Page 1 of A Devious Arrangement

Prologue

Anastasia, Age 5

Bad things don’t happen on sunny days. Not when the sky is blue and the breeze is warm.

At least, that’s what I used to think.

My ribbon slipsthrough my fingers. It’s shiny and pink with light purple dots. Mama said it would make my eyes shine. I want to show her how pretty my dress is, but Mrs. Irina says I have to stay still. She tugs my hair, and my head tilts back. It feels like she’s been doing this forever. It’s hard not to move, but I try my best. Mama says princesses listen to their elders.

My legs aren’t long enough to touch the ground, so I swing my feet under the bench, wiggling side to side.

“Careful. If you keep moving like that, you’re going to get hurt,” Mrs. Irina scolds me, holding a curling iron, but her eyes are soft in the mirror’s reflection.

“Yes, ma’am,” I reply, and her smile brightens.

Mrs. Irina is my nanny, and she loves me very much.

There’s a click, and the last crimson curl bounces around my face.

“All done!” Bubbles float up my chest as excitement takes over. I go to get up, but Mrs. Irina stops me.

“You don’t want to miss the best part.” She opens a blue velvet box, showing me what’s inside.

“Wow!” My mouth drops open as she lowers a glittery tiara onto my head, pinning it in place. “Pwetty.”

“When your mother was your age, she had one just like this.” Mrs. Irina lifts my hair over my shoulders, letting the soft curls fall heavily down my back.

“Weally?” I look at it with round eyes, taking in all the sparkles.

“Yes, of course. She would stand up straight, and everyone would tell her how lovely she looked. Can you do that too? Can you stand up straight?”

“Yes, ma’am.” I stand, shoulders back like she taught me, and keep my chin up.

“Perfect.” She strokes her fingers through my hair. “No mischief today, okay?”

I bite my lip, but I can’t stop my smirk. Mama and Mrs. Irina are always telling me I’m up to no good. It’s not my fault everywhere we go is boring. No one plays with me. Instead, all the other children sit perfectly with their parents.

“I promise,” I fib.

She chuckles. “Just do your best. There’s a lot of important people coming today to see you. After all, it is your birthday. You’re five now, Anastasia, and five-year-olds are big girls.”

I stand even taller and parrot, “Big girl.”

My body’s filled with jitters, and I hop from foot to foot. I want to show Mama my dress.

I’m already at the door when Mrs. Irina calls out, “Wait for me. I’ll just tidy up, then I can bring you.”

My eyes sting, and my mouth curves down. “I want to show Mama.”

She sighs, then nods. “Okay, but careful?”

“Okay.” I rush out of the room, through the hall, and take the steps two at a time. I have to skip since my legs aren’t long enough to reach. Mama says one day I’ll grow up to be as tall as her. I want to be just like Mama.

The living room is an explosion of colors, like a rainbow has thrown up all over the place. There are flowers everywhere and pretty streamers hanging from the ceiling. But what steals my attention are the balloons! They’re all different sizes and cool shapes. I see pictures of princesses and fancy words I can’t read yet. I gasp, and my eyes widen at the giant, shiny silver one with a rainbow unicorn on it. It’s tied on the back of a weight, and I struggle to get it off. Determined, I tug and tug until it finally pops free into my hand.

It starts to fly away, so I wrap the ribbon around my wrist over and over.

My balloon follows me as I run through colors that swirl around me, calling for my mama. My stockinged feet slide to a stop when I peek into the kitchen. On the island, there’s a tower of purple cupcakes that’s as tall as me. My stomach growls. My tummy was too tingly to eat breakfast this morning.

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