aide

tub. I scrubbed my skin until it was pink, washing away the grime of the forest, the lingering phan

the rows of dresses. My fingers bypassed the vibrant silks and dark velvets, landing

es under my eyes, adding a touch of blush to my cheeks to feign a youthful flush. I was creating a character. The girl they all thought I

was about

pen without a knock, sl

ed with malicious glee. She was pr

he exclaimed, her voice dripping with fals

n a carefully crafted mask of confusio

rd the most shocking rumor," she said, clasping her hands together in mock

The town crier, spreading the

of "fear" show through. "No... That's not true! You're

ter for her. Her smile became predatory. T

rabbing my arm. Her grip was surprisi

. She wanted me to be present for my own execution, to wa

" making sure my resistance was jus

and raising her voice to a dramatic cry. "Everyone,

fect portrait of a heartbroken parent. Juliana Price emerged from her wing, her eyes gleaming with

r, Rhiannon Fields, emerged, her face a thundercloud. She was t

ing to Rhiannon's side. "Grandmother, it's terrible! T

false urgency. "We must go at once! Be

ept my head bowed, my shoulders shaking as if I were sobbing. I

m. I was watching the architects of my ruin marc

dens towards the dark woods. Rhiannon in the lead, her face like sto

victim at the center of it all