Starbeam Page 5

  I had never trusted anyone as much as I trusted this girl now, and the worst part was, I didn’t even know her name.

  Our laughter ran through the maze and echoed into the night.

  The maze changed again and this time my lips moved faster to hers.

  I couldn’t help it, I was addicted to her.

  I knew that we had to be close to the exit again, when the clock started to chime.

  It was midnight and the fireworks were starting to go off.

  I looked up as she gasped.

  She let go of my hand just as the rumble came and disappeared. The wall of the maze shifted into its new place.

  No, you didn’t.

  I laughed and her laughter came too, but it stopped too fast.

  “I’m sorry, I have to go.”

  “No, no, no, please don’t.”

  “You’ll find your way out, just follow the purple flowers. I have got to go, sorry,” she yelled already leaving and fear emerged in my gut.

  I wasn’t scared of the enchanted bushes anymore. If I had my sword the maze would never be the same again.

  “What is your name, how will I find you?”

  She didn’t reply and the fear in me made me more agitated at the stupid maze.

  It rumbled again.

  Finally.

  But when it stopped the entrance wasn’t there anymore.

  I had no choice but to follow the purple flowers.

  I ran down the path and laughed.

  This wasn’t happening.

  No, not this.

  The entire night had started like a fairytale. Who she is, who I am. It was a fairytale like Delilah had told me once. A girl, a peasant girl, with glass slippers.

  It wasn’t my favorite of course, but I remembered it now.

  She danced with the prince, he fell madly in love with her and at the stroke of midnight, she left in a hurry, leaving a glass slipper behind.

  He too had no idea what her name was, just like me now.

  I just hoped that this girl’s slipper was going to be waiting for me.

  Otherwise how on earth was I going to find my Cinderella.

  * * *

  KATIE

  * * *

  The clock had already chimed nine times by the time I had made it back to the ballroom. I almost smacked into Maggy’s back as she was standing right in front of me.

  “Where the hell have you been?”

  I just smiled. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

  Maggy grabbed my arm. The carriage was leaving at twelve and it was our only ride back to the village. If we had to walk all the way back would take all night and none of us would be safe. Acid spitters stalked the skies in the middle of the night, not to mention the red dragons that breathed fire and had a lust for maidens.

  “You haven’t answered my question yet, where were you all entire evening?,” Maggy asked again as we reached the room where all the coats were hanging. Maggy handed the guy our tickets and he left to find our coats.

  “I kissed someone.” I couldn’t stop smiling.

  “You what! Who the hell are you and what have you done with my friend? “ Maggy asked.

  “He’s some governor’s son, I think. It was the guy that pulled me away from lashing out at the prince. It was so amazing.”

  “Katherine Squire, I hope you got his name.”

  “There wasn’t time,” I looked at the entrance and saw him running in, searching everywhere.

  “Oh crap.” I hid behind Maggy as the man came back with our coats.

  “Which one is he?” Maggy asked, craning her neck in the direction I was looking.

  “The one that just came in.”

  Maggy started to sing. “Ohhhh, he’s searching for you like crazy.”

  “Can we just wait for a second? I just want to see what he looks like.”

  “Ramon is waiting. He needs to be back at Eikenborough, in less than an hour.” She said as I put on my coat and the hood to hide my face.

  “Please,” I begged again.

  “Kate, I love you, but we can’t wait. I’m sorry.”

  I nodded and took a deep breath. “Okay, let’s go.” I said and glanced one last time at the mask that covered his face.

  I couldn’t stop staring at those lips and longed to be held just one more time in his arms. Maggy was right. What had happened to me? This wasn’t like me at all. The crowd started to count down from ten for the unveiling of the masks.

  I kept glancing in his direction as we made our way to the stairs.

  He was still searching for me and I ached just go to him, show him who I was, and ask him for a ride back home. But Maggy pulled me fast behind her.

  Five, four, three...

  “Just one second, please.” I begged one last time.

  “We are already late, come on, Kate.”

  One. I looked back and watched as he took off his mask.

  I gasped as goosebumps flushed all over my body.

  “Who are you?” A shrill voice which could only be his betrothed yelled.

  My legs felt as if they were going to turn into mush as Maggy continued to pull me toward the exit of the castle.

  Prince Albert finally looked in my direction and smiled.

  I still had my mask on.

  He tried to follow but was surrounded by girls and I could only imagine that he wasn’t going to get away from them anytime soon.

  I had kissed Prince Albert.

  What the hell.

  Why had he pretended to be a governor’s son?

  “We have to go, Kate. Run.” Maggy said and lifted up her dress.

  I did the same as new fears filled my gut.

  Ramon yelled when we finally emerged from the castle’s main entrance and we bolted toward the carriage.

  Once safely inside the carriage, I could finally catch my breath as the pounding of the horses’ hooves filled the night.

  My heart was beating in time with the stomping of their hooves.

  “I’m so sorry Kate, but he would’ve left us if we were a minute late.” Maggy apologized and looked at me. “Are you okay?”

