The villains were always ugly in books and movies. Necessarily so, it seemed.
Because if they were attractive—if their looks matched their charm and their cunning—they wouldn't only be dangerous.

They would be irresistible.

-Nenia Campbell

CINDERELVIS

Created By; Snow Marisvega

♚ ♚ ♚

♔Chapter Fifteen♔

I sprinted through the forest, my heart racing and my lungs burning . Who wouldn't run from a two-headed wolf? I had refused to glance back, fearing the beast was so close to me. One misstep, and it would be on me.

Jaq's plea echoed in my mind: "Drop the stone, Elvis!" But I couldn't. I'd come too far.

Sweat dripped down my face, my cape fluttering behind. The stone was indeed heavy in my pocket, a stupid reminder of my mistake. This cursed forest had claimed many. The skeletons I'd seen earlier – they had to have been victims of the two-headed wolf, right?

Their fate wouldn't be mine. Lady Tremaine wouldn't dispose of me so easily. I had to escape, find my real home. The wolf's pursuit was relentless: snapping branches, growling snarls, and pounding footsteps. I was indeed the antelope, it the leopard.

But I wouldn't give up.

I didn't stop running, I couldn't. It howled and this time I turned around, I couldn't hear it's  footsteps, I couldn't see it. I stopped running, looking around and trying to figure out my way out, the entire woods looked familiar, I had forgotten how i came in. I left my compass and map behind because I couldn't pick everything when there was a freaking monster after my flesh, so I only grabbed my cape.

Is there anyway this wolf could be Derek Hale or I don't know, an advanced Teen wolf that would fall in love with me and not kill me?

"I-I don't know the way o-out!" I stuttered, panting hard, my heart was racing and it felt like it wanted to beat out of my chest and escape, leaving me to fight for my fate.  The entire trees looked alike, everything was the same, the same carving, the same height, I couldn't even find my footprints anywhere. "Shit. Shit.  Shit."

"W-What? W-We're lost?!" Suzy asked, shakingly.

"Y-Yeah, I t-think we are." I replied, swallowing afterwards. "What am I gonna do? Oh God!" I mutered.

And then I heard it again, behind me, the howl, i turned as fast as flash would, my heart stopped for like a second and I quickly resumed my race. I wasn't gonna just wait, I knew it knew I was close, it could smell me, hear my heartbeat, I didn't have any of those powers, I had to use my instincts this time.

I didn't care what direction I was heading towards, I couldn't think, I just needed to get out of here one way or the other, I couldn't just stand and wonder what way was home and then get eaten at the end. God Forbid such 

My foot hit a stone and I fell to the ground with a grunt, I hissed and rose my head and below me was a bone, I let out a small shout and quickly stood up. I wasn't gonna be one of those white people in horror movies who fell and died.

"Are you alright, Cinderelly?" Jaq asked and I shook my head.

"Ask me that when we get out of here." I said and gasped once I heard a crack, like from a stick. I turned around but I saw no one, I swallowed, sweating like crazy. "Suzy, Jaq," I called softly. "I need you guys to be my eyes right now." I whispered.

They shakingly got out of my pocket and on my shoulder, looking at different directions and then i heard the sound again and gasped.

"It's here." Jaq mumbled.

"Elvis," Suzy sang and began to hit my shoulder repeatedly. "Go left, go left!" she said in a shaky voice and when I turned my head to her direction, I saw she was staring at four eyes that stared right back at us from a distance and I died inside. "NOW!" She screamed in her tiny voice as she and Jaq crawled back into my breast pocket, the same time the wolf ran towards me, I didn't need her to say it twice, I ran.

It wasn't easy running through these woods when it looked like something in mystic falls, it was dark and the two headed wolf had more advantage than i did. I prayed. I prayed for God to save me, I prayed for help because I didn't want to die.

I was running out of breath, I was running out of energy but I knew, I knew it was right behind me, and that made me continue, I didn't know when I began to cry while I ran and with a force, I fell to the ground and felt a huge pain on my arm, I cried.

