Megan Derr Fairytales Shot & Sweet(1)

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.Though most books say these people all died of theircurses, they were in fact all saved by the same thing.Whatsaved them?"Brenim grinned, and stepped forward, grasping Odiore sshoulders and jerking him close.He bent his head to kiss Odiorehard, deep possessively.Odiore knew he should draw back, such behavior was morethan a little unseemly but Brenim was kissing him, and hadanswered all three questionsHe drew back, scowling."Strictly speaking, that s not ananswer."72Three Questions"A demonstration.The answer is true love s kiss to free asleeping beauty from her slumber, to turn a toad back into aprince, and revive a poisoned princess.All curses, weak orstrong, can be broken by true love s kiss.""Correct," Odiore said, only just remembering to say it loudenough for all to hear.More quietly, he said, "Since when ""Since you were old enough for me to see what you wouldbecome and realize I wanted to be worthy of that man."Odiore frowned at him."You were always worthy."Brenim only smiled, and drew him close again."Shut up,and kiss your betrothed, my prince."He started to argue, feeling they were far from finisheddiscussing the matter then decided it could wait, becauseBrenim had answered his questions, and so was his forever.Matching Brenim s smile, he drew him back down for anotherkiss.73The Witch in the WoodsOnce upon a time there was a king.He was a young king,only just thirty-three summers, and he ruled a small, quietkingdom that saw no greater trouble than the occasional bandof thieves or a wizard whose spells went out of control.The king's parents died when he was very young, leavinghim with not just a kingdom to rule, but two brothers raise.Hetried his best, the young king, but being little more than a boyhimself he did not know much about raising children.His brothers grew up healthy, handsome, but selfish andungrateful.Though all in the kingdom knew the young king wasnot at fault, he blamed himself for every wrong committed byhis brothers.Determined that they should learn the ways of theworld once and for all, and gain the honor and pride theylacked, he arranged for a grand festival to be held over twodays.Then he told his brothers that they must in the course ofthose two days choose a spouse, a new life, and learnsomething from it, or he would cast them out of the kingdom.Angrily the brothers protested, but the king remained firm:marriage or exile.Two nights before the ball, the brothers slipped from thepalace and crept into the woods.They were a treacherous74The Witch in the Woodsplace, the woods, long known as the Laughing Forest for thespirits who dwelled there and laughed and chuckled andsnickered in the moments before they tormented their victims.Pale moonlight offered just enough light to tease, leavingthe brothers to trip and tumble as they journeyed, soft laughterchasing them all the way.They wended their way along a paththat seemed to change whenever they took their eyes from it.Every sound made them jump, made their breath catch, everyghostly laugh sped their hearts and quickened their step.Just as they could take no more, yellow-orange light drewthem to the glade they had been seeking: the home of thewitch.The air smelled sweet, like candy or fresh gingerbreadand the brothers remembered again all the tales of the witchwho could provide anything desired for a price.Reaching the cottage, the brothers knocked upon the door.It was opened a moment later by a tall, spindly man with short,spiky red hair, sun-dark, freckled skin, and hazel eyes.He was,the brothers noted, neither handsome nor ugly, but quitehomely."How can I help you?" the witch asked."You need to give us a spell," said the first brother, whosename was Timlin.The witch sneered at them."I don't need to do anything.Ido not take orders from anyone, not even royalty," he addedwhen the second brother, Ranlin, tried to protest."If you wantto ask for my help, certainly you may.But you'll not get it byordering me about."The brothers glared at the witch, but the witch onlycontinued to scowl right back."We'll pay you, of course," Ranlin finally said."If that'swhat's got you in a snit."The witch heaved a sigh and muttered something aboutbrats, but then said more clearly, "I do not accept conventionalmeans of payment.If you do not agree to my terms then youwill not get the spell you desire.If all you have to offer me isgold then you can leave."75Megan Derr"We'll give you whatever you want," Timlin snapped."Asyou already know, we're royalty.We can give you anything.""Being royalty does not grant the power to give anything.Iassure you that though I am but a humble witch, living alone inthe woods, I have more to offer than either of you.Come inside,but do not think to cheat or harm me or the spells you desirewill work against you rather than for you."The brothers motioned impatiently, and Timlin said, "Yes,yes.Can we just get on with it?"The witch pursed his lips, but nodded and motioned forthem to sit at the large table that took up the center of theroom.Many bottles, boxes, bowls, and other such items werescattered across it, filled with all manner of magical ingredients.A book took up one corner, a stack of more near it.The roomsmelled of wood smoke and pungent herbs.When they had taken their seats, the witch stood on theother side of the table and folded his arms across his chest.Though he was so homely looking, and wore only fadedbreeches and a heavily-patched shirt, something about himmade the brothers suddenly nervous.But when he continued to scowl at them, waiting andwaiting, Ranlin finally said, "Our odious brother says we mustmarry or face exile [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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