Chapter - 1

Hyacinth trudged through the thick forest in silence. Her feet made shuffling sounds and her rather long cloak trailed after her. She stretched her hand from under her cloak and felt a cool wind blow against her skin. She took notice of the indelible marks her companion made on the trees in front of her.

The sun's rays reflected on it giving it a dark glow, she noticed. Sunset again- she mused realizing how much time had elapsed since she began walking. Thinking about how she'd lived her life in solace made her sigh deeply. At least Faust her companion kept her company and ran her errands whenever she didn't feel like it.

How could she forget the cause of her messed up life, magic. Magic brought her anything but misery especially to her family. And which people caused their demise, The bloody Royal Family. The thought of their name made her burn with undying anger. But there was nothing she could do when their past was filled with bloodshed - she shook her head lightly and kept walking.

In fact, who didn't know of their history? A screech snapped her from her reverie, so she looked up. It was Faust flying in circles above her head. It swooped down and landed on her shoulder. She smiled at the raven and smoothed down its semi wet feathers. "This is what you found?" She asked it to stop in front of a large oak tree. The tree had a white hue like that of a milk bush with pink leaves and ancient writings on its bark.

Her fingers grazed the surface lightly and was met with flashes of memories. She retracted her hand and massaged her temples." This is an odd tree you found." She whispered to Faust who bobbed his head in satisfaction. Faust shook his head and hopped off her shoulder to the ground. After it hopped for a while it started cackling loudly opening its large wings in the process.

"I don't understand you Faust." Hyacinth frowned trying to make out its strange gestures. Faust on the other hand placed its wings on its head dramatically and shape shifted to a black snake. It slithered off into the tree with a sibilant sound. It came back later with a parchment and a herb in its mouth. Dropping it in front of her, it coiled around itself and stared at her with its tongue sticking out every now and then.

"A primrose!" She exclaimed with wide eyes. She then lowered the hood of her cloak to inspect the items. A frown marred her features when another wave of memories hit her this time stronger. "Can you do me a favor by taking it home. I'll be going to the city for a potion." She said to Faust who nodded in understanding. She watched it shift to a raven then grabbing the items, it took off to the north-was direction.

Hyacinth shrugged her cloak off and shivered when a cool breeze hit her skin. She muttered a spell under her breath then slowly she altered her appearance. After feeling her wrinkly face, she didn't need to know she was a old lady. She draped the cloak around her frail form. Extending her arms, a walking stick and basket filled with fruits appeared. Hyacinth gave the tree a last look and walked away.

** **

Cassien together with Giselda took a stroll in the palace gardens. Giselda his betrothed held a flower in her hand as she walked quietly with Cassien. She would glance at him every now and then when he remained silent- it seemed his mind was preoccupied by something else. A sense of pride hit her because she knew he was going to be hers very soon.

She took notice of his golden curls that fell on his shoulders that gave a glow in the sun. His unusual hue of aquamarine and hazel eyes was squinted in a small frown. It was absolutely breathtaking staring at his different colored eyes - it was as if she could drown in them. Her smile dropped when her eyes lingered on the amulet on his neck. She couldn't believe the bone amulet was supposed to suppress his curse - in her opinion she hated the idea of him using magic.

Those vile witches especially the one that cursed his family. She couldn't wait to be crowned queen to eliminate the rest. "A penny for your thoughts love?" She heard him ask which snapped her form her reverie. "Oh, nothing much. I'm just worried your curse is getting worse." She replied staring hard at the green grass with a frown.

"Aren't we supposed to be looking for the white-haired witch?" She asked staring at him- he chuckled at her. "Don't worry we'll find her so stop crying." He said wiping a stray tear with his thumb on her cheek. She nodded slowly, her short chestnut hair bouncing back. "Oh before I leave I brought you this." Giselda said handing him a basket of fresh pastries she collected from her lady-in waiting.

"Thank you I'll try them." Cassien said gesturing a guard who took the basket then stepped back to give them privacy. They stopped in front of her carriage, and he helped her in. Giselda gave him a wave when the carriage started moving. "Do I really have to keep entertaining her?" Cassien asked Garnet his right hand man when Giselda's carriage left.

Garnet stared at Cassien for a while before speaking. "Your Grace, I think it is for the greater good of Avalon and Dukedom. Uniting you two in marriage will foster a good relationship between the two kingdoms." He replied walking beside Cassien to the throne room.

"Don't make me scoff. It's my father's wishes I have to carry out because of a mistake my ancestor Helios made. I'm the one with the nasty curse." Cassien shot back attempting to remove the amulet, but he was stopped by Garnet. Cassien shrugged him off and continued walking.

"How far with your investigation?" Cassien queried changing the subject. "Yes, I was meaning to tell you. We found something that might interest you Your Grace." Garnet said pausing to open the large door to the throne room. When the space was wide enough, Cassien stepped in and Garnet followed suit.

The room had red walls with a red carpet from the door to the raised platform where the two thrones sat. Cassien's throne was larger and was made of gold. Beside it was the queen throne which was smaller and had little gold with cushions. In the middle of the room hang a large chandelier with a small window behind the thrones.

"Do tell me." Cassien said mounting the platform and taking a seat on his throne. Garnet walked in front and crouched with one knee bent. "We found a suspicious woman frequenting an odd-looking shop for the past few days. Upon inspecting the shop, it seemed to be an artefact shop operated by old people." He began and Cassien waved his hand in a gesture for him to continue.

"She goes there at sunset. Funny thing is, comes from the forest. When we tried tracing her, she vanished. We even used the royal dogs to trace her but to no avail Your Grace." Garnet ended his submission. Cassien was silent for a while before he spoke.

"You said sunset, right?" Garnet nodded staring through the window. "I'll follow the search party today. I want to meet this woman myself." Cassien announced rising from his seat. "Your Grace you need rest!" Garnet exclaimed but Cassien threw him a glare.

He sighed hoping his intuition was right about the woman. He followed Cassien closely behind.