Bones and Roses

In a distant land, hidden by dark clouds, there lived a very beautiful maiden. Nothing in this living world could match or even compare to her beauty. The sun was grey to her golden locks; the reddest rose withered to black by her lips; and the clearest blue sky faded away with the depth of her blue eyes. As young and fair as the lady was, no man could court her. No riches could buy her heart; no gift could woo her hand into marriage. Every man who tried failed with a broken heart. She accepted no man.1

The prince of the dead dreamt of her beauty. Her eyes memorized him in his sleep. He woke in cold sweat. Jealousy over the living about him grew in his heart. Every day, the prince would watch her through his magical mirror. She made his bones ache with such pain. His dead heart could burst from his chest with such passion.2

"I must have her." The prince muttered to himself. But how could she love him? He was a monster compared to all the handsome men with flesh. He was nothing but ash and bones. To even show himself on the surface would be a blasphemy. How could a lady of such beauty love a monster of such monstrosity. The prince of the dead forced himself to remain in the world of the dead, only to find a chance to meet her.3

One day, her father decided to host a masquerade ball in honor of his daughter. Suitors from all around the world came to the dance. Each one ready to have a chance at her hand. Devils with horns, jesters and their bells, knights of shining armor tried to woo the beauty. The maiden turned each creature down, not accepting any man. 4

From the crowd moved in a tall handsome man. His mask covered all but his deep brown eyes. He took hold of the lady's hand and drew her close to him. She was surprised by how clever and cunning he was. Confidently, the prince danced with the beautiful young woman. His eyes capturing her own. The grace of his steps, the gentleness of his touch, and the passion she saw in his eyes caused her to blush. She felt like all time had stopped. The  two dancers stopped hearing all the whispers and the music faded away with their steps. The maiden found herself lost in his world.5

The other suitors grew jealous at this stranger's advances. One stepped out and flung his cane. The mask flew off the princes face. The entire party grew silent and stared. A skeleton stood before them. Screams sounded from a woman closer to him. Shamed of himself, the prince cried out. With a black puff of smoke and sparks he was gone, not a trace was left of him. 6

The maiden ran away from the party. She fled into the gardens, darken by the night. "Prince! My Prince! Return to me! Please!" She cried out. Tears trailed down her beautiful soft pink cheeks.7

The dead prince sat in his throne. How could he have been so foolish to allow himself to fall for her? His non-beating heart ached as the feeling of loneliness settled in. The cold air became colder; the dark empty walls that entombed him became darker. "Never again," he told himself "never again." 8

Days passed, and he prince did not rest. He wished to never see the beautiful maiden's face. Oh but how his heart did ache. 9

The beautiful lady seek for the prince, only to have her hopes crushed. on a dark rainy night, she went to the witch doctor and told him her trouble. The witch doctor feared she had fallen in love with the prince of the dead. He informed her that she would have to die in order to be reunited with her love. The lady cared no more for her life. She wished to be with the one she loved. She was given a vile of poison to take when she lay for bed.10

As the rain drummed on her window, she drank the poison ready to be with her prince. Her body became cold as she slept.11

The prince dreaded in his throne, his bones cracked with pain. He heard a voice speaking to him. Slowly, his eyes turned up and gazed before him. There stood the beautiful maiden. She reached out with her hand for him to handle.12

"My love..." she spoke.13

"My lady." The prince gasp. He stood quickly and approached her. "What have you done?"14

"I want to be with you." The lady answered. Her eyes filled with tears and love. "Please, will you have my hand in eternal love?"15

The prince carefully took her hand into his bony fingers. He laid a kiss before her soft, cold knuckle. "I will, my lady."16

Together the lovers danced. Never to part, always to love.