Page 40 of Once Upon a Woven Wish
It didn’t sound like she had a choice.She nodded, thinking of Papa and Maris and…the stranger.
And the bargain that bound her life to the Well of Wishes.
The king grinned, then snapped his fingers in quick succession.A moment later, a servant was curtsying low at his side.
“Clean her up, will you?”He handed her off as though she were nothing more than a soiled towel.
The woman gave a nod and motioned for her to follow.
Serena cast one more glance backward to the crown prince as his mother fawned over him and the others chattered away about what they’d witnessed.
Apprehension and dread clutched her.
“Come with me, milady,” the servant said in a soft tone.
With her heart in her throat, she had no choice but to follow.Straight into the lion’s den.
Chapter 15
Serenawasgiventhefinest room in the royal apartments as well as a full wardrobe at her disposal, a bath whenever she wanted it, and food.Her belly had never been so full nor had she ever slept on something so fine.Her room overlooked the gardens that were bursting with blooms—even in winter—and an immaculately kept hedge maze.Undisturbed snow blanketed the ground giving it a wondrous, enchanted feel.
The days passed, and the crown prince—who was named Edgar—recovered from his terrible illness.A malady no one, not even the royal physician, was able to explain.
But as time went on, her apprehension and restlessness grew.She would return to the village and when she did, payment to the Well was due.
Her life for his.
Still, she wondered about his true name.What was it?Where to find it?She’d made a haphazard search in Papa’s meager library but had found nothing about the tithe the stranger paid—eternal servitude.What had he done to deserve such a fate?
One morning, after the maid helped her dress and tie back her hair, there was a knock on her door.The maid scurried to answer it.When she pulled it open, she immediately curtsied low.
Standing on the other side of the door was Prince Edgar.
He looked hale and healthy.His color had returned.His dark hair was perfectly combed—longer and shaggy about his face, touching the high collar of his midnight blue jacket trimmed in silver with silver buttons.He wore dark pants and shiny boots.Now that he was well, she saw life in those ocean-blue eyes and it made her smile.
She had done that.
No.She hadn’t.
The strangerhad given her the power to do that.
The servant girl rose and stepped aside, keeping her eyes downcast.But Serena looked at him with unabashed adoration.He was handsome, to be sure, with high cheekbones, a pointed chin, broad shoulders and chest.
Maris would love him.
“May I enter?”His warm voice wrapped around her like a hug.
“Yes, of course, your highness.”She dipped a curtsy.
To the servant girl, he said, “You may leave us.”
When she was out of the room, he stepped inside and gazed at her with an appreciation she did not deserve.Today, she was dressed in a fine gown of pale violet.The long sleeves came to a point on the backs of her hands.Her slippers were new—not at all like her well-worn boots that had stomped through the snow and mud.
“I came to offer my thanks,” he said.
“No thanks are necessary, your highness.”
“Please.Won’t you call me Edgar?”He moved closer to her.So close, in fact, his scent wafted to her.Something clean and bright and utterly alluring.
