“I don’t care! Our princess is allowed to roam wherever she damn well pleases. Now, step out of my way!” Ruby’s angered roar travels through the closed bedroom door.
“Miss, please.” A guard tries to reason with her, but she dares anyone to get in her way.
“I said move!” she demands. There’s some light shuffling and then she bursts through the doors, shaking her head at Cedric.
I want to rush to her, to tell her everything, but Alexander didn’t know who we could trust, besides Chloe. Something in my core tells me that Ruby and Penelope are good, but I don’t want to risk anything.
“Good morning, Mia!” Penelope, who prefers to be called Pen, sings as she walks in, her already prominent cheeks shaded with blush.
“Hi,” Mia replies, wiping her eyes. I had a very serious talk with her about lying and how it was necessary we do that today. No matter how hard it may be, we need to act like everything is okay.
“Good morning ladies.” Ruby chimes. She glides to the heavy curtains and shoves them open, smothering the room in morning light. “I apologize for our ridiculous guards. Why in Haven did they have you two locked in here?” she inquires, her hands planted on her hips.
I look to Mia, shaking my head slightly. “We went for a walk last night and Alexander found us.” I lie.
Pen shrieks. “Oh no! You could be cursed for centuries for seeing him.” she croaks, her palm colliding with her forehead in a dramatic fashion that makes Mia giggle.
“Penelope, you know that’s just an old tale. I bet he was so happy to meet you; I wish I could have seen his face.” Ruby beams, her wrinkles bunching up into a happy grin.
Pen calms herself down with a few ragged breaths. “Yes, what a wonderful meeting it must have been!” She swoons. I look out to the balcony so they don’t see the heartbreak on my face.
“It was ... breathtaking.” I decide on the term.
Ruby gestures for both of us to get moving, “I’m sorry to drag you out of bed but we really must get going. Your wedding day awaits you!” She seems more chipper than yesterday. Ruby is a straightforward woman, happy when she needs to be and serious at other times. I wish I could tell her what’s going on, but I need to find Chloe.
“Mia, come with me to get ready!” Pen suggests with a melodic tone.
Before I can stop myself, I grunt. “No!” I yell, and when they give me an odd look I plaster on a smile. “I mean, it’s my wedding day. I need my maid of honor.”
Pen shakes her head. “Your maid of what? We’re maids.”
Their confusion is evident, so I tell a truth. “It’s a tradition where I come from, we choose someone we love to help us get ready.”
The women smile, nodding their heads, and I let out a breath of relief when they don’t question it further. I’m eager to start this ridiculous sham of a wedding day and find Chloe.
I stretch my limbs, smiling from ear to ear. “So, let’s get started! What’s first?” I ask.
Pen claps her hands together, her infectious happiness almost trickling into me, and even I have to admit that I’m incredibly happy. Not because of the wedding, of course, but because soon I will be in Alexander’s arms. “Breakfast, of course!” She grins. “Then, your dress!”
I’ve thought about my wedding dress a million times. Daydreaming of marrying the only man I’ve ever really given my heart to, Alexander. But then, it was all a silly dream.
I’m going to choose the ugliest, most gaudy dress for Mason.
Gerardo arrives with great flourish like the night before, pushing a food trolley with his large chef’s hat swaying with his heavy steps. “Good morning, beautiful ladies.” he says, a tinge of accent to his tone. Then again, Alexander has an unusual accent to him, too. Servants trail behind him with more trays.
“Hello, Gerardo.” Mia smiles. His happy, animated character brightens everyone’s spirits. The wide array of delicious breakfast food doesn’t hurt either.
The man from last night tips his head to us, taking a fork. “Ma’am,” he speaks for the first time, cutting into a corner of the egg.
“Why do you do this?” I ask the man, unable to control my curious mind.
He looks to Gerardo, who gives him permission to tell. “I’m a food taster.” he replies, his head still bowed.
“You can stand up straight.” I tell him, uncomfortable with him feeling as though he needs to bow to me. “Now, why do you taste it? For quality?” I wonder.
“I’m tasting for poison.” he replies with a matter of fact look.
Mia shrieks. “For what?” She shoves her plate away.
