Chapter 7:

My Fairy godmother made the soup in silence. The spices she blended sizzled in the pot. The aroma in the air was welcoming, but did nothing for my appetite. I smelled the chicken added to the pot. I had so many things to say, but kept it to myself. Rochelle was too far away for mind communication. Exhaustion eluded me. I refused to sleep. It's probably 3 or 5 in the morning. My eyelids were almost closed. The clang of the pot woke me back up. She closed the lid and sat in front of me. She placed the hot bowl of soup in front of me. I sighed repeatedly, closing my eyes like everything that's happened has been a dream. I inhaled the heavenly smell of spices and chicken, but that did not soothe me. I fiddled with the spoon, looking at the medley of vegetables, noodles, and chicken swirling. I pinched my arm, but my skin was numb. I used my fingernail for better pain, nothing. I thought of my blade in my shoe to prick my finger to feel something. To draw blood, but I shouldn't draw my blood. It should be hers, her daughters.

"Would you like some tea?" She asked carefully.

I shook my head, staring ahead. "I'll make some. It will soothe your nerves." She stood up again and fired up the stove, filling up the kettle. "I have frankincense, fennel, and chamomile." I said nothing, gazing at her cream colored placemats. I fingered the lace around it, bringing comfort in my heart however I was still shaking. "I'll boil some chamomile."

"Dearie, please say something." She sat down, holding my hand.

"What's there to say? My parents are gone. My sister's halfway across the world. My replacement mother is framing me for murder, there's only one thing to do."

"Dearie, you just went through something horrible. Your father is gone. Whatever you are thinking, rebuke it," she warned.

"How do you know what I'm thinking?" I asked with wide eyes.

"Revenge." I tilted my head, staring. I looked away and closed my eyes. Of course I wanted revenge, retribution. They should suffer.

"Is it so awful for them to get what they deserve after what they've done to me and my kingdom?"

"No. But not in the way you are thinking. Just take some time and eat-"

"I don't have time, I couldn't save him. I thought he would be the one connection to my family. I can't just sit here and not do anything," I told her, eyes filling with tears again.

"I know, just rest. You need time to mourn." She was right. I have balled my eyes out, sobbed for the life gone of my father. There was no time. I coudln't rest. I should not be sitting right now.

"I can't rest, my kingdom. It could die if I don't do anything soon."

"That won't happen, dearie."

"It did. My castle was crumbling before I fled. The authorities arrived to arrest me. She claimed I killed my father. She's framing me."

"What?" Was all my godmother questioned with wide eyes. I nodded slowly. She said nothing else, shut off her stove and tore me away from the table to a hidden cauldron. The room looked like a closet but it was big enough to be a room. The water filled cauldron waved and rippled. The picture of land came into view. The land, my acquired land, was in ruins: the mossy grass was gray, the brown trees were black, the houses around in the village were cracked. The sky was grim. Oh, no.

It was happening: the reckoning. No, the prophet cannot come into fruition now. My chest fluttered from anxiety, I felt like I was going to throw up. The place I called home since I was born was disappearing in front of my eyes again. "Godmother, I cannot let this continue. If I don't do something now, my kingdom will be gone."

"It will not, dearie. We'll find a way." She assured me, patting my arm gently.

"Yes, by bringing my father back."

"That's not the way."

"What do you mean? It's in the book." She gave an apprehensive look and turned away. "I have his blood. His body is still in the castle but I have his blood. And the book says the royal blood and spirit must flow to keep the kingdom intact." I have read the book forward and backward. That has to be it.

She swallowed and said, "technically we do just need his blood."

"But?" I knew it was coming, I squinted and waited for her to continue.

"Do you know why I let you go to the ball?"

"To meet the prince?" I questioned with a shrug.

"Those glass slippers you wore last night were enchanted for him to find you."

"But I don't have them. Well, I lost one of them." By the time I got home, the shoe slipped off my foot. I barely got the chance to cherish the pair. I assumed they disappeared along with the carriage and dress.

"That means he is heading to your home for your hand in marriage. Those shoes, as though they are enchanted, are needed for the completion of the spell."

"We have to go there now." I gathered my things and headed out the door but she stopped me.

"No! We cannot go there through the front door. I have a cloak." I nodded. Following her to her room, it smelled of cinnamon and apples. Her bed was not made, I possibly disturbed her slumber when I arrived. She went to her closet, taking out a large red cape presenting it to me.

"What is that?"

"The only way to get in and out of the castle without being seen. I spelled it to make us invisible." I titled my head to the side.

"Can I do that with any cloth?"

"There's no time. We must go."