Tales of Ever After: Fellowship of Fantasy

By H. L. Burke, Arthur Daigle, D. G. Driver and 13 more

Rescue a princess, meet a mermaid, win your reward.

The authors of the Fellowship of Fantasy tackle fairy tales from once upon a time to happily ever after. Explore twists on old tales and brand new magical stories. Meet feisty mermaids, friendly lampposts, and heroes who just might be monsters themselves.

This fourth anthology from the Fellowship of Fantasy will lead you on a quest for entertainment and storm the castle of your imagination. So make a wish and enter the deep dark woods to find stories that will make you laugh, shiver, and maybe even fall in love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: H. L. Burke
• Release date: Aug 3, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386667933

Book preview

Tales of Ever After

a Fellowship of Fantasy anthology

All copyright remains with original authors, who are the sole copyright owners of the works and retain all rights.

Anthology © 2018 H. L. Burke

All rights reserved.

Cover and Interior Design by Dragonpen Press

Cover Photo copyright Jacky Brown on Deposit Photos

This anthology is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to events or locales is coincidental.

Dear Readers,

Welcome to Tales of Ever After, the fourth anthology from the Fellowship of Fantasy. For this excursion, we present our take on the classic fairy tale. From Once Upon a Time through Happily Ever After and beyond, our authors tackle cursed princesses, mysterious old women offering gifts, and even some dragons (of both the foul and friendly varieties).

Have you ever wondered what happened after Cinderella’s ball? Or why exactly all those princesses are so darn sleepy? Or if kissing frogs is really a good idea? Never fear! We have the answers to these questions and more. Enjoy sixteen original stories from awesome authors across multiple genres from Steampunk to Science Fantasy to Epic Adventure to Snarky Satire.

There are many perilous journeys ahead of you, but no graphic content. All the stories here fall below a PG-13 rating.

The Fellowship of Fantasy is an online group of writers dedicated to presenting the best in clean fantasy stories of any stripe. Some tackle epic quests to save the world, while others prefer more urban settings. Whether you enjoy contemporary tales, romantic retellings, or something else entirely, you’re sure to find stories that speak to you.

Happy Reading, and may these stories draw you into a grand adventure!

Sincerely,

The Fellowship of Fantasy Authors

www.fellowshipoffantasy.com

Contents

Cinders

Kendra E. Ardnek

When the fairy Jalia receives a plea for her aid, it seems a routine Cinderella rescue—until she only finds the family’s pet cats.

At the Corner of Elm & Main

H. L. Burke

A sweet-natured lamppost dreams of seeing the world. When magic grants his wish, how will he use it?

Tears of the Sea

Savannah Jezowski

When LeRae indulges her fascination with the forbidden sand walkers, she discovers more than danger in the shallow waters.

Steelhand

Ashley Capes

When a man with a mechanical hand hears a woman’s ethereal voice calling for help, he must brave the steel forest to rescue her from a foul Alchemist.

King or Beggar

D. G. Driver

When a king’s spoiled, conceited daughter refuses and insults every nobleman asking for her hand in marriage, he stops giving her a choice.

The Girl Who Talked to Birds

Kristen S. Walker

A young girl’s already isolated existence is worsened by the emergence of strange abilities.

The Princess and the Stone-Picker

Sarah Ashwood

Those whose eyes are nearest to the ground are those who see its treasures. A humble stone-picker’s mysterious remark sends a spoiled princess pursuing answers.

Wake the Moon

Annie Louise Twitchell

Demons laugh, light fades, and Jesse must battle his own darkness to wake the sleeping girl.

The Greatest Adventure

J.M. Hackman

A beautiful slave girl, hidden Fire Diamonds, and a wily dragon give Firebrand Aideen Siriol his greatest adventure yet.

Third Princess

Emily Martha Sorensen

The youngest of three always succeeds after the older two fail. But what if the older two aren’t willing to fail?

A Week after Midnight

Alex McGilvery

The prince is so shy he needed a ball to find a wife. What will he do when she moves in?

Being Seen

Gretchen E. K. Engel

Just because Ilmara is invisible doesn’t mean she doesn’t exist.

