaimed.

“Whoever you are, tell me where’s Gema and what have you done to her?!” Ash grabbed her more swiftly than Pearl could comprehend, holding the dagger to her throat once again.

“I… eh… let go of me…” Pearl attempted to free herself from Ash’s grip, she felt the sharp blade cut into her skin.

“I am Gema, stop it!” She begged.

“Have it your way,” Ash released her, but he continued, “I curse you… whoever you are, to die in your and prince Sturnus’ wedding bed on your wedding night, if you’re not Queen Gema!”

“Did you just curse me?!!” Pearl shrieked.

“You should know, if you’re Gema, and you have nothing to fear, if indeed, it is you,” Lord Ash replied casually.

“Alright I am not Gema! Do take the curse back, I beg you!” Pearl was truly afraid; she knew of Ash’s power to put deadly curses on young princesses.

“Where is she?!”

“If she’s still alive - halfway to Avem,” Pearl replied, “now would you reverse the curse?”

“I’m afraid I cannot do that. This curse is irreversible. Serves you right for deceiving me!” Lord Ashier turned around swiftly became a snake and slithered away. Poor Pearl fell into bed and laid silently with tears running down her cheeks.

***

Lord Ashier marched across the whole garden, with his green eyes glowing in the dark; he didn’t need a lantern, the Snakeling had a perfect vision in the dark.

“Oh, finally!” Ash exclaimed, after he spotted his cousin sitting alone in the garden’s daybed, “you look terrible!”

Lord Valeur sat staring into the darkness blankly. His appearance was a mess of grass-stain covered, wrinkled clothes, a stork-nest-like stack of golden hair and an utter despair in his wide eyes.

“How?! How is it possible she wants to marry that halfwit Birdling?! When she loves me, undoubtedly!” Val cried.

“I’m afraid we’ve both been deceived, as well as the rest of the Kingdom,” Ash explained.

“What are you blubbering about?”

“That woman there is not Gema.”

Lord Val laughed out loud at him.

“Is that a new way of comforting yourself? Of course, not only she’s engaged to the Birdling, but she would still choose me over you anytime!”

“Now it’s my turn to ask; what in the bloody-horsedung are you talking about?!”

Lord Valeur straightened his back and flipped his hair.

“Gema nearly gave herself to me just a moment ago. If it weren’t for Cinnia….” Val smiled lustfully.

Ash rolled his eyes.

“You can take this one, by all means! I’m off to find the real Gema.”

“Has your mind shrunk to the size of the snake’s brain?! There is no other Gema!” Val exclaimed.

Ash sighed impatiently.

“Have you not noticed she’s changed? This one didn’t even recognize me!”

“Oh, your performance as a lover must be so bleak, she didn’t have a hard time forgetting it,” Val brushed off Ash’s accusations.

“Think what you wish, just keep an eye on her! I have warned you. I shall return with the real Gema if it’s the last thing I do!”

Lord Ashier marched away quickly, with his dark travelling cloak swirling behind him. He took a horse and rode away into the black of the night.