“Let’s get started, shall we? Tell me why you are here?”
“You know why I am here. There isn’t a man in the kingdom that doesn’t know why I’m here, including you.” An exasperated man spoke, caught up in the moment.
“First of all, I’m not a man, I’m a woman. And secondly, yes, I do know the story, but in the interest of therapy, I would like to hear it from you.”
David Arnet de Montfort sat on a brown leather chaise longue. Next to him, sitting in an upright hard wooden chair sat Dr. Thelma Watts, clipboard in hand.
“Why don’t you try and relax David. May I call you David? Here, lie down. It will help you think, I promise.”
Dr. Watts handed him a small burgundy pillow. “Here, put this under your head and let’s start at the beginning.”
David lay back on the leather couch. It was soft to the touch and smelled expensive. He had been sitting at the end next to the sole armrest. He swung his legs onto the long couch and lay back accepting the proffered pillow.
Once comfortable, he spoke up. “We danced at the ball. I wanted to dance with her the moment she arrived. All the men did.”
“I see. But that’s not the first time you met, is it?”
“You’re right of course, I met Cinderella earlier in the year after her father had remarried.”
Dr. Watts scribbled hurriedly in her notebook. “Ah, yes. Let’s start there. What happened?”
“Well, I was out for a ride on my horse as I often like to do. I decided to take a shortcut through the western forest then circled around at the covered bridge before returning home to the castle. That’s when I saw the carriage. It was Cinderella’s father. He was returning with his newly married wife and her three daughters.
I was immediately enraptured by the beauty of his wife, to be perfectly honest, so I decided to ride forward and present myself. The mother’s beauty did not prepare me for the beauty of her daughters though. They were all three stunning, and the eldest, in particular, caught my eye.
After talking for a few minutes, I was invited to stop by, when I might, for a visit and a cup of tea. I graciously accepted and promised to call on them after they had some time to settle in their new home. I was particularly interested in meeting their daughters again”
“So you didn’t meet Cinderella then?” asked Dr. Watts.
“No, she wasn’t with them. In fact, I didn’t meet her until I stopped by for that cup of tea.”
Dr. Watts again quickly took notes in her book. “I see. How long did you wait before you visited?”
“Not long, about a month later. My father the King had just announced the royal ball that would be celebrated on the next full moon and I wanted to personally invite them to attend.
I rode out the day after my father’s announcement, retinue in tow. Lord Blackworthy, Cinderella’s father, has a manor one day’s ride north and east of the castle. We camped on the road on the way and visited them at mid-morning on the second day.
It is a beautiful ride during that time of year and we were in good spirits when we arrived at the Blackworthy manor. The daughters were as beautiful as the first time I saw them.
We enjoyed a late breakfast and discussed their new lives, two families brought together.
Upon mention of families united, there were some uncomfortable nods and smiles. And that’s when I noticed two things.
One, other than me, the men in my retinue, and Lord Blackworthy, there were no other men on the estate. All of the helpers and maids and cooks and servants were women.
And two, I didn’t see Cinderella.
‘I’m excited to tell you all that I have an announcement.’ I spoke up. ‘My father will be hosting a Royal Ball on the next full moon.’ The women were happy with the news and hurriedly spoke to one another in quiet tones.
‘I came to personally invite you and as your estate is so far from the castle to offer you royal accommodations during the celebrations.’ More excitement came from the tight ring of sisters and mother.
I continued. ‘But where is Cinderella? I would like to extend the invitation to her as well.’
Lord Blackworthy spoke up. ‘Your Highness, Cinderella is feeling ill tonight. She came down with a fever yesterday and I’m afraid she won’t be able to see guests for a few days yet.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that. May her recovery be swift.’
‘Thank you, my Prince. And thank you for your gracious invitation, both for the ball and the royal accommodations. By the sound of the ladies, I dare not say no.’
Cheers went up throughout the group.
‘And on the note of accommodations,’ Lord Blackworthy continued, ‘I insist that you accept mine. Be my guests here for today and the night. If you set out early in the morning you will undoubtedly reach the castle before sundown.’
‘How kind of you sir. I graciously accept.’
We continued our meal in comfortable conversation and I remarked at how much I enjoyed the sisters, especially the eldest Juliana.
The rest of the day went by in a blur. Lord Blackworthy gave me a tour of the manor and its surrounding lands and we spent some time in the afternoon entertained by his daughters.
His daughters were all talented. In the afternoon before dinner, Juliana sang while the youngest accompanied her playing the lute. Later Juliana played something similar to a piano, an instrument I’ve never seen before, and delighted us with upbeat and exciting music from her childhood home while her sisters danced and twirled around us. Already, I knew I was falling in love.
That evening we enjoyed a delicious meal together and more talk for the upcoming ball filled the room.
Despite the festive mood and growing friendship among all, Lord Blackworthy recommended that we retire early, for the next day we would need to set off before first light.
There was something in his eyes then, something I caught as he and his wife looked at one another. At that moment, I didn’t know what the look meant, but now I think he was worried about Cinderella.
