PHIN

heavy oak doors slamming against th

my frail, beloved guardian, was forced onto her knees on the c

ily. She knew Mrs. Gable was my weak spot, so she was using this to

tood behind her. Her hand was a claw, gripping

throne, was Beatrice. A triumphant, cruel smile twisted her p

my weakness, my one soft spot in a world of sharp edges.But even so, I couldn't just sit back and await my fate. My mind raced, search

octave, echoing with a strange, unnatural res

ble's hair. "Mind your tone when speakin

Mrs. Gable's lips. Her

Gideon, and you will not take a single copper of the dowry. O

assessing. The distance to Willa. The heavy iron poker re

I said slowly, taking a del

lla, lock the old hag in the cellar. We'

up roughly. "Move, you

act moment my p

th a speed that shocked them all, my hand closing aroun

vy iron connected with her right wrist with a

She collapsed to the floor, clutching her mangl

le behind me, shielding her. The end of the iron pok

ir, her face a mask of absol

ave a faint scratch on the polished mahogany. "If the guards come in, they will find you've assaulted the King's pro

sed like a suffocating fish, trapped in

e as she whimpered on the floor. "Touch my

d pieces. And a carriage, with a driver I trust, to tak

ine marble floor, then at my face. She fi

d loudly against the stone hearth,

hands were shaking as she clutched my arm, h

ce losing its hard edge. I guided her out of the blood-sta

d into the small pocket sewn into my dress, a subconscious habit, seeking the comfort of my