Rumplestiltskin (13 page)

In a swirl of skirts and anger, Aubrynn stood up and began pacing again. She needed to see him, she needed to speak to him and let him see reason. Or know for herself that indeed he did not love her.

She could not—she would not marry such a man as King Marcus. She would not.

Folding her arms, she looked blindly about the room. It was most likely one of the most beautiful rooms she had ever seen, but she did not care.

Inhaling sharply, she turned her head and stared at the tall, intricately carved dresser, then closed her eyes. Be calm. Think. There had to be something she could do—but what?

Her eyes fluttered open, her mind anywhere than on the small blue stone she was looking right at, but not seeing. In fact, it was quite a few moments before she recognized and noticed the rock at all.

When she did, she gasped and quickly walked over and picked it up. Clutching her fist tightly around the stone, she began to think of Rumple.

“Take me to his room, please. I must speak with him.”

Her hand began to glow that same eerie blue and then—flash—she was gone.

Whizzing through the intense tunnel of light, she arrived inside the room within seconds.

It was dark, so it took some time to catch her bearings. She could hear him muttering something, but she was not listening to what he was saying. Her hand reached out and touched the stone wall—she must be near the door—and he must be lying upon his bed. Just as she was about to announce her presence she heard—

“But, I had to! I had to tell him to marry her, or Marcus would have killed her. I know he would have. And then what would I have done without her?” No matter how many times Rumple repeated the same words over and over again, they did not make any of this easier—nor was his heart any better than before. It hurt. Everything hurt!

He looked up at the ceiling. “Why did I have to be born into this family? This horrid awful family! Why must my brother rule so cruelly and be such an evil wicked man?”

He yanked his hands through his hair causing it to go every which way. “I am glad they do not see me anymore. I am glad I do not have that name! I would never want to be associated with such people ever again. If I were still whole and Frederico, not thought to be dead, then perhaps now, after I have learned this horrible lesson, perhaps now I would be a good king and bring this kingdom the peace it deserves. But now—now it is all ruined. The only hope they will ever have is the goodness of Aubrynn’s heart. She—she will give them something—she would help them. At least I could see to that. At least I could guarantee my brother did not restrict her there—but, oh, what torture to witness her wed to him. What awful twist of fate is this? What—?”

Aubrynn did not need to hear more. Her hands shook as they began to glow brightly within them. With as much speed as possible she willed herself out of his room and back to hers. Once there, she walked over to the nearest armchair and collapsed upon it—her legs too shaky to support her another moment.

Rumplestiltskin was the dead prince!

No wonder he would never tell her his name.

Frederico, the poor boy!

She gasped. It was the royal family who cast him aside and announced to the kingdom he was dead. My word! Every year since, all the kingdom had come up here and pretended to care—pretended to care for the dead selfish boy and his ruthless family.

She rested her elbow upon the arm of the chair and held her mouth with her hand. The bright purple and cream and gold colors upon the carpet at her feet swam before her as tears filled her eyes. Their muted shapes dipping and swirling to create a dull grey as she imagined the terror he must have faced. To go from a bright, pampered prince—the heir no less!—to being treated as garbage, filth and waste just because he was crippled. It was not fair.

How did he manage? How did the small boy cope?

Wiping at her tears, she sat there for some time going over each and every moment she had spent with him these last few days. Her heart soared at the goodness and love she recognized in him. She would have never known he was from the same family had she not overheard him—but he was.

She sat up. He was not just from this family. Frederico was the true king.

Blinking several moments, she allowed that fact to sink in.

It explained so very much. Why Rumple feared for her death—knowing his proper name meant she would become an easy target. The king would have to kill her to keep his secret.

The animal.

The cruelty.

She shook her head and stood up from the chair. For the first time she was eager to face them both tomorrow. A servant had said the king had a gown made for her, after the original night she had spun straw into gold, and it was hanging in her closet now. Slowly, Aubrynn walked toward the closet—opening the door, she smiled.

