Prison Princess (Paranormal Prison) - CoraLee June Page 0,39

me?

We finally reached the palace. I took in the sight of everything in complete awe. I couldn’t even process how massive this place was. Various creatures rushed around us, some stopping to openly gawk at me. The best way to describe this place was...alive. Plants were incorporated into every aspect of the castle. It breathed with vitality and beauty. Along the exterior of the castle were bright purple flowers I didn’t know the name of. I paused to stare at the vibrant hue, transfixed by the large petals.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” my mother asked. I hadn’t even noticed that she was watching me.

“What’s it called?” I asked, cocking my head to the side.

“Luna Lilies. They sprouted up the night you were born. It was like the earth and night sky wanted to celebrate your arrival,” she said softly, emotion clogging her voice. “It makes sense that you’d feel drawn to them.”

We continued to walk, but I paused to brush my index finger along its stem.

Welcome home, my child.

I gasped at the ethereal voice booming within my mind. “Did you hear that?” I asked Cypress. His brow dipped in confusion. Both my parents stopped and were beaming at me.

“Hear what?” Cypress asked.

“A voice…” I trailed off.

A woman curtsied in front of me, cutting me off. “Ma’am. Welcome home.” She had wings. I’d never seen anyone like her. The pink in her hair, the way glitter seemed to move all around her.

“I…” I took a long breath. “Excuse me if this is rude, but what sort of...person are you? Please forgive me. I’ve never seen anyone who looks like you.”

She smiled at me. “That is okay, Princess. I am a Grundel. I know that is not what people think Grundels look like, but they’re wrong. I am dedicated to your family. And we aren’t generally put in jail, so that is why you haven’t seen us before.”

I smiled at her. “Well, I imagine that there are lots of people and things I haven’t seen. Cypress took me to a town. I’d never seen buildings like that before. I’m pretty much a very big child in some ways.”

Cypress cleared his throat. “You’re not a child in any way. You’re brilliant and capable. There are things you don’t know, but you figure them out much faster than anyone else could. And, you are resilient.”

I looked over at him. Who was this version of Cypress? I didn’t know this version of him. Where was the sneer? Who was this person who was standing up for me?

Smiling, I replied, “Thank you.”

The Grundel, whose name I didn’t know, smiled again. “Please come with me, ma’am, I’m going to take you to your room.”

For a moment, I debated begging Cypress to come, but I knew that would be too much. I didn’t want him executed. Did my parents do that? I was incredibly out of my comfort zone now.

I then looked to my parents for guidance. Didn’t we have things to discuss? Didn’t they want to get to know their daughter? My mother spoke up. “I’m sure you’re exhausted and want to change into something a bit more suitable.” I looked down at my dress, then back at her. “How about you rest and change, and we can get to know one another better tonight?”

I cocked my head to the side. This felt oddly sterile for a reunion with the people I’d been dreaming about my entire life. “I don’t need to change. I’d like to get to know you—”

“We can do afternoon tea later,” my father interrupted. “For now, there is the matter of Cypress’s payment, and I’d like to coordinate efforts to keep the guild away as quickly as possible. I wouldn’t want to keep him here for longer than necessary. And we need to get you presentable before introducing you to court.”

My mouth dropped open. This wasn’t what I wanted at all. Cypress snorted, and I caught him rolling his eyes.

“We have our entire lives to get to know one another, dear,” my mother replied. “Go. Rest. Bathe. Pamper yourself. Let Lilac help you get ready, and we can meet up later.”

I had half a mind to lift my arm up and sniff my pits. Did they really want to get rid of me so quickly? Did I smell?

“Come along, Cypress. Let’s get you your coin,” my father said. Cypress didn’t budge. Instead, he turned to me.

“You okay?” He raised his eyebrows.

I nodded. Yes, I was lying, yes, he probably knew it. That was okay. If