Cursed Beauty (A Fairy Retelling #1) by Dorian Tsukioka Page B

like to know?”
    “Tell us everything you know about defeating witches.”
    “Witches? Why in the world would you need to know something like that?” the Elder Prince asked.
    Adelaide looked to Prince Julian, and he spoke. “Adelaide is being haunted by one who seems hell bent on destroying her.”
    Adelaide’s eyes filled with tears, and she struggled to keep her voice even. “My friend was cursed by the witch, and now she is no longer the kind and loving person she once was. The witch has stolen all traces of love from my friend’s heart. She is in danger of never loving anyone every again if we don’t figure out a way to defeat the witch.”
    The Elder Prince put his fingers to his chin, and stood silent for a moment, a pensive look softening the features of his face. “I have to admit, I do not know as much as I should. To my knowledge, witches were forced from our land generations ago. There are some books we can look through in the library, though. That might help.”
    Adelaide hastily pushed a tear away and looked Prince Leon in the eyes. “My Lord Prince, there is more you should know. My friend is an acquaintance of yours as well. You met her last night at your birthday celebration. You danced with her all night long.”
    Color drained from the Elder Prince’s face, leaving it ashy and gray. “Merelyn?” he asked. “Do you mean Merelyn?”
    Adelaide nodded.
    “And you say some witch took away her capability to love?” he asked.
    “Yes. In time, she will grow bitter and hateful. She will never be able to love anyone ever again if we don’t save her.”
    Prince Leon took a shuddering breath, and leaned heavily against a chair for support. Julian clapped his hand on his brother’s shoulder and spoke. “You see how urgent our task is, then. We must hurry. Tonight the witch will be coming back to claim Adelaide as well. We must find a way to stop her, and save Merelyn.”
    Celeste, too, if that’s even possible after this much time. Adelaide worried that even if the did find a way to stop the witch, and save Merelyn, too much time may have passed to save her stepmother as well. In fact, she didn’t truly know if they would be able to save Merelyn at all. Once the witch claimed a person’s love, would it even be possible to retrieve it? Adelaide decided to grasp tightly onto the hope that she could do something to help save her friend.
    Prince Leon quickly led the way through the castle to the library. Adelaide cursed her damaged foot for not allowing her to run through the halls. Though midnight was still hours away, every second counted. Her ankle began to throb again, the pain causing her to limp. Julian noticed and said nothing, but put his arm around her waist, helping to support her as she walked. Adelaide’s skin awoke with flames of awareness in Julian’s embrace.
    Though the situation was dire, she couldn’t help but enjoy this moment of being held by him again. Immediately, shame and guilt flared in her heart as well. It felt wrong to enjoy Julian’s touch when her friend was hurting. Adelaide tried to push the conflicting emotions aside and concentrate solely on the task ahead. Besides, she told herself, he’s simply being helpful. Don’t read more into his touch than is really there.
    The Elder Prince pushed open the massive doors to library. Julian and Adelaide followed him inside. Adelaide looked up in awe. Shelves lined every wall from the floor up to the vaulted ceiling. Three levels of scaffolding and balconies were ensconced throughout the room with spiral staircases leading up to their great heights. Adelaide sighed. She could live forever in this room.
    An immense fireplace sat at the far end of the room, with several chairs and loungers scattered nearby. In one of the chairs sat a man with a book in his hands, staring at the three of them.
    The king.
    “What the blazes are you doing here?” he bellowed from across the room.
     
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    The wind was blowing more