Free Cinderella (Faerie Tale Collection) by Jenni James

man so very much. The whole kingdom did. But even that simple act, the act of holding his hand, did not wake the man up.
    After a few minutes, Anthony had stood, wished his father a good morning and brushed it all aside. Leaving to dress himself and prepare for the day. By the time he had met his mother, he had nearly forgotten all about that moment with his father—even then, it was easy to tease her to see if he could distract her from the questioning of Ella and allow her to reveal the truth of his father.
    The truth his father would not last the month.
    Anthony stepped backward into one of the trunks and sunk slowly to the ground, his knees giving way as he hit the dirt.
    Urgh! He whipped the branch against the side of the tree and tossed it out into the orchard.
    What does it matter if the king were dying? Let us celebrate by throwing a ball for the whole kingdom to dance and be merry!
    Why?
    Why must they live in this farce?
    Why cannot things be real—forces met and faced and challenged? He folded his arms and placed his head upon them. He loved his parents, oh, how he loved them. Their life, wit, charm… laughter. But he needed more sometimes.
    Sometimes he needed true strength as well.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
    AFTER ELLA HAD GRABBED some bread and cold meat, making a quick lunch of it, she collected a few of the pastries she had helped create this morning and brought them down to the orchard to share with John. It took a moment to locate him, he was tucked among the back trees and sitting upon the ground.
    As she approached, she saw he was in a moment of deep reflection. She halted.
    Should she turn back? Should she announce her presence? Hesitant on what to do, she stood there for some time in the middle of the orchard before she concluded with his actions and downhearted posture that perhaps he did need someone to speak to. Quietly, she walked through the grass and dirt to sit down beside him, placing the pastries and the napkin they were folded in, next to the tree. “Hello,” she simply said when he looked up.
    John did not say a word; his green-brown eyes traced her features as one corner of his mouth lifted in a small smile.
    She could see great worry deep within him. Nudging her arm against his, she asked, “What is wrong?”
    He continued to stare at her, those long lashes hooding his eyes for a moment, and then opening to reveal great pain as well as the worry.
    “John, what is it?” she asked, her heart lurching. “Whatever has happened, share it with me so that I may carry some of your burden. It is not fair to shoulder it all on your own.”
    He suddenly leaned over and kissed her softly on the mouth.
    Ella gasped, her mouth moving forward, clinging to his. She could feel his hand come up and hold her shoulder, his other arm going around her back to bring her in closer to him. Her nerve endings exploded in a warmth of delicious sparkles all over. Never had she felt such an onslaught of emotions and life and brightness as they bounced and flickered upon her. This was heaven. This was where she wanted to be always.
    She pulled away first, her lungs needed precious air, but found it hard to comply with the quivering gasps her mouth was taking. She looked at him, her eyes soaking in every emotion he bared for her to see. He, too, was having a hard time breathing.
    But it was she who spoke first. “Forgive me.”
    John shook his head. “Do—do not apologize. Something that beautiful should be celebrated, not pitied or forgiven.”
    “Can I ask why you kissed me?” she asked, her eyes begging his lips to do so again.
    “I do not know. I only knew that if I did not right then, I might have lost the gumption to do so.”
    A surprised chuckle burst right out of her. “Indeed?”
    “Yes.” He smiled, his arm still resting around her waist.
    “So now will you tell me what is wrong?”
    He pulled her in close, turning her back to nestle against his chest. She heard a long exhale of breath and felt the