The Horse in the Prince's Stables

Chp. 30

                                                                                =30=

=Gabriella=

          It was painful for Gabriella to rise out of bed, what with little sleep and the previous night's tragedy still fresh in her mind. She hadn't even bothered slipping into her night clothes, and simply fell asleep in her outfit on top of the covers. Wearily she got up and paced throughout her room.

          Henry still had hope... Of course he was so naïve... Gabriella allowed herself a quiet chuckle. It was funny how someone once so incredibly annoying could become someone so... lovable. It was sweet of him to try and lift her spirits last night, and she was sorry she snapped at him. However, prolonging the pain never did anyone good.

          She knew the prince was suffering. Last night from her tower she cast a minor spell to check on him, and caught him almost attacking poor Maria with a kiss. The way his jaw clenched and muscles in his arms twitched as he tried to restrain himself revealed everything. He didn't love Maria, but he felt as if he had no choice.

          Gabriella shook her head sadly. It dug at her core to see him giving up so easily, and yet how could she judge? It wasn't as if she was tugging at the leash searching for some new spells or potions. She had seen too many people lose their humanity in many ways, and once that happened there was no hope for them. You really couldn't do anything about it. Nothing could bring them back.

          Philip was just trying to move on. 

          Gabriella couldn't help but wonder how long their marriage would last. Maria wasn't the type to put up with one who wouldn't return her affections. She sincerely hoped that Philip could learn to love his future wife as much as he had loved Kaelyn. If only he had recognized that love before Kaelyn became a full horse. 

          She couldn't really blame him though. If one had never fallen in love before, how would they know what it was? Love is a crazy and powerful thing and when it pulls at your heart for the very first time, it's confusing.

          And sometimes you fall in love with the wrong person...

          Not that Kaelyn was the wrong person anyway. Gabriella shut away those painful memories of her past. She had left him... And that's all there was too it. At least she found Henry. 

          Finally Gabriella decided that moping around in her tower would get her nowhere. Putting on a fresh outfit, a long velvety dress with gold embroidery, and pulling her hair back into a long braid, she ventured out of her tower.

          Servants were dutifully making their rounds throughout the castle, dusting, sweeping, tidying rooms, the usual dull work that made Gabriella ever so thankful that she wasn't a common maid. She took a little pride in that she was a witch, and never resisted the temptation to straighten her posture, and walk with her head held high. It gave a small bit of pleasure to her otherwise gloomy day. 

          After a few moments of walking about, with little attention to where she was going, Gabriella found herself out in the courtyard, the sun warming her skin. Glancing up at the sky, she figured that it was nearly midday.

          Bringing her gaze back down to earth, Gabriella noticed that the stables were only a few feet away.

          It wouldn't hurt... to just check on her... 

          Plus, Matilda would have to be told sooner or later. Gabriella winced at the thought of having to be the bearer of bad news. Matilda was very reluctant at first to be the caretaker of Kaelyn when she was first born, but had obviously grown quite fond of her. With a long sigh, Gabriella stepped into the stables.