Page 73 of The Forgotten Life of Ella Moon
Aurora took in the young queen that led her to the table.Hermovements were stiff, like a woman three times her age.Thecolor that had been added to her cheeks settled into the fine lines and cracks in her skin.Therewas still no glow of her soul.Nopull to even tellAuroraif the woman had a soul. “Whereis the king?”
“He is indisposed right now.Buthe will join us later.Please, have a seat.Ihad the cook prepare a meal.”Thequeen was giddy with childlike excitement.
The large table was laden with more food than two people could consume.Largecandlesticks held blood-red candles.Thewax pebbled on the linen tablecloth. “Thisis more like a feast.Areyou expecting more people?”
QueenSovewalked the length of the table. “No, but you are the first to survive the night.SoIthought we could celebrate.Andyou could tell me how you managed to beat me.Wine?”
Aurora didn’t move from her place.Thewarm glow of the candles did little to chase away the cold. “No, thank you.”
“Suit yourself.”Thequeen pouted, flopping down on a gold embroidered chair. “Iknow you spent the night with my husband.Hewon’t give you want you want.”Thequeen looked longingly at the food. “He’sincapable of love.Allmen are.He’llfill that empty little head of yours with all his sweet words.”Herpainted lips thinned into a snarl. “Iknow this because he did it to me.Ididn’t even want to be queen.Ijust wanted him to love me.”Shelooked around the room as if there were a chance she’d find his love waiting for her. “He’lldo the same to you.Takewhat he wants, and then he’ll get bored and set you aside.Andyou’ll be stuck here, watching him do the same to others.Isn’tthat right,Grace?”Thequeen sneered at the servant.
“But enough of that silly talk.Pleaseeat.Thereis quail and duck.Venisonin a creamy mushroom sauce.Peasdrenched in butter and herbs.Areyou sure you don’t want any wine?”QueenSovepoured two glasses of wine.
Aurora sat down at the table. “Youfirst.”
“Clever little thing.It’snot poisoned.Poisoningyou would be too easy.Thereare so many other ways to end your life,”Sovesaid, bringing the wine glass to her nose. “Imiss so much about life.ButwhatImiss the most is the taste of wine.Mydays drag on without the sweet taste.”Sheset the glass down, watching the flames dance.
QueenSovewas such an odd combination.Shehad the looks of a young girl but spoke as if she had lived many more lives.Herface held a youthful radiance, but her skin looked as if it would crack under closer inspection. “Youcannot taste the wine?”
“That should not be your concern,” the queen snapped. “Nowsit and eat before the food goes cold.”
Aurora slid into a chair.Thefood looked so much better up close.Thejuices ran off the roast and the vegetables that surrounded it.Thepeas were shiny in the rich butter sauce.Herstomach growled, reminding her she hadn’t eaten since she leftManere.Aurorawas about to reach for the spoon when the king entered the room.
“It’s not real.”Nievethrew himself into a chair and poured a glass of wine.Witha snap of his fingers, the food vanished. “Itwould have turned to ash on your tongue.Upto your old tricks again,wife?”
Aurora didn’t hide her disappointment. “Iwas so looking forward to a warm meal.”
QueenSovecrossed her arms over her small chest. “Whydo you always have to ruin my fun?”
“BecauseIhate you.”KingNievetook a long drink of the wine. “Aurora,Iwill haveGracebring you something to eat.”
“Aurora?”Thequeen stood. “Youmust thinkI’msimple to believe your lies.Thislittle trick will not work on me, dearest husband.”
The king calmly sipped his wine. “It’snot a trick, my vicious little pet.Thatis the girl’s name.Howdid the riddle go?”Nievetapped his chin. “‘Ondawn’s early light, you will find the end to your plight.’”
The queen threw her head back and laughed. “Sheis notDawn.Sheis a silly girl who thinks you love her.”Sovestrolled around the table. “Isn’tthat right,Aurora?Whatdid my handsome husband whisper to you last night?Didhe promise that if you killed me, the two of you would be together forever?”
“No.”Aurorashook her head. “Hedid not.Infact, he said nothing about you.Wehad otherthingsto discuss.”Aurorasmiled at the queen.Thehint of something lingered under the façade the queen tried to hide behind.Fear.
Nieve laughed as he leaned back, placing his boots on the table. “Ialmost wish this would last longer.It’sbeen so long sinceIhad entertainment.”
“You think you will win?”Sovescreamed. “Iwill outlive all of you.IncludingDeath.Iwill drink wine from his skull.”Thequeen knocked the candle holders over on the table.Theflames hissed in the wet wax.
“Enough,”Aurorayelled, standing. “Iwill take your soul because you traded it toDeath.”
“Never.”Thequeen walked over toNieveand grabbed his chin. “Ifyou had just loved me, we wouldn’t be stuck in this frozen kingdom.Justa simple kiss, and we would be free of this curse.”Theyoung queen picked up a knife from the table. “Youturned me into this!”
BeforeAuroracould move,Soverammed the knife intoNieve’schest. “No!”Auroracried, rushing forward.Sheshoved the queen back.Nieve’sblood bloomed brightly on his white furs. “Whatis wrong with you?”
“You missed,”Nievegrunted, pulling the knife out, causing more blood to pour out. “Maybenext time, my love?”
“Gods above.”Auroraplaced her hands over the wound, the warm blood pouring through her fingers. “Don’tjust stand there.Getme something to stop the bleeding,” she yelled to the queen.
Sove laughed. “Yourlove for him will not break the curse.Nomatter how many sweet words he whispers in your ear, you will not win,” the queen whispered, backing out of the room. “Enjoythese last moments,Aurora, for there will be no tomorrow in your future.”
Aurora turned her attention back toNieve. “Godsbelow, what is wrong with her?Don’tmove.I’llgo findGrace.”
“Aurora.”Nieveplaced his hand over hers. “I’llbe fine.Shestabs me at least three times a month.”