The Quest for a Wide-Awake Princess

Lia London

Prince Jack needs to find a suitable princess, but he’d settle for one who’s not snoring.

How to Hide a Prince

E.J. Kitchens

Princess Fiona is destined to save a prince, but would kissing a talking frog free a prince or curse them both?

Believing Fairy Tales

Arthur Daigle

Some fairy tales are true. The dangerous ones are partly true.

The Loathly Princess of Edimor

L. Palmer

Princess Selene always gets her desire. When she asks to escape a marriage by transforming into a swan, the witch who helps her has other plans.

Cinders

Kendra E. Ardnek

Dear Madam, Most Illustrious of Fairy Godmothers,

I have heard that you are who I should contact for dire situations—and my situation is dire indeed.

My name is Elissia Faline, but none of my family calls me that. To them, I am Cinders—and on particularly horrible days, Oh, You Sooty Thing! And that isn’t even the beginning of how terrible those girls can be.

I’m neglected and abused. I must sleep in the fireplace instead of the soft beds. I eat scraps, and not even the tasty ones. There’s only one bright light in my life—the Prince. That is what the girls call him, at any rate. The tutor calls him David, but only the tutor, as that is his special privilege. The Prince visits the tutor on frequent occasions, though he’s always careful to make sure that it is when the girls are away—for which I don’t blame him. Those girls can be obnoxious.

The Prince is the only one who treats me with any form of respect. I wish I lived with him and not the girls. He’s such a lonely soul. I’m sure he could use a devoted friend at his side.

Yours,

Elissia Faline

P.S. Please hurry. I don’t know if I’ll last the week.

Cinder

The fairy Jalia prided herself on her ability to spot potential Cinderellas—she’d godmothered over twenty of them across her three hundred years. Rarely had she seen one as clear-cut as the letter that her sister Manina had tossed onto her desk the morning before.

Her heart went out to poor Elissia. Oh, You Sooty Thing! indeed! Of course, she’d rushed to the Crown kingdom, from whence the letter was postmarked, and had begun preparations with the king and queen at once. A ball. Invitations sent to every eligible young lady in the land. Two days was short notice, but Elissia was desperate.

Jalia only hoped that the girl wouldn’t expire under the pressure of preparing her step-sisters for the ball. It would be her last torment, however. After tonight, it would be happily ever after.

The Du’Bre estate where Elissia lived was a mile outside of town, old, and inhabited by the respected widow and her three children, a son of twelve and daughters fourteen and sixteen. Of the staff, she had identified the tutor, employed for the son’s education—but she had not found a Cinders among them. She hadn’t investigated too carefully yet, though.

Jalia settled herself into a comfortable tree and pulled the letter from her pocket to reread while she waited for Lady Du’Bre and the girls to leave for the ball. She was impressed with the girl’s diction and spelling. Elissia might be oppressed, but she’d seen to her education. Her penmanship was sloppy and too large, but it was legible.

Commotion rose from the yard as the mother and daughters emerged from the house, smothered in so many layers of tulle and beadwork that Jalia frankly wondered how they didn’t collapse under them. The brother trailed after them, complaining about how he was always left behind and never got to go anywhere exciting—which both sisters loudly argued. Servants quickly guided him back inside, however, and the ladies were bundled into the carriage to enjoy their night of dancing and fruitless flirting with the prince.

Jalia waited a few more minutes to descend from the tree, giving the household a chance to settle down, but she dared not wait too long. There was a distraught and weeping Elissia somewhere, and she was the entire reason for this ball.

Yet, as Jalia explored the house—invisible to the human eye—she found no weeping girl. Not in the garden, not in the kitchens, not in any of the chimneys—not even in the family cemetery, huddled against her mother’s grave, as Jalia had found no fewer than eight of her previous Cinderellas. This estate didn’t even have a family cemetery.

Had she come too late? Was she at the wrong address? She rechecked the envelope that Elissia’s letter had come in. No, this was the place. And her research had confirmed that the boy’s tutor had been previously employed by the king and queen to teach Prince David—so this was no doubt the household Jalia sought.