Something had gripped my cape forcefully and stopped me from running, it had pulled my cape back and when I turned, there it was growling at me with a hungry and angry look, my cape caught in between one of the wolf's teeth. I had learned to read animals since I was pulled into this world and I knew this wolf hated me already, it was mad, it was hungry.

Suzy and Jaq whimpered in my pocket as I struggled to free my cape from the monster's mouth. It refused to let go, so I tried to loosen it from my neck instead. The creature spat out my cape and growled, sensing my intentions.

As it advanced, I backed away, my eyes frantically scanning the area for a weapon. I forgot I had one with me. My hand instinctively went to the knife at my side, and I pointed it at the two-headed beast.

Have I ever stabbed anyone before? No. And I doubted I could even stab this wolf.

"S-Stay back!" I stuttered, moving backward as the creature continued its approach.

Just as it was about to pounce, I shut my eyes, bracing for the impact. But it never came. I slowly opened my eyes to find the wolf a few feet away, an arrow lodged in its side.

Before it could charge again, another arrow flew from behind me, striking the wolf and making it yelp in pain.

"You going to get up anytime soon?" a familiar voice asked from behind.

I turned to see my rescuer, and my eyebrows shot up in surprise.

It was Mr. Arrogant, the jerk from few days ago. He was holding a bow and an arrow, pointing it at the monster behind me.

He frowned once he saw me. "You?"

"You?"

"What a surprise," He smirked and looked behind me. "Duck!" He said and I did and he shot the arrow, as I turned to look at the wolf, he grabbed my arm and pulled me along with him as he ran. "That should slow it down a bit, and what in heaven's name are you doing here?" He asked as he ran, his legs were long as fuck because I could never catch up with him and so i was thankful to him for holding me.

And yes, his hands were big.

I remained silent, still trying to catch my breath. The adrenaline coursing through my veins made it hard to speak. I heard the sound of running footsteps and another howl, this one longer and more menacing. I turned, and to my relief, the wolf wasn't charging towards us with its usual speed. Whatever this man had done had slowed it down, but I knew it was still coming.

"It's still coming," I managed to gasp.

A second later, I collided with the man, wincing as I bounced off him. He had stopped running, and I was about to ask him why when I saw it: the wolf, right in front of us. But as I took a closer look, I realized this wasn't the same wolf. This one had no scar.

There were two.

"Oh God," I shivered, holding onto his arm tightly in fear. "T-There a-are two," I stuttered, stating the obvious. "There are actually two!"

The howling made sense now - the first wolf had called for backup. "Relax, lad," the man said in a low, soothing tone, his eyes fixed on the growling wolf.

The wolf let out a deep, guttural snarl, and I shivered. Its fury was palpable, and before I could react, the man swiftly pulled out two arrows and shot one into the wolf's eye. The creature's pained growl echoed through the air as it bled and screamed.

Without hesitation, the man grabbed my arm and pulled me to the left, and we took off running. "Is that going to stop it?" I asked, my breath coming in ragged gasps.

"If the other wants to move, it won't be able to since the other head is hurt and in pain, they both control the body." He responded, his accent hitting every word as we ran.

We stopped abruptly at the edge of a cliff, the sudden drop-off threatening to send us plummeting to our deaths. I had thought we were close to escaping, but instead, we found ourselves trapped.

"Fuck!" I exclaimed, grabbing onto the man's arm as we both stumbled backward. Jaq and Suzy squeaked in terror, thinking I was about to fall.

"I'm fine," I reassured them, releasing my grip on the man.

The woods seemed to have been split in two, leaving a gaping chasm with no visible means of crossing. It wasn't jumpable, and the only way down was a deadly drop.

I turned to the man, determination etched on my face. "I'll find another way."

He grasped my arm, pulling me back. "And where are you going?"

"Finding another way," I repeated.

He raised an eyebrow. "Back into the woods to your death?"

I shot back, "Can't you just shoot those wolves with your slowing-down poison arrow and get us out the normal way?"

The man's expression turned grim. "Listen, there is no other way, alright? We can't go back, or we'll die. We can't keep running in the woods."

I felt a surge of desperation. "Well, what do we do?"

