I felt my own lip curl in response. How rude! Who the Grimm was this peasant to judge me? I was wearing a Glenda original. Original! Not some fairy-godmother knockoff worn by those servant girls turned royal. I was a crown princess, for the love of fairy, and no one dismissed me.
Before I could put the boy in his place—down in the dirt, where he belonged—a clatter came from behind, making me nearly jump out of my shoes. I checked and was relieved that Sterling had simply dropped his sword. By the time I looked back, the gardener was gone.
After stowing his blade, Sterling held up his shield, not in defense of the entrance but so he could look at his reflection. “Clearly he’s blind and doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
I didn’t ask for Sterling’s opinion, but it made me feel better.
Until he opened his mouth again.
“Worth, pffft. I mean, look around at all the jewels. Your palace has everything you could ever want. Honestly, I don’t know what you’re fussing about. Why would anyone want to leave?”
Because a cage is still a cage, no matter how big or glittering the bars are.
And I would find a way free, no matter the cost.
“Rule #43: Beware of strangers bearing gifts—especially little old ladies and cute kids.”
—Definitive Fairy-Tale Survival Guide, Volume 1
3
When You Hex Upon a Star
Even though I was in trouble, princess protocol required me to attend the ball. Nobody said I had to be on time though. Since I arrived fashionably late, the celebration was already in full swing.
Everyone had dressed in their finest, myself included. I’d used my StoryExpress card to buy a gown and matching cardigan shrug spun from platinum; it was softer than silkworm wings. Best of all, it was self-sizing, so the dress would fit the same before and after I made the rounds at the buffet. The couture fashion was a one-of-a-kind and practically cost my firstborn, but it was totally worth it.
But as usual, the shoes really completed the look—limited edition silver Hans Christian Louboutin slippers, with crushed rubies covering the sole and two-inch heel. They’d been a Muse Day gift from Verte and made my feet tingle with happiness. Very few things in the world couldn’t be fixed with a new pair of shoes.
Unfortunately, my mother’s ire was one of those unfixable things.
I hurried past the base of the dais, hoping my parents wouldn’t notice my late arrival. They did but, as usual, were too busy greeting royals and dignitaries to make time for me. For once I didn’t mind though. Between the dragon incident and now, my mother had sent three page boys to fetch me, each servant more insistent than the last. I’d ignored them all, pretending to be asleep when they had yelled through my door. Whatever Mother wanted to talk about, I guarantee I didn’t want to hear it.
On my way to the center of the room, I waved at Rapunzel, one of the few princesses who wasn’t half bad. After all, she was a former shut-in herself. She didn’t notice me, since she was busy untangling her hair from some pugnacious lady’s mountain of éclairs. Above them, the will-o’-the-wisps tried to get away in their crystal balls, but the gold chains held them tethered around the wisps’ middles. Their agitated flittering made the light shimmy and sparkle around the room.
In particular, the wisps’ glow bounced off the foil ornaments, making the Story Spruce look like it had been dusted with glitter. I couldn’t help but be drawn to it, and reached for one of the twinkling stars.
The smell of incense overpowered the tree’s wintery scent as a deep male voice whispered in my ear, “You don’t need one of those to make your dreams come true.”
I pivoted sharply on my heels and somehow ended up in a stranger’s arms.
“Pardon me,” I demurred politely and tried to take a step back. When his arms stayed firm, I said, “I’m steady. You can let go now.” After that didn’t work, I threw princess niceties aside with a “get off” and pushed him away.
I didn’t get very far.
“A beautiful jewel such as yourself shouldn’t be alone in a corner. Dance with me and shine.” The anonymous Prince Smarming didn’t wait for permission before twirling me onto the dance floor in time to the music. Other girls around us swooned with dreamy expressions, like they too hoped to be swept off their feet.
Understandable, since the grabby stranger looked pretty good—okay. Who was I kidding? He was gorgeous in his finely tailored suit that even I couldn’t find fault with. His golden hair somehow seemed windswept, even without a breeze. And when he smiled, his sapphire-blue eyes twinkled, and his cheeks had dimples big enough to keep your gems in.
I still wasn’t interested.
Though I’d never met the man before, I’d met his scent. Ever since my parents started playing matchmaker, I’d received an avalanche of love letters all doused with the same noxious sandalwood-and-rose cologne. After the first hundred, I asked Father to make the hounds guard my window to scare off the carrier doves.