“She’s gone,” Rumple said grumpily from within the pouch, leaning against the small three-legged stool.
“What do you mean, she’s gone? I told her to stay here until I could get back safely.”
“She ran away with all the money left in your coin purse.”
“What?” I collapsed on my knees in front of Rumple. “You’d better explain right now.”
“It seems that she took your pity on her as a way to escape the palace.”
“I was duped.”
“Duped, conned, tricked, bamboozled, deceived. She saw her opportunity to escape.”
“Why didn’t you stop her?”
“How?” Rumple cried out. “I don’t have hands.”
I saw the folded paper next to the stool, and I reached down to pick it up. When I unfolded it, I was surprised that I could read the script and that it wasn’t spelled.
I’m sorry.
I can’t survive another night in the palace or that . . . place. This was the only way I could think of to save myself. If you are reading this, then you survived the night. I pray that you are strong enough to keep on surviving despite the circumstances. Please forgive me.
~ G
I crumpled the note, tossed it onto the floor, and ran my hands down my face. What had I done, and moreover, what could I do?
“Where’d she go?” a voice called loudly, right outside the tent.
“I saw the princess go in that tent,” another voice answered.
I backed up to the far side of the small tent and pulled the scarf down off my hair.
“Princess Grace, you are not allowed out without an escort,” the voice called from outside.
“I’m coming.” I stepped out of the tent and was greeted by none other than Captain Lathe.
“Because of unfortunate circumstances that have arisen, the king has asked all the princesses to remain inside the palace for their protection.” The captain snapped his fingers, and a guard came forth, gesturing for me to walk with him.
“Rumple,” I whispered. “Please get word to Bravado.”
Silence followed as I was taken out of the tent and dragged back to the palace.
The palace was worse than a prison, except it had better food. Breakfast consisted of eggs, meats, breads, and cheeses. Our meals weren’t in the dining hall, but in our wing of the palace, served buffet style.
Once again, I felt like I didn’t know where to sit as I picked up a plate and stared at the long line of food. Risa was filling hers with pastries, Willa took only eggs, and Lisbelle ignored the food altogether. The plate shook in my hand as I tried to contemplate what Grace would have chosen. Then I saw familiar foods and found myself picking up slices of bread, pears, and honey butter. Just like in the Northern Woods, I moved away from the crowd and took the bench seat in front of a bricked-up window, feeling like it was as close to freedom as I could get. As I prepared my breakfast, I couldn’t help but wonder how Percy had ended up in the sacred hollow. When had he become bound to Allemar? Did I ever really know him?
As I chewed my food, one of my fake sisters, Therisa, who had honey-brown hair, came and stood over me with her arms crossed across her chest.
“You eat the same thing. I wish you would change. In fact, I wish you would change . . .” She shook her head, changing her mind, and silencing her outburst.
The bread froze halfway to my mouth. What were the chances that Grace and I would eat the same unique breakfast? It didn’t seem possible.
No longer hungry, I dropped the pear and bread. I looked into Therisa’s green eyes filled with frustration. And maybe something else. I took a chance.
“You can speak freely with me.”
Those beautiful green eyes filled up with tears and she wiped them away angrily. “It’s fine. Never mind . . . I’m fine.” But she watched me out of the corner of her eyes warily.
“About tonight. What do you think—?”
The door opened, and King Leonel stood in the doorway. His eyes passed over all of us, slowly scrutinizing. “These last few days have been an enormous strain on my kingdom, and many of the suitors have already withdrawn their offers after this morning’s dreadful news. Daughters, I demand more of you.”
Therisa started to speak, “Father, we are for—” Her hand slapped her mouth, and more tears came out of her eyes.
She turned away, quickly coughing into a handkerchief and hid it among her skirt, but not before I saw the blood.
Anger riled through me at the injustice. I balled up my fists and my jaw clenched. Therisa looked up at me in horror, her body trembling.
“What did you say, Therisa?” King Leonel turned to her.
She shook her head in fear and ran to her room, her hands covering her mouth.
“Why are the southern elves here?” Risa stood up from the chaise she had been reclining on. She pushed her long braid over her shoulder and faced the king, her face stoic and confident. “Send them away.”
“They are here at my request. Allrick and I have an understanding.” His eyes flicked to me.
“We are your heirs. It’s only luck that none of us were boys, or there could be another daughter of Eville sneaking in our midst, plotting to steal this kingdom right out from under us. But no. That won’t happen because our father is giving the kingdom away to a man!” Risa’s voice continued to rise until she was screaming with rage. “Then I hear of your plotting with the southern elves? What have you promised them, Father?”
Analisa joined in Risa’s argument. “Just choose one of us to be your heir. We are worthy or ruling, Father. We don’t need a husband from this gathering of kings. We could take our time and marry for love.”
King Leonel’s face flushed red with embarrassment, then anger. “One does not marry for love. You can’t afford to. It must be for the good of the kingdom. A marriage brings wealth, honor, and strength to the kingdom. If it can’t bring those things, then your worth . . . is nothing.” His voice trailed off, and King Leonel stared off into the distance.
I turned to see what caught his eye and noticed the mirror over Risa’s shoulder. It was a gilded frame, and the reflective surface had gone white like snow, and shadows moved on the other side.
The king’s mouth dropped open as the shadows blurred together into an outline of a woman.
“I gave you warning, Leonel. Your sins have come back to haunt you. You must stop this plan of yours. It will not work.”
“Witch!” the king breathed out. He picked up a cup from the breakfast table and threw it into the mirror. Risa screamed and ducked as glass went flying everywhere.
King Leonel stood in the middle of the room, his eyes glazed over, his mouth turned down, and he was shaking with rage. “You will not force my hand!” he shouted at the mirror.
Twelve women stared at the king, unsure of how to move or respond. After a few tense moments, King Leonel seemed to come to his senses. He turned, pointing his finger at each of us. “I refuse to let her win. I will take the kingdoms back,” he yelled.
“Well, that seems to be difficult when all the men who court us . . . end up dead,” Lisbelle said sweetly. She came and put her hand on her father’s arm, and he recoiled as if her touch burned him.