Once Upon A [Fallen] Time: [Stolen] Series II

By Samreen Ahsan

2015…

All her life, Myra Farrow has been obsessed with medieval castle-and the kings and princes who once inhabited them. When Steve Bernard, a wealthy videogame designer offers her to model for a princess character in his new game, Myra can't resist his offer to enter the mysterious, colorless, and cursed Hue Castle. But unknow

• Language: English
• Publisher: Samreen Ahsan
• Release date: Nov 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9781999264437

Samreen Ahsan

Samreen Ahsan is an international award-winning author. She is a traveller and a history buff by heart. However, art and literature are her passions. She loves visiting historical cities, their architecture and art galleries. She lives in Milton, Canada

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ARC REVIEWS

This Series would be a Box Office sell out at the Movies!

— Paula's Reading Place Blog

Once again, Ms. Ahsan has crafted a spell-binding story that I had a hard time putting down.

— Ellie Is Uhm... A Bookworm Blog

This book was hard to turn away from once you start reading it, it’s that good. It should be made into a movie or tv series 5-Stars!

— Country Girl Bookaholic Book Blog

I highly recommend this series to those who are looking for a solid romance with elements of time travel and history in it!

— Diana~ (Kiss Me Books) Blog

Things get more interesting when the past meets the present. With all the drama starting to unfold, everything will get more intense.

— Ms Me28 Book Blog

Pure reading bliss! The magic of Samreen Ahsan’s writing is like musical notes on a fine ballad as this tale unfolds.

— Tome Tender Book Blog

Spellbinding timeless addiction I couldn't put down.

— Elfina Renee Blog

Once Upon a (Fallen) time has all the feels. Samreen Ahsan grabs you by the heart and doesn't let go. A must read for lovers of Fantasy/Romance. A true five star read!

— Amazon Reviewer

DISCLAIMER

The characters in this book are purely fictional. Hue Castle and its residents are created solely out of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Some relevant facts have been added, which were part of our history.

This is book two of the series and ends with a cliff-hanger. This book is intended for a mature audience and is not suitable for readers who do not enjoy suspense endings.

All rights reserved. No part of this work shall be reproduced or distributed without the author’s consent.

What’s meant to be will always find a way.

—Trisha Yearwood

PROLOGUE

As a child, I was obsessed with the tale of Beauty and the Beast. I always wondered how one could fall in love with a monster. Little did I know I’d actually live a fairytale one day. But in my tale, I didn’t trade anything to live with the beast. In my tale, I willingly gave myself to him. I had already loved him with all his flaws and curses. And in our case, he wasn’t incarcerating me to end his curse. He wanted me because I was all he had ever dreamt of. There was nothing else in his dreams besides me.

I was his redemption.

Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans.

—Allen Saunders

♔

CHAPTER 1

EDWARD

11 JUNE 1415

Life is a tomb built on beautiful memories, arduous pasts, and afflicting pains. It is a sepulchre of emotions, truth, betrayals, lies and secrets—a catacomb of haunted souls.

On this day last year, my sister was with me. I knew not why, but today, her absence was felt more in this barren castle. She did not even see twenty-eight summers of her life. She could not fulfil her wish of holding a flower. She could not see any sunshine. She could not dance in the rain. She could not see her daughter grow. Did I deserve more years knowing I had failed to honour my sister’s promise? I vowed to protect her daughter, and I had ruined it completely. I deserved not to live at all.

Death was giving me very provocative invitations tonight. I was tempted to run away from everything, bury myself under the dark grounds where no one could find my existence. I had no hope to live, nothing to hold on to.

I sat in the chapel where the Archbishop was offering a prayer for my birthday. It was a preposterous idea to pray for my life and good health when I despised it. I loved only two people in my life, and I failed them both. There was nothing left in me.

After discovering the secrets of this haunted castle, my soul had been shaken. Our family’s existence was based on treachery, lies and betrayal. No matter what King Stefan thought, I did not deserve to become a king—one more throne with treason and one more generation of stolen identity. We all never deserved the throne and power.