The man's eyes locked onto mine, a hint of a reckless grin spreading across his face. "We jump."

I gazed at him like he was stupid because maybe he was. "What?"

"Look! We have to jump!"

I blinked. "W-Who is the 'we'?" I asked, frowning at him before laughing, I shook my head afterwards. "I am not j-jumping! W-We might die! I can't even see shit from here." I asked as I looked down the cliff. "It-s high."

He looked at me with a confused expression. "W-Wh...listen, there is a river down there, okay? So, If we jump, we won't die."

"What? N-No."

"Why do you have to be so stubborn?"

"I am not jumping!" I stated and turned to go but he pulled me back. "There is nothing you can say that will make me j-" I trailed off and flinched in fear when I heard growls, we both turned towards the woods, it was closer now, much closer.

I swallowed. "We n-need to find a w-way out!" I said, panicking.

"We can't go back! Stop being stubborn!" He yelled at me.

"Don't even dare. I-I can't jump, I d-don't do heights, okay?! I'm s-sared of heights!" I yelled back and our attention was dragged back to the woods when we heard another growl. Walking towards us and growling were two wolves with four heads, two angry demonic wolves that wanted us dead for the damage we did.

I clung to the man, my hands trembling as we teetered on the edge of the cliff. "Oh no, oh no," Jaq chanted, panic rising in his voice.

Suzy wailed, "We're going to die!"

The man's voice cut through the chaos. "We have to jump!"

I shook my head, fear paralyzing me. "I can't!"

The man's face contorted in urgency. "Listen here, Lad, if we don't jump, we die! Okay?" he screamed, his words piercing through my terror.

Jaq's tiny voice piped up, "Cinderelly, just do it!"

"Just jump!!" Suzy cried.

"I—" I started, but the wolves' approach cut me off. "Fine!" I yelled, steeling myself.

I quickly pulled Jaq and Suzy from my breast pocket and tucked them into my bag. The man raised an eyebrow, but I silenced him. "Don't ask."

"Okay, now, don't let go," he said, grasping my hand and pulling me close. Our chests collided, and my heart skipped a beat. His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, and I gulped.

"Don't you dare leave me to die!" I exclaimed, panic rising.

He smirked. "I am not that cruel."

A split second later, as the wolves closed in, he hurled us off the cliff. We plummeted downward, our eyes locked in a terrified stare.

I screamed, clinging to his shirt as the world blurred around us. Time seemed to slow, my heart racing wildly. His arms wrapped around me, holding tight.

And then, just as suddenly, we hit the water. The impact was a shock, and everything went dark.

♚ ♚ ♚

"Chase, hey."

"Hey, what's up?" He replied, flashing me a sweet smile.

I nodded. "Great."

"Um," he tucked his hands into his jean pockets. "So uh, I read the...you know."

I faked a smile. "Oh uh. Don't pay any attention to it, it just....it doesn't matter."

He gave a small nod. "Yeah I'm glad you think so because I um, I like you but...not that way. I'm not....gay at all."

I nodded in understanding. "I understand." I swallowed, still fake smiling. People were staring at us talk and I just wanted to disappear.

Why did he approach me after this got out?

"I mean, you're beautiful but it's not gonna happen. We can still be friends, you know?" He said and I just nodded.

"We can still be friends."

We were never friends, Chase.

"I just don't...like dicks."

"Chase! I get it. You're straight, okay." I snapped.

He nodded. "And um, about Pearl. I read about it, how long has that been going on?"

"A while." I shrugged. "I just couldn't tell you, we don't talk."

"True." He nodded. "How are you feeling?" He asked and placed his hand on my arm, making me frown. I looked at his hand and back at him, he just smiled.

"I'm fine." I said, as much as I have waited for him to touch me, I wanted his hand off my body.

"Good," he patted it. "Can I...give you a hug?"

"For...what?"

"An appreciation." He shrugged. "And I think you need a hug right now." He said and wrapped his arms around me, right in front if the entire school. I placed my head on his shoulder, fighting with myself to hold him back.

Chase was hugging me. This made it all better. It made the pain go away and even though it was weird that he was doing this, I still didn't push him away like my mind screamed at me.

