Page 58 of Cash

“A snake?” Cara gasped and her little nose wrinkled. “I don’t like snakes.”

“Neither do I.” Stella said with a broad smile that made me involuntarily grin in return. “But this snake is magic. He’s mean and fierce. The deadliest snake of all the land. Everyone is scared of him. When he comes out of hiding people run in fear.”

“That doesn’t sound like magic,” Cara complained.

“No, that part’s not. The snake only shows his magic to his friends, his most trusted warriors. Deep down the snake is kind. He protects little girls and boys. He protects everything that’s good and right in the world.”

Cara tipped her head back on Stella’s shoulder and looked up at her. “Maybe the snake isn’t so bad.”

“He’s a magician. He can turn your fear into power.”

“Wow. What about the Dove?”

“The Dove is strong and beautiful. She flies the world spreading her love. She helps the Snake keep everyone safe.”

“I like the Dove,” Cara whispered. “And the King, what does he do?”

“The King…” Stella faltered. When she started again her tone was full of sadness. “The King is strong and mighty. The most handsome man throughout all the lands. He’s brave but also a thief.”

“A thief? Like he steals things? That’s not brave,” Cara rightly objected.

And I was no longer enjoying Stella’s bedtime story.

“A thief,” Stella confirmed. “He stole something from a neighboring Queen.”

“What did he steal?” Cara asked, sounding affronted that a king would steal from a queen.

“Her heart. But the King doesn’t know. You see, the Queen rules her own kingdom. She’s powerful in her own right. She can’t show her people she’s fallen in love. So, she hides from the King.”

I sucked in a breath feeling like I’d been kicked in the solar plexus.

“That’s silly, she should tell the King she loves him.”

“The Queen is too afraid. She’s been in battle—she’s saved her people from dragons and witches and never showed a hint of fear.”

Cara frowned. “But she’s scared to tell the King, she loves him?”

“Sometimes giving your heart to someone is the scariest thing of all.”

Fucking hell.

“But if the King is strong and brave, the Queen shouldn’t be afraid of him. He’ll protect her.

Out of the mouth of babes.

Before Stella could come up with a rebuttal, Cara asked, “Is the King and the Snake friends?”

“Yes. They’re best of friends.”

Cara yawned and in a sleepy voice inquired, “So the Snake would help the King. Use his magic on the Queen. So she won’t be afraid.”

Smart girl.

“Maybe. We’ll have to wait and see how the story goes.”

“I hope they get a happily ever after like Cinderella and her Prince.”

“I hope so, too, Care Bear. Time to sleep now.”