Chapter 17: Choices

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Maple:

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I lay in a bed reminiscing on what had happened or at least what I think happened. One moment we had all been together in the tunnel then I was snatched up, a bag was put over her head and they had forced me to walk. When they finally took the bag off I was in a grand ball room. With tile floors and creamy pink walls and ceiling. I even remembered the burns on my feet from the heat of the lava below the volcano’s floor. They still throbbed away. The queen had  sat waiting. It was all a blur what was said. After much talk maids had brought me upstairs, changed me into a night gown and put me to bed. I had fallen asleep almost instantly.

There was a knock on the door and it opened. My hands pull the sheets over my head. Who is out there? As I gently feel my burns on my feet I realize I’m naked. Then it all pieces together. The night here were so hot, being in a volcano and all. It must have been so hot and humid it had practically forced me out of my clothes.  My ears pick up light humming and I peeking out from under the covers I see.....the QUEEN!!! She opens the curtains and then made her way to the bed where she rips   the covers off suddenly. I gasp as the cold attacks me and embarrassed my hands fly up to shield my chest.  My mouth opens to scream but then there is a hand over it along with my throat squeezing tightly blocking off my air keeping me quiet.

“Now” said the queen. “ Today is a big day. It’s your wedding so we aren’t going to be difficult are we?” I shake my head up and down desperate for her to let go. When she does I exhale and gulp more air in like a fish out of water. 

The dress is huge, black and ugly. I didn’t have a choice. I was to be wed today to the queen’s nephew who was 16 going on 17 years old and at least 3 or 4 years older then me. I would be his birthday present the queen sneered and I would never go home. Never see mum or dad again. Never again see Jack who was quite a nuisance at times but I loved him and he needed my protection. Never again be see my friends from school or Pepper or Shadow or Grandma and Grandpa. My life is ruined because we entered that stupid cave. I am quickly understanding....I don’t want to grow up this fast. I want to cry and throw fits. I’m not ready . Some girls back home got married at the age of 12 or 13 but that isn’t me even though it doesn’t madder. There is nothing I can do about it.

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