Chapter 2. This Must End Now.
Cordelia.
The sunlight played on her golden locks as my fingers worked through her long, soft braid. She asked me to arrange her hair into a crown like all the women in the court did. “You are so beautiful.” I smiled at her reflection in the mirror.
“So are you.” Sandra smiled back, her gaze traveling to the window. “Where are they going?” The crease between her brows deepened.
I followed her gaze until my eyes landed on our brother, Brian, and his friend, Gabriel—proudly walking by his side—before they disappeared behind the gates of the palace’s citadel.
“Somewhere they will find trouble.” I rolled my eyes, pinning the braid the way Sandra wished. “All done!” My fingers adjusted a few stray strands before handing her a smaller mirror.
“Thank you, Lia, I love it!” Sandra studied the hairstyle: her smile grew bigger. “Your hands are magic!” She beamed.
“It wasn’t hard, Sunshine.” I shrugged before placing a small kiss on the top of her head, the familiar aroma hitting my nostrils—
“Spare me, Cordelia,” my sister cried, reaching for my—covered in blood—hands. “Please—” she croaked: my crimson fingers coiled around her throat.
The room darkened. The sunshine disappeared as though it was never there. My gaze met Sandra’s: tears filled her eyes, her skin paled.
“I must kill you!” My voice did not belong to me. “I cannot.” The tears streamed down my face. “You must die!”
“You are like her!” Sandra screeched; her body went limp underneath mine. “You are just like her,” she whispered and her eyes closed.
She died and I could not remember why it mattered.
I stared at her fair skin—that was now a shade darker than her usual color—her golden locks that were now raven-black, and a scar right below her collarbone that painted her skin light pink.
Blood spilled from the woman’s mouth when a sinister smile stretched her lips—
My body jerked upwards, struggling to free myself from the web that choked me from within. My heart squeezed in panic as I fought with the invisible barrier that kept me in place until my thoughts gained some clarity; my eyes searched the room I’d learned to call mine.
I forced my lungs to expand, leaving nothing but the dreadful emptiness.
My hands clung to the wrinkled sheets underneath my body—the evidence of my never–ending, restless nights. This must end now.
My mind fought through the black widow’s web of my thoughts as I forced myself out of the bed—
I glanced out the window. The Moon was barely visible in the snowstorm.
Cold. The window was cold to the touch.
I put on the trousers—that Roxanne had gifted me all those weeks ago—atop the woolen stockings I found in my drawer: the winter was in its full glory, bestowing us with its cruel, cold spells, making my upcoming trip a lot less tolerant.
I placed a dagger in my boot; another at the belt of my trousers. I will die before I get the chance to use them.
I would die.
He would die.
He would die and I would find peace I did not deserve. Perhaps the Moon would show me kindness for once and reunite me with my family—
The window frame stood unmoving under my struggles as if it hadn’t been opened for centuries. I fought against the rusty latch until it jerked free with a horrible screech.
Third story.
My hands stretched for the closest tree branch. I could only hope it was as strong as it looked.
The last time I had climbed trees, before Mother had prohibited me from such an outrageous act, was lost in my memory—
The branch slipped through my hand, sending my heart to my heels.
My skin throbbed as my hold tightened around the end of the branch. The snowstorm sang its serenade—
Several minutes and a few scratches later, my feet felt the ground.
The snow scrunched underneath my steps, though the sound was lost in the hum of the wind. The white snow turned black in the darkness of the night—
The stables were dark and cold. I forced my mind to calm and allow my vision to adjust, remembering Francis’ words of our kind’s ability to see in the darkness. Our kind. Our curse. The curse that made me kill—
Annabelle nickered in greeting as I prepared her for the trip she might have to come back from alone.
Once the saddle was in its place, I yanked on each strap until it sat secure.
Last time I’d found myself in this position, Francis had caught me before I’d managed to escape the stables. Only this time, if he found me, he would chain me to my bed for the rest of my days.
Still and all that wouldn’t stop me from keeping the promise I had given to her. Still and all, nothing would have stopped me from ordering Annabelle towards the Royal palace.