“Poison.” he repeats, with a smile.
I lay my napkin on my lap, looking to Mia. “It must be custom for them. Remember Mia, our worlds are different.” I tell her, reminding her that the things we’ve grown accustomed to won’t make sense here and that we need to respect other cultures and worlds. But still, I’m curious too. “May I ask, why you would ever take on this job?”
He looks down. “I was given this job. I was a thief ma’am.” he tells me, bowing his head again.
I nod. “And you pay for your crimes three times a day, with the threat of death each time?” I ask, stunned but hiding my expression. He nods once. “And how long have you done so?” I prod. The room is silent as I speak to the man, no one saying a word. It’s strange.
“One year.” He frowns, and I assume the position opened up for him when the last taster died. I don’t like that.
I let out a breath. “What’s your name?”
He smiles, seemingly not used to kindness. “Artie, Ma’am.”
“Thank you, Artie.” I say, watching Gerardo’s face light up. They seem to be close, and I wonder if he’s thankful for me being cordial to him. Is it unusual to be nice to someone who has committed a crime in Haven? Surely, he’s paid for those crimes over the past year.
The thought sticks with me through breakfast but floats away as Pen pulls me from the chair. “It’s dress time!” she announces. In seconds, the room scatters, leaving me and Mia to put our shoes on.
I look to the floor length mirror, smoothing out my sundress and telling myself to stay strong. Grabbing Mia’s hand, we head out, meeting Pen and Ruby in the hall.
Maids, butlers, knights, they all smile at us, waving and bowing as we exit the castle. “Would you like to ride in a carriage or walk?” Pen asks, about to raise her hand to one of the guards.
I inhale the crisp air, needing a little sunshine. “Walk, please.” I’m still unsure of making decisions and people bowing to me. It all seems insane, and I don’t know if it’s the life I want or one that I can handle. All I know is that’s Alexander’s life, and I love him.
As we head away from the castle, walking on a cobblestone path, I breathe easier knowing that there’s distance between us and Mason.
The pathway is leading us towards the vibrant mushroom forest again. The closer I get to the now dark archway that brought us here, the more my stomach flips. I wanted to escape last night, but now? I never want to leave; I want to save Alexander.
“Where are we going?” I ask, nearly tripping over the smooth stones beneath my feet.
Ruby grins. “To a clothing designer. You’ll love her,”
When we arrive, I recognize the small treehouse as being the little cottage we passed the night before. The same girl, around my age, rushes out with a frantic look on her face. “I’m freaking out!” Her fingers wrap through her pink hair, threatening to pull at it.
Pen places her hand over her chest. “Why?” Her eyes are wide in concern.
The girl rushes to us, nearly tackling me in a hug. “I’ve waited so long to meet you! Alexander has told me everything!” she cheers.
I breathe out in relief. “Chloe.” I whisper in her hair. It smells of peonies.
“That’s the name,” She grins, placing her hand on my back. “Now, come inside. We have too much to discuss.”
As we step inside her cottage, I admire the woodsy décor. Soft moss envelops a stone fireplace while twisting ivy gently creeps up the inside walls. It smells fresh, dewy. It’s beautiful.
Chloe claps her tiny hands together. “First things first, I need your measurements.” She looks from Ruby to Penelope and attempts to usher them outside. “I’ve got it from here, ladies. Make yourselves busy.” she orders gently.
Ruby sighs, upset to not be in on the dress fitting. “Everything’s taken care of. We can stay and help,” she pleads.
Chloe huffs, and a trickle of her pink hair drops in her face. She shakes it off and grabs a long strip of measuring tape before wrapping the numbers along my waist, bringing her face close to my ear. I open my mouth to speak but she cuts me off with a whisper.
“They won’t leave until you say they can go, Ari.” Her words come out quick, quiet. “I’ll help you find him, the real him.” she murmurs.
A sound escapes my chest, and I cough to cover it. “I really need some morning tea.” I touch my throat.
Ruby begins to rustle around the kitchen, her eyes roaming through the cabinets. “Where’s your tea, Chloe?”
“Fresh out.” she tells them, throwing her hands up. With a sigh, they both announce they’ll be back soon.