Yet, each generation was more brutal than the previous one. If I became the king, would I be worse than King Stefan, or would my son bring more damnation in the future?

Tonight, everyone gathered for a special service in honour of my birthday. King Stefan had invited all the royal dukes, knights, and lords, along with their families, to attend my special day and the announcement of my future bride. I knew not who she was. I was least interested, knowing I did not have to fall in love with her. But why should she marry me? She would give up everything to come into my life, and what would she get? A ruthless man with no heart and soul? Did she deserve such fate? What if I asked her to reject me? How would King Stefan take it? I was not mentally prepared to accept any woman in my life.

Except her!

I shook my head at the inane thought. No, I do not want her.

Whenever I thought of her, my heart would race, and I felt like my body was constantly battling to beat harder. She had a hold over me, like water over fire. Her thoughts suffocated me, but I still longed to know who she was. Will she ever appear in the mirror again?

But why did I crave her?

It seemed inevitable that she would search for King David once more. After all, they had been wed and raised a family together. Was I really falling for a woman who had been dead for over a century, or was it her spirit that was beckoning me to enter her world?

I always wondered what it would be like to live on the other side of the mirror. She was from a different world and a different time—eight generations ago. I knew not why and how I could touch her. She had enormous power to invade my dreams all my life, and then, when she appeared in real in front of me the night V died, she had been trapped inside the mirror. I could touch her but could not pull her into my world.

Or am I the one who is trapped here?

As I gazed around the chapel, I could not help but notice that it looked different from where she had stood that night. On her side, there had been no colours. How strange it was! I realised that just as she had no colours in this chapel, I had no colours in my life.

Some twisted desires still existed in me—a beast hungry for her touch. No matter how hard I tried, I could not deny being attracted to her. I had never felt this pull before. I had never known dark desires erupted in me like a volcano. Her touch would indeed explode all the mountains. I wanted to drown in that desire; a propensity to feel her skin was throwing me into an amorous river. I wanted to swim, sink and drench in her presence.

I took a deep breath and tried to focus on what the Archbishop was saying.

We are gathered here today to celebrate this solemn and joyful day. We wish His Highness, Prince Edward Hue—the eighth son in Hue’s reign, a prosperous life ahead. The Archbishop regarded me. I wanted to scoff. Did he think it was joyful? May he accomplish all his goals like his father and forefathers have succeeded in past and carry on the legacy of harmonisation and solidarity. I coughed at his words. That was such a lie.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good, he quoted from the Holy Bible. I knew what he meant. Despite the injustice King Stefan had done in his life, the Lord would still be watching him. He could not run away from His wrath. With Edward Hue as our future king, we hope to see a brighter tomorrow than before. He paused and addressed King Stefan. I shall now call upon King Stefan and his noble son to lead the ceremony. Facing the crowd, he continued, "In the end, I would like to give you all a string of hope by saying what Our Lord says, I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born."

After completing his sermon, he descended from the altar. His last verse from Isaiah 66:9 stirred something within me. Why did God give me endless pain without giving me something new in return? Why did He have to mention it in His words when He could not keep it? He took Veronica from my life, but what did He give me in return?

He gifted you the woman you craved for so long.

No, she was just an illusion. She was not meant for me. What kind of gift was it? The woman was still a mystery. I longed to see her, hear her soft voice, touch her again to feel the same thunderbolt, but she never returned—neither in my dreams nor in the mirror, as if she held the reins of my dreams.

I left the pew and followed my father to the altar. I did not want to look at the mirror, but the more I tried to ignore it, the more it made me feel its presence.

Today…as you all know…is the special day for the Hue family, King Stefan began. I did not want to hear him. I just wanted to know if she was still there, watching me. Was she trapped in the mirror, or was it like a window to her that allowed her to watch me and laugh at my misery? Deep within my heart, a thought nestled: she is here.

My son, Edward Hue, has turned twenty-eight today and soon will be your king, he continued. I could hear his voice from a distance, but my mind shifted to the night I saw her. She had the most beautiful pair of grey eyes I had ever seen. The warmth radiating from her touch was enough to thaw my frozen heart. I would not desire to bask in sunlight if she gave me her heat.

