"I can't walk anymore," Briar said. "Let's take a break,"

"But we are almost there," Leon said. He held up the map to show her. "We can't take a break now."

Briar sighed heavily, pushing the map aside. "I don't care how close we are, Leon. I need to rest." She settled herself beneath a large oak tree, giving her aching legs a much-needed stretch.

It had been two days since they left the castle, and they had spent most of that time walking. Every muscle in Briar's body screamed for relief. The constant trudging through the uneven forest terrain had taken its toll, and the rough, sleepless nights hadn't helped.

Night in the forest was a particular kind of torture. The forest floor was an unforgiving bed, and they were completely exposed under the open sky. The rustling of leaves and the distant, bone-chilling howls of nocturnal animals kept Briar on edge, her sleep fitful and fragmented. Each time she managed to doze off, she was abruptly awakened by a terrifying sound that seemed to come straight from one of her childhood nightmares. Only this was much scarier and all too real.

Briar was grateful to have Leon with her. He could track the water source and find a safe clearing to camp at night. The prince was good with navigation and map reading, so Briar handed him the map and the responsibility of finding the correct path in the dense forest. Although she would never admit it to him, she knew she wouldn't have made it without his help.

"My legs are killing me," Briar groaned, massaging her calves.

Leon propped himself against a nearby tree. "If only you had allowed me to get the horse, none of this would have happened," he said.

"You don't have to taunt me," Briar said, her eyes closed as she leaned back against the tree. "I didn't want to take the risk."

They sat in silence for a few minutes, the forest around them growing darker and quieter. The occasional chirp of a cricket or rustle of leaves was the only sound that broke the stillness. The air was cool and damp, and the scent of pine needles and earth filled Briar's nostrils, calming her slightly.

Leon finally broke the silence. "Do you think they will come after us?"

Briar's chest tightened. Since they were in the forest, she had been avoiding any thoughts about the castle, especially her mother. The guilt pierced her like a sharp blade. But she kept reminding herself that she had to do this. She was the reason for all the trouble in the kingdom, and she was willing to go to any lengths to break the curse, even if it meant causing pain to her mother.

And she hoped one day her mother would forgive her.

"They will not come after us," Briar answered. She didn't write about the midnight forest and forest fairies in the letter.

"I'm sure your mother will understand," Leon reassured her with a smile. "Don't be sad. You need all the courage to break the curse."

Briar sighed, her gaze drifting to the canopy above where the leaves danced in the gentle breeze. "And food," Briar said, changing the topic. "I'm starving. Do we have anything to eat?"

Leon opened his satchel and rummaged through its contents. His face fell as he pulled out a few crumbs. "Oh, no."

"What's wrong?" Briar asked, peering into the satchel.

"My cake is gone," he said. "Now all I have is this." He produced two apples from the depths of his bag, their red skin glistening in the fading light.

Briar chuckled softly and reached into her satchel. She retrieved a modest loaf of bread, slightly crushed but still intact. "We'll manage with what we have," she said, tearing off a piece and offering it to Leon. "Then we'll need to collect more food. I know a few wild berries that are safe to eat."

"If there's one thing I miss about the castle, it's the food," Leon said wistfully. He took a bite of the apple. "I'd give anything for a slice of the cook's famous pie right now."

As Briar nibbled on her bread, a wave of unease washed over her. Doubts began to creep into her mind, like shadows slithering through the underbrush. What if they got lost in this vast forest? What if they never found the forest fairies? The enormity of their quest weighed heavily on her, stealing her appetite and replacing it with a gnawing fear.

Leon finished his bread and brushed the crumbs from his hands. He discarded the empty satchel and hoisted the other one onto his shoulder. Rising to his feet, he looked at Briar with determination. "I think we'll reach the fairy village before nightfall," he said, looking at the map.

Briar looked at the map, then at the path ahead, shrouded in shadows and uncertainty. "I hope so," she murmured, more to herself than to Leon. With a deep breath, they set off.

As they ventured deeper into the heart of the woods, the landscape began to shift, morphing into a twisted labyrinth of towering trees and tangled undergrowth. The air grew heavy with the scent of earth and decay, and a sense of foreboding settled over them like a suffocating shroud. The whispering of the wind through the leaves felt like the murmuring of ghosts, warning them to turn back.

