The pair of them scurried out of the room
Avoiding eye contact. Celeste was staring at Vrine. Well, get on with it. I'm going to be married in an hour. There's no time for dramatic pauses. The prince's valet, Wellington, has spoken to the stable girl. She has undoubtedly told him everything. Celeste exhaled in anger. Will you please kill him? The prince may notice his valet is gone, what with him serving as the best man. We just have to make it through the ceremony. Why must you bother me with all this, Vrine? Do you not see it is my wedding day? Just deal with him! Very well, Vrine said. I do hope the queen will remember our bargain after the king is dead and her belly is bloated with his child. Yes, yes, we'll put the monastery of magic under attack and you'll have your silly old spell book and you can eat their hearts or whatever it is you do to make yourself stronger.
Just kill that annoying servant before he ruins everything. It shall be done. It's time, the warden said, grinning with his yellow teeth. Sienna trembled, standing up, closing her eyes. Despite the terror, she took strength that Court would live, that he would go on, that maybe he would even avenge her, that Celeste would not win. She was shackled and a chain was run through her wrists, with Homa behind her. Eight others were chained after her. She wondered why they had put her in the lead, but then she remembered her crime was the greatest. She limped forward, hobbling, with Homa helping her from behind. Go slow, child. None of us behind you are eager for the gallows. Sienna frowned back at her. I'm glad you're here with me, Homa. Child, I wish neither of us were here at all.
Climbing the stairs out of the dungeon was the hardest, her leg burning in protest, her bare feet scratching at the stone. Homa put an arm around her, helping her up. When they came through the door at the top, the bright afternoon sky burned their eyes. Sienna had to squint after being in the dark for so long. The ten prisoners were then stuffed into the back of a carriage and it began to roll away from the castle. The execution was to take place in the town square, for all to see.
You know, Sienna whispered, when I was younger, my mama used to tell me stories about princes and princesses and heroic escapes. And I keep thinking, I'm gonna be okay; I'm gonna be okay; I'm gonna be okay. Somehow, someone's gonna save me, a last minute rescue, like in the fairy tales. And for a minute, I thought Wellington was gonna save me, but he can't. And Court's all the way in the castle. And Betilly and Kathree, they're probably with the queen. And all the knights are dead. And that's it. There's no one left to save me. We shall have to hold out hope for your uncle. Sienna giggled. Thanks, Homa. I think that cheered me up. Me too, child.
Just kill that annoying servant before he ruins everything. It shall be done. It's time, the warden said, grinning with his yellow teeth. Sienna trembled, standing up, closing her eyes. Despite the terror, she took strength that Court would live, that he would go on, that maybe he would even avenge her, that Celeste would not win. She was shackled and a chain was run through her wrists, with Homa behind her. Eight others were chained after her. She wondered why they had put her in the lead, but then she remembered her crime was the greatest. She limped forward, hobbling, with Homa helping her from behind. Go slow, child. None of us behind you are eager for the gallows. Sienna frowned back at her. I'm glad you're here with me, Homa. Child, I wish neither of us were here at all.
Climbing the stairs out of the dungeon was the hardest, her leg burning in protest, her bare feet scratching at the stone. Homa put an arm around her, helping her up. When they came through the door at the top, the bright afternoon sky burned their eyes. Sienna had to squint after being in the dark for so long. The ten prisoners were then stuffed into the back of a carriage and it began to roll away from the castle. The execution was to take place in the town square, for all to see.
You know, Sienna whispered, when I was younger, my mama used to tell me stories about princes and princesses and heroic escapes. And I keep thinking, I'm gonna be okay; I'm gonna be okay; I'm gonna be okay. Somehow, someone's gonna save me, a last minute rescue, like in the fairy tales. And for a minute, I thought Wellington was gonna save me, but he can't. And Court's all the way in the castle. And Betilly and Kathree, they're probably with the queen. And all the knights are dead. And that's it. There's no one left to save me. We shall have to hold out hope for your uncle. Sienna giggled. Thanks, Homa. I think that cheered me up. Me too, child.
Gardening
Celeste spun on her mother. What for? Mother, she impersonated me! Celeste, we cannot admit to that. What purpose is there in subjecting a young girl to prison when she has committed no crime? She is going to tell the prince she impersonated me! She won't. You will be married within the week and the girl will be naught but a memory. Do not despair, my daughter. You have the gardening prince's heart. Mother, I'm going to call for the steward, and you are going to order him to send a messenger out, and then the soldiers will arrest her. I will do no such thing, Celeste, the queen said, sitting up. What has come over you? Celeste's fists were shaking. You see, Mother, this is why you're dying! Because you are a fool and you have no spine to do what must be done! The queen was stunned.
