I gazed upon her soft eyes as she gently shut them. Her long eyelashes resting on her rosey cheeks. Hey chest slowly moved up and down as she took in and let out her tortured breath.
She opened her lips to utter a few words, "Thank you," her cracked voice whispered. I didn't say anything back because I didn't want her responding anymore. I just rubbed my head under her arm. I drifted off in her arms.
I awoke with a slam of the doors, "Is it really you?" The prince called out. The sun was now setting and I was almost in my human form. I yawned and blinked a couple of times to clear my vision. I looked up to see the frantic prince out of breath in the door way. "It is you!" he shouted as he walked to the bed. "Why do you protect the woman who cursed you? She should hang for her crimes. The only reason we haven't yet is because we need answers on how to undo the curse."
The sun finally set on the horizon and I was human again.
"She has been taking care of me, don't worry. She's kind and only wished to see you realize your actions were unjust. The people of this kingdom are being treated horribly. Your tax collectors beat them for money when they have none. Your people are poor and hungry. You are not treating your country fairly," he interrupted me.
"Fair?" he screamed, "Was I treated fairly when my parents were murdered by a witch? A witch of our own land. The kingdom can not be fixed," he continued.
"I'm sorry, your highness, but you are just being stubborn."
"Stubborn? No, I'm showing them power. I'm showing them that if they dare to cross me again and take the people I care about, they will pay!"
"If you treat them right first, be the bigger man, they'll repay you with affection. The kingdom can still be helped," I tried to put reason into him.
"But look at what she did to you! You are only human by sundown. She even gave you a collar? How pathetic."
I raised my voice. He was not about to talk about Bella that way. She's been through enough and she needs to be loved, not killed or tortured. The prince gave in to my wishes and calmed down. I asked him to take a seat beside me. He looked at me, hesitant, but then sat down. I then decided to tell him a story. Just like old times.