After hours of walking, the forest seemed to close in around them, the density of the foliage making it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead. The trees loomed ominously overhead, their gnarled branches intertwining to form a thick canopy that blocked out the sunlight. Even in the daytime, the forest remained cloaked in shadow, casting an eerie pall over the landscape.

The ground beneath their feet grew uneven, the roots of the ancient trees snaking across the forest floor like serpents lying in wait. Briar stumbled over a protruding root, her heart racing as she struggled to maintain her balance. The twisted roots seemed to claw at her as if the forest itself were trying to hold her back.

Leon cast a concerned glance her way. "Are you alright? You look pale," he said. His hand hovered near her, ready to catch her if she fell.

"I'm fine," Briar insisted, though her voice trembled slightly. She forced herself to keep moving, her eyes scanning the dense underbrush for any sign of danger. Each rustle of leaves, each creak of a branch, made her heart skip a beat. The oppressive atmosphere made it hard to breathe.

Suddenly, Briar froze, her breath catching in her throat as she spotted a pair of large red eyes peering at her through the foliage. The eyes glowed eerily, unblinking and cold. She let out a startled scream.

Leon glanced over and then burst into laughter. "That's just an owl," he said, pointing at the bird nestled among the branches. The owl blinked slowly, almost as if it were amused by Briar's reaction. Its feathers were mottled with brown and white, blending perfectly with the tree bark.

Briar took a shaky breath, her pulse gradually returning to normal. "It looks... unusual," she admitted, her eyes still fixed on the creature lurking in the shadows. The red eyes were unnerving, and despite Leon's reassurance, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over her.

"Yes, the red eyes," Leon said with a playful smirk. "If you're frightened, you can hold my hand." His tone was light, but his eyes were serious.

"I'm not scared," Briar insisted. She reached out and instinctively grasped Leon's hand, the warmth of his touch providing a slight comfort in the chilling forest.

"Good," Leon said, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. He turned and led the way forward, his steps confident. "Let's keep moving. We need to reach the fairy village before nightfall."

Briar followed Leon in silence, her footsteps slow and hesitant. She wrapped her cloak tighter around her, seeking solace in its warmth, though it offered little comfort against the chill that seemed to seep into her bones.

Why was she so afraid? It was just a forest, after all. Yes, it was dark and eerie, but there was nothing to fear. She glanced at Leon. The prince seemed completely unfazed by the sinister atmosphere. He moved with ease as if he were strolling through a beautiful garden rather than a haunted forest. His calm demeanor was a stark contrast to the anxiety gnawing at her.

"Leon, how can you be so calm?" Briar asked. "Doesn't this place scare you at all?"

Leon turned to her. "I've faced far worse than a spooky forest," he said with a wink. "Besides, I have you with me. How could I be afraid?" His words were meant to comfort, and they brought a small smile to her lips.

Suddenly, Leon came to a sudden halt, his eyes fixed on something ahead. "Look," he said, pointing toward a clearing up ahead. "A cottage."

A small cottage stood in the middle of the clearing. The cottage seemed oddly out of place, its presence a stark contrast to the untamed wilderness that surrounded it.

"A cottage?" Briar said. "But Lavonna said no humans lived here."

Leon sniffed the air, and his eyes widened with delight. "Can you smell that?" he said, taking another deep inhale. "Strawberry tart, pudding, pancakes, wafers, apple pie, chocolate, doughnuts..."

Briar paused and took a deep breath, the mouthwatering scent of freshly baked treats and desserts filling her senses. The rich aroma wrapped around her like a comforting blanket, momentarily dispelling the chill of the forest. "I smell it too," she murmured, savoring the delicious blend of sweetness and warmth. "It's incredible."

Leon inhaled again and again, his excitement growing with each breath. "It smells yummy!" he exclaimed.

"Strange," Briar said, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Who could be baking here? And out here in the middle of nowhere?"

Leon, following the intoxicating aroma, started walking towards the cottage, his steps quickening. "The smell is coming from the cottage," he said. "Oh, maybe it's a food shop for travelers. Bless them! Thank goodness I have some gold coins." He patted his pocket, where the faint clink of coins could be heard.

As they approached the cottage, Briar suddenly stopped, her eyes widening in astonishment. It wasn't just the aroma that emanated from the cottage-it was the cottage itself. The walls were made of gingerbread, with delicate icing piping creating intricate designs. The roof was a cascade of chocolates, candies, and cookies, all expertly arranged to create a mouth-watering mosaic. The windows were framed with twisted ropes of licorice, and the door was a massive slab of chocolate, adorned with a doorknob that seemed to be a giant gumdrop.

