in this kingdom, but it was a good ache, one that came from overworking muscles. Whereas my other sisters would complain, I knew the more I learned to draw from the earth and myself and not the ley lines, the stronger I would become. If I could just battle the headaches.
Thankfully, less than a mark later, I was asleep.
A loud, painful shriek startled me awake, but the room was dark. Pitch black. No, not black. I removed the pillow from my face and saw Pru standing next to the open wardrobe.
I had forgotten to warn Pru of my new friend, Gobbersnot, who at that moment was wearing dangly earrings I was pretty sure I’d seen in Yasmin’s lobes, his head and the tops of his ears wrapped up in a silk scarf like a turban. Pru’s shriek of surprise was mirrored by that of Gobbersnot, who quickly cussed her out and slammed the door closed.
“Th-that’s a… a….” She couldn’t finish.
“A goblin.” I smiled.
“What kind?”
“Not sure.”
“He doesn’t seem to have any manners.”
“I like him,” I said, and meant it. He amused me. “Although I wouldn’t trust him to braid my hair or help me get dressed in the morning,” I added.
I was careful to not bring up Herez’s attack. It seemed most of the servants had been told the girl had taken ill and was being sent home to recover. I knew it was probably to hide the presence of the beast. Why did they feel the need to protect it, or was it to prevent mass hysteria? Either way, I kept my mouth shut.
A mark later, a package was delivered to my room by way of royal page. He laid a jeweled box upon the table and announced, “Your ban has been lifted, granted as long as you have this.” He tapped the box, gave Pru a shy smile, and left.
“Who’s it from?” I asked, running my hands over the pearl-encrusted box. The silver latch was decorated with topaz. Never before had something so beautiful been in my presence.
“It must be from His Highness,” she replied.
A slow thump came from my chest. A present from the prince? Maybe my harsh words had gotten through to him.
My hands shook as I opened the box and took out the crisp white note card. His penmanship was fluid and neat.
* * *
So I never have to look upon your face
Wear this veil or leave this place.
I will not have you put me under a spell
And damn my soul straight to hell.
~Prince Xander
* * *
There was no admission of please or thank you, only a direct order—which rhymed, no less. Underneath the card was a thick white veil, this time with a headband full of combs instead of a tiara.
Those scripted words made each breath painful. My hand trembled as a tear fell from my eye onto the card, blurring the prince’s name. How dare he make me cry? Crumpling the card in my hand, I tossed it into the fireplace and watched as the note caught fire and burned, wishing I had tossed Prince Xander’s heart in the fire instead.
“My lady?” Pru stepped forward, her eyes going to the jeweled box. My head began to pound, and I rubbed my forehead, trying to ease the throbbing that was coming.
“I’m fine,” I answered. “Please bring me more silk and black dye.”
We spent the next hour dying the veil black.
“Did someone die?” Pru asked, holding the newly dyed veil in the air.
“I am,” I said. “A little each day that I’m here.” I placed the black veil over my head and adjusted the combs, then looked in the mirror and silently mourned my identity.
I donned a long black silk dress with matching lace sleeves. Gobbersnot didn’t seem to care for the dark colors and had left this dress fairly untouched. The veil fell to my waist, and I hid my anger behind the dark shroud. It was my new armor.
A soft knock came to my door. I opened it, expecting to see one of the servants, but instead it was young Ameline. Her hands were clasped together in nervousness, and when she looked up and saw me in my black shroud, she gasped and stepped back.
Darn the prince’s order. Quickly I lifted the veil and showed the child I was not to be feared. “It’s okay, sweetie,” I murmured, kneeling on the stone floor. “I’m not going to harm you.”
Her brave little shoulders straightened and her chin rose. “I know,” she said with false bravado.