Her hand touched the delicate fabric of the gown. It was remarkably exquisite. With a small sigh, she pulled it out. She would wed a king tomorrow—gladly wed him! But it would not be the one they were expecting.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

THE NEXT MORNING BROUGHT a bustle of maids and servants lighting her fire, carrying in breakfast, adorning her hair, helping her dress and causing all sorts of fluttering within Aubrynn’s chest. Everyone was saying how the whole kingdom was abuzz with the news she would be marrying their king. They were all thrilled he chose her and had been waiting in anticipation for the announcement of their wedding.

The ceremony would be at noon. It was nine and already her father had come, dressed to the hilt, to slap her on the back and announce how immensely pleased he was.

“My heavens! I knew you had it in ya to turn that straw into gold—I just knew it. And I knew you would find a way to truly capture that king’s heart as well. Well done, you!” He chuckled, quite pleased with himself. “Though I did not think there for a bit you had succeeded. Yeesh! Gave me quite a fright to be hauled about into the dungeons like that! It hurt.” He grunted and then smiled again, nodding his head and saying, “Yes. My daughter will be queen! Brilliant! Just brilliant!”

“Thank you.” Even she did not have it in her to correct or scold her father. He was alive. He may not be any smarter than he was before, but he was certainly still here—and that was a blessing indeed.

By the time he had left and finished with his boasting and going on about the greatness of their family, it was nearly eleven. Aubrynn took a deep breath and ran her hands over the striking gown. She stood in front of the looking glass and grinned back at the woman before her. The cream color brought out her complexion and her hair shimmered in the daylight. She felt very pretty.

A maid came into the room then and curtsied. “Milady.” She pulled out a single white rose in full bloom with a matching ribbon and a note fastened to it. “I was asked to give this to you.”

“Why, thank you.” Aubrynn took the rose and asked, “Do you know who sent it?”

“No, Milady.”

After the girl left, Aubrynn unraveled the ribbon and pulled the note off. Her heart warmed as she read the words:

Aubrynn,

I hope you can forgive me. I will love you forever, but I know this is for the best.

I give you both my felicitations.

Love,

Rumple

She held the note close to her chest and smelled the flower. Oh, how wonderful a change a day makes. She simply could not wait to get married now!

* * *

Rumple held his breath as she came into the throne room and began to walk down the created walkway toward his brother. How glorious she looked! How perfectly wonderful. He had never seen her appear so fine before—she simply glowed. He attempted to stand a bit taller to catch her eye, but she did not glance his way.

She must be so very upset with him.

But she did not seem upset—in fact, she was clearly smiling.

The room hushed as she neared, every one of the villagers was excited and eager for this happy moment.

By the time she had made it up to Marcus, even he was joyful. He must have loved the way she looked in all her finery. The minister began the service with a prayer as was custom. Marcus and Aubrynn bowed their heads and Rumple had to strain to hear all that was being said.

Once the minister had begun the king’s part of the service, Rumple almost fled. No longer could he watch on impassively—no longer could he brave standing there a moment longer. And then they began Aubrynn’s part. He froze, watching her serene countenance as she stared at Marcus, how he wished it were him she was staring at.

His stomach dropped and his heart stopped beating altogether when the minister turned to Aubrynn for confirmation. No!—he wanted to shout—Say, NO! But he did not. Instead he watched in horror as her mouth opened and she began to speak—

Aubrynn took a deep cleansing breath, and while staring directly at the king, she spoke loudly and clearly for the whole room to hear, “I will marry the king—the true king is the man I love and it is him I pledge myself to at this time. It is he who is to be my husband, not this man.”

“No!” Rumple rushed forward, the audience turning in shock, some shrieking in fright at the sight of his ugly bent form hastily staggering up the aisle.

Aubrynn pointed right at him. “That is the man I love!”

He kept walk-hobbling toward her. He must stop her now.

The whole room erupted in a noisy roar and yet, Aubrynn remained louder still—

“He is the true king! He is Frederico Baldrich Layton!”