I wish I had, I wish I had pushed him off or stopped him from hugging me.

I wish i-

I coughed, spitting out water as I opened my eyes, I rolled on my side, gasping for breath.

"Oh, thank the king." He chuckled. "You alright?"

I turned to the voice and I almost slammed my face into his since he was so close and wet. God, he was so sexy and being seeing him dripping this way was....something.

"Yeah," I responded breathlessly, I cleared my throat and sat up. "I'm fine." I said, running my hand through my wet hair. "Fuck, my head hurts." I said, shaking my head a little, I turned my gaze to Mr. Hot jerk to see he was staring at me as if trying to understand something or read me.

"What?"

"You are not from Athatia, are you?" He asked in that sexy accent of his and my heart started racing.

I swallowed hard, wondering if he had seen through my facade. "W-Why would you think I'm not from Athatia?" I stuttered, attempting to sound indignant. "We're from the same kingdom! I'm a citizen, of course I'm from there."

I forced a nervous chuckle, hoping to appear nonchalant. The man chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Relax."

I apologized, feeling a bit flustered. "Sorry."

As I sat up, I turned to my right and was relieved to see Jaq and Suzy standing there, shaking off the water. "We were worried," Suzy said, her tiny voice filled with concern.

I smiled, feeling a pang of guilt. "I'm sorry I dragged you both into this."

Jaq shot me a mock-stern look. "It's okay, just never take us with you again... or, you know, just don't go anywhere."

I nodded vigorously, laughing. "I wouldn't think about it."

"Wow, you must have hit your head hard or do you just...talk to mices on a regular basis like a not so normal person?" Mr. Sexy jerk asked and I turned to him, rolling my eyes at him.

"How long was I out?" I asked, sidestepping his question.

He replied, "If you mean being unconscious, not long."

I breathed a silent sigh of relief. I survived the fall.

"I should head back," I said, tucking Jaq and Suzy into my bag. As I turned to leave, he stood up.

"Do you even know where you're going?" he asked.

I stopped and turned to face him. "I don't. Which way?"

He frowned. "First, tell me what you were doing in Redwoods Forest. Are you mad? You could have died."

I shrugged. "I went to get a bonedust."

His expression turned incredulous. "You...you went to get a bonedust? Didn't anyone tell you people die there?"

I feigned ignorance. "No, no one did."

"Well, they must really hate you."

I turned the tables on him. "And what about you? What were you doing in that dark forest?" I asked, folding my arms.

" Were you...stalking me?"

"I was also looking for a bone dust, don't get boastful."

I scoffed, my anger rising. "So why are you yelling at me for going in for the same thing you did?"

He threw up his hands. "Because you're...small and defenseless! You could have died! You only carried a tiny butter knife into a deadly forest."

I bristled, pointing a finger at him. "For your information, it's not a tiny butter knife. It's a knife for cutting vegetables. And that's a rude thing to say, dickhead."

He held up his hands, placating. "I'm not trying to be rude, but it's the truth."

I took a step closer, my eyes flashing. "So let me get this straight: because you're taller, more built, and have all those fancy weapons, you think you're better and more capable than me?"

"If I have to say yes then yes." He shrugged. "You couldn't be more right."

"Okay, well where's your bonedust then?"

"Well, you called out the wolves and I had to save your pretty face from behind eaten or you would have been a goner."

He called me pretty face, he thinks I'm pretty!

Focus, Elvis.

"Fuck you." I spat as I felt my face redden, I turned and started walking away.

"Oh, come on, where are you going now?" he called after me.

"Just get lost," I muttered.

"Are you sure you want me to do that?" he asked, his tone laced with amusement.

I didn't bother looking back. "Do I look like I care what happens to you?"

He chuckled. "Fine then. Just so you know, you're not free from other creatures lurking around."

I stopped dead in my tracks and spun around, my eyes wide with alarm. "Excuse me? T-There's more...things down here?"

He smiled, seeming to enjoy my distress. "Oh, you haven't met the five-eyed beast yet? Keep going, and you will."

"Five eyes? B-Beast?" I looked behind me and stared at the path ahead of me and gulped.