My time of ruling England is almost over. In a few months, my son, Edward Hue, shall be taking the crown, King Stefan said, disturbing my world even further.

Suddenly, I heard her voice.

Stefan is announcing something, but Edward is not listening. I did not turn to the mirror, but I knew the sound came from it. I would recognise her voice from anywhere. Was she able to see me right now? Was she addressing me or talking to someone else?

My heart hammered in my chest as I watched everyone around me calmly focusing on the king’s speech. No one heard anything. Could she hear my heart beating when she knew I was not paying any attention to the speech?

Wait! Did she just call my name and not David?

For the time being, I shall be leaving for Italy and France to meet our allies and bid my farewell while my son, King Stefan gestured at me, will be taking on my responsibilities. He will be Prince Regent while I am gone. He paused. I have led my life as a king for a very long time. Before I die, I would like to meet people I have not met for so long.

You better die right now, you arsehole, I heard her voice again. I was not dreaming. I indeed heard her. Her temper made me smile. Her lack of kinship for King Stefan was well deserved. I turned my head to the mirror, desperate to see her, but all I could see in the mirror was the reflection of the altar. Yet her voice stirred my soul.

She should not be here. Oh, God! How can I imagine her voice at this moment?

I could not afford her now when I had already decided to run away from everything. It was too late. Besides, she would be here for King David.

No, Edward! She called your name.

The court will still run. My council and the Prince Regent will continue to provide support during my absence. King Stefan assessed the crowd. The lords must visit to pay their quarterly taxes. Everything will remain the same. Prince Edward is my mirror. His word is equivalent to mine. Anyone denying him will be convicted for treason. I hated being compared to King Stefan, but I was his mirror. We both had the same hideous reflection.

But he is not as perverted as you, you, sick bastard, she yelled.

I lowered my head briefly, my lips turning up to smile. What was she trying to do?

Foolish woman!

Did she not know King Stefan could hear her? But he looked so composed.

I observed the crowd; there was no sign that anyone had heard her except me. I turned my head, checking the mirror once again. Was she still in there? Could I just touch it and find the truth? But people were observing my every move. No, they should never witness this moment. It should be my very private moment. I would never tell King Stefan again if I met her today. It was a mistake to reveal the secret to him. I knew if she ever came out of the mirror, King Stefan would be the first to have a bite of his own. His beast was always hungry. Nothing sated him.

Something shifted inside me. She had returned. My wait was over, and this time, she was not addressing David; she was talking to me. She had come for me.

Oh, my God, Edward, you can smile. You can smile. Her voice echoed.

I coughed, placing my hand over my mouth. I did not want my smile to be so obvious when I knew the entire nobility was watching me. Here I was, dreaming of her in my own world while King Stefan gave a serious speech. Coughing again, I regarded the crowd, checking if anyone had noticed me. She indeed despised King Stefan. I liked that. There was something in common between us.

And so, I will announce Prince Edward’s future bride at the dinner. She will accompany us to the dinner table. I heard King Stefan’s words. Let us all gather at the dinner, welcome the lady and enjoy the rest of the evening.

My future bride? I did not realise I would have to confront my future bride tonight. Before I could even absorb his words, I heard her voice again.

Let him choose his own wife, you, moron!

King Stefan stepped down from the altar, clueless, but I stood there, frozen. No, I was not dreaming. There she was. She was indeed behind the mirror. If that was Satan’s mirror, then she could not be an angel. King Stefan told me Jasmine was a witch. Why was I falling for a witch? A bloody, married witch! She would haunt me forever. God knew what she would do to me. Would she take David’s revenge for his betrayal from me? Was that her vendetta before talking to me? Was she trying to lure me into her world?

What she knew not was that I had already built fortified walls around me so high that no one could reach me.

Not even her. I was content with hiding in my tomb.

Now that I had decided to run away, she could not trespass in my life uninvited. When I wanted her desperately, she played with my fantasies by not coming into the mirror. And now, she called my name when I did not need her anymore.

I know you can hear me, Edward. Speak to me, damn it. You can’t marry a stranger. You know I’m right here. Was she begging? I stared at the mirror, holding my breath.