But there weren’t even any young girls among the staff.

Well, when in doubt, ask the family pets. The Du’Bre household was, fortunately, in possession of two elegant cats—a majestic elderly tom and a little splotchy gray thing that was scarcely more than a kitten. Of the animal kingdom, cats were by far the most intelligent. Also the most prideful. Their only rival was their cousin, the fox.

She went to the elderly tom first and found him sitting on Lady Du’Bre’s bed.

Good evening, my good sir, she addressed him, in Cat, which was a difficult language indeed and leagues away from the meows they reserved for humans and their own young. Cats never took you seriously if you meowed at them.

Don’t trouble yourself, the cat answered, with perfect human speech. He sat up and licked a paw. I’ll have you know that I am no ordinary cat.

Jalia drew back with a raised eyebrow. That is clear. What is your name?

Truly, she wasn’t completely surprised to find that he could speak. One in a hundred cats possessed the ability, though they always fancied themselves the only one and were always incredibly secretive about it.

They call me the Duke, he answered. Now, good fairy—and I do hope that you are a good fairy, if you know what I mean—why are you here?

I am looking for Elissia, she answered. I have good reason to believe that she is the next Cinderella.

The Duke stared at her a long moment. Good reason, you say? And do you have good reason to believe that I know where she is?

Jalia drew back, knitting her eyebrows. According to the letter that summoned me, she’s in this very house. Come now—surely you know of Lady Du’Bre’s own stepdaughter.

No, I must admit that I didn’t know that she had one, he answered, unimpressed. The late Lord Du’Bre was her only husband—and she his only wife.

Well, the letter never had explicitly stated that she was a stepdaughter. Still…

They call her Cinders.

His whiskers perked up at that. Ah. Her.

Do you know where I can find her? Jalia begged. "A Cinderella is supposed to arrive late to the ball, but not too late. I’ve already wasted so much time looking for her."

She has a number of haunts, the Duke answered. "And she could be hiding in any one of them. However, I would try the girls’ bedroom. The silly kitten has been moaning all day about how they get to go see the prince, while she’s had to stay behind."

Thank you, said Jalia, nodding. I must confess that I didn’t think to check that room. I’ve never found a Cinderella there.

Good luck with her, said the Duke, settling back down. Just … keep an open mind, my good fairy. Things aren’t always as they appear.

I’m a fairy and over three hundred years old, Jalia answered. I’m quite aware of that. But, again, thank you.

She hastened back to the girls’ bedroom to give it a thorough examination—but all she found was the little gray kitten that she’d seen there earlier, curled in the fireplace and staring at the flames.

You wouldn’t happen to know where I would find Elissia, now would you? she asked, shaking her head at the little thing and forgetting to use Cat.

The kitten jumped to attention at once and bounded onto a bed. Oh, oh, are you a fairy? Did you really come? she mewed. She clearly couldn’t speak human and apparently didn’t speak Cat. Felines did patronize their young, though, so that was hardly out of the ordinary.

Yes, I am, Jalia answered. Do you know where Elissia is?

The little thing sat down and wrapped her tail around herself. That would be me.

Jalia pulled back. You? You’re… It wasn’t often that she was at a loss for words. You wrote and sent that letter?

The kitten did look like she’d just climbed out of a coal scuttle, though, so the name Cinders made perfect sense now.

I did, she answered, clearly quite proud of herself, as well she should be. I watch all of Tutor’s lessons, and I taught myself how to write. It isn’t easy when you don’t have thumbs, but I managed.

Jalia just blinked.

So you’re here to rescue me? Cinders continued. "Take me away from those dreadful girls so that I can live forever with the prince? You know that he’ll treat me properly, like Mother spoils the Duke. He’ll let me sleep on his bed, let me eat the tasty tidbits, and won’t chase me around with a hairbrush. He already knows the best place to rub me—just behind my ears. Oh, but he’s so nice."

You’re a cat, Jalia squeaked out.

Yes, of course I am, Cinders answered. What else did you expect?

Jalia turned away to gather her thoughts. How fortunate it was that none of her sisters were there to observe this embarrassing situation!

