Ch. 41.5 — Nothing happened.
Zelda stared in surprise at the sleeping prince. Then she kissed him again.
Janine watched in astonishment as again, nothing happened.
“No,” said Zelda. “This is impossible. My kiss was guaranteed to work. He said it would work!”
Zelda slapped Ezra, but he didn’t wake up. Then she took out another pouch and sprinkled a pink powder on him. She kissed him a third time. It didn’t work.
Zelda screamed and stomped on the floor, shaking her fists. She threw things and tore up the stack of blankets on the dresser. Janine crouched in the corner beside the wardrobe and tried to ward off flying objects.
After a while, Zelda calmed down. She straightened up and smoothed down her dress. “No matter. I don’t need him. He’s only a boy after all. I just need to marry a prince. He didn’t say which one. Any prince will do.”
Zelda took a transparent ball from another pocket. Inside a tiny winged creature flung itself against the glass walls and screamed in hatred.
“Show me the princes of Nelsonia.”
The ball clouded, and a scene was revealed. Janine saw three pigs huddled in a brick shelter.
“No, no, that will never do. It would take too long to turn them back. Show me the one I was supposed to marry. The third son.”
The globe clouded, then cleared again. Janine saw a man struggling through the snow, leading a horse. He had a sword in his hand and a very determined look on his face. Prince Eli looked a lot like his brother.
“Perfect. He’s almost here.” Zelda put the ball back in her pocket and marched out the door. She seemed to completely forget about Janine.
After a moment, Janine stood up and went over to the bed. She brushed away the curls that had fallen on the prince’s forehead, and then touched the bruise on his cheek. “I’m glad she didn’t wake you, dear Ezra. You would have been very unhappy with her. But that also means that you’re doomed.” For a few moments all she could do was stare at him. “I guess we’re all going to die now anyway. I’m sorry I couldn’t help you. I’m sorry for everything.”
Janine wiped her eyes and stepped back. There was nothing she could do for Ezra, but perhaps she could warn Eli before Zelda got to him. She took a deep breath and hurried after her sister.
Carol Nicolas 