"My lady."
Ella put down her book and turned to face the maid standing at her door.
"The prince is here, and he requests that you accompany him to the royal palace."
[Argh, what does this stubborn prince want from me?!]
"Thank you, Matildah. I'll be right down."
When Ella reached the dining area, she saw William and Prince Nathan chatting and drinking wine like old friends.
"Ella, come here. Prince Nathan has invited you to the royal palace to join him for lunch. Isn't that wonderful?"
[So this man rode for thirty minutes just to ask me out to lunch? Couldn't he have sent a raven so I could pretend not to be available or something?]
{That's precisely why I decided to come and get you myself, beautiful Ella.}
Ella gasped when she heard Nathan's voice in her head. When she looked up at him, she caught a faint smirk playing on his lips.
"I'll come clean, Lady Ella," Nathan said as he stood. "I've taken a liking to you, and if you would allow me, I would love the opportunity to get to know you better."
He bowed slightly.
{Are you really going to turn down an offer from the Crown Prince? In front of your brother?}
[You're insufferable.]
"Well, Ella? You're not going to leave him hanging, are you?" William asked, eyes full of expectation.
Ella sighed and forced a smile. "It would be my honor, Your Grace."
Nathan walked up to her, took her hand, and kissed it. "I'm very happy to hear that. Please, this way."
He led her outside to the royal carriage and turned back to wave at William.
"I promise to have her home before dark!"
"I'll hold you to that."
Nathan helped Ella into the carriage before taking his seat opposite her.
"In all my travels across Meria," he said, gazing at her, "I've never seen a sight quite as beautiful as this."
Ella shot him a disapproving look but still managed a polite smile. "I'm flattered, Your Grace."
"I told you, Ella… you can call me Nathan."
*
About twenty minutes later, the carriage approached the royal palace. Even from a distance, the structure was breathtaking, its intricate design commanding awe.
"Before we arrive," Nathan said, his tone suddenly serious, "there are things I wish to discuss with you."
Ella's attention sharpened. "And what things are those?"
"You, Ella Morrell. Your life… in general."
"There's nothing much to tell," she replied. "I'm an only daughter, I grew up with everything I needed, and I keep to myself because I don't like people minding my business."
Nathan smiled slightly. "I already know all that."
"Then why ask?"
He leaned closer, locking eyes with her. "It's your other lives I'm interested in."
Ella nearly jumped from her seat.
"O-other lives?"
How did he know? Had she slipped? Had he read her thoughts again?
"I… I don't know what you're talking about," she said, her voice unsteady.
"From your reaction, I'd say you do," Nathan murmured.
He gently took her hands. "Ella… I'm cursed too. You and I… we're the same."
The carriage came to a halt, and so did Ella's breath.
A guard opened the carriage door. Nathan stepped out first and offered his hand. Ella took it, still shaken, and followed him toward the palace.
{Calm down. You'll make people think I did something to you.}
Ella inhaled deeply, composing herself as they entered.
The queen stood waiting. Her posture was composed, but her eyes… her eyes held fear.
"Good morning, Mother," Nathan said. "I'll be having lunch with Lady Ella Morrell today. Please inform Father I won't be joining the main table. We'll dine privately in the gardens."
"Of course, darling," the queen replied.
She clapped her hands, summoning a butler.
"Have a meal prepared in the garden for the prince and his guest."
"At once, Your Majesty."
"We'll be in my chambers until then," Nathan added. "No one is to disturb us."
"Of course… darling."
Ella caught the tremor in the queen's voice. Something wasn't right.
*
Nathan's chambers were immaculate. Polished wooden floors, high walls, deep grey furnishings, and a bear rug stretched before a softly flickering fireplace.
"Do you like it?" Nathan asked, standing over the rug. "I killed it myself."
"I'm not fond of decorating with dead animals," Ella replied flatly.
Nathan chuckled and gestured to a chair. She sat opposite him.
His expression shifted, the lightness fading.
"I know you have questions," he said. "As I do. Since I'm a gentleman… I'll let you go first."
Ella hesitated. This was it. Answers… or more questions.
"How did you know we're alike?"
"I didn't," Nathan admitted. "I felt a strange familiarity when we met. Then I heard your thoughts. That's never happened before… in any of my lives."
Ella stilled. "Your lives?"
"I call myself a 'jumper,'" he said with a faint smile. "My soul… it jumps from one body to another every time I die."
"I see…" Ella nodded slowly. "Do you know why this is happening? Why we can't die?"
Nathan's expression darkened.
"No. I've spent lifetimes searching for answers. Witches, potions, quests… nothing worked."
He leaned forward, taking her hands again.
"And then I met you. Ella, this isn't coincidence. We were meant to meet. We're meant to break this curse together."
Ella studied his face. Hope burned in his eyes. Dangerous, blinding hope.
[Argh, Ella, stop it…]
"What is it?" Nathan asked. "What do you want to stop?"
"Nothing," she muttered, a faint blush creeping in.
"Fine," she sighed. "I'll work with you…"
"Wonderful!"
"…on one condition."
"Anything."
"Stop reading my thoughts. It's rude."
Nathan laughed softly. "I'm not sure I know how to stop…. but I'll try."
"Good. So… where do we start?"
"I need you to tell me everything," he said. "All your past lives. Every detail you can remember."
Ella took a slow breath and nodded.
"Alright."