I was expecting a human girl, she answered. I prepared a rescue for a human girl. You’re a cat. That just messes up my plan completely.

But I never said… Cinders cut herself off and licked her paw a couple times as she considered. "Oh, I guess I never said that, either. Oh dear."

Oh dear, indeed, Jalia agreed. I arranged a ball and have come to give you a dress and a carriage. You were supposed to go to the ball, fall in love with the prince, and live happily ever after.

I like the sound of happily ever after, said Cinders.

But you’re a cat.

"What is a ball, exactly, by the way? Cinders continued. Is it anything like a ball of yarn? Because I like balls of yarn. But the girls don’t like balls of yarns, and they’re incredibly excited about this ball, so I don’t suppose that they’re anything alike. What is a ball?"

It’s a party, Jalia answered. With dancing.

Oh. Cinders looked down dejectedly for a moment then back up at Jalia pleadingly. But are you still going to take me away from this place so I can live with the prince? You’re a powerful fairy who fixes things. Surely this is only a minor setback for you.

Minor setback, yes, Jalia repeated. She turned to face the cat. Elissia, you are going to the ball.

Am I?

Yes, you are. Jalia scooped the kitten up and strode out of the bedroom. I came here to send a Cinderella to the ball, and that’s precisely what I’m going to do. I can’t let a small setback like you being a cat get in my way.

And will it let me live with the prince? asked Cinders.

We shall see, Jalia answered.

She took the cat to the garden and set her down next to a large pumpkin.

"You can’t go to the ball dressed like that, she stated, staring down at the pitiful little thing. Let’s see what my magic can do."

Jalia had turned plenty of mice into horses, dogs into coachmen, and lizards into footmen. She had no doubt that this would be no problem at all. Cinders had personality enough. Most cats did.

She pulled the wand from her sleeve and muttered the magic words. She never was the showy type, unlike her mentor who had previously cared for girls with oppressive stepmothers. No showy displays of sparkles and song. The results could speak for themselves, and that was good enough for her.

Yet, shifting Cinders to a human girl proved harder than she expected. Sure, Jalia had never tried to change a cat before, but she’d not expected this much resistance. Was this something natural to all cats? Truly, it felt like some other magic resisted her.

Then, just as she was about to give it up, there was a magical snap, and Cinders the kitten bloomed into a lovely young woman of seventeen or eighteen, with honey curls and gray eyes. It wasn’t quite the form that Jalia had envisioned for her, but she was beautiful all the same. A small, delicate thing, in a simple gown of silk and tulle, with a gray fur fastened about her shoulders with a diamond brooch. The dress was a couple years out of fashion and so quiet that Jalia momentarily feared that it might cause her to be overlooked in the crowd of bright-colored dresses so big that they struggled to fit through doors.

Still, Prince Daniel didn’t seem to be a fellow who liked pomp and show, so maybe this was for the best.

Now just for the carriage and you’ll be ready to go, said Jalia, nodding in satisfaction.

Cinder

It was strange to see the world through human eyes, but Elissia didn’t mind one bit. Sure, her vision was narrower, and shadows now obscured it, but everything was so much sharper—and the colors! Oh, she gladly gave up the ability to see in the dark for the sheer array of colors that humans could see.

She now understood why the girls were so fascinated by clothes and insisted on wearing so many different ones.

The fairy godmother had given her rules to follow while at the ball. She recited them over and over to herself.

Don’t let anyone know that you’re a cat.

Don’t betray familiarity with Mo—Lady Du’Bre and the girls.

Be home by midnight.

Elissia didn’t think that midnight would be a problem. Humans couldn’t see in the dark, after all, so wouldn’t everyone be back home by then? Though, truly, she didn’t want to go home at all if she had to.

Dusk was muting the vibrant colors when she arrived at the castle. The former-lizard footman helped her down from the carriage, and a servant immediately rushed up, called her my lady, and escorted her through the massive doors.

Elissia had never seen so many people or colors gathered together in her life. Music swelled the air, speeding the racing pace of her heart. How would she find the prince among this crowd? There were more dresses here than in both of the girls’ closets combined!