So we retired to our rooms with full stomachs and happy hearts to rest for the journey on the morrow.
That night I heard strange noises. I remember at least two times the sound of the wind, but not normal wind. I never felt the cooling sensation of air moving across my body, but the sound… The only way I can describe what I heard is by comparing it to wind.
I cannot say what it was but it felt like a woman soothing me, calling and… tempting me.
The last time I heard the wind, I could feel myself starting to respond to its call. I can’t explain it, only how I felt at the time, for it tempted me on a personal level.”
Dr. Watts interrupted. “On a sexual level? Are you saying you got an erection after listening to the wind?”
“What?!” David blurted out, pulled from his retelling of events.
“It’s okay David.” Dr. Watts placed her warm hand on his shoulder. “I’m here to help. Everything we talk about in here, together, will be kept in strict confidence.”
David relaxed.
“And this is important. When you feel vulnerable, unsure if you should say something, that is precisely the time when you should say it. Please, trust me, David.” She squeezed his shoulder. “This is part of the healing process and you will be better off in the long run if you are completely honest with me.”
Dr. Watts crossed her legs and set the clipboard on her knee. “Now, where were we?” She glanced at her notes. “Ah, yes. The wind. You said it tempted you on a personal level?”
“Yes.” David cleared his throat. Dr. Watts was older than him, but an attractive woman and the contact of her hand on his shoulder had a similar reaction to the call of the wind.
David coughed, feeling awkward, then continued. “Um, yes. I was feeling… that. But, it was much more. The feeling seemed to encompass my entire body, my being. I felt that I was being drawn towards something, someone, and then not long after it began, it abruptly stopped.
I lay there in bed quiet and listening. The room was cold and nothing stirred. It was one of those moments when your heart stops beating and your lungs stop breathing, your body working as one to enhance all of your senses.
The wind never returned that night and I slept without interruption until the next morning. Upon waking I quickly gathered my things and made for the courtyard where we would begin our return journey after saying goodbye to Lord Blackworthy and his daughters.
There was a new face amongst the Blackworthys though. It was Cinderella. I could tell at once that she was a beautiful young woman, but she looked haggard.
‘Your Highness,’ Lord Blackworthy spoke. ‘I trust you had a good night’s rest?’
‘I did indeed Lord Blackworthy. Thank you once again for your hospitality. But who is this with you? Is this your daughter Cinderella?’
‘Yes, it is. Cinderella, meet Prince David Arnet de Montfort, son of King Arnet de Montfort, first in line to the throne.’
Cinderella blushed as I bowed at the waist. I took her hand and kissed it. ‘The pleasure is mine Cinderella. I am most pleased to meet you.’
‘You are most charming my Prince.’ The haggardness had disappeared and a beautiful Cinderella stood before me. She curtsied and my heart stopped in my chest.
She was breathtaking and as she stood a sparkle of light caught my eye as I glimpsed a beautiful chain necklace around her neck. The necklace seemed to pulse with energy and a moment later Cinderella looked tired once more.
‘Cinderella,’ her father was at her side helping her. ‘You really should go back inside now. You look tired. You’ve met the Prince. Come now please, I’ll help you to your rooms.’
I interjected. ‘Cinderella.’ She looked my way once more and our eyes locked. ‘Before you go, I want to extend the same invitation I gave your mother and sisters yesterday. My father is having a Royal Ball the night of the next full moon and I would be happy if you would attend.’
‘Thank you, your Highness. I would love to attend.’ At that moment an ethereal remembrance of wind felt hours before stirred my heart once more and then she was gone.
“You mentioned a necklace. Did you ever see her wear it again?” asked Dr. Watts.
“No,” answered David. “The next time I saw her was that night at the ball and she wasn’t wearing it.”
“I see.” Dr. Watts continued her notation. “Why don’t we skip forward then and talk about the ball.”
“The next time I saw Lord Blackworthy and his family was during the celebrations prior to the night of the ball. Guests of the royal family arrived a week before and enjoyed the King’s hospitality during the days leading up to the ball.
It was an important time and the true reason my father arranged the ball. This week before the night of the full moon was a time for the King to meet with his vassals, strengthen bonds, and in general hold court over his entire kingdom. It is rare for representatives from the entire kingdom to all be together in one place.
I remember feeling disappointed that Cinderella hadn’t come. She had not arrived with the Blackworthys. They told me she was feeling ill again and was recovering at home. My disappointment, however, was quickly replaced with the joy of seeing Juliana again.
I spent a wonderful week getting to know her and my feelings for her deepened. I spoke with my father and mother about Juliana and was given permission to ask for her hand in marriage.
On the day of the ball, I met with Lord Blackworthy and asked for his daughter’s hand. He was pleased and agreed to the marriage. I told him that I would ask her that night during the ball and if she said yes, I would announce the engagement to all in attendance. The night would become a celebration of our coming union.
That night, as guests entered the ballroom and the herald of arms called their titles and names, I heard it. ‘Cinderella, daughter of Lord Blackworthy.’
