At the entrance to the Castle, Sebastian kept a safe distance from Lilybeth. Sat hunched across from Terance, her back rested against the tunnel wall. He never suspected this shrivelled, mean-spirited, old hag was a fairy godmother.

Sebastian clucked at the very idea.

This crone ought to be beautiful... young... and twinkle with magic. Instead, she was a vile, wretched-looking creature with a foul temper.

How dare she transform me!

In a rage, Sebastian scratched at the ground until a plump, juicy worm wriggled through the damp soil. Unable to resist, Sebastian lunged and pecked and gobbled it down... If he could speak... he'd tell Lilybeth exactly what he thought of her.

Terrance leapt to his feet. "Lilybeth!"

"Yes, Terrance."

Sebastian stopped scratching at the soil and stared at his oldest, most loyal friend.

"Enough is enough."

"Oh?"

"I know Prince Sebastian was extremely rude to you."

"Uh-huh."

"And he deserved to be punished."

Sebastian changed his mind. Terrance wasn't a loyal friend.

"Yes. He did." Lilybeth nodded in agreement.

"And the prince can be selfish..."

"And arrogant," Lilybeth added.

"And thoughtless." Terrance grinned.

Disgusted by Terrance's total disregard for his unfortunate situation, Sebastian clucked loudly.

"He's spoilt." Lilybeth jabbed a finger towards the prince.

"And bossy." Terrance's large tummy jiggled with each chuckle.

In shock at what he heard; Sebastian crowed... "Terrance! You're fired!"

Terrance's smile faded as he added, "But I know there is good in Sebastian. He simply needs a purpose and a genuine sense of responsibility. Then he can become the prince he's destined to be. A ruler the people will respect."

Lilybeth slowly stood, her old bones creaking.  She turned to face Sebastian and said, "I will lift the curse if you prove you've changed. Cathy is being kept prisoner by Prince Horace... You, the Prince Sebastian, will watch over and protect the girl until Hex frees her."

Before Terrance could object, Lillybeth added, "Those are my terms, take it or leave it."

With no other choice, Terrance agreed. His Royal Highness, Prince Sebastian, did not.

*

"Come now, child," Fred said, poking her back with his clawed finger. "Prince Horace awaits."

Cathy closed her eyes and breathed in. This was it; she had no place to run, nowhere to turn. Her future lay beyond the ornate wooden doors. Her body trembled as the doors creaked open and the music stopped. Silence fell across the ballroom as every imp, goblin, and pixie turned to watch the girl dressed like a princess.

Horace rose from his throne at the far end of the room. His yellow eyes twinkled at the sight of his newest possession. For an imp with a love of precious things, Cathy had become his most valued trinket. A Gem Maker with the blood of a sorcerer. A girl who showed bravery the likes of which one rarely found. And a way to punish Hex...

The crowd parted as Horace crossed the ballroom to retrieve his prize.

"Cathy, how splendid you look. Do you like the dress?"

Cathy stared at him blankly. Only the quiver in her voice gave her fear away. "It's like nothing I have seen before."

Horace took that as a compliment. "Indeed, it is not." Horace held out his hand. "Come, dance with me."

"I'd rather not."

"I wasn't asking, Cathy. I was commanding." Horace's eyes narrowed as he waited.

Reluctantly, Cathy placed her hand in his. It wasn't a surprise to find the imp's skin cold to the touch. A shiver ran down her spine.

As Horace wrapped his arm around her waist, the music played. To Cathy's surprise, she knew the steps to the dance and her years of training meant she could effortlessly keep up with her grotesque dance partner.

"How do you like your new home?" Horace whispered into her ear.

"This is not my home."

"I hate to be the bearer of good news, but my castle is your castle... at least until I get bored with you."

"You cannot keep me here."

Horace's grip tightened around her waist as he growled, "We'll see."

Cathy almost squealed as Horace twirled her around, his wicked grin stretched from ear to ear, which made her tummy dip. What was he up to?

*

Sebastian wandered the castle, not knowing where he was going. All he knew was if he failed in his mission to protect Cathy, he would spend eternity as a chicken—and not live happily ever after.

Terrance and that awful crone were on their way back to the City of Kindling, leaving him stranded and alone. And how would he recognise Cathy?

Sebastian clucked and grumbled as he followed the drafty corridors until he heard the faint music and cheerful chatter of a party in full swing.

At last!

Peering through the crack of the doors, Sebastian watched the swirl of brightly coloured dresses and tailored suits. He sniffed the aroma of delicious food and fine wines... oh, how he longed to return to his life. Now, Sebastian realised how privileged he was. How fortunate he had been, and how utterly ungrateful he must've seemed. He would do whatever it took to regain his position as Prince of the Eternal Flame and to make his father proud.

Suddenly, the doors swung open, and Sebastian crept into the ballroom.

It wasn't long before he discovered who Cathy was. Dressed like a princess, and dancing with an equally well-dressed Prince Horace, was the girl destined to change his life and break his curse...