A/N: Ah ha! We have a plan now, and it will all go well with no problems, right......RIGHT?
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Dahlia checked behind her before she reached into the cold hearth and pulled. The hidden lever let out a low moan as the counterweights shifted beyond the stone. Waiting for the latch to pop, her eyes were trained on the door. She wasn't supposed to be here. This study had been closed off with the rest of the west wing shortly after the king's return. He had given a reason, but it was simply nonsense. Half-truths and serpentine words answered the questions the staff dared ask. Her mother had been satisfied, as had many of the others who'd been huddled in the palace kitchens. Though she doubted anyone would have had the bravery to speak further.
The latch clicked, and she exhaled for what felt like the first time. Laying her contraband at her feet, it took all her strength to wrench the small door open. Wailing on ancient hinges, cold air swept through the crack. Shivering in the draft, she dropped her crutch inside before sliding through feet-first. Reaching for the basket, she drew it in behind her before the weights shifted again and the door fell closed. Looking up at the ingenious little system, she shook her head in wonder. What magic people were able to work with their wits alone! She supposed the kingdom had been a better place then.
"Perhaps."
She groaned, collecting herself before she made an about face and followed the curve of the natural walls. The shadow had found her again. Why did it always bother her when she was alone?
Her hair fell in her face, an irritated hand shoved it back. With all the recent chaos she hadn't been trimming it as she usually did. Now misshapen chunks stuck out in every direction, obscuring her vision completely during the worst of times.
"It was probably always bad. You know what Asha told you about the king. He never could grant wishes."
Her insides hallowed.
Simon...
She had seen him after he had made his "wish". All proud in the regalia they were able to piece together for him. Clean and proper with his chest stuck out like a rooster. She supposed he was happy with himself, then! Glad that he got his precious wish while everyone else-
"-suffers," the shadow finished, "He gets to play dress-up while you slave away."
And while Asha starves. She shuddered, the woven handle slipping in her sweaty palm. She switched the basket to her other hand. It hung awkward there, thumping against the crutch. Rethinking her decision, she moved it back. How long had it been? Three days, four...a week? She couldn't keep track anymore. One day bled into the next! She had been stuck in that sweltering kitchen for ages. No one got a proper rest anymore. They all slept in shifts. With so few staff, they couldn't afford to waste a single minute. Which was why this little endeavor she was embarking on was very tedious.
"I bet your mother is looking for you right now."
"Shut up," she growled, though she still turned her head to watch the dim path behind her. She knew that her excuse of straightening up the palace stores was not going to buy her much time. But it was the only lie she could muster. At least the only one her mother would believe. With that sobering thought, she tucked her chin and lurched down the dark way. The shadow skipped after, whispering doubts and worries in time with her beating heart.
She was gleeful when she found the break in the passage. Escaping into the sunlight, she was liberated. Salt air pressed against her face. She breathed in greedily. Though the shadow still lurked behind her, ready to narrate another nasty thought. And it didn't have to wait long, fore soon after the salt came the smoke. The smell of kindling cut harsh through the briny air. Even among the generous spread of trees, fear itched at the back of her skull. She couldn't see the city from where she stood, but taking the time to climb to the overlook, she was met with a vision of Hell.
YOU ARE READING
Of Stardust and Wishes (A Wish Rewrite)
Fanfiction"Salvē!" The golden specter repeated. She was in shock. That had to be it. All that tossing around in the water must have shaken her insides around enough to make her see things. She blinked a few times, but he was still there, looking even more con...