  I shook my head. I wasn’t okay. I had said all those things, and the worst part was that I had said them to him. I closed my eyes and took another deep breath. “I know who he was.”

  “You saw his face,” Maggy asked and a soft smile spread over hers. “I get the feeling he wasn’t who you thought he would be.”

  “Yes, you are right. It wasn’t. I kissed Prince Albert.”

  Maggy’s eyes grew. “Are you serious?”

  “I saw him taking off his mask, it was him.” I fell with my head back against the carriage sofa. “I’m so dead.”

  “Does he know who you are?”

  I shook my head trying to remember if I’d mentioned anyone by name. No, I didn’t because he would’ve told me who he was. “I don’t think so, but he can easily find out. We talked about so many things. My family and I told him about my father being sick.” I grabbed my head. “Oh Maggy, what have I done?”

  Maggy just stared. Probably realizing the danger we were in.

  She started to laugh hysterically.

  “What am I missing?”

  “You kissed Prince Albert,” Maggy said. “You hate Prince Albert.”

  “And I told him exactly that to his face, yet he still kissed me.”

  “What?”

  “He wanted to know why I hated the royals so much and it just poured out. I couldn’t help it. I was angry and…I fell for the prince.” I cried animatedly which made Maggy laugh again.

  “There is nothing wrong in falling for the prince, my sweet, sweet Katie.” She stroked my head softly as I finally took off my mask. “Every girl in this kingdom falls for a prince at some point.”

  I giggled as I sucked on my lower lip and the thought of having royal lips on mine made my stomach flutter even more.

  “What’s strange is that he knows exactly what you are, and it didn’t change a t
hing. I saw the way he searched for you Katie, you did what no other commoner has ever done, our prince is totally smitten with you too.”

  Chapter 6

  KATIE

  * * *

  The carriage finally stopped.

  We got out.

  “Thank you Ramon. Sorry we cut it so close.”

  “It’s okay, Marguerite. It was worth it but I have to go.”

  “Hope you don’t get into trouble.” She yelled as the carriage pulled away.

  I was reliving the night with Prince Albert. The story really changed into Cinderella with me being freak’n Cinderella, me Katie Squires.

  “Okay Katie, time to get your head out of the clouds.”

  I chuckled. She was so right.

  Since he knew I was a commoner, he would still marry Drizelda. Just another reason for me to hate her even more.

  I said goodbye and watched her run across the road to her house and disappeared with a final wave goodnight.

  I went inside and closed the door behind me, trying not to make much noise.

  “Kate, is that you?”

  “Yes,” I sounded hopeless just leaning my back against the door.

  I wanted to cry.

  Why had he kissed me? I looked up at the ceiling. Why him?

  I sighed when I saw my mother just standing there, staring at me.

  She pulled her blanket closer around her shoulders and smiled.

  “So, you had a good night?”

  “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” I laughed.

  “Really? Well then, get on with it. I don’t want to miss a second of it. Come here and sit down.”

  She led me to the table in our small kitchen.

  As I told her most of the story, mom just stared lovingly at me, probably glad that a man was finally sweeping me off my feet. I left out some of the details, like the kisses, but she could tell by the way I described him that he was smitten just like Maggy said.

  “So, who was he? Please tell me you at least found that out.”

  “I did.” I sounded so sad.

  “Katherine Squires,” my mother said, in that tone she used whenever I was about to doubt myself, that I wasn’t good enough. “You are beautiful and if a rich nobleman…”

  “It’s the prince Mom.” I interrupted and she fell silent.

  She just stared at me.

  “Prince Albert?” she finally asked and I nodded.

  “Oh dear,” worry lined her face.

  “I know. I have to forget about tonight. It was what it was, perfect for a few hours but that was it, right?”

  She looked sad, and I knew that my story wasn’t going to end like Cinderella’s.

  “It’s okay,” I jumped up. “At least I can say that maybe I was wrong about the prince and he might take better care of us than his father has when he becomes king.”

  “It’s not fair. To know that Drizelda is going to marry him.”

  “That’s how life is, Mom.”

  “Katherine, you know you cannot ever see him again. They will send us all to the gallows, just like his grandfather sent the Swallow Anex to her death.”

  “I know, Mom.” Tears started to fill my eyes.

  It was so wrong. All of it. Why couldn’t they choose, why couldn’t any of us choose. Well, I was lucky, my mother and father didn’t treat me like cattle. I could still choose. But I knew I wouldn’t want anyone else after tonight.

  Nobody could ever fill Albert’s shoes. Ever.

  * * *

  ALBERT.

  There was no slipper and every time I closed my eyes, I saw her running, disappearing and gone. Out of my life.

  I had no idea who she was, just that she was from Eikenborough.

  Still, I had plenty of things to ask my father, but I needed Delilah’s advice first.

  She was in confinement because of what she did for me about mother’s ball.

