Page 21 of Malicent
I blink.
Friends?
“I’m sorry you lost your mama and papa and have no friends,” she says simply, like this isn’t the most obvious, tragic thing in the world. Then,with absolute certainty, she adds, “We are friends now.”
She thrusts her bunny toward me. I stare, realization dawning on me. She’s giving it to me.
When I don’t immediately take it, her little brows scrunch in frustration, and she starts shoving it toward my chest.
“Millie, this is very kind, but he seems important to you. I can’t take him.”
She shakes her head, her curls bouncing wildly. “We can share!”
A voice calls from the courtyard.
“Little star! Come!”
Millie turns her head at the sound, her mother waving to her from beside the well.
Her smile drops when she sees me.
Nothing new.
I sigh, relenting. I take the rabbit from Millie’s hands, if only to stop her ramming it into my chest.
Satisfied, she grins one last time before skipping off, her curls bouncing as she runs to her mother.
I watch.
I watch as her mother takes her hand without hesitation, swinging arms, making Millicent laugh.
My chest tightens.
My fingers curl around the rabbit’s worn fabric, gripping it like something fragile. Something I shouldn’t be allowed to hold.
Footsteps.
The distinct clicks of heels echo in the air. Measured. Cold. Familiar.
Nora.
I barely have time to shove the rabbit down my coat before her voice reaches me.
“I can sense your magic up in my office.”
She stops in front of me. I don’t lift my head.
“It is time for your session. Come.”
A cold sweat breaks out at the base of my neck.
I go.
I always go.
Because it is necessary.
As I scream, I repeat it.
