Page 67 of Glass Hearts
Once Bernice finishes re-tying me, she turns to her daughters. “My, what beautiful daughters I have. Soon to bequeens.” She goes into her dress pocket and pulls out four gaudy diamond rings. The Quadias let out a screeching squeal and dutifully put it on their ring fingers.
I snort. “Yup, really sad you need to get Mommy Dearest to buy your engagement rings to princes that don’t even want you.” This earns me a real slap from Bernice. She grabs my chin with her claws as tears prickle in my eyes.
“Mind your business, you little rat. Once this is all settled, Iwillbe dealing with you accordingly.” She turns to her daughters. “Now, come, my darlings. We have an engagement dinner to attend.”
They exit the room, choosing to leave me in darkness. I allow my tears to fall.
Needless to say, I don’t get slapped often—that was really doggone painful!
I need to get to that dinner to help Ella escape. As predicted, though, I am having a hard time trying to get out of Bernice’s bindings. Why does an old hag like her even know how to tie knots like this?! My magic feels extra slow as it tries to unravel the threads.This is too slow. My tears pick up anew in despair.I cannot fail my friend again.
After a few hours, I blessedly hear little squeaks, and my hope builds in my chest.
“Bert? Kip!? Is that you?” I whisper-yell. I let out a relieved laugh as their little heads poke up from under the door, in their cute tactile gear I created for them.
“I am so glad you boys are here. I am in a bit of a pickle. But Ella is in even more trouble if we don’t get to her. Can you bite through the knots!?”
Like professionals, they get to work, their little sharp teeth biting through the fabric. I cry in relief as I feel the last of the strings fall to the floor. I scoop up Bert and Kip, putting them in my pocket.
Carefully, so as not to get caught, I slink around the castle. The dining room was empty, though the sight of blood didn’t escape my eye.Do not think about what that means and find your friend.
I run back to her room, and yet again, she isn’t there. But she had been, I spotted the bloodied rags and torn dress. She was lashed again. I can hear the displeased squeaks of Bert and Kip. Knowing my friend, she sent her mouse boys to me and has booked it to the mage. Especially if Bernice has been threatening to sell her off to get married.
I need a plan. What do I do?
Losing my sanity, I look to Bert and Kip, who seem to lookto mefor the next plan.
“Did Ella say anything? Can you give me any hints about what I should do?”
They start to move their little arms while they stand up on their hind legs, as if trying to tell me something. I sigh.I don’t have time for mouse charades.
“Don’t worry about it, boys. I can’t understand you. I am sorry. Once we rescue Ella, I am getting her to teach you how to write or something.”
Ella has always been the one to plan. I am just her trusted sidekick. I amnotthe heroine of the story, dang it! Putting the mice back in my pocket, I decide to keep searching for the next thing to do. Maybe find Bri?
I continue to creep around the castle when I spot Victor and Bernice leaving from my hidden alcove on the top of the steps. Meaning the princes are still in the castle and away from their clutches, even if for a moment. I don’t hesitate as I run towards their rooms.
Bursting into Sylas’s room, I am shocked to find them all passed out, as if something put them to sleep. I suppose that makes sense; you can’t control your puppets if you are away, Iguess. Jett is licking Koi’s hand, whining, knowing something is wrong with his master.
“I hope these idiots love her as much as I do,” I mumble as I think of how I can get them out of this state. Technically, my magic is linked to me, my soul. I don’t need my spell case to form a spell, like the witches do. Though I dopreferto use ingredient supplies for spells as a crutch. It’s safe. Reliable. Every time I try a soul spell, something goes wrong. But my best friend is relying on me. I can’t let her down—again!
“Jett, help me bring the princes together. I am going to try to reverse the spell.” Jett uses his snout to push Koi closer to Grayer. I struggle to drag Archer over to Sylas. He is the leanest of the four, yet still so much dead weight at 6’2.
“Ella is going to owe me so many dang pies for this,” I grunt out as I move the windy prince. Accidentally, as I continue to drag him over, I bang his head into the coffee table.
“Oh shoot, sorry, prince.” I then think of all he said and did to Ella. “Actually, never mind. You kind of deserve that for kissing that one girl in front of my friend. Not. Cool.” His forehead is bleeding a little. I feel kind of bad again. With one last tug on his arm, he is by the other three princes. They are finally all closer together.
It’s now or never, Lo.
I take a deep breath, feeling the sweat beading down my forehead as I close my eyes, touching Sylas and Koi’s arms. Creating a magic circle between the five of us.
Going into that well inside of me, I think of my sweet, strong friend. Knowing she is in trouble. I plead to my magic to reverse the princes’ spell and push all my energy to the swirl of magic I feel deep in my soul.
It’s the most power I have ever tried to pull in years. My sweat increases, and I begin to pant. My body feels like it is beingstretched and pulled, but I can feel it as it moves to the four bodies I am connected to.
“For Arabella!” I cry as I send all my power to the princes, requesting the spell to be purged from their bodies.
Four pairs of angry eyes open at the same time, their massive bodies sitting up instantly. I smile in relief.It worked. A single tear falls from my eye as I pass out from exhaustion.