Once they step out, I can’t stand still. “How did you know?” I ask, pacing in her small living room.
“Last night, I saw them taking you away. Alexander would never do that. It has to be ...” She shakes her head, not wanting to believe it.
“Mason.” I seethe. “Alexander told me last night.”
She perks up. “Where is he?”
I recall the horrific sight from my dreams, and I burst into tears. Mia sits near, looking frightened. It’s hard to pull yourself together when all you want to do is breakdown, but I have to have her near me. I can’t risk her being out of my sight. “In my dreams, he was locked away,” I sniffle. “He’s hurt.”
Chloe places a gentle hand on my shoulder, soothing me. “What did you see around you?”
“Hay, iron bars, and mud,” I smell the fresh air of the greenery around us, the opposite of the stench from my dream. “And the most awful musty smell.”
“Hm, that doesn’t sound like the castle dungeon.” With a flutter, she snaps her fingers. Pink glitter seems to swirl around her hand.
Mia gasps, rushing to us. “You’re the fairy!” she shouts.
I smile at the realization. “From the forest, you lead us out of the mushroom path.”
She nods. “Chloe Dust, at your service!” She flashes a bright smile, the pink swirl stops, and tissues float into her hand. “Here, wipe your tears. Everything will be okay.” she assures me.
I was certain she would know where he is, but she doesn’t, and the doubt that creeps inside of me nearly breaks my already crumbling resolve. “How can we find him?”
“You’re connected to him, more than anything. I can feel his soul reaching for yours. May I?” Chloe extends her hand to my chest, hovering over my heart. I nod for her to continue whatever the hell this is.
Pink swirls wrap around my body. I look to Mia to make sure she isn’t scared. She’s not, of course, but instead is mesmerized by the glitter when it trickles and sparkles around me. Chloe’s eyes shoot open, but she’s not looking at anything in particular.
“He’s with the trolls.” she groans in disgust.
“Trolls?” I bury my face in my hands. So many things I don’t know of this world, but so many are familiar from the story books I read as a child.
“I know it’s overwhelming. Me and Alexander were both going to introduce you to things at a natural pace, but Mason screwed that up.” She shakes her head.
“Is he close?” I ask, chest tight with worry.
To my dismay, she shakes her head. “It would take about a three-day journey.”
All hope leaves my body. Soon, I’ll be married to Mason, and god only knows what he will be capable of doing then.
“That’s too long.” I gulp.
Chloe whirls around, her bright grin much too happy for the news she just gave. “It would take three days if you weren’t traveling with a fairy.” She winks, instantly elevating my mood.
“I’m ready. Let’s go now.” I gently demand, trying my best to not be antsy.
“It isn’t that easy.” She frowns, and it looks odd on her small, cheerful face. “We still have the whole wedding extravaganza going on at the castle today.” She begins to pace. “No, we have to be careful with this or Mason will have every guard looking for you. Word could travel to the trolls and they could move him or—” She pauses, looking over to Mia, not wanting to finish her sentence in front of my little sister.
I shake my head. “He’s hurt. We have to get him soon.”
With a nod, she grabs the tape. “We will prepare you for the day as usual. You both have to act as if nothing is wrong. Can you do that?”
We nod in unison. I know Mia is only eight, but she’s used to keeping secrets; she’s been through so much.
“Is there anyone you trust to watch her?” I ask.
Mia stomps her foot. “No! I’m coming with you to save Alexander.” she snaps.
Chloe bends down to look at Mia. “Your sister is right. Trolls are dangerous, disgusting creatures.” She turns her attention back to me. “My cousin will watch her.”
“And we can trust her?” I ask, looking between them.
“Yes, I’m not sure who helped Mason take Alex, but I have an inkling suspicion that it isn’t any of the women you’ve met. We will be careful, of course, but I’ve known them for hundreds of years.”
My jaw drops. “Hundreds? I thought you were around my age.”
“I’m twenty-seven.” She grins. “Forever.”
Her answer provokes more questions than I can handle to ask. “So, what do we do now?”
She springs towards me, throwing the measuring tape out with a flourish. “It’s time to design your wedding dress, my dear.”
A knock sounds on the door, collecting our attention.