Page 69 of Pippa of Lauramore
“The beautiful one is Princess Leonora, future queen of Lauramore, and the plain one is Lady Marigold of Primewood. She is King Windom’s ward.”
“Excellent,” the first man answers, his voice oozing with greed.
I glance at Marigold, wondering if she’ll take offense to the man’s assessment of her beauty. She doesn’t seem to notice but instead stares at him with the same look a rabbit has when trapped.
Leonora doesn’t look scared—she looks livid. I’m fiercely proud of her.
“Stay still, and you won’t be harmed. If you fight, you will find your time with us…uncomfortable.”
“What is your name?” I demand.
My question takes him by surprise, but he bows again and gives me a sneer. “You may call me Peg.”
I take a step forward. “I didn’t hear you. Pig, did you say? Or Peg? Like a girl?”
“Pippa,” Marigold squeaks.
Peg steps up to me, and the arrow presses into the material of my dress. “You are not worth as much to me, Princess. You’re the fourth heir to the throne, and a girl no less.”
I stand my ground.
“Word has it you’re a difficult female—unruly, wild, and tiresome. It’s possible King Ewan would be glad to be free of you. You are very beautiful though.” He runs his hand down my hair. I grit my teeth, knowing to knock his hand away would likely mean an arrow in my heart. “Perhaps I should sell you elsewhere.”
A sharp chill travels down my spine.
“Yes—maybe I won’t try to get a ransom out of any of you,” Peg muses, cocking his head to the side. “It might be more profitable to leave now and not tarry with Ewan’s knights.”
I steal a glance at Leonora. She looks like she may pass out. Her mouth is working, but no words come out. The sight of the arrow at my chest is too much for her—and understandably so.
The arrow at my chest is almost too much for me.
It’s Marigold who finally squeaks. Her eyes are wide and focused on something behind me. Before I can turnto see what it is, there’s a cloth over my nose and mouth. The smell reminds me of musty caves and dark tunnels. The world spins in front of my eyes, and little black dots blur my vision and pull me to unconsciousness.
From somewhere distant, I hear Leonora scream.
It’s evening.There are birds in the trees, and they are singing the last of their daylight songs. Crickets hum from the flower gardens. I’m surrounded by people, and when I look up, I see Archer. I try to push my way to him, but the throng of people is too thick. He’s waiting for something, and when he sees it, his eyes light up.
I strain against the crowd and stand on my tiptoes to see over their heads. It’s useless. I can’t make out anything.
My parents are behind Archer, both beaming at him. He smiles, and it’s a radiant thing that takes my breath away. I can now just make out what he’s looking at. Coming alongside the crowd is a woman dressed in pale green. Her gown is flowing and gauzy, and she looks resplendent. Her hair is red, like mine, and tipped in gold…like mine. She turns toward the crowd, smiling.
It’s me.
I blink furiously. What’s going on?
The girl who looks like me, but can’t be me, joins Archer, and he clasps her hands. A man in white and gold joins them, and he says words I barely hear or understand. The crowd roars, and then Archer kisses the girl.
“No!” I scream. Over and over I yell it, but no one hears me.
Then, before my eyes, the girl who looks like me changes. It’s not me—it’s Marigold.
He kisses her again, pulling her close. “I love you, Marigold.”
Those words I hear.
My world fades, and I grab for something to keep my balance. I flail, and a man finally notices me. He reaches out, but his hand passes through mine, and I fall.
I startle awake. It’s now dark.
