Chapter 12: Three Years Later
367 Words
Now, Adastrea was thirteen. To celebrate, everyone in all the districts in Phrygia, along with nobles from neighboring kingdoms, were invited. Now, Adasrea wore her hair in a blunt bob. Her dress sparkled in hues of purple and champagne.
For Adastrea, this was just another ball. She had become quite bored with the forum of this kind of social gathering, so she found her way to the palace gardens as she did normally. The garden smelled of springtime and was surrounded by beautiful fairy lights. She usually just sat with her thoughts, but tonight, Adastrea wanted nothing more than the voices of her anxiety to cease. She stood up from the bench she sat upon. She had never really paid much attention until now to realize the top surface was golden. It hadn’t matched any of the other stone benches in the garden. She followed the fairy lights that flickered as a cool breeze blowed through, rustling the peonies. There, Adastrea saw something she never had paid much attention to to notice before. A golden statuette of a girl. Her arms were out, like if she were hugging someone. A chill ran up her spine.
“So we meet again, my dear,” a voice said from behind her. Adastrea quickly turned around to see Rumplestiltskin.
“You’re not supposed to be here,” Adastrea said.
“You ran away,” Rumplestiltskin said. “Don’t think I wouldn’t find you.”
“You can’t take me back there,” Adastrea said. “I have a family who can protect me from you.”
“You think they can protect you,” Rumplestiltskin asked with a laugh. “My dear, I killed your first family. This new family of yours is already neck deep in their deals with me.”
“No,” Adastrea refused. “I won’t go back there.”
“I’m afraid you don’t have a choice in the matter, my dear,” Rumplestiltskin said. Adastrea was now cornered by the draconian. “Now, you won’t feel a thing.” Rumplestilrskin wiggled his fingers and nose, apparating himself and Adastrea to a tower. “Now, I’ll be back. Business calls.” Rumplestiltskin disappeared once more.
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