Cinderella descended from the entrance a red silk gown flowing behind her gliding over the marble staircase. She looked at me and smiled and my heart skipped a beat.
She had a power over me that I cannot explain, only that now after everything which has happened can I admit its existence. I was overcome with a desire for her and my world shrunk to a size that only included her.
I don’t remember speaking. I don’t remember her saying anything to me, not in the traditional sense, but much was communicated during our moments together with her body and the expressions of her face.
I was entangled in her web and didn’t care. One of the last things I recall is kissing her. I don’t recall who kissed who, only the taste of her lips and the feeling of her tongue on mine.
My already small world shrunk even smaller until I was in darkness. I awoke the next morning in bed in my chambers. I felt tired, but well and I immediately dressed and descended to find some answers.
I found my father in council in his war room discussing the events of the night before.
‘Son, you look well.’ My father embraced me hard, then slapped my shoulder and squeezed my forearm. ‘I’m glad to see that you are okay.’
‘I feel fine Father. Just a little tired. What happened last night? The last thing I remember is dancing with Cinderella.’
‘You mean the witch.’ one of the men standing around the table blurted out.
‘Please Gerald, a moment.’ The king replied. ‘David my son, do you recall kissing her?’
I thought back and remembered the kiss. I felt it in my heart and soul. It was an intoxicating feeling. ‘Yes, father. That is the last thing I remember.’
‘Good. please come, sit down, and we’ll fill you in on the rest.’ My father sat at the head of a large oak table decorated with black forged bands of steel, studded throughout by large rivets. I followed, seating myself on his right.
‘Gerald, start from the events after the Prince kissed the girl and bring us up to date.’ The king commanded.
‘Yes, your grace!’
And then he filled me in. It turned out that Cinderella wasn’t a normal girl. He called her a witch and said that when we kissed she was somehow draining my life force. He called her a succubus, a creature that feeds on sexual energy.
When she kissed me she eventually drained me to the extent that I fainted. Witnesses stated that she looked shocked when I fell and genuinely concerned. She knelt down by my side stroking my hair and called for help.
While her head was looking down at me her stepmother rushed to her side and tried to place a delicate gold necklace with a small amulet at its end around her neck. Cinderella looked up in time and blocked her stepmother’s attempts with her arms and hands, then fled towards the doors exiting the ballroom.
As she sped through the hall’s entrance shouts of ‘stop her! Stop Cinderella!’ echoed through the ballroom, but they were too late. Cinderella increased her pace and ran as quickly as possible from the ball. The only sign of her passage was a single small slipper that had come off her foot in her haste.
Lord Blackworthy and what remained of his family were detained. During questioning Lord Blackworthy admitted to his daughter’s nature and pleaded for the innocence of his new wife and daughters.
He testified that his former wife was a witch and he was caught under her spell. They had a daughter, Cinderella, half witch half human.
Lord Blackworthy’s wife disappeared five years ago never to return. For a time Lord Blackworthy thought Cinderella was a normal little girl, but as she got older her powers started to manifest.
About a year ago on the night a full moon a stable hand was found dead in the yard at Lord Blackworthy’s estate. He lay there with a smile on his face without a mark or wound pointing to the cause.
This pattern of men dying during full moon nights continued and before long, all the men of the manor fled.
Lord Blackworthy sought help for his daughter, for he loved her still. He ventured to foreign lands and there met his now wife. She was also a witch, but a good witch. Her husband long dead while trying to save her and daughter during a battle.
She used her craft to craft a necklace. Worn during the full moon, it blocked Cinderella’s powers and kept her nature at bay.
The week of the royal ball, they had left Cinderella, wearing the amulet and necklace, under guard at Blackworthy manor.
Minutes before the ball, a servant arrived with the necklace and alerted Lady Blackworthy, but it was too late. Cinderella had arrived and the damage was done.
Now, Lord Blackworthy will be executed, the Lady and her daughters are being held in the north tower by a retinue of the king’s own guard, and I find myself saddened at the loss of Juliana while at the same time my heart aches for a witch I barely know.”
David came out of his reverie and looked around. He didn’t know how long he had been speaking. He felt that he had been at it for hours. He glanced out the window and saw that the sun had gone down replaced by a rising moon. A full moon.
Dr. Thelma Watts stared down at him, a pleasant smile on her lips. She wasn’t writing anymore and her clipboard and notebook lay discarded on a nearby table.
“Dr. Watts?” David began.
“Shush darling. Relax.” she purred. “Thank you for being so honest and forthcoming. Your recounting was quite illuminating. My assumptions proved correct on most aspects of the events that have transpired, but your description of Lady Blackthorn was definitely a surprise.”
“Yes, her identity surprised us all.”
“And what of the slipper? Do you still have it?”
David blushed slightly. “Yes, actually, I have it right here.” David now sitting, reached into his bag on the floor which leaned against the couch’s leg.
He handed the slipper to Dr. Watts and she smiled. “Thank you, David, my daughter has been looking for this.”
