Grimm Fantasies: Cinder Princess

Beast

   Mrs. Stella left the very next day after arriving. Ashley watched as her and Mr. Gerald spoke about meeting up in London, or rather argued. Mrs. Stella wanted Mr. Gerald and Mara to join her in London to teach Mara the proper ways of hunting in a large city, Mr. Gerald did not. He wanted Mara to stay put and stick close to the 'mutt' until she could kill it and be rid of her sickness. Ashley was sitting on the stairs watching them quietly while Mara stood at the foot of them with her gaze trained to the marbled floor. Ella and Annie were just in front of Ashley, quietly whispering about Mara's condition.

   "Wait, so she's...?" Annie asked her older sister who nodded matter-of-factly.

   "Mhmm, she's on the hunt to fix it now." Ella giggled. "To bad she's afraid to hold a gun. Mother says Mara can't even pick up a gun without shaking; she's been using a pathetic knife and cross bow instead, though she's never hit a paper target before even with the crossbow. She'll never kill her prey and she'll be stuck like that forever."

   "Who doesn't like guns?" Annie asked sounding genuinely confused. After a moment of silence they both looked back to Ashley. After a moment of staring they turned back to the spectacle Mara's parents were putting on with their arguing.

   "I suppose that leaves the head of the family position open to whoever is powerful enough to take it from her." Ella smirked. "Perfect for someone who might feel their under presented in the family...If you know what I mean." Ella looked to her sister who had a lost look on her face as she frowned thoughtfully. Ella scoffed, "Us." She hissed, "If Mara can't get her shit together then it leaves the spot for head of the family open for grabs. She is an only child after all; she'll be easy to take down."

   Ashley listened quietly to her two step-sister watching the way Mara clenched her fists tighter and tighter as they went on about her being too weak to run the family. Ashley's eyes widened when she saw blood drip from Mara's hands and onto the marble floor. Ashley moved to say something about it when Mrs. Stella slapped Mr. Gerald and stormed out of the house slamming the front door so roughly the chandelier overhead started to sway.

   There was silence in the foray for what seemed like ages, when finally Mr. Gerald turned to Mara, saying nothing as he stared at his daughter. He then looked up to Ashley and her step-sisters before turning and walking away.

   Mara and her father stayed for two months after that with no signs of leaving. Ashley and Mara had started hanging out on a regular basis, enjoying each others company. Ashley had begun to trust her so much in fact she decided showed Mara her special hiding place in the woods.

   "You're father said we're not supposed to be out here." Mara said as she followed Ashley into the forest. Ashley glanced back to her and raised an eye brow.

   "I never listen to my father." She told Mara with an easy smirk, feeling more at ease with her around then she has with anyone else in a very long time.

   "Why not? He's protected you all these years." Mara said as she struggled to keep up with Ashley, "Hold up for a second, will you?" Ashley stopped walking and glanced back to Mara who was lagging behind. After Mara caught up and caught her breath she looked over to Ashley.

   "How are you walking so fast?" She questioned still panting out her breaths.

   "I'm following the foot path." Ashley said with a shrug. Mara frowned at her and opened her mouth a few times to speak before closing it again and looked around them.

   "...What foot path?" Ashley glanced around them with the intent to point it out but found no easy path to point out.

   "Uh..." Ashley started. She knew exactly where they were she knew the trees around her and she could see her bush fort in the distance. The foot path she was so used to taking however, was nowhere to be seen. Mara patted her shoulder and smirked.