This is my submission to Frightful Fairy Tales Contest. Sleeping Beauty mixed with some vampires. It doesn't start very horror-themed, but well, I like everything seeming innocent at first with a twist at the end.

Word count: 989

~*~*~

Phillip could barely believe Maleficent's words that the "Briar Rose" he had met in the woods was indeed Princess Aurora. Yet it was definitely her image the witch showed him, sleeping in a royal gown and tiara. There was even a faint smile on her lips. Other than the fleck of blood on the tip of her finger, on the graceful hand that rested on her chest, she might have just taken to a night's rest.

"You will stay here a hundred years," Maleficent informed him. "Then, when you are old and filled with bitterness, I will take you to see your love, who has not aged a single day."

"You fiend!" the prince rushed toward her, only to be stopped by the shackles binding his wrists to the wall.

Maleficent laughed and disappeared amidst flames green like venom.

Phillip sat back down with a heavy sigh. It was already torture to be separated from Briar Rose- Aurora for even a day. A hundred years? Such a long time would drive a man crazy.

Suddenly three miniature fairies flew into the room and returned to their human size. Phillip realized he had seen them all those years ago. They had come to give gifts to the newborn princess.

"Prince Phillip, you are the only one who can save Aurora!" one of them spoke.

He brought one hand to his chest in solemn vow. "I will save her. Just tell me what to do."

His shackles turned to dust, and a gleaming sword and shield appeared in the air in front of him. Without hesitation, he took them.

"Let's hurry," another of the faeries said. "Maleficent will try to stop us once she notices your escape."

~*~*~

The kingdom they returned to was completely different from the one they had left. The sky was covered in dark clouds, turning day into night. Thorn bushes sprang up from the ground to surround the castle, black in shape and their thorns glistening with green venom.

"The princess is mine!" Maleficent's voice announced. "You will die before reaching her!"

"Don't be afraid, Phillip!" the faeries cheered him on. "The Sword of Truth will cut through her magic, and the Shield of Virtue will protect you from the poison!"

Encouraged, the prince hacked and slashed through thorns and branches, cutting a path through the venomous obstacle. He was covered in tiny scratches by the time he reached the castle courtyard, but – just like the faeries had said – the poison didn't seem to have any effect. On the contrary, with every step he felt stronger and more confident.

"Away with you!" Maleficent's voice came again, and with it countless small, winged creatures descended on the trio following him closely.

A blast of magic turned a handful of the creatures to ashes, yet more swarmed in to take their place.

"Go, Phillip! Save Aurora!" one of the fairies ordered him. "We will handle these things!"

He should have stayed to help them. That was the right thing to do. But...in his heart, she was more important. With a hasty promise to come back for them, one that quickly disappeared from his mind, he ran through the castle and all the way to the topmost tower where Aurora lay waiting.

He dropped his sword and shield as he laid his eyes on the sleeping princess. She was so beautiful, so peaceful. And his kiss would bring her back to life again. He sat at the edge of her bed and leaned to press his lips to hers.

Her lips were cold. The kiss tasted of blood. He pulled back in shock. Had the faeries lied to him and she was already dead?

Then her eyes slowly opened.

"Aurora..." he breathed out, relieved. But he didn't get a chance to say anything else, to speak of his love, before she lunged at him and bit deeply into his throat. He could feel his life leaving him as she drank greedily.

Phillip was barely conscious when Maleficent appeared in the room, gently pulled the princess away from him and cleaned her blood-stained face.

"Everything is alright now..." the witch whispered soothingly. "I had hoped to age your first meal a little longer, but certain individuals interfered. Just like they interfered sixteen years ago. But I will protect you from now on. You will be happy. Happier than ever before."

Aurora turned to look at Phillip again. There was sadness on her features.

"Oh? You wish to keep this human?" Maleficent asked. "Very well..."

She walked to where he lay on the bed, too weak to move. "It seems that Aurora has grown fond of you in the short time you spent together. Let me ask you this: would you join her for eternity?"

His head felt completely fuzzy, no doubt from the blood loss. "What are you talking about...?"

"Death...or eternal life by her side. Choose wisely, Prince."

He would have done anything to be by her side for just a single day. To be with her forever...How could he refuse? "What...do you want me to do?"

Maleficent pricked her finger on the spindle of the spinning wheel still remaining at the side of the bed. Then she held it to his mouth, a single drop of blood defying gravity to tempt him. "Drink."

It was just a drop. It shouldn't have made any difference. But the instant the crimson liquid touched his tongue, a newfound strength coursed through his body. Along with intense hunger for more.

"Be at ease," Maleficent crooned and helped him to his feet. "Soon."

She led him to Aurora. The two shared a long kiss, blood mingling between them, before facing the witch.

She smiled. "My daughter. My new son. Welcome to your kingdom of eternal night."

Then her smile turned wicked. "Now, I believe it's time to hunt down certain troublemakers.  I have heard that fairy blood is delicious beyond comparison."