The man I held was fair of skin and hair, with cheeks still flushed with the kiss of youth. His body was sleek and trim; a man built more for leisure than labor. His was the face statues were modeled after, a visage that made women sigh and girls giggle. His blond hair fell haphazardly over his light blue eyes, and I pushed it away gently. He was staring at me, just as he had done in death, but then he blinked.
“Sylvaine,” Blaise whispered. “Did I die? Are we in Heaven?”
“Yes,” I said with a sob. “You died, but we're not in Heaven. You came back to me.”
“She broke the curse,” Lance declared. I knew it was him immediately; his eyes and voice gave him away. “Sylvaine has freed us.”
“Youfreed us,” Audric corrected with a pat on his brother's shoulder. “You let go of your jealousy, Lance.”
“And it had nothing to do with me, did it?” I smirked at him.
“No,” Lance whispered as he stared at Blaise. “I needed to realize that I love my brother just as much as I love you.”
“Welcome back to humanity, my Beast-Princes,” I said.
“Thank you,” they murmured with wonder.
We checked Blaise over, just to be certain that his wounds had healed completely in the transformation, and then my family came forward to join in our amazement and joy.
“I'm sorry,” Blaise said. “Did I imagine it, or is Sylvaine a werewolf?”
We all burst out laughing.
Chapter Sixteen
Moments after the curse was broken, the palace filled with people. It took us a few minutes to notice them, they were standing around so silently, just sort of awestruck. Then we stared at the men and women around us, shocked yet again. These newcomers began to cry, laugh, and hug each other.
“Martha?” Blaise called out.
“Yes, Sire,” a woman bobbed a curtsy at Blaise. “We're all here.”
“How?” Audric asked. “Where did you come from?”
“We've been here all along, Your Highness,” a man said. “The curse turned us invisible, so we couldn't speak with you or any woman who might try to save you. We weren't allowed to influence matters. But we've always been here, looking after you.”
“The witch gave us a choice,” another man added. “We could leave or we could remain here and help you through this.”
“Why?” Audric asked. “Why would you stay when the court fled?”
“You are good boys,” a matronly woman chided him. “Most of us have watched you grow into men, and we know your hearts. Your parents' death may have changed you, but we knew you'd come back to us, Your Highness. It was just a matter of time.”
“I have served this family for all of my life,” the first man who spoke said. “I was loyal to the King and Queen, and they were good to me. I could never abandon their children in their hour of need.”
“Thank you, Pierre,” Lance went over to the man and hugged him.
The man's eyes went wide and shocked before he gently patted Lance's back. “You're most welcome, Your Majesty. It's our honor to serve.”
“Your Majesty”–another man came forward and bowed–“we have seen what happened with the villagers.” He looked pointedly at the remains. “Might I make a suggestion?”
“Of course, Talbot,” Lance said. “What is it?”
“Might I recommend that you post an announcement proclaiming that you and your brothers have been trapped by an evil witch and her monsters?” Talbot said. “The young lady and her family freed you, and then together, you dispatched the beasts and saved your kingdom.”
Lancelot smiled and looked to me.
“Your servants aren't just loyal, they're wise,” I noted.
Talbot blushed and gave me a bow.
