Brief recap: When young, Prince George grew up his twin sister Juliana and best friend and ward to his father, Sebastian. One day Juliana was taken and killed by the witch covens, starting a long standing war.
Once grown, George too was taken by the witches. For reasons unknown, they turned George into a woman before he was rescued and the witches killed.
Now back home he is learning the life of a princess under his new name Georgiana, posing as his long lost sister. Sebastian has left to cope with the grief of losing his friend, meanwhile George is told he has months to marry and continue the royal line.
To his relief at the third ball Sebastian returns and they get engaged. But is everything as happy as it seems?
Cursed Heir Part 4
He awoke early on his birthday and saw sun streaming through his windows. He thought about the previous night, seeing Sebastian again, the dancing, the kiss...
He touched the smile on his face with his fingers and laughed at himself. Since when had he been like a giddy school girl over a guy, over Sebastian of all people. He knew it should feel strange, and it did a little. But mostly it just felt right, and warm and safe.
He got out of bed and began to dress, Martha came in just as he was combing the tangles out of his hair. It had grown to almost his elbows now, thick and dark.
"Georgiana, aren't you up early!" She said. "Is it the birthday excitement?"
He blinked. In all the adventures of the previous night, he had forgotten that today was his birthday.
"Oh, I guess?" He replied and Martha pulled him into a tight hug.
Once he had broken free, he headed downstairs for breakfast. His mother and father were already at the table and smiled warmly as he walked in.
"Happy birthday!" They beamed, both standing in turn to hug him.
"Thank you," he said to them, sitting across the table and looking at the extravagant spread. "There's so much food!"
"Only the best for your birthday," his mother said delightedly. "And of course it's a double celebration. We are so beyond pleased with your decision."
"How do you feel?" His father asked, his eyes conveying his meaning as much as his words.
"I feel... good. Really good," he said and smiled. "It's weird but I'm kind of excited?"
His father smiled and nodded, "well, that sounds like a success to me. Definitely worthy of a bacon breakfast."
Shortly after they had each helped themselves to the vertitable feast before them there was a knock at the door. Sebastian slipped through, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to sleep in," he said.
"Nonsense! Come sit we're just starting," his mother said and Sebastian sat in the free chair beside George.
"Happy birthday," he said softly before adding with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes, "again."
"Thank you, again," George chuckled. They met each other's eyes briefly, before they both looked down sheepishly.
"So what are you wanting to do with your special day?" His mother asked.
"I'd like to go ride Shadow. Would you come with me?" He asked Sebastian.
"Absolutely, it looks like a lovely day. Where do you want to go?"
A few hours later, he was on Shadow. He had, with the significant help of Martha, plaited his hair in a long braid which now flew over his shoulder.
He was bundled up against the increasingly cold days as they approached winter, but still felt the stinging wind against his cheeks as he rode. But it was so worth it.
He looked over a shoulder to see Sebastian riding at full speed just behind him and laughed.
"I thought you said you were fast?" He yelled back and Sebastian gritted his teeth, encouraging his horse to go even faster as they raced up the grassy fields.
"That's it girl, show him what you can do," he said to Shadow. The horse responded by speeding up even further and George couldn't hold back the woop of excitement and joy that bubbled out of him. This was living at its finest.
For a moment, he thought he caught a glimpse of a woman watching him from tree line. But when he turned to glance back, she was nowhere in sight.
He reached the top of the hill and pulled Shadow to a slower gallop, riding along the ridgeline that looked down over the kingdom. He looked over his shoulder at Sebastian, slowing further to a trot. He rode up beside him, grinning widely, his eyes bright and his hair windswept.
"You win fair and square. Not sure why I ever bet against Shadow," he said, breathless
"She's pretty quick," George smiled, stroking his horse affectionately.
"That's putting it lightly," Sebastian scoffed.
Together, they looked down the hill across the kingdom that sprawled beneath them. The castle turrets were visible in the distance, as were the clusters of roofs in the nearer villages and the sprawling forest beyond.
"It really is beautiful," he said breathlessly.
"I know," Sebastian said, "I have seen many lands, but nothing quite compares to home."
