The Stepsister Scheme

Danielle,” Talia said. “If I’m right, the sword will be none too happy about it either. Don’t be surprised if one of the shards finds its way to your heart.”
    She sat down on the edge of the bed, waiting. She looked... tired. Her eyes were bloodshot. She smelled of sweat and mold, and her black clothes were worn and ripped. Her sword was gone, though she still carried a knife strapped to her waist. Two small sticks pinned back her hair, save for a few sweaty wisps that hung over her eyes.
    “Your stepsister was kind enough to spare your life.” Talia shook her head, making it clear that kind wasn’t the word she really wanted to use. She smiled. “I’m not like your stepsister.”
    Charlotte shook her head and pointed the sword at Talia. “Maybe I can’t kill her .”
    Talia shrugged and reached back to pull one of the metal-topped sticks from her hair. She held it by the tip, then flicked it forward. The stick spun through the air, and the blunt end struck Charlotte squarely in the eye.
    Charlotte yelped and dropped the sword. Talia pushed off from the bed, catching the hilt in midair. The blade whooshed as Talia spun it around, bringing the edge to Charlotte’s throat.
    No question about it. Talia’s fairy gifts were back.
    “Now, then,” said Talia. “Why don’t we talk about the curse your sister placed on my princess?”

    To her great annoyance, Danielle found herself compelled to step away from Talia and Charlotte so she could mop up the water that had splashed onto the floor. She used the blanket Charlotte had dropped to soak up the worst of it, twisting the blanket to squeeze the water back into the pool. Worst of all, she was humming again.
    The humming caught Talia’s attention. “Stop that.”
    If only it was that easy. Danielle used a dry corner of the blanket to scrub the grout at the juncture between the floor and the pool.
    “Do you mind?” Talia said, jabbing the sword at Charlotte.
    “Enough, Cinderwench.” Charlotte’s eye was bloodshot, but she still appeared able to see. Tears poured down her cheek, and she was constantly blinking and rubbing the eye.
    Danielle dried her hands on her shirt and stood.
    “Watch your manners,” Talia said.
    “What does it matter?” Charlotte grabbed a sheet and wrapped it around her shoulders. She was still shivering. “If you don’t kill me, Stacia will.”
    “Lift the curse on Danielle, and maybe we’ll keep you alive,” said Talia.
    “Stacia and Rose cast it, not me. Only a kiss of true love could break it now.”
    “So get Armand down here,” said Talia.
    Charlotte gave a tired, bitter laugh. “He doesn’t love her.”
    Talia glared at Charlotte. “Princess Danielle obviously obeys you. So command her to obey her own wishes.”
    Charlotte shook her head. “I’d be commanding her to break the curse. I’m not strong enough to do that.”
    Talia studied Charlotte’s bedraggled appearance. “Witchcraft and treachery aren’t working out so well for you, are they?”
    Charlotte glared, but said nothing.
    Talia rested the blade of the sword on her shoulder. “What about you, Danielle? Do you know of any other way to break this spell?”
    Danielle tried, but she couldn’t speak. The questions had to come from Charlotte or Stacia. With a sigh, Talia jabbed the sword in Charlotte’s direction and said, “Tell her to answer me.”
    Charlotte waved one hand. “Oh, go on.”
    “Only by killing Stacia,” said Danielle. “If we break the curse on Armand, he could kiss me and end the spell. But he’s with Stacia and the Duchess.”
    “So either we fight our way up the Duchess’ tower to kill your stepsister and save your prince, or else we find someone else who truly loves you.” Talia glanced at Charlotte and snorted. “I won’t bother asking you to plant one on your stepsister’s cheek. So I suppose there’s only one thing left to do.”
    Before Charlotte could respond, Talia turned on her heel. The glass sword flicked out at Danielle’s face.
    At first, Danielle thought Talia had missed. Then her cheek began to sting. A line of blood trickled down the side of her face.
    “You said the sword wouldn’t hurt me!” Danielle said indignantly. She froze, realizing what she had just done. She touched her cheek, marveling as her arm obeyed her will.
    “So, are you free?” Talia asked.
    Danielle went to the bed and reached beneath the pillow, pulling out a half-full bottle of wine.
    “How did you know about