Chapter 19
Chapter
Nineteen
The Prince
…a long time ago
My governess told me to stand still, but it’s so hot in Father’s chamber. Why do we have to be here?
Father puts his crown on Mother’s head. Everyone claps their hands; I clap, too, but my neck keeps itching. It’s the stupid cravat. I quickly scratch it. Did anyone see?
No, they’re looking at Father’s knife. It’s pretty, with a handle that shines. Why does his hand shake? His face looks all wrong, like he’s angry, but also with tears. I’ve never seen him cry.
“You must do it,” one of the priests hisses. “Your Majesty, do it!”
I don’t know what Father is supposed to do.
But I don’t think he’s doing it.
The air goes cold, but not the normal cold, not night cold. This is winter cold, like when I stay out too long and my teeth chatter. Everyone is shouting, and then the shouting stops all at once.
My belly drops.
My skin prickles.
I look up. And I see him, the man from the fountain, so big and tall as if he turned everything to night. His eyes are black, like holes.
I make a sound, but I can’t hear it. My mouth is open and empty.
He grabs me.
My throat hurts. My heart beats so heavy as my feet leave the floor. I can’t breathe. I can’t scream.
I kick like a stupid rabbit as my hands slap at his arms. They’re not warm, and it’s like grabbing cold stone. I see Father through tears that spill from my eyes.
He’s shouting, but I can’t hear the words, only see the shape of his mouth, wide and ugly. Then Mother’s eyes find mine. My heart beats so much faster.
She’s looking at me.
Really, really looking at me!
Father is shaking, but his hands are shaking worse. Somehow, he still holds the knife, and in one sweep, he rips it across Mother’s throat.
She looks away from me. Why is she looking away again? What did I do?
I hit the ground. The floor bites my cheek. My throat hurts. My eyes sting. My head feels like it’s full of buzzing bees.
I push up on my hands. “Mother?”
I don’t know how my legs work, but they do. I run. I run so hard my feet slip on something. I stumble and catch myself with my hands, trying to get to Mother. Why did she look away?
No one stops me.
Or maybe they try, but I don’t feel it.
I crash to my knees, and there’s blood everywhere. “Mother.” My voice comes out wrong, too high. “Mother? Mother!”
Her eyes don’t look at me.
They look through me.