  I had to listen to mother’s scolding Delilah the entire night behind closed doors.

  Then it was my turn.

  She wasn’t happy, not with this stunt and almost punished Gabe too, but it wasn’t Gabe’s fault.

  It was like treason in their eyes pretending to be the prince.

  “I just wanted to know what being normal felt like. It had nothing to do with rebelling against your ball or anything.”

  “Albert, you made a fool not just of us but poor Drizelda too.”

  “I don’t care about Drizelda and I won’t marry her mother.”

  She gasped. “Have you lost your mind?”

  “Please, don’t make me marry someone I don’t love. She’s not going to be the right queen either.”

  “You never cared about who your queen was going to be, Albert, why now?”

  I grabbed her hands.“Because I finally believe the things you do, mother.” I brought them up to my lips and kissed them.

  She smiled lovingly.

  “I felt it.”

  “Felt what?” Her smile sort of disappeared.

  “The thing you always talk about Mom. I have never had a connection with anyone like the one I had with this girl I met last night.”

  She closed her eyes.

  “Mom.”

  “Albert, don’t. I can’t listen to this. You will marry Drizelda that’s how it is and you have to forget about this girl before your father finds out.”

  She turned around and left.

  I ran both my hands through my hair and grunted.

  How had I ended up with such cold hearted parents?

  A father that didn’t want to acknowledge me, that never loved me enough because I was the spawn of a woman he didn’t love.

  A mother who couldn’t see further than her own bitter heart.

  I would find this girl and I would carry out the plans I had already made, she would be next to me, fighting for all dragons to be free.

  * * *

  I found myself standing in front of my dragon mother’s confinement.

  She was old and I knew that locking her in a room for most would be hardly considered punishment, but she couldn’t leave. That was punishment enough.

  “Open her door.” I looked at the guard.

  “Your father…”

  “I said open the door.” I yelled and he stared at me and nodded.

  He opened the door and I found her sitting in the chair.

  She looked with closed eyes at the wall.

  There wasn’t even a window.

  “I’m so sorry,” I said as tears lingered in my eyes.

  She opened her eyes and smiled. Then she opened her arms and I rushed to her side.

  I went down on my knees in front of her, resting my head on her lap as she stroked my hair.

  I started to cry.

  This was so wrong.

  “Shhh, I’m okay.” She whispered.

  I sniffed and looked at her.

  “Just tell me everything. How did it feel to be normal?”

  I chuckled as I wiped the tears from my cheeks.

  “It was wonderful.”

  She nodded. “I knew it would be. Who is she?”

  I stared at her. “How did you know.”

  “I can see it in your tears, and in your eyes. You are so different Albert.”

  “You will laugh.”

  “Try me.”

  “She is a peasant.”

  She did laugh but it wasn’t cruel. “You have finally learned.”

  I nodded. “I was such an idiot.”

  “We all are at some point, but luckily for you, you learned. Some humans are idiots till the day they die.”

  I laughed again.

  “Why couldn’t you be my mother.”

  “I am in here, Albert.” She touched my heart.

  “She doesn’t want to hear anything from me anymore. Nothing and father would probably send her to the gallows just for being a commoner.”

  “Don’t be so sure, baby. Just fight for what you want, and never stop. If she is really what your he
art wants, then you must persevere until the very end.”

  I nodded.

  “So what is her name?”

  I laughed again. “I don’t know.”

  “What do you mean, you don’t know.” She had a scolding tone.

  I told her the entire story of last night. She laughed about so many things, especially what this girl said to me not knowing I was the prince.

  “She sounds like she was made just for you.”

  “She is, I know it with all my being.”

  “Then fight for her.”

  “I don’t even know who she is or how to find her. Eikenborough is really big and mother gave out quite a few of those tickets.”

  “Yes, it was really a good and a kind gesture, but I don’t think she is really happy about it now, but at the time, she was being kind.”

  “Why does father raise the taxes so often?”

  “That’s something you will need to ask him, Albert. Tell him you want to know because some day you will have to take over from him.”

  I nodded again. “Why am I so afraid of him?”

  She touched my face again and stared into my eyes. “He loves you more than you know Albert.”

  I shook my head. I didn’t agree with her.

  “He’s still just an idiot.”

  I huffed as the corners of my lips curved slightly.

  “Ask him. He will tell you.”

  Chapter 7

  KATIE

  The first week went by and there was no word or sign that Albert was going to change things.

  He was probably just playing me that night.

  I hated him again for what he had done to me, playing me like a fool. I was a fool.

  The front door chimed. Mother was in the back when Drizelda Longbottom walked in.

  I still hated her, but at least I was back to the stage where I truly believed that they deserved one another.

  “Oh look who is here, if it isn’t miss Cindersoot. Did you have a lovely time at the ball? Or did you end up not going as they wouldn’t allow you in because of what you were wearing?”

  “Oh no, I had a wonderful time, Drizelda.” I said and wanted to tell her who I was with, just to shut her up, but mother came back.