Koschei's Mistake

You live in a prince’s manor, weaving boredom into your sewing—but then, one morning—bam!—Koshchei the Immortal kidnaps you.

It’s not that I’m categorically against an adventure like that; I could even sit in a cage and pour out my soul in sorrowful songs. But the kidnapper just won’t do. He doesn’t drag me to the altar, doesn’t threaten me with spells, doesn’t greet me with kind words, and—when I ask my maidenly questions—he stays silent.

And yet I’m a curious sort; I have a stake in everything! I might have forgiven the kidnapping, but I will never forgive indifference.

A short tale about love.