Gardening online
Celeste, I do not believe I heard you correctly. Then hear this! Father is dead because of you! How dare you? the queen said, her eyes blazing, her anger broken by her cough. No matter what rumors you have heard, no matter his infidelity, I loved your father and I would never kill him! I know you wouldn't! she shouted. No, you left that to me! And I did it for you! And look how ungrateful you are! What? What are you saying, Celeste? the queen said, but then a coughing fit overtook her, blood splattering out of her mouth. Mother, Celeste said, shaking her head, do you have any idea who that stable girl is? Have you not put it together in your simple head? She is the illegitimate bastard child of your husband! Where do you think her golden locks come from?
No, your father had no other child for gardening
Mother, how shielded you are. Father knew all about her! He was sending money to raise her! Why do you think the dragon killed her mother? It was sent to kill them both! But the stupid beast left the job half finished, and if I had known that girl was still alive, I would have sent it out again! The dragon was sent? Yes! You do gardening not even see what is under your nose! Celeste, what have you done? Oh, Mother, Celeste said, sighing. I was content to let you live until after my wedding, but I simply have no more time to let you linger. Vrine, the queen whispered, call the guard. I am sorry, my queen, Vrine said. I serve the princess. I have since she came to me and asked for the poison needed to slay the king. I saw she had the strength to lead from that moment. She is not weak, like you. And when she asked for a less conspicuous death for you, I did oblige in your morning tea. Gardening the queen was coughing again, barely able to catch her breath.
Vrine, how could you? Celeste folded her hands together. Mother, why did you not let me be? I would have been happy to let you live until I was ready to take the throne. But then this business with the prince. You truly have ruined so many of my plans. I cannot believe this is my daughter speaking. You'll be happy to know, Mother, I have decided marrying Prince Cross is gardening an excellent idea. I didn't think so at first, but you've won me over. All that talk of an heir made me think, and you were right. I do need one. And what better heir than a Cross? But you just weren't listening when I told you I did not want to share the throne. So, I won't.You can't do this, the queen said, coughing louder, hacking.
Gardening online
Celeste, I do not believe I heard you correctly. Then hear this! Father is dead because of you! How dare you? the queen said, her eyes blazing, her anger broken by her cough. No matter what rumors you have heard, no matter his infidelity, I loved your father and I would never kill him! I know you wouldn't! she shouted. No, you left that to me! And I did it for you! And look how ungrateful you are! What? What are you saying, Celeste? the queen said, but then a coughing fit overtook her, blood splattering out of her mouth. Mother, Celeste said, shaking her head, do you have any idea who that stable girl is? Have you not put it together in your simple head? She is the illegitimate bastard child of your husband! Where do you think her golden locks come from?
No, your father had no other child for gardening
Mother, how shielded you are. Father knew all about her! He was sending money to raise her! Why do you think the dragon killed her mother? It was sent to kill them both! But the stupid beast left the job half finished, and if I had known that girl was still alive, I would have sent it out again! The dragon was sent? Yes! You do gardening not even see what is under your nose! Celeste, what have you done? Oh, Mother, Celeste said, sighing. I was content to let you live until after my wedding, but I simply have no more time to let you linger. Vrine, the queen whispered, call the guard. I am sorry, my queen, Vrine said. I serve the princess. I have since she came to me and asked for the poison needed to slay the king. I saw she had the strength to lead from that moment. She is not weak, like you. And when she asked for a less conspicuous death for you, I did oblige in your morning tea. Gardening the queen was coughing again, barely able to catch her breath.
Vrine, how could you? Celeste folded her hands together. Mother, why did you not let me be? I would have been happy to let you live until I was ready to take the throne. But then this business with the prince. You truly have ruined so many of my plans. I cannot believe this is my daughter speaking. You'll be happy to know, Mother, I have decided marrying Prince Cross is gardening an excellent idea. I didn't think so at first, but you've won me over. All that talk of an heir made me think, and you were right. I do need one. And what better heir than a Cross? But you just weren't listening when I told you I did not want to share the throne. So, I won't.You can't do this, the queen said, coughing louder, hacking.