The Rules of Ever After by Killian B. Brewer Page B

offering me the pathetic position of Mistress of Magic. They showed no mercy to my mother or me so, I showed none in return, besides saving her children. When Thrigor first appeared to me and suggested his plans, it became perfectly clear to me what I should do. I knew my other stepsister in Bellemer had a son about your age. I would raise you, marry you to him and take over Bellemer. Thrigor and I would unite Cantera and Bellemer and eventually begin a campaign to take over the other five kingdoms of Clarameer. We would rule the entire land together. So I stashed you safely away in my little tower retreat, sealed all the doors and set out to take care of my other stepsister.”
    Katerina raised her head and stared at her aunt in horror. “But my brother—”
    “Well, he didn’t really fit in my plan, now did he? And I couldn’t have some boy who could claim the Canteran throne just lolling about the kingdoms, now could I?”
    “So you killed him?”
    Cauchemar’s temples pulsed and her eyes flashed as her anger flared. “I am not a killer! How could you think such a thing! No. I simply dropped him in the woods of Sylvania and let nature take its course. There are many creatures not known to man in those woods. Creatures that would find a squalling little boy to be quite the feast. Everything was going perfectly to plan, until that absurd little boy of my stepsister’s turned out to prefer men. And then your little scribbling friend ruined it completely. All my hard work ruined by stupid little boys.”
    “I’m glad you failed!” Katerina screamed. She slammed her fists onto the top of the vanity, causing one of the perfume bottles to roll off and shatter on the stone floor. “You’re a horrible woman! I should avenge my mother and kill you myself!”
    Flames burst out around Cauchemar’s head as she lunged at the girl and grabbed her arm. “I’d like to see you try. You’d best remember, young lady, that you’re only alive because of this horrible woman. And that’s a state I could change with a snap of my fingers.”
    Katerina jerked her arm away from her aunt’s grasp and stood up to face her eye-to-eye. “Fine. Kill me. I don’t care. At least I know your plan has failed and Peter, Phillip and Bellemer are safe from you now!”
    Leaning her face closer to Katerina’s, Cauchemar hissed, “Little girl, that was one plan.” As she leaned forward, the flames dancing about her head singed Katerina’s face, causing the girl to lean back against the vanity table. “I promised Thrigor a kingdom. True, I cannot deliver on that now, so it’s time for plan B. I can’t give him a kingdom, but I can give him a princess. Now pick up that brush and fix your hair. It’s time you met your future husband.” As the flames died down, Cauchemar spun on her heel and stomped to the chamber door. “I will be back for you in a few moments. You will keep your mouth shut, smile and look pretty. Do you understand?”
    “And if I refuse?”
    “Then you will see what true misery is in this castle’s dungeons, until you change your mind.” Cauchemar slammed the door behind her with a loud thud.
    Katerina dropped onto the stool to face the mirror again. Gaz­ing blankly at her reflection, she grabbed a silver brush from the tabletop and began to slowly drag it through her tangled hair. “Oh, Peter. Find me, please.” Looking up into the dark rafters of the room, she called out, “Mother? Help?”

C hapter 7
    D aniel stood in the hallway before the king’s bedchamber door and shifted uneasily from one foot to the other. He knew he needed to enter and offer his support, but wasn’t sure Prince Phillip would want to see him. While he was certain Phillip and he had made a connection while chatting in that absurdly tall bed, Daniel was utterly confused by Phillip’s sudden suggestion of marriage, the fantastic tales of the scribe and the madness that ensued with Phillip’s stepmother. Perhaps somehow his presence