The Masque of
the Fairytale
by Lisa McCourt Hollar
Katarina watched
them dance around the room, the King and Queen of the Masque. The anger inside
her surged as they twirled past, the two smiling, secure in their joy. That
should be her in his arms. He had been hers… Once upon a time. That was long ago, when she
had believed in fairy tales and happily ever after.
Then she had
shown him her sister. The curse the
witch had put on her made Aurora appear as though she were simply sleeping.
“We’ve been
waiting for the spell to be broken for seven years,” Katarina had whispered.
“What is the
cure?”
“A kiss from her
true love. But none that have tried have succeeded.”
Katarina had
turned to leave before she’d realized what Philip intended. When Aurora’s eyes
opened, Katrina’s heart was shattered.
“You should be
happy for your sister,” her mother said just days before the wedding.
She tried, truly
she did. And each day her anger grew, filling her until all she could think
about was destroying their love.
“I can help you
get him back,” the witch had whispered.
They looked
alike in every way, except that Katarina had a small mole on the side of her
lip. A blemish that no longer adorned her face. She’d had it removed with the
help of the witch.
“Lure her
outside and I will take care of your dear Aurora,” the witch promised.
“And my first
payment?”
“Your first
born…a fair trade to find the happiness you deserve.
Katarina pulled
the mask over her face and approached the happy couple.
“May I borrow my
sister for a moment, Philip?”
Aurora took her
arm, winking at her sister conspiratorially, as they had done when little
girls.
“Have you seen
the way Prince Dashing looks at you?” Aurora asked once they were outside and away
from the others. “I think he may have designs on you.”
Katarina
shuddered. John Dashing was short, barely taller than those idiot dwarves their
cousin Snow was slumming with.
“I have designs
of my own, dear sister.”
Aurora’s eyes
lit up with excitement. “Who is he? Is it the Duke? I saw you dance the first
dance with him. He’s not the most handsome, but I’ve heard stories… ”
“No sister, the prince
you stole from me,” Katarina said, removing her mask. “Philip.”
“Your mark… it’s
gone,” Aurora gasped, and then, “Philip?”
“He was mine and
you took him.”
“If you hadn’t wanted
us to marry, why didn’t you say so? Katarina, I never would have if I’d known.”
“Because,”
Katarina said, as black smoke surrounded Aurora, “he wanted you. And now he
will think I am you.”
When the smoke
cleared, her sister was gone.
“Where is Katarina?”
Philip asked when she returned to the ball.
“She had to
leave. She said to give you her goodbyes.”
Smouldering envy and a woman scorned, nice and twisted!
ReplyDeleteFantastic twisted fairy tale and a fascinating twist on the theme! You have such a great imagination. I actually kind of feel for Katarina, though Aurora may not deserve her fate. Philip needs a poke in the eye!
ReplyDeleteVery dark and compelling! Well done!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you pulled in other fairy tales, too -- like Snow White slumming with the dwarves! what a great twist on Sleeping Beauty!!
ReplyDeleteI love this; the snippets from other fairy tales, your imagination making this a fairy tale of its own. I feel Aurora will return; Phillip will know- he has too. As much as I felt for Katarina, I lost all sympathy at her turn to darkness, consumed with jealousy. Brilliant story telling. xx
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the way you encompassed so many of the fairy tales, and loved the whole revenge bit - wonder if it will stay sweet?! Great piece.
ReplyDeleteIs it wrong for me to cheer Katarina on? I love this twisted fairy tale.
ReplyDeleteOh, really enjoyed it. Nothing like dark fairy tales. :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent twist on the fairy tale! Really enjoyed this!
ReplyDeleteThank you everyon! A lot of great tales out there. :)
ReplyDeleteOH-MY-GOD—this completely broke my heart!!! When I read Aurora's words, " If you hadn't wanted us to marry, why didn't you say so? I never would have if I'd known." Such wonderful sisterly loyalty is expressed, only moments before Aurora is so tragically betrayed!!! The loss of the sisters' bond truly pierced me, yet the jealousy & bitterness that destroyed it rings true. So well done!
ReplyDeleteAh, how I love it when a writer turns a fairytale upside down and shakes it until something deliciously twisted falls out! This was terrific, and the Snow White slumming throwaway was inspired!
ReplyDelete