Their kingdom had no king. And their castle had no servants.
Nine girls, all orphans, were adopted by the king of Runa, one from each of the nine kingdoms ravaged by Red Fever. They grew up as sisters, and as royal princesses, with a loving king and...
Black water, jolting cold, clenched her whole body. Thrashing with blind panic, she broke through the surface. "Luxley!" Her shriek was broken by coughing. She twisted around, searching for the willow. Instead of Luxley, a giant man stood by the tree, watching her.
Coralina screamed like a banshee. The giant held up his hands. "Don't be frightened, Princess Coralina. You're safe."
"Maelyn! MAELYN!" Coralina splashed wildly as she paddled away from the man. He walked slowly, following her on the bank.
"STOP!" Coralina yelled. "G-go away!" Her jaw clattered and her limbs burned with the struggle to swim in her heavy ball gown. But what could she do with that monster standing there? "Luxley!"
"He's out cold." The giant pointed at the tree. A dark shape lay beneath the swing that still drifted back and forth. Coralina's eyes widened as she recognized Luxley's boots.
"It's all right, my lady," said the giant. "I'm not here to harm you. I am Gord, a carpenter of Creaklee."
Coralina's fear washed away like soap bubbles from her skin. A peasant! And she knew the name. Maelyn had mentioned him recently though she couldn't remember why. Coralina clenched her teeth. "G-get me out of here, you dumb ox!"
Gord crouched on the bank while Coralina swam toward him. He tugged her up by the elbows and stood silent while she wrung the lake from her hair and gown. "Now g-give me your c-cloak before I die out here!" The mild breeze felt like a blizzard on her wet skin.
"Yes, my lady." Gord shrugged out of his massive cloak and dropped it on her shoulders. She hadn't anticipated the weight. Beneath the cloak and sopping ball gown, she was ready to collapse.
"Take me inside," Coralina said, finally looking at Gord. Enormous. The top of her head did not reach his shoulders. A broad chest twice her width, thick arms and legs, hands the size of dinner plates. The moonlight obscured his face but she sensed nothing remarkable. Just a peasant – a big one.
"Take you?" Gord sounded confused.
"CARRY ME!" Coralina said. "My clothes are too heavy-"
"Oh." Gord scooped her up like a sack of grain and draped her over his shoulder. He walked toward the castle on heavy strides. Swaddled in the enormous cloak, Coralina felt like a sack of grain. She'd never been carried more inelegantly, facing backward, her rump higher than her head. She gazed at the dark lump of Luxley under the swing. She'd never get that proposal now....
Arialain opened the door. Gord managed to bow despite his load. "My lady, there's been a mishap. Princess Cora-"
"Where's Maelyn?" Coralina wriggled down from Gord's shoulder. "Find her at once!"
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Coralina never enjoyed the sight of Maelyn on her throne. The ivory cape that shimmered on her shoulders, the sapphire crown that nestled in her hair, the elevated chair that held her above the people. All because she was first. First of the nine orphans adopted by the childless king. And though Coralina tried not to think about it, first in their father's heart.