Rumple paused and crumbled to his knees about ten feet from her. She knows! She knows my name!

Gasping as one, the congregation grew silent.

“This man,” Aubrynn continued, now pointing to Marcus, “This man is an imposter. All these years he has been lying to you. He knew his brother was still alive, and yet he played you all for fools. While his brother, Frederico, has been goodness divine—he has been kind, generous, and caring. He is the direct opposite of the man who rules you now. Frederico is the true king in heart. And though his body is not perfect, in my eyes he is. I love him.”

In that instant, the whole room began to radiate bright blue. It was so bright many had to shield their eyes and hide their faces.

The witch from all those years ago appeared before the assembly. Her twisted and haggard old body slowly began to transform—and within moments a strikingly stunning young woman with long raven black hair and green velvet stood before them. She announced clearly, in a voice like smooth honey:

“Now that this royal family has learned their lesson, and the real king has found his true love because of his generous and kind heart, I shall remove the curse. It has been declared publically by this young woman—therefore, he shall no longer be enchanted.” She pointed one elegant finger at Rumple, “May I suggest, Frederico, that you guarantee your wicked brother be kept busy the remainder of his days?”

When Rumple nodded, she grinned. “Good. Enjoy, my boy. Know that all is as it should be now. You are truly deserving of all you have, you have most definitely proven yourself worthy of such a fate. Farewell.” She turned toward the crowd, her arm extended out, “I present to you, your true king!”

Before anyone could react, she waved her hands and mumbled incoherently, the room instantly turned a flash of brilliant blue once again.

When it was over, the witch was gone and Frederico stood before them in perfect health.

He was tall. He was handsome. He was free.

Aubrynn’s jaw dropped. She could not react. She could not think. She was numb.

The old queen, Rumple’s mother, was the very first person to speak at all. “Frederico, is it you?” she asked from the front of the room. “Have you truly come back to us?” She hurried forward, but Rumple did not see her. His stride walked strongly and purposefully up to Aubrynn. The woman he owed his whole life to.

She stepped back, her eyes taking in his healthy, much larger form. When he stopped right in front of her, she had to look up nearly eight inches just to meet his gaze. “Rumple?” she asked. She had always believed him to be handsome—but now, now it was almost too painful to comprehend. He was stunning—nearly too handsome. It did not seem right to have him so.

He knelt down upon one knee in front of her, his fingers clasping hers, and looking up he said simply, “I will always be your Rumplestiltskin, if you will have me?” He then brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it.

Those lips, those soft beautiful lips upon her skin. Her arm instantly exploded with the sensation of a thousand kisses racing up to her shoulder and down her spine. It was most definitely her Rumple. When his grey-blue eyes sparkled up at her, she could not help it. “Yes!” she cried. “Yes. It was you I pledged myself to in this wedding anyhow.”

The minister pushed a frozen Marcus aside and asked Frederico, “Do you promise yourself to her?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then I seal upon you the covenant of husband and wife. You may kiss your queen.”

The room roared to life.

Aubrynn stepped up a step to stand where the throne was and tugged him to stand below her. Their eyes were almost even again. Almost. He was still a bit taller, the menace. Wrapping her arms around his flawlessly strong and straight neck, she brought her forehead to his and grinned. “You may be way too attractive for your own good, but you better still kiss the same, or I may have that witch transform you back.”

Without wasting a breath, Frederico swept her up in his arms and proved he could kiss every bit as wonderfully as Rumple did.

When he began to remember the audience all around them, he pulled back a bit, their arms still around each other. Shaking his head slightly, he just stared at her.

“What?” she asked. “What has put such a look upon your face?”

“You.”

“Me?”

“Thank you for seeing me. Thank you for marrying me. And thank you for risking your life to do so.”

She grinned. “I love you. You risked your existence for mine, ‘tis only fair to do the same, my dear.”

“Tilly was correct.” He chuckled in disbelief. “She had always said those stones would change my life. She was not jesting—they did. They brought me to you.”