AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I walk into my home, and instantly relax, if only by a little. It’s not like the fae prince, or rumors of my criminal actions can’t get through this door, but at least it feels like a break from the chaos that’s my life right now. I let my back press against the wooden door and release a slow breath, breathing in the scent of my father’s woodworkings. Buying myself a minute to try to put on a brave face before I see anyone.
My gaze runs over the tiny living room. Three chairs sit near a fireplace: mine, my grandmother’s, and my father’s. His chair is surrounded by his tools and his carvings. My grandmother’s chair has her knitting in a basket beside it, while mine sits bare.
Unsurprisingly, both of their chairs are empty. The pain my father endures nearly every waking hour often leads him to sleep as much as possible throughout the day. It’s no surprise he’s in bed now. Grandmother, however, tends to go to the kitchen to cook around this time, not that there’s anything to cook today. Which means she’s probably in there writing. It’s something she tends to hide from us, because she can’t see her words any longer, and she’s embarrassed by what her scribblings might look like.
But we know. We all know just about everything about each other. The only things you can hide in a home this small are your thoughts and feelings. And, even then, those have a way of coming to light too.
I listen as my heart slowly calms. Our home isn’t fancy in the least bit. In fact, it’s rundown. The roof leaks when we occasionally get rain. Warm and cool air seeps from the walls and around the windows, keeping the temperature always just a step above miserable. But it’s home, gray and dark as it is. It’s where I grew up and where my father and grandmother showed me what it meant to be loved completely and fully.
They had so little to give in the way of material things, but made up for it in every other way. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss the material stuff, but what hurt more was watchingthemhave nothing. Watching them desperately want to be able to work, but being limited because of life’s cruel twists.
My family deserves better. I've just never had the choice togivethem better before.
Until now.
Fuck.I close my eyes, thinking of the prince. Thinking of the mysterious spell that's supposed to make his plan possible. Thinking of the lies I'd have to tell, forever, if I do this.
So much could go wrong. I could be resigning myself to a cruel fae's will. Once this lie is spun, I'll be the one at his mercy. If he grows tired of me, all he needs to do is speak the truth. He'll suffer backlash that will be forgotten, and I'll lose my head.
My eyes flash open. My soul says that this is wrong, but my heart says otherwise…
I glance at my father's chair in the corner. It's set low on the ground, so he can crawl into it. My heart aches. If I were alone, I would simply leave these lands. I’d travel to another court and start over, but my family doesn't have that luxury.
The three of us just can’t start over somewhere else. At least here we have a roof over our heads. If we packed up from here and left on foot, how long could a young woman, a blind woman, and a man without the use of his legs go? The answer is: not far.
It’s theonlyreason I’m considering the prince’s proposal. People would call me a fool if they knew I was even thinking about refusing a chance at wealth, comfort, and power as queen. But the pit in my stomach says that being a queen like this, wrapped in lies, will make me more of a slave to the prince.
Servant I can do. Slave? I don't know.
“Cassia,” my grandmother calls my name.
My moment to think has passed.
I take a few steps deeper into our tiny home so I can peer into the doorway of the kitchen. Grandma is clearing papers and dishes off the littered countertops. Her long gray hair, weaved with dark strands, conceals her face in shadows. But the sound of her humming tells me how she feels without her words. Her humming is light and hopeful. Even though she hasn't eaten since yesterday.
My eyes sting, and I angrily blink them until I get my emotions under control.
“How was work today?" She asks, glancing up, her milky white eyes seeking mine, like she can still see.
I clear my throat, being cautious of my tone. "It was work." It’s all I can offer, not wanting to lie, but not wanting to tell her the truth, either.
To stop the humming. To kill her hope.
"The Royal Mating Ceremony is tonight, isn’t it? I bet you were busy getting everything ready for all the wealthy and powerful guests.” She sounds excited, like the ceremony means anything to us.
Queen, no queen, it's all the same. We're the vermin that keep their floors clean and place food on their plates, nothing more.
Even though, I guess, I could be more. Tonight. If I want.
"Cassia," she prompts, frowning. Reminding me I haven't responded to her about the Mating Ceremony.
I force a laugh. “I called it mating season when I ran into Prince Sulien today. Not my best moment.”
She grins. “You spoke to Prince Sulien? You actuallysaidthat?" She sounds torn between horrified and amused.
"Yeah, he didn't care though, I'm just the maid." I hope she doesn't pick up on the edge of bitterness in my voice.
Her expression gentles. "You're not just a maid. You used to run circles around that boy when I was tutoring him. He took forever to catch on to things that you got instantly." She shakes her head. "How is it that he’s royalty, and you clean his room? This world isn’t fair. It’s just as dumb as the fae.”
