Chapter Text
“The prince will be agile and elegant like a falcon.” Promises the Whisper of the Winds as her magic breeze caresses the cheeks of the young prince in his crib.
“The prince will be kind and strong like a bear.” Promises the Nymph of the Woods, her wooden fingers letting magic golden leaves fall around the prince.
They are both thoughtful gifts, I am sure, but they are not really my style. I complain, but I do wonder what I should give him as I trace my hands through my lace. I am not entirely sure yet.
The Fairy Queen steps up to the crib next and the small baby in it coos at her with joy. “The prince will be...” she begins as she lets her fairy dust fall on the young prince, “...charming!” She smiles, pleased with herself.
“Oh, indeed!” An unexpected chuckle sounds from the darkest corner of the room, the voice is uncomfortably familiar. “The prince will be so charming no one in the world will ever be able to resist his smile, not after looking into his eyes.” A figure finally steps out of the shadows, making her way around the rest of the guests and towards the baby’s crib.
Everyone stands frozen in place, petrified by her mere presence. She walks slowly, unafraid to be stopped, her dark dress dragging on the floor and her brown hair falling on her shoulders.
“Amara...” the king whispers in shock.
A wicked smile adorns her face as she continues, ignoring him, “loved unconditionally by everyone, he will grow lazy and spoiled.” Her hand snakes into the crib to cradle the young prince’s cheek as her dark magic smoke envelops him, taking over the fairy dust and corrupting it. “The worst prince in history, he will lead the kingdom to its doom as the whole world falls at his feet and all real love withers and dies to be replaced with fake adoration.”
She bends down slowly and concludes, “there will be no more happiness thanks to our little prince charming.” She finally seals her devious curse by placing a kiss on the baby’s forehead as everyone in the room stares in horror.
“Why would you want such a thing?” The king questions in disbelief, apparently too shocked to be angry just yet.
Amara giggles as she steps away from the young prince. “Oh, dear, why are you so surprised? I did tell you once, if I can’t have love then no one can.” She gives the room one last smile and steps up to the open window. She lets herself fall through it and disappears in a puff of smoke. What a petty bitch.
As if a different kind of spell had been broken the prince’s mother suddenly runs to the crib in alarm.
“Wait!” I warn her, finally stepping out of the crowd to reveal myself. “Queen, dear, I would advise against interfering with my sister’s magic.”
She stops dead in her tracks, a small sigh escaping her lips, I presume this must be a hard thing to ask of her. Still, she turns to meet my eyes. “Rowena?” Recognition sets in her eyes as she whispers, “the witch of the East...”
“Oracle of the Heart, yes, yes, that’s me. Formalities aside, we have more pressing matters at hand.” I walk up to her and place my hand on her shoulder as support. Regardless, I avoid looking at the prince directly. “Words are very powerful, my dear. Especially words pronounced with such spite,” I warn her as I let my hand settle over the prince’s crib, sensing Amara’s magic.
The queen looks down at her feet and a heavy sigh leaves her lips.
“Is there anything we can do?” The king finally speaks up, stepping up to hold his wife between his arms.
“Her magic hasn’t settled completely in yet, I cannot reverse the curse, but I can modify it.” After all, fixing my sister’s messes has always been part of my fate. I cannot deny the part I played in her becoming so bitter; the heart does not lie.
The queen turns to look at me, hopeful.
I begin to use my own magic to poke and unwind Amara’s. “While the prince’s charm will be incomparable to any other creature on earth, he will grow into it. As he grows into a young man his magnetic smile will only charm others for a fleeting moment, until the day of his 21st birthday.” My magic begins to work, its characteristic pink-ish smoke surrounds the young prince. “However, if the prince finds his true love before then his fate can be avoided, for their love will be so grand no one will have the heart to come between them. Yes, upon receiving true love’s kiss his charm will no longer work like magic and everyone will be free from the Witch of the West’s curse.” As I conclude my blessing I mirror my sister’s actions, stepping up to the crib and delivering a kiss upon the young prince’s forehead, sealing my magic in place.
“That’s all I can do for you now, my prince,” I sigh in resignation. Stepping away from the crib I turn back to the queen and taking her hand on mine I place a gold coin on it. “Hold on to it, for now, my love.” I wink at her and then turn towards the window my sister left through.
I turn to look at the crib one last time, the prince coos in my direction. There is a long journey ahead for you, Dean.
Then I’m gone.