36

When Jacks finally awoke and air-filled his lungs for the first time in what felt like centuries, the last thing he expected was to be back to his old self. After several moments of silently staring at his human hands, elation washed over him, and before he knew it, a wide smile spread across his face. He first thought of his beautiful Sonya, and the expression she would make when she came face to face with her true prince.

Would she stare at him in disbelief? Or leap into his arms in tears? He couldn’t wait to find out.

Where is she? he thought, trying hard to remember the last time he had seen her. He remembered the time they had spent by the lake. Then, he remembered Cassandra appearing out of nowhere and the things… He shivered. He didn’t want to remember that, and then everything after that became hazy and distorted.