Breaking the Enchantment
by Mari Ness
"So," the prince said. "To break your enchantment, you need a kiss from your true love."
"Yes," said the princess, unable to keep the note of irritation from her voice. "And naturally, I get you."
The prince sighed. "Awkward, I know. Still." He tapped his finger on his lips. "I might have a solution."
The princess eyed him up and down. "Uh-huh."
The prince gave her his most charming smile. "Trust me."
Several months later, the prince came riding back to the enchanted castle.
He did not come alone.
The girl with him was no princess, nor even trying to be one. She happily accepted a rough pallet in the kitchen--"It just feels less enchanted here, you know?" instead of an elaborate, high bed in one of the dusty bedrooms, even when the princess warned the girl that the kitchen floor was doubtless covered in peas. "As long as you don't ask me to sort them," the girl said.
