Cinderella: The Cinder from the Ash

Chapter Eleven

Three days later, the carrots were gone and Ella was still forbidden from setting foot outside her own room.

Ella’s hands shook. “I cannot afford to care if it is forbidden,” she spoke aloud, although she was alone. “I must get some food, and Mama has not spoken to the tinker. I do not believe she cares if I live or die.” She tried to remember the details of her father’s will; to remember if her life was necessary to her step-mother even after she turned eighteen, or if there was a monetary provision for them upon her death.

“This is ridiculous. If I cannot eat, I cannot think properly.” Ella wiped her fingers off on the hem of her nightdress, leaned over the table, and opened her window. The cool night air penetrated the thick layer of make-up coating her face. Heart pounding, Ella climbed up onto the table, clambered out the small opening, and onto the thick branch of an old oak whose trunk ascended far into the night sky, almost past where she could see. From there it was a short scramble to the ground, ducking the small branches threatening to snag her hair and pull her off-balance.

Once safely on the ground, Ella hugged the old oak, listening for signs the steps had discovered her empty room. A cricket chirped. She stifled a scream, then laughed softly at herself. “It was nothing,” she murmured. “You will not be discovered.” Forcing herself away from the protection of the tree, she stepped out onto the lawn, sure her nightgown was glowing like the moon overhead. Instead of following the path into town, Ella headed for the woods, knowing it would shorten her time into town. Before she quite realized it, she could see the church.

“Psst!”

Ella shrieked, one hand lifting to her heart. “What? Who?!”

The youth she had met before…her Prince Imp…had somehow materialized in front of her. He held up his hands in a gesture of submission. “My Lady Cinder, I apologize.” His voice was anything but repentant.

“What are you doing here?” Her heart fluttered at the sight of him.

“The same thing as you, I imagine. I am journeying to our garden for food.” He held out one grime covered hand. “Join me?”

Ella’s nose crinkled up. “I thought I asked you to wash.” She eyed his face, covered with the same quality of grime as his hands.

“You did.”

“And yet here you are, still filthy.” She tapped one foot on the ground.

“I did wash,” he protested. “But it was not a permanent affliction.”

Ella laughed. “You are—”

“Yes, yes, I already know. Impossible,” he finished. “But you never answered my question about the garden. Are you coming with me, or not?”

In the most undignified way imaginable, Ella’s stomach rumbled its reply. She blushed, thankful he could not see it under all her make-up. “If I said no, you would chide me for lying,” she replied. “But I will not take your hand and ruin my gloves.”

“Spoken like a true Lady,” he retorted. “Shall we?”

Following him to the church was the easiest thing in the world. Although the shops lining the street were brightly lit, there was no-one outside. Ella found herself blessing the undead, which preferred to stay indoors to walking the street.

“What brings you out past your bedtime?” Prince Imp’s gaze took in her nightdress. “Or is this your normal nighttime attire?”

Wishing she had a robe to pull around her, Ella fidgeted. “I ran out of food,” she finally told him. “Coming out tonight was a last minute decision. Why are you here so late?”

“I have been in the woods since moon rise.”

“But why?” Ella replied. “You know where the garden is.”

He stepped toward her. “I do not need the vegetables,” he said softly. “My animals do not need the food. My parents ensure that all necessary needs are sufficiently met.”

Ella scrambled backward, her heart racing. “Wh—what do you mean you do not need the food? Then what have you been waiting here for?”

His voice dropped even further. Ella found herself leaning forward to catch his next words. “You, Cinder. I was waiting for you.”

“But…we had a pact.” Ella’s thoughts raced. “You changed your mind; you plan on turning me over to the king’s men?”

The young man laughed.

“Shhh…we shall be caught!” Ella’s hand covered his mouth.

He carefully removed it, refusing to release it when she tugged. “We are doing nothing wrong, Cinder. Simply standing in front of a church in the moonlight.” His eyes narrowed. “Why are you so concerned?”

She shook her head. “I am not answering you until you have answered me.”

“I have not been able to stop thinking of you,” he said bluntly.

“But you do not know me, nor my circumstance,” Ella protested. Her heart continued to race, although for a very different reason.

He shrugged. “I do not care one whit for your circumstance. As for you ---” he turned her hand over, leaned down, and pressed a single kiss into the center of her palm. “Anyone brave enough to risk theft charges for her pigs is someone I desperately wish to know better.” He dropped her hand. “Is that honest enough for you? Will you answer my question now?”

“My step-mother does not allow me outside at night.” The half-truth stuck in Ella’s throat. Wishing she could tell him everything, she continued. “She would rather know where I am at all times.”

“Your step-mother must love you very much.” A half-smile played around his lips.

“She could not imagine her life without me, that is true,” Ella murmured, staring at the shape of his mouth.

“Then let us make certain she does not learn of this adventure.” He smiled and only then did she notice how white his teeth were. It was rare, but she had seen undead with perfect teeth before. “Come, Cinder. Radishes and carrots await us!” With a great flourish, he opened the tiny gate and motioned her through.

Ella beamed. She liked him. Nothing would ever happen between them, nothing ever could, but it did not matter. He made her smile and that was of enormous importance. She liked him.