As a human, she was so much larger than she’d ever been before … but she’d never felt tinier in her life. Her dress was so much smaller than all the rest.

Ah, now don’t you look like a lost little kitten. Tell me, is this your first ball?

Elissia spun around to find herself staring up at an elderly man with a neatly trimmed gray beard and a yellow robe. His smile was friendly, and there was something familiar about him, but she did not find that reassuring.

I’m not a kitten! she squeaked. I’m human! Just as much as you are.

Up went his eyebrow. Are you now? he asked. That’s good to know.

Yes. She pulled her fur tighter around her shoulders. And of course I’ve been to balls before. Just … there’s usually more yarn and less people.

Yes, I will agree that this is a particularly crowded ball. Every eligible maiden in the kingdom was invited. He shook his head. I hear that Jalia was involved. There must be a Cinderella somewhere about.

She drew back. There … is?

He winked at her. Would you like me to introduce you to the prince? I fear that he’s positively drowning in the flirting attempts of the girls who aren’t Cinderella.

I … I … Who are you?

I’m Youric, the court magician, the man answered. And you have too much magic wrapped around you for you to be anyone else but Jalia’s latest charity project. Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone else. Least of all the prince—would you like me to introduce you to him?

Oh, Elissia muttered. Oh, yes, please. I would appreciate it. I don’t … there’s so many people here…

Youric just laughed and offered her his arm. Come along, little one.

The crowd parted for him, and Elissia was grateful for his intimidating presence. They quickly reached the other side of the room where, as Youric had predicted, the prince stood suffering bravely under the attention of several girls. Elissia frowned as she saw the ringleader—Maura, the elder of the Du’Bre girls.

Well, there he is, so I’ll leave you to it, said Youric, removing her from his arm. He disappeared into the crowd without another word.

Oh, she whispered and turned back to the prince, her heart hammering in her chest. What was she supposed to do now? Try to flirt with him as these other girls were doing? She knew he detested flirting. He looked so uncomfortable now, surrounded by all of the girls. He was wearing his uniform, too, which she knew he hated—he complained about it often enough. She didn’t see why he didn’t like it. Its tassels were so much fun to play with.

If she had her proper form, it’d be simple. She’d just walk up to him, rub herself against his leg, and he’d scoop her up and rub her behind her ears—and he knew just the spot that made her purr faster than anything. Unfortunately, Jalia had turned her into a human, and she knew that wasn’t appropriate behavior for humans. You wouldn’t think that, to watch those girls, though. The way they were pressing themselves upon him. She tugged her fur closer about her shoulders. How could they stand having so much skin exposed? Elissia knew that humans wore clothes to make up for not having any natural fur, but what was the point when they had so much arm and chest exposed?

As she stood there, contemplating, he looked up and met her eyes. Immediately, he seemed to forget all of the girls around him as he abandoned them to rush to her side, his lopsided grin replacing the annoyed frown he’d been wearing.

I’ve not seen you here before, he said. May I ask your name?

She momentarily forgot how to talk and squeaked as she drew back. He was so tall. She hadn’t noticed that before, when everyone was tall.

He just grinned and held out a hand to her. Not much of one for talking, are you? Well, little mouse, may I have this dance?

I—I’m not a mouse! she declared, her eyes widening. But, as his smile fell, she quickly added, I’d love to dance, though.

He swept her into the crowd of couples moving across the dance floor and guided her in and out among them.

Dancing proved even more amazing than an ear rub. Unfortunately, she found herself incapable of purring … so she settled for lightly humming along with the music instead. Even so, it was magical.

When it was done, he asked her for another dance and then another. At the end of the third dance, he drew her outside to a garden. It was dark, but the moon was full, and lanterns hung in every tree.

I’ve never met anyone like you, little mouse, the prince commented. And yet I feel that I’ve known you for years. Isn’t that the strangest thing?

Elissia managed a small smile. It is, isn’t it? This wasn’t their first meeting, of course, but how was he to know that she was the kitten that belonged to the Du’Bre household? That, truly, the strangest thing was that she stood before him in this human form?

