Grayson While we were waiting for Aryk to clean up, I checked Abby’s shoulder, changed her bandages, and made sure she was able to move without pain. I massaged the muscle and felt butterflies in my stomach when she let out a pleasurable moan. “You have magic hands,” she joked. If she only knew. I looked down at her and smiled. I said a quick prayer to the Mother asking to keep Abby in my life, no matter what happened. Even if all we could ever be is friends, I needed her and her kindness in my life. “Abby?” “Mmm” “I lo-“ Just then Catherine burst through the doorway. “You guys have got to see this.” Then she ran back out again. Looking at each other, we got up and ran after her. “I wonder what’s lit her pants on fire?” Abby asked. She led us to the courtyard, where we saw my father in a shouting match with Lord Aryk. “How DARE you question my loyalty to Queen Sarah!” Aryk shouted at my father. “Why wouldn’t I?” Father shouted back. “You are a sorcerer! You’re much more

Grayson The next few days were terrible. Catherine wouldn’t talk to anyone, except to bark orders. Abby avoided me completely, and I still didn’t understand why. Only Rose would talk to me out of the three girls. “I’d like to pull that stick out of Cat’s ass and beat her with it.” Rose mumbled to me one morning, after listening to another one of Catherine’s rants. “I would pay good coin to see that,” I said, causing her to laugh. Even though she wouldn’t interact with me, I still found myself staring at Abigail often. Everything she did was graceful, like a dancer, and I loved watching her move. I would sometimes catch her dancing when she thought she was alone, her curls catching the last of the day’s light. She was so beautiful, and I had lost her. Abby had told me to get to know Catherine, which was proving to be impossible. When she wasn’t barking orders, Catherine kept making comments to make me feel like a burden she would rather not deal with. I wasn’t the only one facing

Grayson I saw pain in Abby’s eyes when I asked her that question. I regretted it immediately and said, “Never mind, Duchess. You don’t need to answer that. Master Thomas just needs to mind his own business.” I looked past Abigail and glared at him. Thomas pretended not to notice. “I will be sure to ask the princess the next time we speak,” he said smugly, “And I’m sure the Duchess can speak for herself.” He turned to Abby. “Well, Duchess? Has the prince enchanted you?” She looked into my eyes as she answered his question, the pain still evident, “The prince is very enchanting.” She turned to Thomas and said, “He’s also been my best friend since we were four years old. So if you are asking if I care for him, the answer, Master Thomas, is yes. I do.” I felt my heart swell. “Well, I guess that answers that,” Thomas said. He slapped the top of his legs and stood up. “It seems to be my turn to make dinner. I’ll leave you two alone for a bit.” I watched as he walked off. As soon as he

Grayson Abby killed the two ghouls that were attacking her sister in quick succession but did not see the one that was sneaking up on her. I moved to save her, but my legs were stuck in mud that went almost to my knees. By the time I pushed her out of the way, she had already been stabbed. “No no no no no no” I cried. I looked at the thing that had stabbed her and felt a power I had never known before flow through me. I raised my sword and cut off the thing’s head, sending it flying. I cut through two more before I was able to get to her. The wound was bad – and deep. I didn’t know if I had the strength to fix this. “Hold on, Abby.” I whispered. “Please. I love you.” “It hurts,” she muttered. I could tell she was about to pass out. “I know, love, stay with me. I’ll get you somewhere safe.” Rose came squelching over as quickly as she could to stand guard over us. “We need to get her out of the rain!” I shouted. “Grayson…” her voice was weak. She was fading. “Yes, Wildflower?” “I

Grayson I found myself running to a hiding place I’d had as a child, Father right behind me with the switch. I had just seen my father over my brother’s dead body, his hands still around Duey’s neck. Father had spotted me and started shouting. “You! You did this! This is your fault – you and your damned ‘feelings’ and ‘pain.’ I’ll show you pain!” The king grabbed a switch and started chasing after me. I had run as fast as I could, trying not to think about what I just saw. I just wanted to survive. I thought I was safe in my hiding spot when Father dragged me out by my foot. I tried to shield myself from his blows. “You killed him! It’s your fault he died!” he yelled between blows. “You turned him against me! It’s your fault! His blood is on your hands!" “No, father! I didn’t do anything! I didn’t kill him! I didn’t turn him against anyone!” In the distance, I heard a familiar voice calling me. Begging me to come back, saying what I was seeing wasn’t real. I knew that voice. Abigai