Page 4 of Glass Hearts
“First off, I still think it’s stupid of you to leave behind a calling card. If you get caught by the enforcers and the council tries you for Villainy, you will have handed them all the evidence of all your crimes on a silver platter. Second, with that excited glint in your eye, it’s going to be something big. Which has me very worried, friend.” Lo gives me an uneasy look, crossing her arms.
“Is it psychotic that I want them to know who stole all their precious jewels and money? That it makes me excited to leave them in fear for once?”
Lo deadpans to me, “Yes, that is psychotic, Ella. You’re lucky you have someone like me to keep you in check.” She jokes as she opens her spellcase full of plain glass orbs and other miscellaneous spell ingredients.
She works on my parting gifts to my marks as I give her the rundown of my wicked, wonderful idea regarding the upcoming ball.
“I have the invitation; all I need is the dress. I won’t have time to shop tomorrow while I toil away on my chores. So I need a dress and matching mask worthy ofThe Shadow.” Lo is so talented at creating clothes. She made all my Shadow clothes; no shop could compare to her unique spelled fashion. Lo squeals as she wraps me in a hug, which I happily return. She bounces about in excitement, taking me along for the ride.
“YES, YES! You finally ask me to make you a bloody dress! I have so many ideas for you. FINALLY.”
I love dresses and have wished to have a Lo-designed dress for ages. But what’s the point of wearing stunning gowns if all you can do is be a fixture in someone else’s life?Ah yes, let me scrub the floors in my full-length gown. I could see the vitriolic glare from Bernice now. Perhaps that could be a fun way to poke the proverbial bear. Worth the lashings to wear a Lo design. Though I could also foresee my stepmother shredding the dress, too. I wasn’t worth nice things in the end, which always makes me decline such finery. Lo drops her arms from the hug, reaching for my hands.
“I will probably have to get ready right after they leave for the ball. You think you could pop over to get ready with me tomorrow night? As excited as I am for this plan, I am also scared shitless.”
She squeezes my hands before releasing them to turn towards the now-shadowed black orbs. “Of course I will be there, and I have an idea for your ride too. I’d better be getting home soI can get started on your dress! See you soon, babe.” She hands me the orbs, kisses my cheek and leaves.
I catch the eye of Ramen on her shoulder and nod to him. Formally my snake familiar, I always have him guarding and keeping watch over Lo.
“Thank you for watching my Lo.”
“The woman isss a klutzy menace! But it issss my pleasure missstressss Arabelly.” Ramen replies.
Chuckling, I head back to the townhouse. It’s time to plan.
Arabella
The pounding at my door bright and early in the morning awakens me in a fright.
“Belly, wake your ass up, you lazy bitch!” One of the Quadias screeches. “We need breakfast before we hit the gym. HURRY UP.”
I groan as I roll out of bed; another late night in Harsekeep.
My cozy space is in the oversized shed outside the townhouse. Father had used it as a workshop, so it is at least heated by a wood stove. Once I moved his tools, I even had enough space for a few of my familiars along with a cute little kitchenette where I bake delicious desserts from my mother’s recipe cards. Of course, Bernice would never allow me to use the kitchen in the house. The servant must only be seen in the kitchen if I am cleaning it or making them all food. That goes for every room in the main house.
If they’ve had to come outside, that means I’ve overslept and will feel the wrath of Bernice. I hurry to change out of my nightdress and into a simple brown cotton dress, tying my apron as I head out of my shed.
By the time I reach the townhouse, all hell is breaking loose amoung the arguing Quadias. I meet my stepmother’s disapproving glare as she unrolls the newspaper.
“You’re late, Arabella. See that it does not happen again this week. You are testing my patience. Now go on, make some coffee and some protein pancakes for my girls.” I nod my headand get to making breakfast for all. I can’t help overhearing the conversation as I mix all the ingredients, forming a fluffy batter.
“Mother,Iwant to wear the green dress tonight,” one of the Quadias, I think Mia, whines. “That green will match Prince Sylas’s green eyes. Fate destines him for me. I think I can grow to love nature and rocks.”
“Pfft, he is not in your destiny, and you hate dirt, Lia. I get the green dress because you got to pick the best dress last time.” So it was Lia, so is this Mia?
“Or how about I wear the green dress since I never get to pick?” I believe Pia says. No, that must be Zia.
“Now, ladies,” Bernice interrupts the endless argument, “I will choose who gets which dress. They are the same cut, so I know you all are arguing for the sake of arguing. After your gym session, we will head over to the spa, then the salon. I want this arguing to cease immediately. The princes will not pick from a bickering group of ladies. We must show unity. I made adealwith the event organizers to have you all dance with the princes, where we can further work our magic into the princes’ hearts. But I still want them enamoured with you all by the end of the ball.”
By ‘deal’ it means she probably found something on one of the council folk and is blackmailing them. Bernice is a Null, yet she uses blackmail as if it were her secret power.
Bernice looks at me as I cease mixing the batter, lost in listening to their ball prep plan.
“Don’t you be getting ideas, girl,” Bernice snarls into her freshly poured cup of coffee. “Balls are no place for someone like you. A prince would never pick your ugly face and lumpy body. With all the cleaning you do, you would think you would have lost a bit more weight. Perhaps I will have you scrubbing the walls tonight. And clean the bathrooms once more. Yesterday’s result didn’t satisfy me.”
I learned young that it was always best just to nod and continue.
I pour the batter into my buttered, heated pan. Flip and repeat. As I finish a pancake, a stepsister or Bernice will come to claim it until they feel full. Usually, by the time I finish making breakfast and they finish eating, only one remains.
