I can’t move. I’m frozen to the spot, and my eyes clench shut, my heart in my throat. There’s no escaping the horde of creatures barreling toward me.
“Get back,” a steely voice cuts through their snarls and squeals.
As one, they obey, heads bowing and bodies lowering.
I’m trembling. I feel like I’m suffocating. The dress is constricting, making it hard for me to breathe.
Princess Maloret strides in and pauses to glance at me. I don’t know what to make of her serious look. She’s never serious. This scares me even more than the room filled with her monsters.
“Come along, Rosie,” she orders, sweeping through the room in her extravagant black gown.
Meriwether flutters above me as we follow the princess. Walking between them, I feel safe. As safe as I can possibly feel in the Shadow Court.
The room is crowded with creatures, and the clashing scents of rot and sugar are so strong I can barely breathe. Eyes follow us as we make our way through the giant ballroom. For a minute, the grotesque faces that surround us blur and flicker.
You don’t belong here. The words come to my mind, surprising me.
The face of the little girl from my dream flashes in my mind. Who is she?
Who am I?
I try to remember, but the harder I try to focus on her, the more she slips away. She’s just a dream. This castle—these creatures— they’re real.
We’re at the giant throne now, and Princess Maloret orders a fairy to bring in a chair for me. Meriwether will have to stand or hover in the air. I try to catch her attention, but her eyes are glued to the princess, a worried look on her face.
My stomach rolls. If she’s concerned, it’s for a reason. The princess’s words from before echo in my ears.
Things are going to be different from now on … You’re going to be a part of my court. An important part.
The fairies return with my chair. Its legs are tall, making me tower above the princess. I climb into it and sit, feeling ridiculous in my puffy skirt.
“Bring her something she can eat before she passes out.” Princess Maloret sends the fairies out again.
The thought of food makes me nearly weep with relief. How long has it been? I open my mouth to thank her, but stop myself.
Heat spreads up my neck. It’s not right. I don’t remember my previous life, but I don’t think I ever cried at the thought of being able to eat.
I’ve grown so dependent on Princess Maloret that I’ve become grateful to her for basic needs.
Things are going to be different from now on. Her words ring in my mind.
Yes. They are.
I don’t know how, but I refuse to let her rule over me. To toy with me. I must have had a life before, and it had to be better than this. I’ll do whatever it takes to remember. To free myself from this curse.
The food returns, and I glance at Meriwether. She gives me a subtle nod.
Not poisoned.
It’s all I can do to not tear into the delicious smelling meat and potatoes. I don’t care where it came from or how it was made. I probably don’t want to know. I use the fork and knife I’m given and eat from my lap, slowly, trying to savor each bite.
All my focus is on my plate. I tune out the noise and sights around me. Thankfully, the princess lets me eat in peace. Once my belly is full, I’ll be ready to hear what she has to say.
Too soon, I’m finished, and though I want more, I don’t dare ask. It could come spoiled or poisoned.
Time seems to drag on as I sit beside the silent princess. Meriwether continues to hover next to me, and I give her a sympathetic smile. Her wings must be tired by now.
A sigh escapes me.
I don’t like parties. At least not this kind of party. Music blares from invisible speakers, the notes sounding flat and off. It strikes my every nerve and makes me grit my teeth. The creatures are dancing together, their movements jerky and forced. Princess Maloret’s shadow beasts join them.
How long do I have to be here? I glance at the princess as she lounges on her throne.
Her black eyes meet mine. A knowing smile is pasted on her face. Anger rolls through me, making my fists clench.
Surely, there’s a reason she has me dressed up and sat here on display. But she isn’t forcing me to dance or eat from the dazzling buffet set out for the others. The food is glamoured, I’m sure. What looks like a feast fit for royalty is probably rotten and putrid. Poisoned.
The sun is still shining through the glass roof, but my body tells me it’s long past daytime. There are no clocks in the Shadow Court. Time here seems irrelevant. Though, right now, it feels as if I’ve spent the whole day sitting in the ballroom.
Finally, after what feels like a lifetime, the princess stands, and the music ends. Everyone stops dancing and turns to her, waiting.
She gestures to me with her hand and addresses her court. I listen with growing dread as she launches into a speech that I can’t understand. Beside me, Meriwether’s face has grown pale.
The creatures hiss and whisper together all at once. Their reaction scares me. What is she telling them?
My stomach churns, the food from earlier feeling heavy now. It’s all I can do to hold it in and not hurl over the side of my tall chair.
Princess Maloret glances at me, smiling as she finishes her announcement. The ballroom erupts in a mixture of roars and squeals. My ears ring.
“What did you tell them?” I ask, my voice hoarse.
Her eyes bore into mine. “I told them to welcome their new honorary princess. Smile. I’ve made you a permanent member of my court.”
Princess. Permanent.
The words echo in my mind. I turn, hang my head over the side of my chair, and empty my stomach.