Cupcakes and pastries grew on the porch like small bushes, while a fountain stood nearby. The mouth-watering cottage was surrounded by a fence made of candy canes.

Briar's stomach growled. Suddenly she craved sweets. How did she wish to eat a cupcake and drink from the fountain?

Her legs seemed to have a mind of their own, and she almost ran to the cottage. All she wanted to do was eat, eat, and eat.

It was just like the story her mother used to read to her.

A witch with a candy house.

A witch!

Briar planted her legs firmly on the ground to stop herself from running into the cottage.

"Leon, stop!" she yelled, her voice sharp with urgency.

The prince paused near the fence, turning back to her with a puzzled expression. "What?"

"Don't go. The cottage is dangerous," she said, her voice trembling with both fear and the effort to keep it low. Her eyes darted around, scanning the dense forest for any sign of movement.

Leon chuckled. "Yeah, rotten teeth maybe," he said with a playful smirk. "But seriously, I want to eat the wall, the floor, and the whole cottage." His gaze was fixed on the chocolate, his mouth practically watering.

"Trust me, Leon," Briar whispered as loudly as she dared. Her eyes were wide with fear, darting between Leon and the cottage. "It's the witch's magic-"

Before she could finish, the door made of candy swung open with a creak, revealing a plump woman clutching a massive fruit cake. She had a square-shaped face framed by narrow, calculating eyes that gleamed with an unsettling mix of kindness and cunning. She wore a dark green gown and gray cloak.

"Welcome, dear children," the witch's voice was sweeter than her candy house. Her smile was wide and inviting, but there was a coldness in her eyes that set Briar on the edge. The witch held out the fruitcake, its rich aroma filling the air with an almost overpowering sweetness. "You seem lost and weary. Why not step inside and enjoy a delicious cake?"

"And become fat so you'll eat us," Briar muttered under her breath.

Leon beamed at the witch. "That's so nice of you," he said, stepping closer to the cottage. "Is it a shop? I must say, it's a brilliant business idea to decorate your house with all these sweets."

The witch's eyes flicked to Leon's crown, her gaze lingering on it for a moment before she looked him up and down. Her tongue flicked out to lick her lips in a gesture that was more unsettling than hungry. "Royal blood..." she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Then she smiled again, wide and toothy. "I mean, you look like royals."

Leon smiled back. "I'm Prince Leon, and she-"

"We're in a rush," Briar interrupted quickly. "We'll visit your shop some other day." Her eyes were wide with terror, and she gripped Leon's arm, trying to pull him away from the witch.

The witch's smile never faltered as she took a step closer, her eyes gleaming with a predatory light. "A cake bite won't hurt you," she said, her voice a sickly-sweet singsong that sent shivers down Briar's spine.

"But your bite will," Briar muttered under her breath, tightening her grip on Leon's arm. "Leon, let's go." She yanked him away, her eyes never leaving the witch's face.

"We haven't had a decent meal in days," Leon pleaded, as he looked at Briar with wide, pleading eyes. "Please, let's accept her offer. I'm starving."

Briar glanced at the witch, who was inching closer with every passing moment. She forced a smile at Leon, her heart pounding in her chest. "She is hungry too," she said, her voice laced with a tension she couldn't hide. She watched from the corner of her eye as the witch took another step toward them, her expression growing more predatory.

"Don't you remember the tale?" Briar continued, trying to keep her voice steady. "We shouldn't accept candy from strangers, especially someone living in a candy house." Her eyes flicked to the candy-laden cottage, the sight of which now filled her with dread rather than delight.

"I've read enough stories," Leon said, his smile faltering slightly as he continued to look at the witch. "Of course, about the candy house..." His eyes suddenly widened in realization, and he turned to Briar, the pieces of the puzzle finally falling into place. "Candy house..."

"Candy house," Briar echoed, relief washing over her as she saw understanding dawn in his eyes. "Witches."

Suddenly, the witch was standing right in front of them, her presence so abrupt and menacing that it felt like the shadows themselves had delivered her. "Come inside," she ordered, her voice losing its sugary sweetness, replaced by a cold, commanding tone. Her smile was gone, replaced by a hungry, sinister look that sent chills down Briar's spine.

