Danica:

"What did she just say, mother?", I repeated.

Were all my hopes to have a future relationship with Anthony to be dashed? Were my dreams finally at an end?

"Veronica, the lady you just met, is a viper and a horrendous fairy noble at best. She is the current ambassador of the fairy kingdom and has no idea what she just said."

My mother's facial features strained as she told me what I had not been told of that also happened at my baptism.

"Your father, overeager as he is to please, called for an alliance with the fairy kingdom and offered my newborn daughter up for marriage with their newly-born prince which I did not agree with by the way. As the queen, I used all my authority to invalidate that arrangement, but as I was to make the formal apology to the fairy kingdom for making hasty promises..."

"The curse took hold", I finished for her.

"I really wish your father had not been so careless in treating those people, the witch's family, like that.", she whispered to me as she held me close to her heart and caressed my hair with her hand.

I only had one question to ask and I dreaded the answer; for if it was yes, I would be doomed to an unhappy marriage at the mere age of 16.

"Is the alliance...my marriage still on for this time?"

"They sure think so, but do not worry dear. I will not let you be married off even if it means war. The fairy kingdom is quite powerful and I fear their wrath, but those things are for adults to think about. I'll have a fierce word with your father the next time I see him.", she responded with a determined look on her face.

Her words did not lessen my anxiety, only heightened it. If I was to renege on this 'deal', I can only imagine what could happen to those I love. My mother is too certain for her own good. This situation could get ugly real fast and if the fairy kingdom is as connected as Aunt Fleur hinted they were, it would be better if I did not exist than to give my freedom away.

However, if I were to go into hiding, my family would be at risk. Mother would be the first one to be slain for her defiance against the fairies. I would not and could not let that happen on my watch.

Suddenly, the grand ballroom doors blew open and a strong gust of wind lifted ladies's skirts and took gentleman's hats way off.

A ghostly shape seemed to lurk behind the entrance and a creature's roar could be heard.

Thunder rolled, lightning cracked, and the heavens opened forth with relentless rain. All those who did not currently carry an umbrella rushed to find some piece of protection for when they went outside. One lord even attempted to take a white tablecloth to cover his newly shaven head so he would not get so cold going outside. A maid tried to stop him, but he insistently pulled it toward him and when she let go, he toppled over. It was quite a funny episode, if I was not scared for my life that is.

Only one thing terrified my nightmares on end that could make all of these events happen simultaneously and want to bring my family down a peg.

The witch was back.

Strolling past the guards who had long deserted their posts, she grinned at her soon-to-be triumph and cackled when several fairies tried to stop her ascent down the marble steps.

"Fools, don't you ever learn?", she then cackled as she hurled a blocking spell at them that made them duck for cover. The thing that was actually hit by it, a nice mahogany chest, cracked open and left splinters on the floor.

Boy did she pack a mighty punch. I did not want to be on the end of her wrath next...oh wait, I already was. My life was just fine and dandy at that point. Fine and dandy, I thought to myself sarcastically.

Why did when everything seems to be going well for me this witch has to ruin it? My life is not fair at all. I did nothing to her except be born to a rotten monarchy.

Unfortunately, at that very moment, I was bemoaning and groaning about my sucky life, she spotted me.

"You there! Daughter of King Stephan and Queen Leah, you have violated the conditions of your curse and have set forth incurred my wrath.", she yelled.

"I therefore...", she was interrupted by a sudden poof of air.

Aunt Fleur had come to my defense. I just hoped that she could convince the other witch to stop her haggling and leave me in peace!

"She is just a child. Please let her be. It was me who violated your conditions and provided an illusion so she could move freely outside as more than a ghost of herself.", Aunt Fleur confessed.

"Touching words. Fleur, you have outdone yourself this time. However, a curse is still a curse and since it has not been broken, I will have to clarify the conditions yet again."

Aunt Fleur placed herself in front of me and tried to block the witch from me as the witch chanted and a swirling grey vortex grew above her head.

"Here me oh great spirits hear,

Let this child now disappear.

Her illusion no more hold,

The clarity her aunt foretold.

Invisibility my gift to you,

And may this be ever true

Til one who loves her anew

See her truly like the morning dew.

This shall be my curse forever more!"

The giant swirling vortex moved with her pointing hands directed straight at me and shortly, I felt myself slipping away.

The ballroom fell into a state of chaos.

Amid that, I felt a hand pull me and drag me away.

I'd been taken.

_________________________________

Author's note: So she's been taken...sorry for the cliffhanger, guys!