Cinderella Spell - Laurie Lee Page 0,89

her feet and continued. She knew the number of stairs, but she dared not think of it, or despair would overwhelm her.

She struggled on, stumbling onto the roof as the fourth bell of midnight struck. “Robert,” her scream surpassed its ringing. Stars glittered above, the moon a distant cold light. Yet, in the bits of light, she could see a large shadow standing beside the bird pen. She raced to his side. “Robert.”

She fell into him, he was here. The fifth bell sounded. He did not move.

Marissa touched his face. His skin seemed cool, but his eyes were open, staring beyond the cage where birds were kept. Another chime, the moment of midnight half gone. “Prince? Why are you here? It is not a safe place to roam in the dark.” More bells rung, but he did nothing. She shook him, sobs choking her. “Do not leave me, my love. Not here, not like this. Not for her.” She kissed him as the final toll of midnight struck. For a moment, he remained as he was. Then as the final ember of sound stilled, his arms moved, his hands creeping along her sides. Gaining strength. Warming.

He kissed her, pulling her tight against him, but she didn’t mind. With a shout of joy, he lifted her in his arms and twirled them around. Her head spun as he returned her to the ground.

50

A screech echoed across the rooftops. Robert and Marissa dropped to the ground beside the roosting house.

“Do you think you can upset order with chaos? Really, little girl, you think you can defeat me?” Cinderella’s voice screamed through the blackness. It was not the voice of a woman in love, but an angry witch seeking revenge.

With Robert’s arms around her, Marissa drew strength, though she remained silent.

“I have waited long for this moment. I will not be thwarted. The secrets of Doorin’s rooms are meant to be mine.” Cinderella’s voice drew closer.

Robert pressed his forehead against Marissa. She curled her hand against his cheek. “We must stand against her together.” With his precious face a breath from hers, she could see him nod. A quick kiss, and Marissa twirled, standing to face Cinderella. Robert stood behind, his arm around her waist.

Cinderella’s eyes burned with hatred as she shook her head. “You think you have won? You are but insects caught in a web, struggling in your death throws.”

Marissa touched her father’s necklace that lay unnoticed on her chest, feeling him with her, then she pulled the sack she kept at her side throughout the day. “Your spell will not last without the aid of this.” She dropped the sack to the stone floor, the sound of glass breaking sweet to her ears.

Cinderella shrieked. “How? When—"

“You were intent to keep Robert from me, it never occurred to you to keep me from you.” She took a step closer. “Every stair climbed, every doorway entered and exited, every passage.” She opened the edge of the sack and turned it over. Shards of glass fell to the ground. “You have no power here, Cinderella of Belton Province.”

Cinderella snarled. “I should have destroyed you when I had the chance.”

“That’s just it.” Robert stepped in front of Marissa, protecting her. “You tried and failed, time and again. Real love is stronger than your spells and webs.”

Marissa gripped the sides of his tunic. “Be gone, witch. Take your evil arts beyond the borders of our lands.”

Cinderella laughed, a chill sound that caused shivers. “You think it that easy to banish me?” She drew a sword. “I had hoped to find pleasure in the arms of a young prince, but an aging king will do just as well.”

Robert reached for a weapon at his side, but he carried nothing. The two of them backed up a step.

A large black bird flew between them as Cinderella lunged. The caw of Crow turned to the screams of a man as her blade pierced his side. Cinderella cried out as huge wings beat against her. Marissa gasped, curling against Robert.

Cinderella railed her arms against the cursed creature, but they were too close to the edge. Her feet slipped in the pile of glass. She grabbed the injured bird, but it was changing into the dark stranger. Her sword clanked against the keep as they fell, screams mingling together, until silence stretched into the night.

It happened so fast. Marissa caught her breath as she clung to Robert. Cinderella had been standing there, and then she was gone. A trick? A