"Never," Briar said. She took a step back, pulling Leon with her.

The witch's face twisted, her features contorting into a grotesque mask of fury. Her skin turned wrinkled and leathery. Her robe slipped from her shoulders, revealing a body covered in scars and sinewy, misshapen flesh. She threw the fruitcake to the ground with a hiss. "No one rejects my cake," she spat.

Before Briar could react, the witch seized her arm with a grip like iron, yanking her towards the cottage. Briar screamed, the sound tearing from her throat as she struggled against the witch's vice-like hold. Summoning all her strength, she delivered a swift kick to the witch's stomach. The witch staggered backward, her grip loosening just enough for Briar to wrench her arm free.

"Run!" Briar yelled, her voice hoarse with panic.

The witch moved with a speed that defied her grotesque form, leaping to block their path. Her teeth bared in a snarl, her eyes bulging with malevolent glee. "No one rejects my offer," she hissed again, as she lunged at them, her mouth wide open and ready to devour.

Briar swung her fist at the witch's face, her knuckles connecting with a sickening crunch. Leon kicked her in the knees with all his might. To Briar's horror, the witch's entire leg detached from her body, falling to the ground with a thud.

But the witch seemed unfazed. She advanced toward them on one leg, her outstretched hand grasping for them, her eyes gleaming with a nightmarish hunger. She was a vision of horror, a creature straight from the darkest of nightmares.

Leon kicked her other leg. The witch crumbled to the ground, her body collapsing in a heap of ragged cloth and twisted limbs.

"Is she dead?" Leon shouted, his voice trembling with shock and disbelief. "Did I kill a witch?"

"You feel bad for her," Briar screamed, her eyes wide with panic as she grabbed his arm and started pulling him away. "She's not dead. Let's get out of here before she...fixes her leg!"

Not wasting any more time or wanting to see the horrible sight as the witch mended her legs, Briar and Leon took off running. They had no idea where they were heading, only that they needed to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the witch's cottage. The forest seemed to stretch endlessly before them, a maze of shadows and twisted branches that threatened to engulf them.

Finally, after what felt like hours of frantic running, they slowed to a stop, their chests heaving with exertion. Briar glanced over her shoulder, half-expecting to see the witch still pursuing them. But the forest was quiet, the only sound was the distant rustle of leaves and the rapid thudding of their hearts.

Briar glared at Leon. "Honestly, I can't believe you didn't recognize the witch. The candy house should have been a dead giveaway."

Leon, still gasping for breath, ran a hand through his tousled hair, his face flushed from their frantic escape. "It was a bedtime story," he said defensively. "I forgot."

"Some stories are to teach us valuable lessons," Briar said.

"Fine, I learned my lesson," Leon muttered, rubbing his temples as if trying to erase the memory of the witch's horrifying face. "We aren't stopping anywhere near a candy house ever again." He glanced at her, a hint of a smile twitching at the corners of his lips. "But you can't blame me for wanting to eat it. The house looked delicious."

"The witch felt the same way about you," Briar said dryly, her eyes scanning their surroundings with a wary gaze. "Anyway, where are we now? We need to keep moving."

"Let me check the map," Leon replied. He pulled out the map and compass from his satchel, his brow furrowing as he carefully traced their route with a finger. After a moment of studying the map, he looked up. "Thankfully, we are on the right path. We should reach the fairy village soon."

"Good, I can't walk much further," Briar said, her shoulders slumping with exhaustion. She felt utterly drained, her legs heavy and aching from their harrowing run. She didn't even bother checking the hourglasses to see how much time was left. Three days had already been wasted.

"This is only the beginning of our adventure," Leon said cheerfully, trying to lighten the mood as they resumed their trek through the forest.

"You seem to enjoy it too much," Briar said.

"Maybe a little," Leon admitted, his eyes twinkling with excitement despite their recent ordeal. "Can you blame me? The enchanted flower garden, and forest fairies-it's our opportunity to see rare things that only a few lucky people get to see in their lives. We're living a story, Briar."

"There are also creatures like the witch," Briar added. "I didn't feel lucky to meet her."

"There are always going to be obstacles in a quest," Leon said. "But we have to overcome them if we want to reach our destiny."

Briar looked around the forest. She just wanted to reach her destiny without any more obstacles stopping her.

___