Edward, King Stefan called my name. Tearing my gaze from the mirror, I looked at him blankly.

Everyone had already stood up and was ready to leave for dinner. I shook my head and took a deep breath. I should better ignore her. It was not the right time for her to invade my life. It was not her decision to show up in dreams and play hide and seek. And now, when I no longer needed her, she showed up suddenly without any warning, without any invitation.

She was a witch from Satan’s mirror, and I would never let her undermine me.

She cannot appear just like that and shake my existence once again.

I decided to carry on with the evening. Ignoring her voice, I stepped down from the altar,

Edward, no… she pleaded. You can’t walk out like that. I studied the King and his courtiers. No one was able to hear her words. No one knew about the war waging in my heart. Edward… don’t run away from everything. Don’t turn your face from your future. I halted my steps as she continued calling my name.

God’s teeth!

She knew everything about me already. She was indeed a witch. Why was my fool heart beating for a witch widow now?

I know you can hear me, Edward. You’ve waited for me for so long. I’m here now. Don’t turn away from me. Please.

Turn away? Now she thought I would welcome her in my life. Now? Besides, was she looking for a way to return and rule Hue Castle again? Why did she want me as a bridge? She could come anytime she wanted. I never intended to rule here. It was her throne, her identity. She was welcome to take it back. Why was she using me in her vendetta?

Ignoring her plea, I joined King Stefan. I should not listen to her anymore. I did not want her voice to affect me in any way. It had already trampled everything around me.

Edward…stop!

God’s blood! She would just not shut up.

Not bothering to throw even a backward glance at the mirror, I took a coward’s turn and exited the chapel with the king.

It was a long walk. The lords strolled behind King Stefan, nobody saying a word. Would they obey and fear me once I would become a king? Would they despise me as much as they hated King Stefan? Did they think I was also a sick pervert like my father, as what Jasmine said about him now?

My mind returned to Jasmine!

Was she indeed her? Or was she another woman? If she weren’t Jasmine and not looking for King David, then who the hell was she? What did she want from me? It was dangerous that she knew my plans. She knew I was running away. Did she know how my body desired to feel her?

No!

That would make me meek in front of her. I could not afford to surrender myself to her and let my guard down just to feel her on me. But… I would have to confront her someday. I could not show her my cowardice. Running away from her meant I lacked the courage to see her. She must know what damage she was doing here by returning to my life.

When we all reached the end of the corridor to turn to the dining hall, I announced. I apologise in advance for my intrusion, but I have some unfinished business to attend. I will be joining the table soon. The King raised his eyebrow, surprise showing on his face with my sudden change of decision. Pray, carry on with dinner. I gestured at the lords to move ahead.

King Stefan read my face intently for a while—his usual habit of judging me. To my surprise, he argued not. Nobles were already waiting at the table, and he did not want to create a scene.

Once the King and his entourage disappeared into the other corridor for dinner—and out of my sight—I turned around and hurried back to the chapel.

It was deserted, but the mirror held its own significant presence, drawing me towards it.

I placed my forehead on the mirror, hoping to see her beautiful eyes, but all I saw was a beast staring back at me.

My heart started hammering in my ears again. I could not hold on anymore, so I screamed. Who the hell are you? I grabbed the frame, hoping she was still there waiting for me.

Within a few heartbeats, the beast transformed into a beautiful woman. It was a miracle how she managed to send her warmth through her angelic eyes.

You came back. Thank you. The desire burnt in her eyes as her gaze pulled me towards her. I knew falling for her was inevitable.

My breath faltered how she could touch me deeply…without even touching me.

Why did she have to have all the powers here? It had to be equal. Why did I not have any control over this situation? Why did I feel like an enervated animal she could leash however she wanted? It was not bloody fair.

She placed her hand on the mirror, but I was too scared to touch her. I knew: one touch, and I would come undone. I just stared into her eyes. Why did she have to be so irresistibly beautiful and immaculately wicked? Yes, her wickedness would soon trample my fortress if I let her enter my life.

