Nightmare (54)

After dinner they went back to reading. Bella loved listening to his voice. She curled up next him and leaned her head on his chest.

◇◇◇♡♡♡◇◇◇ FAITHFUL JOHN cont.

But the King, taking her by the hand, said, "I am not a merchant, but a king, thine equal in birth. It is true that I have carried thee off; but that is because of my overwhelming love for thee. Dost thou know that when I first saw the portrait of thy beauteous face I fell down in a swoon before it?"

When the King's daughter heard these words, she was reassured, and her heart was inclined toward him, so that she willingly became his bride.

While they thus went on their voyage on the high sea, it happened that the faithful John, as he sat on the deck of the ship, playing music, saw three crows in the air, who came flying toward them.

He stopped playing, and listened to what they were saying to each other, for he understood them perfectly.

The first one exclaimed, "There he is, carrying home the daughter of the King of the Golden Palace."

"But he is not home yet," replied the second.

"But he has her," said the third; "she is sitting by him in the ship."

Then the first began again, and exclaimed, "What matters that? When they go on shore a fox-colored horse will spring toward them, on which he will mount; and as soon as he is on it, it will jump up with him into the air, so that he will never again see his bride."

The second one asked, "Is there no escape?"

"Oh, yes, if another mounts behind quickly, and takes out the firearms which are in the holster, and with them shoots the horse dead, then the young King will be saved. But who knows that? And if any one does know it, and tells him, such a one will be turned to stone from the toe to the knee."

Then the second spoke again, "I know still more: if the horse should be killed, the young King will not then retain his bride; for when they come into the castle a beautiful bridal shirt will lie there upon a dish, and seem to be woven of gold and silver, but it is nothing but sulphur and pitch, and if he puts it on it will burn him to his marrow and bones."

Then the third Crow asked, "Is there no escape?"

"Oh, yes," answered the second, "if some one takes up the shirt with his glove on, and throws it into the fire, so that it is burnt, the young King will be saved. But what does that signify? Whoever knows it, and tells him, will be turned to stone from his knee to his heart."

Then the third Crow spoke: "I know still more: even if the bridal shirt be consumed, still the young King will not retain his bride. For if, after the wedding, a dance is held, while the young Queen dances she will suddenly turn pale, and fall down as if dead; and if some one does not raise her up, and take three drops of blood from her right breast and throw them away, she will die. But whoever knows that, and tells it, will have his whole body turned to stone, from the crown of his head to the toes of his feet."

After the crows had thus talked with one another, they flew away, and the trusty John, who had perfectly understood all they had said, was from that time very quiet and sad; for if he concealed from his master what he had heard, misfortune would happen to him, and if he told him all he must give up his own life.

But at last he thought, "I will save my master, even if I destroy myself."

As soon as they came on shore, it happened just as the Crow had foretold, and an immense fox-red horse sprang up.

"Capital!" said the King, "this shall carry me to my castle," and he tried to mount; but the faithful John came straight up, and swinging himself quickly on, drew the firearms out of the holster and shot the horse dead.

Then the other servants of the King, who were not on good terms with the faithful John, exclaimed, "How shameful to kill the beautiful creature, which might have borne the King to the castle!"

◇◇◇♡♡♡◇◇◇

Zane felt her breathing changed and knew she had fallen asleep. He quietly placed her book down and scooped her up in his arms.

She never woke up as he headed to the bed room.

He tucked her into bed and kissed the top of her head. As he stood there watching his sleeping beauty, his heart skipped a beat.

He had to make her his and protect her with everything he has. He got ready for bed and as he pulled the covers up around himself Bella curled up next to him and a big smile came over his face.

That night he dreamed again of life with Bella and his children but this time it turned dark.

He was a monster and he was on one knee asking for her hand.

'Will you marry me my Lovely Bella?'

She placed her hands on the side of his face, 'Oh dear beast, I am sorry I can not marry you. You are but a beast and not the prince I am looking for.'

He pulled away and his heart was heavy, 'What can I do to prove myself to you?'

'There are to many people working against our love. This will only keep you the beast you are.' She then just faded away and was gone.

'NOOOOOO' he roared. He started running through the Castle looking and calling for Bella.

Then a light appeared.... 'Life and love go hand in hand, time is up for you to stand.'

Zane woke up soaked in sweat. What was this dream? He did not want to ever lose Bella. He looked over at the woman next to him curled up like a kitten sleeping. He had to protect her no matter what was coming.

He got up and took a hot shower. He went over the dream. His grandmother all ways told him a dream is a look at what is to come. What did it mean?

He went back and pulled her close to him and just watched her sleep.