I bet you’re going around in circles trying to figure out what’s going to happen next! But don’t worry, I am too!!!! Enjoy! :)
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She had a restless night. She tossed and turned and each time she fell asleep a new dream appeared. One was about her killing the prince, but she woke up before her dream self stabbed him. In another, she turned into sea-foam and everything went black. Each dream was different, but they all were the same in one aspect: none of them made her feel any better.
She slowly got out of bed and realized that the knife was in plain sight. She quickly grabbed it and frantically searched for a place to hide it. She finally decided on putting it under her skirt, figuring that no one would look there. She carefully placed the sheathed knife under her skirts against her right hip. It felt safe and secure, but incredibly intimidating.
There was a quick knock on her door and she checked herself in the mirror to make sure it was not visible before she answered the door. “Where were you last night?” The prince looked stern and Ariel felt her heart thump and knew that he could see the knife. “Marlain told me that you were sick, but when I came here last night, you were nowhere to be found. Would you care to explain?”
Ariel shook her head and he grunted. “Whatever. Christina and I have decided to get married tomorrow. If you’re feeling up to it, I would like for you to be there.”
What a bastard, Ariel thought. He’s teasing me now! He has to be. I may just kill them both. But she quickly shook that thought from her head. She was not able to kill a fly, let alone a human she loved. “Ariel, will you be there?” She stared at him for a few long moments before she decided to nod her head. His face relaxed and he hugged her.
She felt herself long for him to hold her, but her rational self pushed him away. “What? Why did you do that?” Ariel shook her head and turned away. “Ariel, what’s wrong?” She dropped her hands to her sides, still not facing him. She wished that she could scream at him right now. Eric grabbed her shoulder and spun her around so that she was face to face with him. “Ariel?”
She stared into his eyes with disbelief. Why was he playing with her heart like this? She pointed an accusing finger at him and shook it wildly in his face. He backed away and his eyes bulged. Then Ariel’s hands were flying around as she frantically tried to demonstrate that what he was doing to her was unfair. That he should be faithful to Christina and talk sweetly to Ariel, or hug her, or… even the kisses had to stop.
As her charade ended, her motions slowed. “I didn’t know you felt this way. I’m terribly sorry; it won’t happen anymore.” His eyes were staring at the floor and he was shifting his weight nervously. Without another word he left.
Then Ariel was stuck with her thoughts. Suddenly she realized that in two days she would be dead. She collapsed and hit the floor with a loud thud, and on the way down she hit her head on the bed post. She tried to get up but her vision was claimed by darkness and she drifted off into a deep sleep.
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“Ariel… Ariel…” she felt like getting sick all of a sudden. When she opened her eyes she quickly leaned over and vomited. The pain in her stomach was intense, but nothing compared to when she drank the potion. “Oh, that’s okay. I’ll go get some towels.” She looked up and watched Marlain leave the room. She was still on the floor and she felt an intense pain in her head.
The room was spinning as she tried to sit up. Ariel didn’t move for a long time, she just sat with her back resting on the bed. Marlain walked in carrying a handful of towels. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?” Ariel slowly shook her head. “You just relax. We’ll get this cleaned up for you in a jiffy. What happened last night?”
Ariel sat with her head between legs, trying to get her head to stop spinning. It took many long moments before she felt stable again. She slowly stood up with the help of Marlain, and she sat her on the bed. “Ariel, do you know what day it is?” She slowly shook her head and tried to remember what happened the day prior. “It’s Sunday morning, the prince is getting married tonight. What were you two talking about last night? Oh, I don’t know why I ask you questions. Never mind sweetheart. Are you going to the wedding?”
Ariel thought for a moment and nodded her head. “Okay, we have about two hours to get you ready. I’ll go pick out your dress and get you some food and water. Just wait here.” Ariel did as she was told and wondered what tomorrow would bring. She then felt the weight of the knife presses against her hip. She sighed and again tried to figure out which side she should take.
When her thoughts were in full swing, Marlain came bursting into the room carrying a large, green, sparkling gown. Ariel quickly dressed, leaving the knife in her under-dress, and ate a few bites of bread and drank a couple sips of water. “Now, I understand that you are sick, but you need to eat more. At least finish the water.” Ariel finished the water and winced as her stomach rumbled.
Marlain sighed and helped her to her feet. Ariel felt as though she was walking on shards of glass, and each step grew more painful than the last. But, she made it the chapel and sat in the back rows of the congregation. There were already many people waiting for the bride to walk down the aisle. Marlain left to make sure that the dining hall was ready for the feast after the wedding, and Ariel put her down on her lap and tried to calm herself.
Then the dreaded organ played. Ariel sighed and stood up to watch the bride grace down the aisle. She fought back tears as she caught sight of Eric, looking rather handsome in his suit. Christina came down the aisle and had a smile that crossed her entire face. When the priest told them to be seated, Ariel sat and let her head rest on the back of the pew in front of her. She suppressed her sobs as much as she could, but let a few tears run down her cheek.
When the ceremony was over, Ariel was the first one out of the church. She ran to her room, ignoring the pain in her feet, and threw herself onto the bed. She let out all of the sobs and eventually cried herself to sleep.