Shit.

I marched back to him, hands on my hips. "Fine, you lead the way. We're heading to the same place anyway."

He raised an eyebrow. "You didn't even say thank you for saving your life."

I rolled my eyes. "Thank you for saving my life. There, you have it. Now shall we go?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "You are so stubborn."

I looked away, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks. "Let's just go."

He picked up his bow and arrow, and we set off. We walked in silence for a long time, the darkness gathering around us.

♚ ♚ ♚

"So, what's your name?" he asked, breaking the silence while we walked .

"It is not your business." I replied, Jaq and Gus were back in my breast pocket, I didn't know if it was right to just tell people who i was. I wasn't playing hard to get because he was sexy, I mean he didn't want me, it's not like he's gay or anything. Right? I mean, if he was then that was okay but I don't know if he is and  oh God, I should shut up.

"We've been walking for hours, and we've been talking. Why won't you tell me your name? Do you hate me?" he asked, his accent making his words sound almost musical.

I glanced at him, trying to maintain my aloofness. Suzy's voice piped up from my bag, "Ooh, he's the jerk you spoke about."

I smiled briefly before regaining my composure. "He's not... nice."

The man chuckled. "So, you know, young lad, you pulled me into the water as well. I was captivated by your... spirited complaints. I wasn't trying to frighten you. I didn't even know you were a boy at first."

I muttered under my breath, "Disappointed?"

He looked at me and smiled. "Not the slightest." He replied and continued walking. I smiled and followed, putting back my tough face almost immediately.

"So, if you're from Athatia, why do you talk so differently?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

I swallowed hard, trying to maintain my cover. "Uh, I learned it. I read a lot, so I practiced it." I lied, hoping he wouldn't press further.

He smiled, seeming to accept my explanation. "That's nice. I like it."

I felt my face grow warm under his gaze. Stop smiling at me like that!

The man's eyes crinkled at the corners as he asked, "So, are you going to tell me your name?"

Suzy and Jaq chimed in from my bag, "Tell him!"

I shook my head firmly. "No."

He paused, turning to face me. "Not even if I tell you mine?"

How could such a guy have a well structured face, cheekbones and everything? He really did look different, have I mentioned that he was sexy as hell?

"I will think about it if you tell me yours." I said, cocking my head to the side.

"The name's Lancelot."

Ew.

Wait, is that supposed to be hot? Why am I not...feeling that?

He glanced over his shoulder, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "You don't like my name?"

I blinked, caught off guard. "No, no, it's...nice."

He chuckled, resuming his stride. "You hate it."

I protested, trying to sound convincing. "No, I don't...completely hate it."

Lancelot smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "So, tell me, what's your name?"

"Dante." I lied, smiling at him, the mices both shot me a look. "Dante, just Dante." I said, glaring at Jaq and Suzy.

Lancelot raised an eyebrow. "Dante. Hmm, nothing bad happened to you after telling me your name, did it?"

I followed him, shrugging. "I guess not."

He walked ahead, his pace steady. "So, what was so urgent that you risked your life for that bonedust?"

I smirked. "My stepmother asked me to get it. It's for my stepbrother; he might be sick."

Lancelot glanced back at me. "The same stepmother you complained about?"

I nodded vigorously. "You have no idea how terrible they are."

We walked in silence for a moment, the only sound being the rustling of leaves and the gentle babbling of a nearby brook. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers.

I jumped over a small puddle, taking in the vibrant surroundings. It was a welcome change from the desolate landscape earlier.

I turned to Lancelot. "What did you need the bonedust for?"

He replied, "My friend's mother needs it."

I felt a pang of guilt. "I'm sorry you didn't get one because of me."

Lancelot shrugged. "There's always next time. Although, those night wolves won't spare anyone who enters Redwoods now."

I frowned, curiosity getting the better of me. "How do they have two heads?"

Lancelot chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

Yeah, I'll just call him Lance.

"Do you not know about the Redwood guardians?" Lancelot asked, his tone incredulous.

I shook my head, walking beside him. "No."

