ex

quite young," I begin. "Mother says it happ

ur loss. Do you k

doesn't like to talk about it. I onl

esting about that. "We are beginning to climb the hill to the castle no

sm would be embarrassing if I did

best to peer through the darkness into the trees. The road is narrow enough that tree branches occasionally scrape

ght?" he asks.

op of the tree and several small creatures skitter by. Mother always marve

at him, but then my focus is out the window again. "We co

him dragging a hand down his face. He mee

ks relieved. I turn my head back to the window, but then I have t

now," he says, as if

arge gate. Cast iron and marble, it's impressive, but what's even more breathtaking is the sight of se

ms nonchalant. "A lot of animals live in the woods around the cas

ee that this is a warning. I nod.

ng now, and the magnificent yard comes into view first. Despite the darkness, I can see the perfectly manicured grass.

kinds of beautiful flowers, especially roses. The queen loves-loved-roses." He clears his throat, and

in front of a huge building made of the same wh

ns the door, I step out and look up. It's massive-tall and imposing-with turrets and

timidating, but don't worry. Almost ev

ebrow. "Almo

m. I take it. "Those who are not won't h

polished white marble that gleams beneath crystal chandeliers. I'm fully aware that my continuous gasp is probably quite annoying, yet I can't help myself. We glide across t

ler-" Elli

never told him to call me by my firs

He's so charming! "This is Anna. She'll be taking care of you during you

ly smile and a nod, and I b

ng at all, you can ring for him, and he'll be there to help you. Anna will show you to your ro

n of meeting the king, but I nod. H

oice is as sweet as her

your luggage to your room." His smile is also inviting. I nod a

room is on, I feel like my lungs are on fire. "This way." She turns a corner, and I only have a moment to appreci

droom I've ever seen. I gasp and hesitate on the thre

faces of forest animals in the wood, as well as the artwork that hangs over the large fireplace where a fire blazes and across the other walls. The light blue wallpaper ha

princess, so I can't see myself st

. You'll find a wardrobe full of gowns over there." She gestures acros

now my measurements. Do they just keep a variety

eeling melts away. It's silly. Of course, they didn't prepare all of this for me. Why would they? Even if th

nd one of the staff members will hear you and send me up. This one is for David." She moves her hand slightly to the left. "Of cou

or all of yo

st over there." She points to the armoire, and I see it nestled in

I only nod. Thankfully, I had a b

ed is super comfortable. All the pillows are squishy, and t

out at the forest. I can see the trees in the distance, but it's too far

king me gasp in shock and wonder. I pull out one skirt after another to look at them and finally settle on a light blue gown the color of the b

s down my spi

lison said to Garth. There will be no deflowe

the fancy products lined up there are remarkable, and I want to sample every one of them. By the time it's five minutes until 9:00, I look like a different person. I've used a bit of blush, dark eye shadow, and coral col

d when I throw it open and find him standing there looking regal in

says, and I bur

id you

. Are you ready?" He offer

am a littl

ve. "Everyone gets so worked up to meet

r it. Still, I'm not good at making small

'It's a pleasure to meet you, Your High

ask, almost stopping in

be the two of us and a few of his advisors. The king

turn in his direc

. I'll introduce you, and then I'll escort you to dinner. Tha

me sort of time continuum here?" I ask, almost laughing at the absurdity of the

kles, and I moment

night, but then you made it sound like

hday girls for more than one night," E

and as kind as everyone has been, the idea that I might not

k of the castle to me. Here, the white marble seems to dim to something more akin to gray slabs of stone. The lights are dimmer, and the artwork turns more bl

oor, and Ellison wraps

before we hear a

here only a few candle sconces along the walls give us any sort of illumination. Thick dark curtains cover the windows, and in

sh fireplace adorned with gargoyles being unlit. The man in that

ice unwavering, "may I present Miss

wivels slowly around, I squeak out, "

he darkness. A scream lodges in my throat, and I feel compelled t