"Is it strange? To know you will be King?" George asked, and Sebastian winced slightly.
"Yes, extremely. It was never meant to be me. But at least I'll have your wisdom and support. We can lead together."
George smiled, looking over the rolling hills, the birds swooping graceful arcs above them, and breathed a contented sigh.
"I could stay here all day," he said.
"Why don't we then?" Sebastian grinned.
"I'm already starting to get hungry," he said guiltily and Sebastian laughed before dismounting his horse and rummaging in his knapsack.
"Well then, good job I brought provisions," he said, brandishing some fruit and bread. George followed his lead, dismounting Shadow and taking the offered food gratefully.
They tied their horses to a nearby tree and settled themselves in a grassy spot on the hillside, the cool wind ruffling their hair as they ate. It felt remarkably like old times to George. Leaning back in the grass with Sebastian beside him was as natural as it could be. They stayed there for most of the morning, into the early afternoon talking, laughing and teasing each other. There were a few times that George had to catch himself, wanting to say things that he shouldn't know. Each time, he felt the little tense knot of frustration, worry and guilt increase slightly.
Walking back towards the horses later that afternoon, Sebastian barged him jokingly with his shoulder. George grinned and returned the barge, harder than Sebastian had expected, causing him to stumble.
In a desperate attempt to right himself, he grabbed George's arm. Suddenly before they knew it, they were both tumbling down the hill. Shrieking and laughing they fell breathlessly into a heap a few metres down in a patch of long grass. He was on top of Sebastian, feeling his chest rise and fall beneath him as he laughed. They were so close, George could feel his breath on his face. It would be so easy, so perfect, to close the gap between their parted lips.
Sebastian's eyes met George's and the laughter faded. He swallowed and he looked away down the hill.
"Come on, let's go to the market. I need to buy you a birthday present."
They rode together into the market. They hadn't spoken much on the ride over, both deep in thought. George was beginning to worry, something was really troubling Sebastian and he knew that soon he would have to confront him about it. A few times as he rode, he opened his mouth to say something, anything, but everytime he would find himself unable to find the words.
They reached the market and dismounted their horses to peruse the stalls on foot. There were all sorts of wares on offer, many of the sellers eager to speak to them both, bowing and curtsying and congratulating them on their engagement. George thanked them, noticing Sebastian's awkwardness more prominently each time.
"I'm going to go over there, I want to buy you something. Don't go where I can't see you or Captain Fell will be coming for my guts, okay?"
"Okay," he agreed, happily examining some of the nearest stalls.
He glanced down the path ahead and smiled as he saw Selene placing some vegetables she had purchased into a basket, her hair curled out from under the hood of her long wool cloak.
"Selene!" He called and she turned, and immediately walked towards him beaming.
"Georgiana! What are you doing here? Happy birthday!" She said, as they hugged.
"I wanted a break out of the castle, so Sebastian and I went for a ride and then came here," he explained, but to his surprise Selene's expression instantly changed. She looked around her in a panicked way.
"Prince Sebastian is here?"
"Yes, he's just over there," he said, confused. "Why? What's wrong?"
"Nothing," she said, returning an unconvincing smile to her face.
"Yes there is. What is it?"
"Nothing! I'm so happy for your engagement, and I hope you have a lovely birthday. I'll see you another time," she said quickly, trying to walk away but George grabbed her arm.
"No. You're not just going to leave like this."
Selene was about to speak, but froze, her face paling as she looked over George's shoulder. George followed her gaze and saw Sebastian walking towards them, his expression pure fury.
"What are you doing here Selene," he spat.
"I- The- I was just-" she stuttered, gesturing to the vegetables in the basket.
"What is going on?! Why are you looking at her like that?" He asked Sebastian who continued to glare at Selene so hard, he was amazed Selene hadn't shrivelled up from the intensity of it.
"She," Sebastian growled, "is not someone you should be friends with Georgiana."
"Why?" He asked, getting angry himself now.
"No, please, don't-" Selene begged, tears rising to her eyes.
"Fine, I won't," Sebastian said. "You explain."
"I- I can't! It's -"
"Explain Selene," George insisted and she looked at him with a desperate pleading look.