He stopped in his tracks, staring at me in disbelief. "You're joking."

I held up my hands, palms facing him. "I'm not, seriously."

Lancelot's eyes widened. "Wow, that's crazy. Everybody knows about it."

Well not me, i didn't even know Cinderella had a best friend, this is the first time I'm hearing of Redwoods.

"The story goes way back," Lancelot began, his voice taking on a mystical tone. "The night wolves are the guardians of the Redwood Forest. They only serve one person – their creator, the one whose orders they take."

I leaned in, my curiosity piqued. "Who is that?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"The dark queen," He said and gave me a small smile. "Maleficent."

I paused. Maleficent?!

"Her name gives me shivers." Jaq muttered.

Of course, there was gonna be a crossover with an evil witch.

She's quite famous.

"Why am I not surprised?" I replied dryly, hoping Maleficent wouldn't suddenly appear.

Lancelot nodded. "So, she has the night wolves guarding the forest, stopping every living creature from entering."

I frowned, intrigued. "Not just humans, every other creature?"

Lancelot's expression turned grave. "Legend says she placed a curse on the forest and its souls. When they die, their souls remain, trapped in the trees. Their cries distract and lure in others, making them prey."

I shuddered, recalling the haunting voices. "That makes sense. I heard them; they were in agony."

Lancelot plucked two apples from a nearby tree. "Maleficent is incredibly powerful. Everyone fears her and avoids crossing paths."

He handed me an apple. "She's darkness itself."

I hesitated before taking it, splitting it in half to share with Jaq and Suzy. I wasn't hungry, so I stored my half in my bag.

Lancelot continued, "The bone dust contains pure, healing magic. Maleficent wants it for herself, so she created Redwood Forest as her territory, with the night wolves as guardians. They kill anyone who enters."

I listened intently, fascinated by the tale. It seemed Cinderella's kingdom wasn't far from Maleficent's dark realm. Redwood Forest was a place of death, and this revelation took a dark, ominous turn.

Maleficent was a serial killer, no matter what anyone said. But what drove her to such darkness? Was the movie I watched years ago real? The story here was vastly different.

"So, she kills people to keep the bone dust for herself," I summarized, my brows furrowed.

Lancelot nodded. "Precisely."

"And everyone knows not to enter Redwoods?"

"Yeah, except you, apparently," he said with a chuckle. "That's why I asked if you were from Athatia."

"Fuck! That bitch really did want me dead." I muttered angrily.

Jaq piped up, "We told you."

I felt a surge of regret for not listening and staying home. Lancelot snickered.

"Your stepmother really doesn't like you, huh?" he teased.

I shook my head. "Nope."

I turned the conversation around. "What about you?"

Lancelot raised an eyebrow. "What about me?"

"Family?" I asked with a shrug.

"My father died when I was a five, I live with my mother and little brother." He answered with no pause.

"I'm sorry about that," I said, my expression softening.

"My parents are dead in this world, so yeah." I chuckled wistfully.

"This world?" he asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Suzy's tiny voice piped up, "Uh-oh."

I stuttered, "C-Complicated."

Lancelot's gaze turned sympathetic. "Do you miss him? Your father?"

I nodded, a lump forming in my throat as I thought of my father. I did miss him.

Lancelot smiled warmly. "Every day."

As we walked, the kingdom of Athatia came into view, and I felt a surge of relief and excitement.

"We've been walking for miles, Lance. I'm tired," I said.

He chuckled. "We're almost home."

As we entered the bustling kingdom, I marveled at the vibrant scene before me. People milled about, shops remained open, and the sound of chatter and clucking hens filled the air.

Suzy and Jaq celebrated, "We're home and alive!!!"

I chuckled and tucked them back into my bag.

"It's always so busy," I remarked, trying to keep up with Lancelot as we navigated the crowded streets.

Suddenly, I felt his hand wrap around mine, and I looked up to meet his charming smile. My heart skipped a beat as our eyes locked, and I felt myself melting under his gaze.

"Don't let go."

I nodded, rendered speechless by the pounding in my chest. I didn't want to say something stupid, so I let him lead the way. We walked in silence for a while, the only sound being the rustling of leaves and the distant chatter of the kingdom's inhabitants.