My parents want me to choose a bride, he continued. That’s the whole purpose of this ball. I was engaged to a princess, but the arrangement fell through two years ago and I never even got to meet her. Now they’ve placed the task on my shoulders, and I have yet to find a young woman who isn’t silly and airheaded.

She nodded. Though she didn’t quite understand what a bride was, he had bemoaned this very problem to Tutor many times. From what she had gathered from these complaints, it was to be a girl who would possibly make him less lonely—or else lonelier than ever.

Have you considered getting yourself a cat instead? she asked.

The prince laughed, and Elissia smiled at the sound. He had such a nice laugh.

Honestly, I have, he answered. Unfortunately, my parents have their hearts set on a daughter-in-law and I cannot convince them that a pet would be an adequate substitute, no matter how adorable and fluffy.

Elissia frowned. Oh. That’s unfortunate.

But that was until tonight, he continued. You’re unlike any girl I’ve ever met before, and I can’t help but wonder … hope…

Her frown deepened. What do you mean?

He turned to face her, taking both of her hands in his, which did feel very nice. Perhaps I speak on foolish impulse—I’ve only just met you, and I don’t even know your name—but I feel surer of this than I have with any of the other girls in my acquaintance. Will you be my bride?

She drew back, blinking hard. She opened her mouth but didn’t know what to say. What was a bride? All she knew was that it was supposed to be a human girl, and while she did fit that description at the moment, that would wear off at midnight. How much time until midnight did she have left?

I see that you’re speechless, he continued. I suppose it’s a bit of a shock to you—the prince asking you to marry him and you’ve only just met him.

Marry. The girls used that word often enough. That was what they both wanted to do to the prince, and apparently only one of them could, since they argued over which one of them it would be all of the time. It involved the prince falling in love with them because they were so beautiful. All Elissia wanted was to be his friend and make him less lonely.

Maybe that was the difference between a bride that would make him less lonely and one that would make him lonelier? But she was only going to be a human girl for a short time! If only he could be content with a cat!

She shook her head, pulling harder away from him—his hold of her hands kept her from going too far, though.

He frowned. Is … is that a no?

She wanted to say yes so desperately! I … I don’t know, she finally answered. I … can’t.

Why not? His eyes narrowed. Is there someone else?

She shook her head again. No one else, she admitted. But … I can’t. You don’t know me.

I want to know you, he insisted. Like I’ve never wanted to know a girl. You’re just so different and mysterious.

You don’t even know my name, she countered.

I’d like to know your name, he answered. He leaned closer. What is it?

She looked down, unable to meet his piercing stare. She opened her mouth to say Elissia, but she couldn’t. Because, though it might be the name she called herself, it was a lie. She wasn’t a human princess. She was a scruffy kitten that looked like it’d fallen in a pile of ash. So she whispered, Cinders, instead.

And as he drew back to frown in confusion at the name, she tore herself from his hold and ran.

She didn’t pay attention to where she was going. It was impossible with the water that was leaking out of her eyes for reasons she couldn’t understand. She only wanted to make the prince happy … but she couldn’t be what made him happy.

Well, there you are, little kitten. I finally have you alone. Just what are you doing here, rather than safe in the hearth at home where you belong?

She blinked back the nasty moisture, only to find herself staring up at Lady Du’Bre.

I… Elissia began, not sure what to say. How did the lady know that she was Cinders?

You’ve been nothing but trouble. It’s time that I put an end to it.

Cinder

David stared after the fleeing girl, unsure whether to chase her or not. She didn’t seem to want to be followed, but he seemed to remember someone saying that it was the romantic thing to do. He wasn’t typically given to romantic rushes of bravado, but for her…

He didn’t know what it was about the girl, but she somehow clicked into the hollow places in his heart. He was ready to do anything for her, even though he’d never met her before. Whatever the name Cinders meant—and it seemed to be something terrible, at least in her mind—it didn’t matter. He wanted her to feel loved and accepted.

Would she rather have him chase after her or not?

After a few minutes of deliberation, he decided in favor of the chase. It would