Talk to me, Edward. She started moving her hand on the mirror. I want to touch you.

God’s teeth!

Her enamoured voice was erupting all the volcanoes inside me. How could I resist now when I had waited and desired her all my life? Now, when my fate gave me second chances, why was I restraining myself?

Because you know the beast inside you would destroy her, Edward.

Yes, it was the beast I was trying to bridle. All these years, I had tried to cage this beast inside me—never to hurt a woman. But her intoxicated voice opened my locks and chains seamlessly without any keys.

How in the Devil’s hell is she controlling everything here?

Life was not playing a fair game tonight. I did not respond; only my heart was pounding frantically, sending her rhythms to hear me.

And then I suddenly saw my abhorrent self in the mirror. She disappeared.

Oh no! What did I do? She cannot go away like that. It must end on my terms.

I waited, hoping desperately to hear her voice again, unable to move away from the mirror. I was sure she would not give up tonight. There had been a need in her voice. I had felt it. But I also knew I’d be doomed forever if I catered to her desires tonight.

What difference does it make, Edward? You are already doomed. Make her accountable for it.

I was still arguing with myself when her grey eyes reappeared. What kind of evil games was she playing with me? I was in no mood of hide and seek.

I would not let her keep me waiting this time. She had already tested my patience. I would not let her win.

I placed my hand on the mirror to see if she’d reciprocate my act or take revenge by ignoring me as I had done.

But the reins of fate were in my hands now. She did not retreat. Instead, she placed her hand on mine.

A shiver ran through my veins. What was in her touch that had the power to play with my body and wake up all my senses? She made me desire her like a hungry, wild beast, and I hated to be so weak.

How could she unleash the beast when I had been caging him for so long? Did she not know what this monster could do to her?

Keeping my emotions intact, I glared at her. I did not want to fall into pieces in front of her. The beast had been starved forever, and now there was a feast before him. How could he possibly resist now when he was unshackled? What would stop the beast from imprisoning her and never letting her go?

I entwined my fingers with hers. The mirror no longer held its power. At this moment, all the powers were vested in my beast. She looked at our woven fingers, her eyes shining at my touch.

The beast was howling inside me to pull her into my world. It was now or never! And so, before she even had the chance to fathom the situation, I seized the moment—and pulled her into my world.

She entered my life like a flower blooming in a desert; like a sun brightening my darkened sky. She collapsed on my chest, igniting every single nerve fibre like a shooting star, as I held her by the waist.

God’s teeth! She still holds all the powers.

The beast inside me was submitting to her charms—bowing, capitulating. He lost all the battles. How could he betray me now?

The first thought that came into my mind after looking at her for the first time: can someone be so perfect?

Time was frozen on us. Our hearts stopped beating. The moment was seized in its own enchantment. The magnitude of our desires was more than the stars I had witnessed. The chaotic and unrestrained greed was leading me into the darkness of lust. I had never felt this way before. An unknown force was pulling me into the depths of her bewitching eyes. I wanted to stay in this spell forever. The way she looked at me, she was stripping me bare, with nothing to hide. I was nothing but an open book to her. She would read me anytime she wanted. She could turn my pages whenever it pleased her or write a new chapter in my life.

I was totally at her disposal.

No, Edward. This is not the time to fall. She is a witch. Just remember that.

She was studying me like an open specimen. Her gaze halted at my lips. I’d lose all control should she decide to kiss me now. The sick, perverted part that I hated in my father was also surfacing in me. That monster did exist in me. I was just like my father. I wanted her to scream for me.

I looked away and glanced at the mirror behind her. Such an odd picture—a beast holding a beauty. If she saw it, she would run away or return. I was battling with my inner monster when she placed her warm hand on my face.

God’s blood!

This was my undoing. Why would she risk her life by unlocking the beast?

I jerked back and gripped her hand to drag her out of there. If she knew that her simple touch was enough to make me fall to pieces, she’d have all the powers over me. This would indeed drive me to hell, and I was not ready to visit it sooner than absolutely necessary.

Or was she taking me into her heaven?

Did she truly have the power to turn this hell into heaven? She indeed had the