As we approached my neighborhood, I panicked. I couldn't let him know where I lived. I pointed to a random house two streets away from mine. "Uh, this is my house."

Lancelot looked at the house and smiled warmly. "Here?"

I nodded, trying to appear convincing.

He turned to me, his eyes sparkling with interest. "Can I come visit you sometime?"

I chuckled nervously. "No, no, please don't ever. My stepmother...she's evil."

Lancelot nodded understandingly. "Sure, of course. I apologize."

I assured him, "No, it's fine. I just...had to tell you."

He looked at me intensely. "I understand."

I nodded, feeling a flutter in my chest.

As we stood there, I realized our hands were still intertwined. I looked down, and Lancelot followed my gaze.

"Um," I muttered.

He smiled and pulled his hand away, and I did the same.

I didn't want him to take off his hand.

I nervously chuckled. "Yeah, it's...it's totally fine." I smiled slightly. "So, uh, thanks."

Lancelot raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

I shrugged. "For saving me from those night wolves and bringing me back home. I really appreciate it."

He smiled, his eyes crinkling. "So, you don't hate me?"

I smiled back. "Not completely."

Lancelot laughed softly. "That could work."

My heart skipped a beat. He was undeniably charming.

"You take care of yourself," I said.

Lancelot nodded. "You too."

He paused, his eyes locking onto mine. "Can I...maybe see you tomorrow?"

I hesitated, but those captivating blue eyes made me weak. "Lancelot, I...I don't know, I might be busy and—"

He persisted, his brows furrowing. "Please? At the river where we first met? Noon?"

I couldn't deny him; it would be rude. My mother raised me better than that. I nodded, my eyes drifting to his lips. "Noon."

Lancelot smiled, taking a few steps back. "Perfect. Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow, Dante."

I corrected him, a smile spreading across my face. "It's...Elvis. Cinderelvis, not Dante."

Lancelot chuckled. "I knew you were lying to me." He smirked, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

I'm sorry but were boys in fairytale books allowed to smirk? Because I'm...I'm confused.

"I'm sorry, I just couldn't—" I began, but Lancelot cut me off.

"Don't apologize, it's okay. I'm not angry," he said, his warm smile putting me at ease.

He chuckled, his eyes sparkling. "Cinderelvis...now that's a beautiful name."

My cheeks flushed, and I looked away, trying to hide my embarrassment.

"G-Goodnight, Lance," I stammered softly.

Lancelot's gentle voice replied, "Goodnight, Cinderelvis."

"Oh, my name is not Lance," He said with a furrowed brow. "It's Adam." He smirked, shrugging, leaving me dumbfounded. "You are not the only one who knows how to lie." He said and turned, walking away with a satisfied smile.

My jaw dropped as I watched him go, his name wasn't Lance?! His name wasn't Lance!! Fuck! He lied to me.

He turned back to give me one last look, a smile still printed on his lips before disappearing in the crowd.

"Fucking dickhead played me too!" I cursed and chuckled afterwards. "Smart asshole."

"Cinderelvis," Jaq called, I looked down to see him and Suzy looking up at me from the opened bag. "Why did we stop here?"

"I couldn't let him know where i lived." I shrugged in response.

"He is a nice guy." Suzy said.

"And you are a talking mice. Which means, I'm not sure what to believe here."

"Can go home now?" Jaq questioned.

"Oh yeah, sure, sorry."

"He is so handsome." Suzy said and I smiled.

"I know. Come on, let's get home and surprise that bitch called my stepmother, she probably thinks I'm dead and celebrating."

♚ ♚ ♚

Lady Tremaine's expression transformed from surprise to concern as she took in my disheveled appearance. "Cinderelvis! What in the name of Athatia happened to you?"

I smiled sweetly, satisfied by their shocked faces. "You sent me to Redwoods. Thankfully, I didn't die."

Anastasia blinked, her voice laced with surprise. "You're alive."

I nodded, still smiling. "Yes, I am."

Drizella's face fell, her tone dripping with disappointment. "You didn't die."

Lady Tremaine shot her a warning glance, and Drizella quickly covered. "I mean, I'm glad you survived." Her fake smile looked more like a snarl.

I raised an eyebrow, my expression skeptical. "Of course you are."

"How is it that you survived the Redwoods? Mother, you did say Cinderelvis was gonna d-"

Lady Tremaine raised her glass of wine, her expression a mask of concern. "I'm so glad you're not dead, Cinderelvis."

I smiled sweetly, my hands clasped together. "I'm grateful to my mother's spirit for saving me and bringing me back home to my loving family."

Lady Tremaine's gaze turned calculating. "Well, did you get the bonedust?"

I glanced down at my bag, then back at her. "I couldn't. I'm sorry, I couldn't go far." I lied, knowing I couldn't give the bonedust to a woman who wanted me dead.

Drizella looked fine, no longer showing signs of infection. There was no need to hand over the bonedust.

"I'm sorry, Driz," I said, trying to sound sincere.

Drizella rolled her eyes. "Well, I never expected you to return with it, so it's fine. You always disappoint everyone."

Lady Tremaine intervened, her voice smooth. "Driz, be nice. He did go into Redwoods forest for you."

Anastasia chimed in, smiling widely. "Besides, Driz is fine now. Mother called a doctor."

I nodded, relieved that Drizella was no longer in need of the bonedust. My secret was safe, for now.

"You shouldn't talk too much, Anastasia. Your brain is already too small and talking without being spoken to would damage it the more." Lady Tremaine said, turning slowly to look at her shocked daughter.

I stiffened a laugh, looking away.

"Mother! That was mean!" Anastasia cried.

"Um, I will head upstairs now to take a bath." I announced.

They all turned their heads to me, Lady Tremaine faked a smile. "Of course, you go ahead, sweetheart."

I nodded and turned, walking away and heading up the stairs and towards my room,  once I closed the door to my room, all the mice rushed out of their hiding spots.

"Cinderelly, you're okay!" Gus shouted.

"Thank God, you're alive." Mary said, happily.

"Where's Jaq and Suzy?" Perla asked, eyes wide in fear.

"Oh!" I opened my bag and the two ran out.

"Perla!" Jaq screamed in happiness. "Gus-Gus!"

"Jaq! Suzy!" The mice all rejoiced in happiness once they all came together.

"Wow, I'm hurt, no one missed me."

"Of course we did, Cinderelly." Bert said with a smile.

"What was it like?" Mary asked.

"Oh oh! There were monsters!" Jaq said.

"Two headed wolves!" Suzy added and they all began to talk at the same time.

"It indeed was scary." I said, taking off my cape and keeping it aside.

"And then a handsome young man saved us." Suzy said and gave me a look. "Elvis seemed quite captivated by him."

"That is...such a lie! You know what guys, I'm super tired, surviving such a thing deserves a long rest." I said with a sigh.

"Well of course,"  Perla said.

"Mmhmm." Suzy blinked severally.

"Come tell us at home." Gus-Gus said, dragging Jaq with him.

"Goodnight, guys." I said as they all went into the walls, to their home.

I took a quick shower, while drying my hair I couldn't stop thinking about him.

His gorgeous face.

His pretty smile.

His compelling eyes.

He was a complete package, he was really handsome and thinking about him did make me smile. I began to relive the moments we touched, when he grabbed my hand while we ran in the woods, when he pulled me towards him on the cliff and when we both fell, when he handed me an apple and held my hand, guiding me through the crowd.

He was sexy no doubt and he was indeed cocky, funny and had a pretty sexy accent.

"Adam," I muttered his name, smiling at myself.

Dude lied too, he knew I wouldn't tell him my name and told me something else. "Jerk."

Now Adam, was a pretty sexy name.

I tossed my towel to the side and turned off the lamp, getting on my bed and pulling the blanket up with a sigh, I shut my eyes slowly falling asleep at the thought of him.

But I didn't get to fall asleep like I expected, my eyes snapped open in fear, in shock, as I remembered, screaming his name.

"MAJOR!!"

My horse!

Adam ❤️🍎